100% free · open source · macOS 13+

Screenshots and recordings that keep moving.

Capture scrolling screenshots, record MP4 video with audio, polish recordings in a built-in demo editor, annotate, pin, and OCR text on your Mac. Free, open source, local, and no account required.

Download v0.18.0-betaStar on GitHub

8.3 MB · macOS 13+ · notarized by Apple

100% freeMIT licensedNo account required

Shotnix Capture + Record

Record area · 60 fps · mic optional
SystemMicCursorStop
ArrowTextBlurPixelateStepsCrop
Shotnix annotation editor showing markup tools, backdrop options, recording panels, and export controls
AreaWindowFullscreenRecord areaRecord windowRecord displayScrollingOCRQR

Built for daily Mac work

Everything before and after the capture matters.

01

Capture or record the exact thing

Grab screenshots or screen recordings from an area, a selected window, or a full display without leaving the menu bar.

02

Set recording before it starts

Choose system audio, microphone input, cursor visibility, quality, and FPS from a compact pre-recording control bar.

03

Annotate without friction

Add arrows, shapes, text, highlighter strokes, blur, pixelation, numbered markers, and crops in a focused native editor.

04

Turn recordings into polished demos

Open any recording in the built-in video editor — clip timeline, per-clip speed, auto zoom, cursor effects, text callouts, and MP4 export, all local.

Native rhythm

A capture flow that ends where your work continues.

Shotnix keeps recording controls and post-capture choices close instead of forcing every capture through the same save dialog.

  1. Open instantlyStart from the menu bar or a global shortcut.
  2. Choose capture or recordGrab a screenshot, record a region, pick a window, capture scrolling content, or extract OCR text.
  3. Keep movingCopy, save, edit, pin, drag the result, or stop a recording from the live HUD.

Free and open source

No subscription. No account. No hidden pricing page.

MIT

Shotnix is 100% free and open source. Download the beta, inspect the code, fork it, or use it for real work.

Open GitHub repository

Default shortcuts

Muscle memory first.

⌘ ⇧ 4

Area capture

⌘ ⇧ 5

Window capture

⌘ ⇧ O

OCR text extraction

⌘ ⇧ S

Scrolling capture

⌘ C

Copy from overlay

Esc

Stop a recording

Every shortcut is customizable in Preferences → Shortcuts — including the recording hotkeys.

What's new

Version 0.18.0-beta

Shotnix v0.18.0-beta adds recording hotkeys with Escape-to-stop, a multi-display fullscreen chooser, custom file name templates, Copy Text on the post-capture overlay, barcode scanning beyond QR, and annotation editor zoom, constraints, and style memory — plus reliability fixes that save interrupted recordings and protect your clipboard.

Read the full changelog →

FAQ

Questions before you install.

Is Shotnix really free?

Yes. Shotnix is 100% free and open source under the MIT license. No subscription, no account, and no paywall.

What can Shotnix capture?

Shotnix supports area, window, fullscreen, previous area, scrolling capture, OCR text extraction, QR code scanning, and area/window/fullscreen screen recording on macOS.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Shotnix is a native macOS app and the core capture, annotation, history, export, and pinning workflow is local.

Is Shotnix signed and notarized?

Yes. Official downloads are signed with Apple Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so macOS can verify the app before launch.

Why does macOS ask for Screen Recording permission?

Shotnix needs Screen Recording permission to capture screenshots, recordings, OCR selections, and QR scans. Captures stay local on your Mac.

Which macOS version do I need?

Shotnix targets macOS 13 and newer.

Can I use it for work?

The project is MIT licensed, which allows free personal and commercial use, subject to the license terms.

How does Shotnix update?

Shotnix includes Sparkle auto-updates: it checks the official appcast and installs signed, notarized releases in place — no reinstall needed. You can also download the latest DMG from this site or GitHub at any time.

How is Shotnix different from CleanShot X or Shottr?

Shotnix is 100% free and open source with no account, and covers capture, annotation, OCR, scrolling capture, pinned screenshots, and a built-in video demo editor with a timeline, zoom, and cursor effects. Paid tools still offer extras like cloud sharing — Shotnix keeps everything local by design.

Does screen recording capture system audio?

Yes. Recordings can include system audio and microphone input, selectable before the recording starts, and Shotnix excludes its own capture sounds to avoid feedback.

Available now

Install the free beta and give captures a real workflow.

Shotnix is fully functional today, 100% free and open source under the MIT license, and available as a direct macOS download.

Get Shotnix for macOS

8.3 MB · macOS 13+ · signed and notarized by Apple