Selectable: OCR & Text Capture vs TouchGrass
Side-by-side comparison of features, pros & cons, pricing, and community votes (2026).
🏆 TouchGrass leads with 398 upvotes
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.
Context-aware break reminders without invasive permissions
TouchGrass is a smart, context-aware break reminder app designed specifically for macOS users who want to maintain healthier work habits without invasive permissions. Unlike traditional reminder tools that rely solely on time intervals, TouchGrass intelligently detects when you're engaged in activities like meetings, calls, media playback, or screen recordings. It counts time away from your Mac as a break, encouraging users to blink, improve posture, and rest after long periods of intense typing or screen use. Running entirely locally, it ensures user privacy by not requesting Accessibility permissions, making it a trustworthy addition to any workflow. Its simple one-time purchase of $3.99 offers lifetime updates, making it an affordable and privacy-conscious solution for those seeking to improve their health and productivity at their desk.
Pros
- Context-aware detection of activity and breaks
- No invasive permissions required, respecting user privacy
- Simple one-time purchase with lifetime updates
- Runs locally on macOS, ensuring data security
- Encourages healthier work habits without disrupting workflow
Cons
- Limited to macOS, not available for other platforms
- May have a learning curve for some users to customize settings
- Lacks advanced analytics or detailed reporting features
Best for
- • Reminding remote workers to take regular, healthy breaks during long work sessions
- • Helping students or professionals avoid eye strain and poor posture
- • Encouraging mindfulness and self-care during intense computer use
- • Supporting users who want to reduce eye fatigue and improve ergonomics
Pricing: TouchGrass offers a 7-day free trial, followed by a one-time purchase of $3.99, which includes lifetime updates. This straightforward, pay-once model makes it accessible and cost-effective for individual users.