Softset Shot vs CleanShot X
Last verified · Written by Softset, the makers of Softset Shot
In short
CleanShot X is the most complete screenshot app for Mac: it records video and GIFs, captures scrolling pages, and uploads to its own cloud. Softset Shot captures and records the screen, annotates with a similar set of tools, copies text, and pins screenshots, for less and with free updates.
If you capture scrolling pages or share through links, CleanShot X is the better fit. If you capture, record, mark up, and paste, Softset Shot covers that and keeps everything on your Mac.
Who each is for
Choose Softset Shot if…
- You take screenshots and short recordings, annotate them, and paste them into messages and documents.
- You'd rather pay once and get every update, including new major versions.
- You want your screenshots to stay on your Mac.
Choose CleanShot X if…
- You capture scrolling pages, or edit recordings before sharing them.
- You share screenshots as links through a cloud service, or work in a team.
Side by side
| Feature | Softset Shot | CleanShot X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 once, for one Mac. | Basic: $35 once, with one year of updates. Pro: $10 per user a month, billed yearly. source |
| Updates | Free, including new major versions. | One year with Basic; continuous with Pro. source |
| Capture area, window, screen | Yes, plus a self-timer and the previous area again. | Yes, plus scrolling capture and a self-timer. source |
| Screen recording and GIFs | Yes: area or window to MP4, with optional sound, saved as a GIF if you like. | Yes, with a video editor. source |
| Annotation | Arrow, line, rectangle, ellipse, pencil, highlighter, text, numbered steps, pixelate, blur, spotlight, crop. | Arrow, rectangle, ellipse, line, pencil, highlighter, text, pixelate, blur, spotlight, counter, crop. source |
| Copy text from the screen | Yes, on your Mac. | Yes, in 30+ languages. source |
| Pin screenshots | Yes. | Yes. source |
| Cloud sharing | None. Screenshots stay on your Mac. | Cloud upload with links. source |
Differences
Scope
CleanShot X also captures scrolling pages, edits recordings, and shares through cloud links. Softset Shot covers capture, recording, annotation, and history, and never uploads anything.
Cost over time
CleanShot Basic is $35 with a year of updates, then paid upgrades or a Pro subscription. Softset Shot is $19.99 with free updates from then on.
Looking for a CleanShot X alternative?
If you’re searching for “cleanshot x alternative” or “screenshot app for mac without subscription”, the table above covers what changes when you switch. Softset Shot’s own page has the full details, including its privacy and permissions trust card.
Softset Shot
Screenshots and screen recordings of an area, a window, or the whole screen, with arrows, boxes, blur, highlights, text, and numbered steps. Copy text from anything on screen. One-time purchase.
Coming soon. Planned price: $19.99 once, with a 14-day free trial.