Capso vs Selectable: OCR & Text Capture
Side-by-side comparison of features, pros & cons, pricing, and community votes (2026).
🏆 Capso leads with 250 upvotes
Free open-source screenshot & screen recorder for Mac
Capso is a powerful, open-source screenshot and screen recording application designed specifically for Mac users, especially those with Apple Silicon. Built entirely in Swift, it offers a seamless, native experience with a range of essential features including capturing specific areas, windows, or full screens, along with high-quality screen recording. Beyond basic capture, Capso provides useful annotation tools, OCR for extracting text from images, and image beautification features, making it suitable for both casual users and professionals. Its open-source nature means there are no subscriptions, paywalls, or telemetry, emphasizing transparency and user privacy. Perfect for developers, educators, content creators, and productivity enthusiasts, Capso stands out as a free yet comprehensive alternative to paid tools like CleanShot X or Cap, delivering robust functionality without compromising on performance or privacy.
Pros
- Open-source and completely free with no subscriptions or paywalls
- Native Mac application optimized for Apple Silicon
- Versatile features including screenshot, recording, annotation, OCR, and image beautification
- Privacy-focused with no telemetry or data collection
- Lightweight and easy to use with a clean interface
Cons
- May lack some advanced editing features found in premium paid tools
- Limited integrations with other apps or cloud services
- Potentially fewer updates or support compared to commercial software
Best for
- • Creating quick screenshots and screen recordings for tutorials or presentations
- • Annotating images for documentation or feedback
- • Extracting text from images using OCR for research or data entry
- • Recording software demos or bug reports
Pricing: Free and open-source, with no paid tiers or subscriptions, making it accessible for all users.
Make anything selectable
Selectable: OCR & Text Capture is a versatile Mac application designed to make any content on your screen easily selectable and extractable. Whether it's text embedded in images, video frames, or static screenshots, this tool allows users to capture and copy text effortlessly. Its seamless integration with macOS 26+ enables instant translation, transforming language barriers into a thing of the past. Additionally, the app offers text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities, allowing users to listen to extracted content, and provides masking features to safeguard sensitive data during the capture process. Its intuitive menu bar interface makes it accessible for professionals, students, and anyone who frequently works with visual content and needs quick access to textual data. What sets Selectable apart is its combination of multiple functionalities—text extraction, translation, TTS, and privacy masking—within a streamlined, user-friendly platform, making it an invaluable productivity booster.
Pros
- Easy to use with a clean, accessible menu bar interface
- Supports text extraction from images, videos, and screen content
- Instant translation feature for seamless multilingual support
- Built-in TTS for listening to extracted text
- Privacy masking to protect sensitive information during capture
Cons
- Limited information on free vs. paid features; pricing details are unclear
- May require macOS 26+ for full functionality, limiting compatibility
- No mention of advanced OCR accuracy or supported languages beyond translation capabilities
Best for
- • Extracting text from images and videos for research or documentation
- • Translating foreign language content instantly during international work
- • Listening to lengthy or complex text via TTS for improved comprehension
- • Masking sensitive information before sharing screenshots or screen recordings
Pricing: Likely operates on a freemium model, offering basic features for free with premium options or advanced functionalities available through paid plans. Exact pricing details are not specified.