Top CleanShot Alternatives for Screen Capture and Editing in 2024

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With teams that are increasingly distributed, the digital workplace needs help sharing ideas while keeping communication overhead low. Lucky for us, there is a set of apps designed to do just that! But how do you choose the right one?

One app that Mac users might already be familiar with is CleanShot.

What is CleanShot?

CleanShot is a screen capture tool for MacOS. It gives Mac users the ability to capture images and record videos of their screen, and then to annotate and adjust their new creations. CleanShot is Mac-focused (and only available on that platform), which allows it to quickly adopt new abilities and features introduced by Apple.

An image of the CleanShot interface

CleanShot pros

  • Feels like a native Mac app
  • Performant and responsive
  • Unique feature: hide desktop clutter

CleanShot cons

  • Only available on Mac
  • Basic editing abilities

CleanShot pricing

  • No free tier or trial
  • $29 perpetual license
  • $96/year Pro subscription
  • Credit card needed to try? Yes

5 CleanShot Alternatives

Snagit

Snagit is a versatile and user-friendly screen capture and editing tool for both MacOS and Windows that offers extensive annotation features. Plus, it offers editing features like background removal, drag and drop templates for how-to guides, and more.

One standout feature is image simplification (SUI), which helps with creating clear tutorials or documentation. Snagit also includes tools for annotations, templates, and stamps, making it a great all-in-one solution. 

With a free trial available and no need for a credit card, Snagit is ideal for professionals who need more than just basic screenshot capabilities.

An image of the Snagit interface.

Snagit pros

Snagit cons

  • As a cross-platform app, fewer Mac-specific features

Snagit pricing

  • Free trial available
  • $39 /year individual subscription 
  • $69 perpetual license
  • Volume discounts available
  • Credit card needed to try? No

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Loom 

Loom is a tool for recording videos, mainly focused on simple video communication for teams. It’s easy to use and lets you quickly record and share videos. 

However, it doesn’t offer many features for advanced screen capture or image editing. Loom’s free version is basic, so people looking for more features might feel limited. While Loom works well for quick video updates, it’s not the best choice for those needing advanced tools.

An image of the Loom interface

Loom pros

  • A focus on collaboration tooling
  • Available as a standalone or Chrome app
  • Unique feature: paid tiers have engagement tracking

Loom cons

  • Very limited screenshot features. Loom’s focus is on video, not images

Loom pricing

  • Free tier available
  • $150 /year Business tier
  • Enterprise plan available
  • Credit card needed to try? No

Zight (formerly CloudApp) 

Zight provides basic screen recording and sharing, with some team collaboration features. It includes versioning, which helps track changes in files. 

However, the interface feels old, and the editing tools are quite simple. It works for small tasks, but users wanting a smoother experience might feel frustrated. Zight has a free version, but it doesn’t offer much for users needing more advanced features.

An image of the Zight interface

Zight pros

  • Comprehensive basic set of features
  • Team features allow for group organization at that tier
  • Unique feature: Versioning

Zight cons

  • Recorder UI feels clunky
  • Editing is basic

Zight pricing

  • Free tier available
  • $96 /year Pro or Team plan
  • Enterprise plan available
  • Credit card needed to try? No

Droplr 

Droplr focuses on file sharing, with some basic screen recording features. It’s useful for sharing files and screenshots, but its capture and editing tools are limited. 

Droplr works well enough for teams that need simple sharing, but users expecting more might find it lacking. It requires a credit card for the free trial, and while the price is competitive, it doesn’t have many standout features.

An image of the Droplr interface

Droplr pros

  • Focus on file sharing
  • Branding and team tools
  • Unique feature: self-destruct after a set time

Droplr cons

  • With a focus on file sharing, the screen recording functionality itself is basic

Droplr pricing

  • Free trial available
  • $72/year individual subscription
  • $84/year for small teams
  • Enterprise plan available
  • Credit card needed to try? Yes

Shottr 

Shottr is a simple tool for taking quick screenshots on MacOS. It’s easy to use and includes tools like a pixel ruler, which is helpful for UI designers.
However, it is a basic utility with limited editing options. Shottr is free to use, with affordable upgrade options, but it’s best for users who need only the most basic screen capture features.

An image of the Shottr interface

Shottr pros

  • Straightforward community tool
  • Ruler tool for pixel measurement is loved by UI workers
  • Unique feature: Engagement with creator and community

Shottr cons

  • More of a utility than a full application
  • MacOS only

Shottr pricing

  • Free tier available
  • $8 perpetual Basic subscription
  • $25 perpetual Friends subscription
  • Credit card needed to try? No

The best Cleanshot alternative? Snagit

When it comes to screenshot tools, not all are created equal. Some are basic, while others offer a wide range of features and customization options. If you’re looking for a tool that can help you capture, edit, and share your screen content with ease, Snagit is a top contender.

Here are some of the features that make Snagit stand out:

  • Rich editing tools: Snagit offers a variety of tools for editing your captures, including cropping, resizing, adding text, and drawing.
  • Customizable capture presets: You can create custom presets for different types of captures, such as screenshots, full-page captures, and video recordings.
  • Image simplification: Snagit’s Image Simplification (SUI) feature allows you to simplify complex images into more easily digestible diagrams.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: Snagit is available for both macOS and Windows, making it a versatile choice for teams with mixed operating systems.

Based on its comprehensive feature set, ease of use, and affordability, Snagit is our top recommendation for a screen capture tool. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone who needs to capture and share screen content, Snagit has you covered.

Give it a try today and see why it’s the preferred choice of millions of users worldwide.

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