CleanShot X

CleanShot X is an advanced screenshot and screen recording app for macOS that replaces the built-in screenshot tools with powerful features like scrolling capture, annotation, desktop cleanup, background removal, and instant cloud sharing. The app focuses on creating clean, professional screenshots and recordings with minimal effort through smart defaults and polished design.

Best For: Content creators, developers, designers, and support teams who frequently create screenshots or screencasts and need professional results with annotation and sharing capabilities.

Key Features

What makes CleanShot better than Mac's built-in screenshots?
Scrolling capture for full-page screenshots of websites or documents. Automatic desktop icon hiding for clean backgrounds. Instant annotation tools (arrows, text, blur, highlight). Background removal for isolated windows. Self-timer for capturing menus or hover states. OCR text recognition from screenshots.

How does CleanShot handle screen recording?
High-quality video recording with system audio, microphone, or both. Customizable recording area (full screen, window, or selection). Show keyboard shortcuts and mouse clicks in recordings. Trim and edit recordings before saving. Convert to GIF or compressed video. Background recording with minimal performance impact.

What sharing and cloud features does CleanShot provide?
CleanShot Cloud for instant shareable links. Direct upload on capture with automatic link copy. Password protection and expiration dates for sensitive shares. Embed support for Notion, Slack, and other platforms. Custom domain support for branded links. Storage management with unlimited uploads on Pro plan.

What annotation and editing tools are included?
Arrows, text, shapes, and highlights with smart positioning. Blur sensitive information. Number sequences for step-by-step guides. Drawing tools for freeform annotation. Quick actions like blur background or hide desktop icons. Non-destructive editing preserves original captures.

Pricing & Plans

Essential (Setapp): Included with Setapp subscription
Classic: $29 one-time - All features except Cloud
Pro: $8/month or $80/year - Everything plus unlimited Cloud storage and GIF uploads

One-time purchase for offline use, or subscription for cloud features. Both include all screenshot and recording capabilities. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Limitations

• macOS only (no Windows or Linux versions)
• Cloud features require subscription
• More complex than built-in tools (features can overwhelm)
• OCR requires internet connection

Getting Started

1. Download CleanShot X and install
2. Set custom keyboard shortcuts (or use defaults)
3. Try scrolling capture on long webpage
4. Practice annotation tools on test screenshot
5. Configure Cloud settings if using Pro plan

Learn More: cleanshot.com