Capso
UnclaimedFree and open-source screenshot and screen recording for macOS with advanced annotation and beautification.
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Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Completely free and open-source with no hidden costs or feature gating.
Biggest con
Lacks cloud features and commercial support found in some paid alternatives.
TL;DR - Capso
- Free and open-source screenshot and screen recording for macOS.
- Includes advanced annotation, OCR, and screenshot beautification features.
- Native macOS app built with Swift 6 and SwiftUI, offering a fast experience.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is Capso?
Capso is a native macOS application designed for comprehensive screen capture and recording. It allows users to take screenshots of specific areas, windows, or the entire screen, and record video (MP4) or GIF with system audio, microphone input, and a webcam overlay. The tool provides a robust annotation editor with various shapes, text, freehand drawing, pixelation, numbered counters, and highlighters to clearly communicate ideas.
Beyond basic capture, Capso offers features to beautify screenshots with background gradients, padding, rounded corners, and drop shadows, transforming raw captures into polished visuals. It also includes OCR text recognition to extract text from images and a 'Pin to Screen' function to float captures as always-on-top reference windows. Built with Swift 6 and SwiftUI, Capso aims to be a fast, native, and free alternative to commercial screenshot tools, catering to power users and anyone needing advanced screen capture capabilities on macOS.
Available on: macOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no hidden costs or feature gating.
- Offers a comprehensive set of features comparable to paid alternatives.
- Native macOS app built with Swift 6 and SwiftUI for speed and responsiveness.
- Allows commercial and internal company use under its BSL 1.1 license.
- Signed and notarized by Apple for secure installation.
Cons
- Lacks cloud features and commercial support found in some paid alternatives.
- Users cannot fork and sell it as a competing commercial product.
Key Features
Area, fullscreen, or window captureVideo (MP4) and GIF recording with system audio and microphoneWebcam Picture-in-Picture overlay (4 shapes)Full annotation editor (arrows, shapes, text, freehand, pixelate, counters, highlighter)Screenshot beautification (background gradients, padding, rounded corners, drop shadow)OCR text recognitionPin captures to screen (always-on-top, lock mode)Configurable global keyboard shortcuts
Pricing
Free
Capso is completely free to use with no hidden costs.
Reviews
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Best Capso Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
ZightFreemium
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ColorcinchFreemium
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Topaz LabsPaid
AI photo and video enhancement
DesignifyFreemium
Transform any photo into stunning visuals with AI-powered editing.
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Capso FAQ
How does Capso assist with creating software tutorials?
Capso allows users to record video or GIF with system audio, microphone input, and a webcam overlay, which is ideal for demonstrating software processes. Its robust annotation editor can then highlight specific steps or features with shapes, text, and numbered counters to clarify instructions.
Which teams would benefit most from using Capso?
Teams that frequently create documentation, tutorials, or presentations on macOS would find Capso highly beneficial. Its advanced annotation and beautification features help in preparing professional-looking visuals for internal or external communication.
How does Capso compare to Zight for screen capture and annotation?
Capso is a completely free and open-source native macOS application, offering comprehensive screen capture, recording, and advanced annotation features. Unlike some commercial tools like Zight, Capso does not include cloud features or commercial support.
What kind of limitations should users be aware of when choosing Capso?
Capso does not offer cloud features or commercial support, which are sometimes found in paid alternatives. Additionally, while it is open-source, users cannot fork and sell it as a competing commercial product due to its BSL 1.1 license.
Does Capso include a free tier?
Capso is entirely free to use, offering all its features without any hidden costs or requiring a paid plan. It is also open-source, providing full access to its capabilities without charge.
Can Capso extract text from captured images?
Yes, Capso includes an OCR text recognition feature that allows users to extract text directly from images. This can be useful for quickly grabbing information from screenshots without retyping.
How does Capso enhance the visual appeal of screenshots?
Capso offers features to beautify screenshots with customizable background gradients, padding, rounded corners, and drop shadows. These options help transform raw captures into more polished and professional-looking visuals.
Source: awesomemacapp.com