Choose Hilo if…
- You want screenshots and videos with links in one app, free to start.
- You paste screenshots into ChatGPT, Slack or email all day: ⌘⇧4 and they're already copied.
- You send videos to clients and want to know who watched and how far.
Screenshots that copy themselves. And videos with a link.
⌘⇧4, pick an area and it's already on your clipboard. Free, in the same app you record with.
Download Hilo for Mac
Free, no card needed · macOS 12+ · Intel Mac?
Hilo is a CleanShot X alternative for Mac. Both capture an area, a window or the screen, annotate it, pin it on top of everything and share it with a link.
Hilo is free and adds videos with analytics, VSL mode and links AI can read. CleanShot X costs $35 as a one-time payment (Basic) or $10 per user a month billed yearly (Pro), and has scrolling capture and text recognition (OCR).
Hilo vs CleanShot X
| Hilo | CleanShot X | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac | Mac |
| Price | Free. Pro: €24 a month or €199 a year, VAT included | Basic: $35 once, with 1 year of updates and 1 GB of cloud. Pro: $10 per user a month billed yearly |
| Capture an area, window or screen | Yes | Yes |
| Scrolling capture | No | Yes |
| Arrows, boxes, text and blur | Yes | Yes |
| Pin the screenshot on screen | Yes | Yes |
| Text from an image (OCR) | No | Yes |
| Share link | Yes | Yes |
| Record screen and camera | Yes | Yes |
| Zoom on clicks and smooth cursor | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics on who watches your videos | Yes | Not stated |
| VSL mode and A/B tests | Yes, on Team | Not stated |
CleanShot X data taken from cleanshot.com on November 2, 2026. Their prices are in US dollars and may change.
Which one is right for you?
Choose CleanShot X if…
- You capture long pages with scrolling.
- You often pull text out of images (OCR).
- You prefer a one-time payment.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hilo take screenshots like CleanShot X?
Yes. With ⌘ ⇧ 4 you pick an area and it goes to the clipboard. Mark it with arrows, boxes, text or blur, pin it on screen or share it with a link.
Are Hilo screenshots free?
Yes, on every plan.
Where are Hilo screenshots saved?
In the Hilo folder on your Desktop. If you want, they delete themselves after 7 or 30 days.
Does Hilo have scrolling capture or OCR?
No. If you use them often, CleanShot X has them.
Does Hilo replace the macOS ⌘⇧4?
Yes, if you want: Hilo takes the shortcut and the screenshot goes straight to the clipboard. You can give it back to macOS in Settings.
How much does CleanShot X cost?
According to its website, as of November 2, 2026: Basic $35 as a one-time payment and Pro $10 per user a month billed yearly.
That meeting could’ve been a video.
Download Hilo for Mac
Free, no card needed · macOS 12+ · Intel Mac?