# CleanShot X

> macOS screen capture and recording app with video editing and background styling

CleanShot X is a Mac screen capture utility that records screens, takes screenshots, and hosts media to the cloud. Version 5.0 introduces Studio Mode, which lets you edit screen recordings on a timeline, customize backgrounds, adjust cursor motion and styling, and add webcam overlays.

Website: https://cleanshot.com/

## What it is for

- Turn raw software screen recordings into polished product demo videos
- Smooth out erratic mouse movement and highlight clicks in screen captures
- Record quick bug reports and annotated screenshots to share with team members
- Format screen captures with custom aspect ratios, shadows, and padded backgrounds for social media

## Features

- Studio Mode editor with timeline trimming and scissor cut markers
- Cursor styling, size adjustment, click ripple animations, and motion smoothing
- Webcam picture-in-picture overlay
- Background customization with gradient presets, wallpapers, and solid colors
- Canvas aspect ratio controls, padding adjustment, and window shadow effects
- Auto-hiding cursor when inactive or while typing
- Built-in screenshot annotation, scrolling capture, and cloud sharing

## Pricing

Paid. One-time purchase or subscription, Studio Mode included on all plans

## Details

- Type: Desktop app
- Category: [Productivity](https://xiry.app/topics/productivity.md)
- Open source: no
- Platforms: macOS
- For: Mac users, software developers, product managers, and content creators needing polished video demos
- Alternative to: Screen Studio, Loom, Snagit
- Tags: screencast, screen capture, video editor, mac app, product demo

## Why it was saved

- [@CleanShot, 1 September 2026](https://x.com/CleanShot/status/2094803447920967862): The user builds and demos software; a recording-to-promo-video editor is directly relevant.

## Compare

- [Alternatives to Loom](https://xiry.app/alternatives/loom.md)
- [Alternatives to Screen Studio](https://xiry.app/alternatives/screen-studio.md)

## Related

- [Recordly](https://xiry.app/resources/recordly): Open-source screen recorder and editor for demo videos across platforms (GitHub repo, Open source)
- [Cap](https://xiry.app/resources/cap-2213): Open-source screen recorder and video messaging tool for desktop and web (Web app, Freemium)
- [Clipy](https://xiry.app/resources/clipy): Open-source desktop app to download and edit YouTube videos losslessly. (GitHub repo, Free)
- [Cursorful](https://xiry.app/resources/cursorful): Chrome extension for screen recordings with automatic click-based zooms and pans. (Web app, Freemium)
- [Riverside](https://xiry.app/resources/riverside): Online studio for recording and AI text-based video and audio editing (Web app, Freemium)

Updated 10 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/cleanshot-x

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