Free CleanShot X Alternative for Mac
Get essential screen productivity tools like OCR text recognition and drag shelves without paying $29.
Can I convert screenshot formats with Notchy?
Yes. Convert PNG and HEIC screenshots to JPG or PDF in one click.
Quick Setup Guide
- 1Install Notchy
Download Notchy from notchy.dev. It installs in seconds and runs from your menu bar.
- 2Grant Accessibility Permissions
Allow Accessibility access so Notchy can handle keyboard shortcuts, window snapping, and notch interactions.
- 3Open the Island
Hover over the notch at the top of your screen to reveal the interactive island and its built-in widgets.
What you get with Notchy
- One-tap screen capture to clipboard + shelf
- On-device OCR — copy a screenshot, get its text (Apple Vision)
- Image converter (HEIC, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, PDF) + video → GIF
- Screenshots auto-staged on the shelf, ready to drag
- Fluid Dynamic Island animations on the Mac notch
- Native SwiftUI, tuned for Apple silicon
- 134 languages, fully localized
- Command palette (⌃⌥K) — every action one keystroke away
- Mac clipboard history shelf (password-manager safe)
- Now Playing music controls (Apple Music & Spotify)
Why Notchy leads the pack
While single-purpose utilities charge expensive subscription fees or license costs, Notchy gives you a completely free, native SwiftUI Dynamic Island. It integrates window snapping, clipboard history, Pomodoro timers, file drop shelves, and AI usage tracking directly into your Mac's notch.
Notchy vs CleanShot X
An honest look at how a free all-in-one notch app compares to a dedicated screenshot tool app.
| Feature | Notchy | CleanShot X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | $29+ one-time |
| Screenshot capture | ✓ Included | ✓ Core feature |
| OCR text extraction | ✓ Included | Varies |
| Image conversion | ✓ Included | — |
| Clipboard history | ✓ Included | — |
| Notch widgets & HUDs | ✓ 20+ built in | — |
Where CleanShot X shines: pixel-perfect annotation editors and instant cloud sharing links — fair is fair. Notchy just happens to bundle screenshot tool tools with 20+ other utilities, free forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert screenshot formats with Notchy?
Yes. Convert PNG and HEIC screenshots to JPG or PDF in one click.
Is Notchy free to use?
Yes, Notchy is 100% free with no subscription, no ads, and no data tracking. It is supported purely by optional user coffee donations.
Does it drain my Mac's battery?
No. Because Notchy is built natively in SwiftUI, it stays light on CPU and battery. It runs no web views or Electron in the background.