Kitsmith / Utilities / CleanShot X
CleanShot X
$29 one-time (app + 1 year of updates + 1 GB cloud); Cloud Pro from $8/mo billed annually
Price checked at source August 20, 2026.
A screenshot and screen recording app with a built-in annotation tool, from the makers of PixelSnap — a one-time license, not a subscription for the base app.
Our take
The most-referenced upgrade from macOS’s built-in screenshot tool for a reason: cleans up desktop clutter automatically before a capture, and the annotation tools stay out of the way until needed. The base app license is a genuine one-time purchase; the optional Cloud Pro tier is the only recurring cost.
- Price
- $29 one-time (app + 1 year of updates + 1 GB cloud); Cloud Pro from $8/mo billed annually
- License
- Proprietary
- Get it via
- Homebrew · Setapp · Direct
- Developer
- MTW
Do you use CleanShot X?
Who made this
MTW ✓
MTW is credited in CleanShot X’s own site footer, which links to the studio’s own site, mtw.team — the same studio also lists PixelSnap and TopNotch among its Mac apps.
What it does
Auto desktop cleanup
Hides desktop clutter and icons automatically before taking a screenshot.
Built-in annotation
Markup tools for screenshots and recordings without leaving the app.
Screen recording and GIFs
Records video and exports GIFs, alongside its screenshot tools.
The deal
- $29 one-time for the app license, one year of updates, and 1 GB cloud storage
- Optional Cloud Pro: $8/user/mo billed annually, or $10/mo billed monthly, for unlimited storage
- Also included in a Setapp membership
- 30-day money-back guarantee
CleanShot X — questions people ask
Is CleanShot X a subscription?
The base app is a $29 one-time purchase with a year of updates; only the optional Cloud Pro tier is a recurring subscription.
Who makes CleanShot X?
MTW, which also makes PixelSnap.
Is CleanShot X on Setapp?
Yes, it’s also included in a Setapp membership as an alternative to buying the license directly.
Is CleanShot X free?
CleanShot X costs $29 one-time (app + 1 year of updates + 1 GB cloud); Cloud Pro from $8/mo billed annually.
Does CleanShot X work alongside a notch app like Alcove?
Yes — CleanShot X lives in the menu bar, so it runs happily alongside any Dynamic Island hub or notch app.
Where can I download CleanShot X?
CleanShot X is available via Homebrew, Setapp, Direct.
Reviews
No public ratings yet. Reader reviews are coming to Kitsmith soon.
Listing hand-verified August 20, 2026 from the developer's site and public sources.
How CleanShot X compares
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