We all take screenshots. But let’s be honest: macOS’s built-in tools are fine… until they’re not.
Ever tried to screenshot a dropdown menu but missed the timing? Needed to blur some info, but had to open another app? Tried to send a GIF instead of a video and ended up Googling how-to articles for 15 minutes?
CleanShot X fixes all of that. It’s like giving your screenshot game a triple espresso. If you work on a Mac and take screenshots regularly, whether for tutorials, client feedback, bug reporting, or presentations, you’ve likely felt limited by macOS’s built-in screenshot tools. That’s where CleanShot X shines. It’s not just an alternative; it’s a full-fledged screen capture and recording powerhouse built with performance and polish.
Let’s dive into why it’s trusted by designers, developers, educators, and marketers alike.
Cool Features You Can Use
Hide Desktop Mess
CleanShot X automatically hides your desktop icons. Screenshot your work without showing everyone that chaotic folder named “final-final-v2-lastedit-copy.psd.”
Freeze Screen
Hit “freeze” so you can position your mouse and get the perfect shot—super useful for menus or timed alerts.
Mark It Up
Built-in annotation tools let you:
- Add arrows and boxes.
- Blur out stuff you don’t want people to see (like passwords or embarrassing bookmarks).
- Add text and callouts for jokes, labels, or step-by-steps.
Record Everything
Need to send a quick screen recording?
- Record a part of your screen.
- Add mic or system audio.
- Even include your webcam!
Then, export to a quick GIF or video—perfect for bug reports, tutorials, or showing your friend how to fix their settings.
Instant Sharing with CleanShot Cloud
You don’t have to save screenshots, find them, drag them into Slack, wait, etc.
Just hit upload. Boom. You get a link.
- You can even add password protection or self-destruct timers.
- Want it to match your brand? Add a logo and use your custom domain.
Pricing:
CleanShot X is not subscription-only, which is rare for this kind of app.
- $29 One-Time Purchase includes:
- Lifetime access to the app.
- 1 GB of CleanShot Cloud storage.
- 1 year of free updates.
- Optional Upgrade: $19/year for continued updates.
- Pro Plan ($8/user/month billed annually):
- Unlimited Cloud storage.
- Custom branding.
- Team management.
- Password-protected or expiring links.
Best For:
- Remote workers
- YouTubers & tutorial creators
- Designers & developers
- Productivity nerds
- People who screenshot memes and want to look cool doing it
✅ Pros and ❌ Cons
Pros:
- Clean, fast, and highly polished macOS-native app.
- Immense value in the free Cloud version.
- Features are thoughtfully designed and tightly integrated.
- Frequent updates and excellent user support.
- Extremely versatile for many use cases: design, dev, education, marketing.
Cons:
- Only available for Mac—no Windows version.
- Cloud plan may be overkill for light users.
- Limited trial (no free forever version).
- The paid updates model may frustrate some.
Final Thoughts
CleanShot X feels like what macOS screenshots should be in 2025. It’s blazing fast, super clean, and honestly fun to use. CleanShot X makes capturing your screen feel premium. It’s not just pretty, it’s packed with tools. If you’re a freelancer, educator, or content creator, or take many screenshots in a visual job, this is one of those tools you’ll wonder how you lived without.
