CleanShot X is a polished, capable app. If you would rather pay once than subscribe, and you want your AI to run on-device, ShotScreen is worth a look. Here is an honest, feature-by-feature comparison so you can decide.
Comparison based on publicly documented features. CleanShot X pricing and features may change — check their site for the latest.
$8.99 or €8.99, one time. No monthly fee, no Setapp bundle needed.
Background removal, upscaling and OCR run locally — no account, no cloud, no tracking.
Tilt a shot in 3D — the whole image or a single layer — for slick mockups.
Auto or manual scrolling capture with a live preview and repeated-banner detection.
Free forever with 5 popup-free screenshots a day. Unlock unlimited captures with a one-time purchase.
Yes. ShotScreen Pro is $8.99 on the App Store or €8.99 on Gumroad, paid once. There is no subscription. The optional ShotScreen Cloud Plus plan (€3.50/month) is the only recurring thing, and it is entirely optional.
Yes, in the Gumroad version. ShotScreen Pro includes 10 uploads and 35 MB; Cloud Plus raises that to 5 GB, 100 uploads and adds screen-recording uploads. The App Store version uploads images to imgbb with your own key instead.
On your Mac. Background removal, upscaling and OCR all run on-device with no account and no cloud processing, so your screenshots never leave your machine unless you choose to share them.
Keep comparing: Best screenshot app for Mac · Scrolling screenshots · FAQ · Pricing