ClariRec for Mac
Screenshot OCR for Mac, with local processing by default.
Capture text from screenshots, clipboard images, and image files
Free native macOS OCR with optional BYOK OCR and translation
macOS 14.0+ · Universal Binary
Built for repeated OCR work on Mac
ClariRec is for people who copy text from screenshots more than once in a while and want that workflow to stay fast, native, and easy to understand.
Use a shortcut instead of a workaround
Press ⌥S, select a region, and get editable text immediately. Useful for chat screenshots, presentation slides, scanned visuals, and UI text that is not directly selectable.
Handle more than one input path
Recognize text from screenshots, clipboard images, and image files in one app, then copy, export, or continue into translation without switching tools.
Keep the default path local
The default System OCR path uses macOS Vision on your device. Optional BYOK OCR and translation are available when you choose a different workflow.
Understand the network boundary
ClariRec does not operate servers that receive your OCR content. If you enable BYOK OCR or translation, selected content is sent directly to the provider or compatible endpoint you configure.
Need a dedicated OCR tool? Compare with Apple Live Text.
Common OCR workflows on Mac
Best suited for daily OCR, not one-off extraction tasks.
Developers
Copy code, logs, terminal output, or error text from screenshots without retyping or opening a heavier document tool.
Researchers and students
Pull quotes from papers, lecture slides, and scanned study materials into editable notes more quickly.
Chat, web, and app screenshots
Extract text from messages, product UI, diagrams, or pages where copy and paste is inconvenient or unavailable.
Multilingual reading
Run local OCR first, then translate only when needed through your configured provider or supported macOS system translation.
Local-first trust boundary
ClariRec is local-first, not local-only. The default OCR path stays on your Mac; optional networked features are explicit and separate.
| Mode | Does content leave your device? | When it is used | Where selected content goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| System OCR | No | Default screenshot OCR, clipboard OCR, and image-file OCR | No external destination |
| BYOK OCR | Yes | Only when you select a configured third-party OCR provider | The provider or compatible endpoint you configure |
| Translation | Only when you trigger it | When you click Translate, enable Auto Translate, or use a translation shortcut | Your configured provider, or Apple system services when using supported system translation |
Core features
The essentials for fast OCR on macOS, with optional advanced paths when you need them.
Optional BYOK OCR and translation
Optionally connect your own OCR and translation providers. Selected content is sent directly to the endpoints you configure.
🔒 API keys stored securely in macOS Keychain
Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ClariRec free?
Yes, ClariRec is completely free. No subscription, no account required, no hidden limitations.
Does ClariRec upload my screenshots to the cloud?
No. By default, OCR processing happens locally on your Mac using the macOS Vision framework. If you enable optional BYOK OCR or translation, only the content you choose is sent directly to the provider or compatible endpoint you configure. ClariRec does not operate servers that receive your OCR content.
Does ClariRec work offline?
Yes for the default System OCR path. If you enable BYOK OCR or third-party translation, those optional features use the network.
Why use ClariRec if macOS already has Live Text?
Apple Live Text can be enough for occasional in-place text selection. ClariRec is built for repeated OCR workflows with dedicated screenshot and clipboard shortcuts, image-file OCR, export, Markdown table output, and optional BYOK OCR or translation.
What happens when I enable BYOK OCR or translation?
Selected screenshots or text are sent directly from your Mac to the provider or compatible endpoint you configure. API keys stay in macOS Keychain, and ClariRec does not proxy that content through ClariRec-operated servers.
What macOS version does ClariRec require?
ClariRec requires macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later. It supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs as a Universal Binary.
Ready for a faster OCR workflow on Mac?