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CleanShot X Review: The Ultimate Mac Screenshot Tool
CleanShot X Review: The Ultimate Mac Screenshot Tool
By Ram PatraJanuary 18, 2025
review
productivity

CleanShot X has revolutionized how Mac users capture and share screens. As a powerful replacement for macOS's built-in screenshot tool, it combines over 50 features into one comprehensive solution.

Key Features

Capture & Recording

  • Versatile screenshot options with scrolling capture support
  • Screen recording with audio (both microphone and system audio)
  • Webcam recording capability
  • GIF creation and optimization
  • Text recognition (OCR) for extracting text from images
  • Self-timer for timed captures

Enhancement Tools

  • Professional annotation tools
  • Background customization with 10+ presets
  • Desktop icon hiding for clean captures
  • Retina scaling options
  • Crosshair mode for precise captures
  • Custom wallpaper support for recordings

Sharing & Workflow

  • Quick Access Overlay for instant sharing
  • CleanShot Cloud integration for seamless uploads
  • Drag-and-drop functionality
  • Pin screenshots feature for reference
  • Built-in trimming tool for recordings
  • Instant copy and share capabilities

Pros

  • Intuitive and polished interface
  • Comprehensive annotation toolkit
  • Seamless cloud integration
  • Regular feature updates
  • Apple Silicon & macOS Sequoia ready
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Excellent customer support

Cons (well, not particularly)

  • Premium pricing may not suit casual users
  • Cloud storage requires separate subscription
  • Mac-only availability
  • Some advanced features such as team collaboration requires a monthly plan

Value Assessment

CleanShot X provides exceptional value for professionals and power users who frequently work with screenshots and screen recordings. While the pricing may seem premium, the extensive feature set and regular updates justify the investment for daily users.

Pricing Options

App + Cloud Basic ($29)

  • One-time payment for the Mac app (yours to keep forever)
  • One year of updates included
  • 1 GB of Cloud storage
  • Optional renewal at $19/year for continued updates
  • Multi-device licenses available:
    • 2 Macs: $49 (Save $9)
    • 5 Macs: $119 (Save $26)
    • 10 Macs: $229 (Save $61)

App + Cloud Pro ($8/user/month)

  • Billed annually ($10/month if billed monthly)
  • Always get the latest version of CleanShot
  • Unlimited Cloud storage
  • Custom domain & branding features
  • Advanced security features (self-destruct control, password-protected links)
  • Advanced team features with SSO login
  • Effortless team management

Special Discounts

  • 30% educational discount for students
  • 20% discount for PixelSnap 2 users
  • Available through Setapp subscription

Note: All prices in USD. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included with every purchase.

Verdict

CleanShot X stands out as the ultimate screen capturing tool for Mac users, offering a perfect balance of functionality and ease of use. It's particularly valuable for:

  • Content creators
  • Developers
  • Technical writers
  • Support professionals
  • Anyone needing professional-grade screen captures

Whether you're creating tutorials, documenting bugs, or sharing quick screenshots, CleanShot X offers a refined experience that far surpasses the built-in macOS tools.

Note: Pricing and features are subject to change. Check the official CleanShot X website for the most current information.

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