BetterShot

BetterShot is an open-source desktop app that provides screen capture and recording tools for macOS. It allows users to capture regions, windows, or the full screen, and includes a built-in editor for enhancing visuals before exporting. The application is installed via Homebrew or as a DMG file and operates as a menu bar utility for quick access to its various tools.

The software focuses on a local-first approach, meaning it does not use cloud storage, subscriptions, or telemetry. It integrates with native macOS utilities to handle screenshots and recordings, providing a lightweight experience for users who need to document software, create tutorials, or share visual snippets. The app requires specific system permissions for screen recording and accessibility to override default system shortcuts.

Key features

• Region, fullscreen, and window capture using the native macOS screencapture CLI
• Screen recording via ScreenCaptureKit with adjustable FPS and audio options
• OCR text scanning and a hex color picker for on-screen elements
• Visual beautification with custom backgrounds, padding, corner radius, and shadows
• Annotation tools including arrows, numbered badges, blur, and spotlight
• Video editing capabilities to trim, crop, and add padding to recordings
• Floating preview panel with drag-and-drop support for apps like Figma and Slack
• Ability to pin captures as always-on-top floating windows
• Customizable keyboard shortcuts for all capture and editor actions

Built with Swift 6 and SwiftUI, the application avoids Electron or web views to maintain performance. It utilizes CoreGraphics for image compositing and AVFoundation for video editing, ensuring that effects are baked directly into the exported MP4 or PNG files. The tool is designed for macOS users who require a professional capture workflow without relying on proprietary subscription models. It includes a capture history tab in the settings to manage past screenshots and recordings, as well as a self-timer overlay for timed captures.

BetterShot is a privacy-focused, native utility for macOS screen documentation.