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icon of Capso

Capso

Open source alternative to CleanShot X, Snagit and Loom

  • 1.4K stars
  • Apache-2.0
  • Active this week
  • Last commit 4 days ago

Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Free open-source screenshot and screen recording tool for macOS, designed as an alternative to CleanShot X.

Visit websiteGitHub1.4K stars
image of Capso
TL;DR

Capso is an open source macOS screenshot and screen recording app with native SwiftUI implementation. It replaces paid capture tools like CleanShot X for Mac users who want screenshot, recording, annotation, and OCR-oriented workflows without a closed subscription app. License terms should be reviewed because the project badge names BSL 1.1.

Read the full breakdownHide the full breakdownWho it is for, how it works, trade-offs, the quick start and the FAQ
who it's for

Who Capso is for#

Mac builders replacing paid capture tools

Capso fits Mac users who want a native screenshot and recording app with source visibility.

Skip if:

You need Windows, Linux, or older macOS support.

Support teams recording quick demos

Screen recording and screenshots help support teams show product behavior without a heavier video editing workflow.

Skip if:

You need team asset libraries, hosted sharing, and enterprise device management built in.

the problem

The problem it solves#

Screenshots and screen recordings are daily communication tools for builders, designers, support teams, and educators. Paid Mac utilities work well, but they make a basic workflow depend on a proprietary app and ongoing commercial roadmap.

A native capture tool also needs deep OS integration. Permissions, recording, camera, microphone, OCR, annotation, and export behavior all have to feel reliable because the tool sits in the user's constant workflow.

how Capso solves it

How it solves it#

Native macOS capture app

Capso is built with Swift 6.0 and SwiftUI, targeting macOS 15.0 and later.

Screenshot and screen recording

Capso covers both screenshot and screen recording workflows, positioning itself as a native alternative to CleanShot X.

Homebrew install path

Capso provides a Homebrew tap and cask install command, giving Mac users a familiar package manager path.

strengths · trade-offs

Strengths and trade-offs#

Strengths

  • Focused CleanShot X alternativeThe project directly targets the Mac screenshot and recording workflow, making its value clear for users replacing a paid capture app.
  • Native SwiftUI implementationA native macOS codebase matters for capture tools because OS permissions, recording APIs, and UI responsiveness are central to the experience.

Trade-offs

  • -macOS-only and version-specificCapso targets macOS 15.0 and later. Windows, Linux, and older macOS users need a different capture tool.
install · quick start

Quick start#

bash
brew tap lzhgus/tap
brew install --cask capso
tech stack · detected from GitHub

What it's built on#

Languages
Swift
frequently asked

FAQ#

What is Capso?

Capso is an open source screenshot and screen recording app for macOS.

What macOS version does Capso target?

Capso targets macOS 15.0 and later.

What permissions does Capso need?

Capso requires screen recording, camera, and microphone permissions and prompts on first use.

also worth a look

Similar open-source tools#

Kap

Alternative toCleanShot X

Open source screen recorder for macOS with web tech

  • 19,373 GitHub stars
  • MITLicence MIT

Screenshots

Alternative toCleanShot X

macOS screenshot and recorder, no cloud, no account, MIT licensed

  • 2 GitHub stars
  • MITLicence MIT

Flameshot

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Open source screenshot tool with annotation and upload

  • 31,265 GitHub stars
  • GPL-3.0Licence GPL-3.0

Cap

Alternative toLoom

Self-hosted screen recorder with custom S3 bucket support

  • 23,456 GitHub stars
  • AGPL-3.0Licence AGPL-3.0

ShareX

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Screenshot and record with 80+ upload destinations on Windows

  • 40,240 GitHub stars
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OBS Studio

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