As someone who spends a good chunk of my day on a Mac, I’ve had my fair share of encounters with various screenshot applications. But nothing, and I mean nothing, has come close to the experience I’ve had with CleanShot X, a featured-packed screenshot and desktop video recording application for the Mac.
I’ve been using CleanShot X (note: this is an affiliate link) for a while now, and it’s completely transformed how I capture, edit, and share screenshots and screen recordings. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife for screenshots and screen videos – jam-packed with features I didn’t even realize I needed until I started using them.
CleanShot X Features
Let’s start with the basics. CleanShot X has all the standard features you’d expect from a screenshot tool, like capturing areas, fullscreen, and windows. But what sets it apart for me is its Scrolling Capture feature. This gem lets me capture entire web pages or documents in one go—no more stitching together multiple screenshots to get my point across.
But where the screenshot and video recorder shines is in its attention to detail. Have you ever taken a screenshot only to realize later that your messy desktop was visible in the background? CleanShot X tackles this with its feature that provides attractive backgrounds for your shots. It’s a small thing, but it makes a huge difference in the quality and professionalism of my screenshots.
Video Capture Features
Another aspect I love about CleanShot X is its video capture feature. I often need to record quick desktop videos for sharing with clients or team members. With CleanShot X, I can do this seamlessly and even upload the captures to my CleanShot account for easy sharing. It’s as simple as copy-pasting a link to the uploaded shot or video.
If your desktop is often cluttered with files, you’ll be happy to know that CleanShot X includes a handy feature that temporarily hides desktop icons, ensuring screenshots and video captures have a clean background.
The CleanShot editor allows users to set video capture dimensions and trim shots. While not fully featured, it excels at quick captures. I find it useful for explaining quick how-tos and issues I experience in an application.
Markup Tools
And let’s not forget about the markup tools. Adding text, drawing areas, or rectangles on screenshots has never been easier. It’s like having a mini image editor at my disposal, ready to help me highlight important parts of my screenshots or add notes.
I’m a big fan of efficiency, and CleanShot X checks this box too. With its support for keyboard shortcuts and BetterTouchTool finger gestures, I can trigger screenshots with just a two-finger click on my desktop. It’s a simple yet powerful way to save time and boost productivity.
Price and Upgrades
Cleanshot X is a one-time payment of $29.00. You get a year of updates, and after that, you can choose to pay $19 for another year of new updates. I haven’t paid for new updates this year, because the basic features are sufficient for me. I will upgrade at some point, but it’s great that users are not required to upgrade every year as with most other subscription models.
Note also that CleanShot X has a pro account option for custom domain and branding, team sharing, tagged screenshots, and self-destructing uploaded screenshots.
In conclusion, CleanShot X is more than just a screenshot tool. It’s a comprehensive solution that caters to all my screenshot and screen recording needs. It’s thoughtfully designed, easy to use, and packed with features that enhance my workflow. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
