CleanShot X
PaidThe best screenshot and screen recording app for Mac — with AI-powered annotations, cloud sharing, and workflow automation
What is CleanShot X?
CleanShot X is the reigning champion of Mac screenshot tools — a polished, lightning-fast app that replaces the built-in macOS screenshot utility with dozens of features power users actually need: scrolling capture for long web pages, pinned screenshots that float on top of everything, video recording with GIF export, annotation tools with shapes and arrows, OCR to extract text from any screenshot, and pixel-perfect measurement overlays. In 2024-2026, CleanShot added AI-powered features including smart blur that auto-detects and obscures sensitive information (email addresses, credit card numbers, tokens), AI-generated alt text for accessibility, and a "Clean up screenshot" function that removes backgrounds or clutter. The app is sold as a one-time $29 license (with free updates for a year) or as part of the Setapp subscription. CleanShot Cloud adds $8/mo of secure screenshot and video hosting with shareable links, password protection, and expiration dates — essentially replacing Droplr and CloudApp for most users. CleanShot X is the tool that sits in almost every serious Mac developer, designer, and writer's menu bar, and once you use it for a week, the built-in macOS screenshot tool feels broken by comparison. It is the most universally beloved Mac productivity utility of the past decade.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Mac developers, designers, writers, and anyone sharing screenshots daily
Windows users or those happy with the built-in macOS screenshot tool
One-time $29 · CleanShot Cloud $8/mo · Team plans available
No — 7-day trial available
Most polished Mac screenshot app with AI-powered privacy features
Mac-only, cloud features are a separate subscription
Bottom line: CleanShot X scores 4.6/5 — the most beloved Mac productivity utility of the past decade — the $29 license pays for itself in a week of reduced screenshot friction.
Pricing
CleanShot X — $29 one-time: Lifetime license for one Mac, 1 year of free updates, full app feature set (capture, record, annotate, OCR, scrolling screenshots, pin to screen). Upgrade to newer versions after year one is optional.
CleanShot Cloud Pro — $8/month or $80/year: Everything in one-time plus unlimited secure cloud uploads, shareable links with password protection and expiration, custom domain, video hosting, shareable GIFs, team access.
CleanShot Cloud Team — $8/user/month: Team features, centralized billing, admin controls, shared uploads folder.
Setapp bundle: CleanShot X is also included in Setapp ($9.99/mo) alongside 240+ other Mac apps — a good option if you want many apps bundled together.
Key Features
- Scrolling capture for long web pages and documents
- Screen recording with GIF and MP4 export
- Annotation tools with shapes, arrows, and text
- OCR to extract text from any screenshot
- Smart blur for sensitive info (emails, cards, tokens)
- Pinned screenshots that float on top of apps
- CleanShot Cloud for password-protected sharing
- AI-generated alt text for accessibility
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fastest, most polished Mac screenshot app available
- One-time purchase option (no subscription required)
- Smart blur for privacy is a standout feature
- Included in Setapp for people who use many Mac apps
Cons
- Mac-only — no Windows or Linux version
- Cloud features require separate subscription
- Some features overlap with macOS built-in tools
FAQ
Is CleanShot X worth $29?
For any Mac user who takes more than a few screenshots a week, absolutely. The one-time $29 price is less than a typical monthly SaaS subscription, and CleanShot replaces the built-in Mac screenshot tool with features you will use every single day: scrolling capture, pinned screenshots, annotation, and OCR. Most buyers say the purchase paid for itself within a week of reduced friction.
Do I need CleanShot Cloud?
Not strictly. The one-time app includes local save, clipboard copy, and integration with Dropbox, Google Drive, and other cloud services. CleanShot Cloud is only worth it if you share screenshots publicly and want shareable URLs with password protection, expiration, and custom domain. For most individual users, the base app alone is enough.
How does CleanShot compare to Shottr?
Shottr is a free alternative that covers the basics well (capture, annotate, scrolling) with a much smaller footprint. CleanShot is more polished, has more features (OCR, video, pinned screenshots, smart blur, workflows), and has faster updates. For casual users, Shottr is fine and free. For heavy screenshot users, CleanShot is worth the $29 because of speed and depth.
Does CleanShot work on macOS Sequoia?
Yes. CleanShot is actively maintained and supports the latest macOS releases including Sequoia and future versions. The developer (MacPaw / CleanShot team) has an excellent track record of same-day compatibility with new macOS releases, and updates are free for one year after purchase.
Is CleanShot included in Setapp?
Yes. CleanShot X is one of the most popular apps in Setapp ($9.99/mo), alongside 240+ other Mac utilities. If you already subscribe to Setapp for apps like Bartender, Paw, or Ulysses, CleanShot is free as part of your subscription. Setapp is a good option if you use 4+ premium Mac apps, otherwise the one-time $29 purchase is cheaper.
What does the AI smart blur feature do?
Smart blur automatically detects and obscures sensitive information in your screenshots — email addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers, API tokens, and bank account numbers. You click the blur tool and CleanShot uses on-device AI to find and blur PII automatically. This is a huge time saver compared to manually drawing blur rectangles over every sensitive field.
Does CleanShot support scrolling captures?
Yes, and it is one of the best-implemented scrolling captures on any platform. You select an area, then scroll through a web page, document, or long app UI, and CleanShot automatically stitches the captures into a single tall image. It works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Finder, Mail, and most scrollable app windows.
📋 Good to know
Buy on cleanshot.com, install, grant screen recording permissions, and set CMD+Shift+4 to CleanShot. Everything else is discovered in daily use.
Local by default. Cloud uploads are encrypted in transit and at rest with optional password protection. Smart blur auto-obscures sensitive info.
One-time $29 for individuals. CleanShot Cloud ($8/mo) when you share screenshots frequently. Setapp if you want 240+ Mac apps bundled.
Near zero. Replaces built-in screenshot with the same hotkeys but better output. Advanced features (scrolling, pin, OCR) take a few minutes each.