How Much Does
CleanShot X Cost in 2026?
CleanShot X is the Mac-native precision screenshot + recording tool. Basic at $29 one-time covers perpetual app license with 1 GB cloud + 1 year updates (renew $19/year for continued updates). Pro at $8/month annual ($96/year) unlocks unlimited cloud, custom domain, password protection, and team management. Mac-only but unmatched on Mac.
Prices in USD, verified from the United States. Regional pricing may vary.
Plans & Pricing
App + Cloud Basic (One-Time)
- oneTimePrice 29
- cloudStorage 1 GB
- updates 1 year included, $19/year renewal
- scope Perpetual Mac app license
App + Cloud Pro (Monthly)
- cloudStorage Unlimited
- scope Latest app version always + custom domain + self-destruct + password protection + team management + SSO
App + Cloud Pro (Annual)
$96/mo billed annually
- scope $2/month savings vs monthly billing
From the StackScored blog
Features
Our Verdict
CleanShot X replaced Mac's built-in Shift-Cmd-4 for hundreds of thousands of Mac users — it's that good. The Basic one-time purchase at $29 is exceptional value: perpetual app license that includes screenshot capture, screen recording (video + GIF), scrolling screenshots (capture entire long web page into one image), instant markup tools (arrows, text, blur sensitive info), OCR text extraction, cloud sync (1 GB included), and 1 year of app updates. After year 1, you can renew updates at $19/year or continue using the version you have forever (it keeps working — you just miss new features). Pro at $8/month annual ($96/year) or $10/month monthly adds unlimited cloud storage, custom domain (share.yourcompany.com instead of share.getcleanshot.com), self-destruct links (expire after N views/days), password protection, custom branding on sharing pages, team management, and SSO login. For individuals using CleanShot as their primary screenshot tool, Basic at $29 + occasional cloud usage is the right choice. For teams sharing many screenshots externally with clients, Pro at $96/year provides professional presentation. 30% educational discount for verified students is generous. 30-day money-back guarantee enables real evaluation. Mac-only is the critical limitation — no Windows or Linux version exists. Where CleanShot X wins: perpetual one-time license at $29 is exceptional value vs pure subscription (Loom/Tella), precision screenshot tools better than any Mac-native alternative, 30-day money-back guarantee enables real evaluation, Mac-native performance unmatched. Where it loses: macOS 10.15+ only — Windows/Linux users excluded entirely, Basic's 1 GB cloud hit quickly if you share often, $19/year renewal for updates creates recurring cost even with 'one-time' purchase, no video editing beyond trim (Loom/Tella have richer editing).
Pros
- $29 one-time perpetual license is exceptional value vs pure subscription competitors
- Precision screenshot tools (scrolling capture, OCR, markup) better than any Mac-native alternative
- 30-day money-back guarantee enables real evaluation without commitment
- 30% educational discount for verified students is generous
- Pro at $96/year for teams sharing screenshots externally provides professional branded output
Cons
- macOS 10.15+ only — Windows/Linux users excluded entirely
- Basic's 1 GB cloud storage hit quickly if you share many screenshots
- $19/year renewal for updates creates recurring cost even with 'one-time' Basic purchase
- No video editing beyond trim — Loom/Tella have richer async video editing capabilities
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Compare CleanShot X with
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does CleanShot X cost per month?
- CleanShot X plans start at $8/mo. They offer 4 plans total.
- Does CleanShot X offer a free trial?
- Yes, CleanShot X offers a free trial for 30 days. No credit card is typically required to start.
- Is CleanShot X worth the price?
- With a score of 9.1/10 and plans from $8/mo, CleanShot X delivers strong value for the price.
- What are cheaper alternatives to CleanShot X?
- Cheaper screen recording & async video alternatives include Tella ($6.5/mo). See all options on our [Screen Recording & Async Video pricing comparison](/pricing/screen-recording/) page.