Kitsmith / Compare / Capto vs CleanShot X
MacCapto vs CleanShot X
Capto vs CleanShot X: verdict, pricing, and specs compared, so you can pick the right one for your Mac.
At a glance
Capto
7-day free trial, then paid (standalone price not listed on site); also included in Setapp from $14.99/moA screen recording and screenshot app with a built-in video and image editor, from Global Delight — also captures your connected iPhone or iPad’s screen.
CleanShot X
$29 one-time (app + 1 year of updates + 1 GB cloud); Cloud Pro from $8/mo billed annuallyA 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.
Spec comparison
Capto
- Price
- 7-day free trial, then paid (standalone price not listed on site); also included in Setapp from $14.99/mo
- Pricing model
- Freemium
- License
- Proprietary
- Placement
- Screen
- Channels
- Setapp · Direct
- Category
- Utilities
CleanShot X
- Price
- $29 one-time (app + 1 year of updates + 1 GB cloud); Cloud Pro from $8/mo billed annually
- Pricing model
- Paid
- License
- Proprietary
- Placement
- Menu bar
- Channels
- Homebrew · Setapp · Direct
- Category
- Utilities
The verdict
Capto’s standout feature is one CleanShot X doesn’t have: connect an iPhone or iPad and record its screen directly from the Mac app, alongside a built-in video and image editor. Its own price beyond a 7-day trial isn’t posted on the developer’s site, though it’s included in Setapp from $14.99/mo. CleanShot X is more transparent on price — a flat $29 one-time purchase — and adds automatic desktop cleanup before every capture, which Capto doesn’t do. Pick Capto if recording your iPhone or iPad’s screen from your Mac is something you need; pick CleanShot X if you want a known price and cleaner screenshots by default.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Capto if…
- Pick Capto if you want to record a connected iPhone or iPad’s screen directly from your Mac — CleanShot X doesn’t offer this
- Pick Capto if a built-in video and image editor in the same app as your capture tool appeals to you
- Pick Capto if you already have (or want) Setapp — it’s included there from $14.99/mo
- Pick Capto if you’re fine trying it free for 7 days before deciding, rather than knowing the price upfront
Pick CleanShot X if…
- Pick CleanShot X if you want a clear, published price — $29 one-time — rather than checking out to find Capto’s cost
- Pick CleanShot X if automatic desktop cleanup before every capture matters to you
- Pick CleanShot X if built-in annotation tools are the priority over an iPhone/iPad recording feature you won’t use
- Pick CleanShot X if a 30-day money-back guarantee matters more to you than a 7-day trial
Capto vs CleanShot X — questions people ask
How much does Capto cost?
There’s a 7-day free trial; the standalone price isn’t listed on the developer’s homepage, so confirm at checkout. It’s also included in Setapp from $14.99/mo.
Is CleanShot X cheaper than Capto?
It’s not possible to say for certain — CleanShot X is a published $29 one-time price, while Capto’s standalone price isn’t listed publicly. Both are available via Setapp.
Can either record an iPhone screen?
Capto can — connect it to your Mac and record directly. CleanShot X doesn’t offer this feature.