ClariRec vs Apple Live Text on Mac
Occasional text selection? Apple Live Text usually suffices. Frequent OCR with a dedicated workflow? ClariRec combines screenshot, clipboard, and file OCR with copy, export, translation, and BYOK support in one place.
Quick comparison
| Dimension | Apple Live Text | ClariRec |
|---|---|---|
| How you start | Select text inside supported images, photos, documents, or paused video | Press a shortcut, OCR clipboard images, or OCR files |
| Screenshot region workflow | Select text after viewing content | Screenshot capture OCR from the start |
| Clipboard image OCR | Not a dedicated workflow | Dedicated ⌥V shortcut for clipboard images |
| Copy behavior | Select and copy from current context | Fast OCR-to-copy, including Silent mode |
| Markdown table export | Not designed for this | Exports Markdown tables from grid layouts |
| BYOK OCR / translation | Built around Apple's system features | Optional user-configured OCR and translation providers |
| Privacy boundary explanation | Follows Apple's system behavior and policies | Separate local-first explanation page and BYOK-specific boundary |
When Apple Live Text may be enough
- Occasional text selection
- Text already visible in a photo, screenshot, document, or video
- No need for shortcuts, clipboard OCR, export, or custom providers
When ClariRec may be more convenient
- OCR is a daily task
- You want a dedicated screenshot shortcut
- You regularly handle clipboard images, app screenshots, chats, slides
- You need export, Silent mode, or Markdown table conversion
- You want local OCR by default with optional BYOK providers
Local-first, not local-only
ClariRec keeps default System OCR on-device via macOS Vision. Optional BYOK OCR and translation send selected content directly to your configured provider or endpoint. ClariRec does not operate servers for this content.
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