Softset Shot vs the macOS Screenshot app
Last verified · Written by Softset, the makers of Softset Shot
In short
macOS has good screenshots built in: ⇧⌘4 for an area, ⇧⌘5 for the Screenshot app with a timer and screen recording, and Markup from the thumbnail. Softset Shot adds blur and pixelation, numbered steps, copying text from the screen, pinning, GIFs from recordings, and one-click actions after every capture.
Who each is for
Choose Softset Shot if…
- You regularly blur out details, number steps, or highlight parts of a screenshot.
- You want to copy text from anything on screen.
- You want a screenshot floating above your windows while you work.
Choose macOS Screenshot if…
- You take the occasional screenshot and Markup covers what you need.
- You record the whole screen with a microphone: the Screenshot app does that.
Side by side
| Feature | Softset Shot | macOS Screenshot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 once. | Included with macOS. source |
| Area, window, and screen | Yes. | Yes: ⇧⌘3, ⇧⌘4, and ⇧⌘5. source |
| Screen recording | Area or window, with optional Mac sound, and GIFs. | Yes, from ⇧⌘5. source |
| Annotation | Arrows, shapes, pencil, highlighter, text, numbered steps, pixelate, blur, spotlight, crop. | Markup from the thumbnail. source |
| Copy text from an area | Yes, in one step. | Not from the screenshot tools. source |
| Pin on screen | Yes. | No. source |
Differences
Speed after the capture
Shot copies every capture by default and keeps copy, save, annotate, and pin one click away on the thumbnail. With macOS you click the thumbnail to open Markup, then share or save from there.
Hiding information
Pixelate an email address, a name, or a card number in Shot before you send a screenshot. macOS's Markup can cover it with a shape but can't pixelate.
Looking for a macOS Screenshot alternative?
If you’re searching for “better screenshot tool for mac”, 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.