winter_shot
v0.11.0Screenshots and screen recording for macOS. A freeze-frame selector, nine annotation tools, one-click gradient backdrops, on-device OCR, and a Screen Studio-style editor with a camera that zooms wherever you click.
- Platform
- macOS 14+ · Apple Silicon
- Built with
- SwiftUI · ScreenCaptureKit · Apple Vision · AVFoundation
- Highlights
- Free, MIT · Zero dependencies · One permission
Features
What’s inside WinterShot
Frozen-screen selector
Press ⌘⇧4 and the screen freezes. Windows lift out of a dimmed backdrop as you hover — one click captures a window cleanly, even when it's half-covered.
Nine annotation tools
Arrow, rectangle, ellipse, line, freehand, text, numbered counters, highlighter and redaction — with undo/redo and drag-to-move.
Non-destructive by design
Annotations, crop, rotation and backdrop live in a .wshot.json sidecar. Reopen a capture months later and every arrow is still editable. Pixels are flattened only on export.
Studio editor for recordings
Pointer and clicks are logged next to the video, not burned in. The editor adds click-to-zoom, a smooth synthetic cursor and wallpaper backdrops, then exports 60 fps MP4 — as many times as you like.
Background beautify
Drop a shot onto a gradient with padding, rounded corners and a soft shadow. Seven presets, live in the editor.
OCR and pin to screen
Pull text out of any capture with Apple Vision — nothing is uploaded. Float a capture above every window while you work.
Gallery
Compare
How WinterShot compares
| WinterShot | CleanShot X | Shottr | Screen Studio | macOS ⌘⇧4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $29+ | Freemium | $89+ | Free |
| Open source | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Freeze-frame selector | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✕ |
| Re-editable annotations | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | — | ✕ |
| Background beautify | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| On-device OCR | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✕ |
| Screen recording | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Click-to-zoom studio editor | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| 100% on-device, no account | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
Based on publicly documented features as of 2026. Competitor names are trademarks of their owners.
WinterShot
Free & open source · macOS 14+ · Apple Silicon
