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Synapse
What Synapse is
Synapse is a native macOS utility that groups screen recording, screenshots, clipboard history, Keep Awake, OCR, QR scanning, and Notch Shelf in one app. Its recorder captures a window, selected area, or full display; recordings on the free plan include a Synapse watermark. Screenshot capture supports annotations including pen strokes, highlights, arrows, text, shapes, and number stamps in Pro. On-device OCR uses Apple’s Vision framework and copies recognized text to the clipboard, with two daily extractions on Free and unlimited use on Pro. Notch Shelf temporarily holds dragged files, folders, images, text snippets, or URLs while you change apps. Synapse says it operates locally without collecting or transmitting personal data, files, usage metrics, or keystrokes. The home page lists macOS 14.6 or later, while feature pages list macOS 13 Ventura or later, with Intel and Apple Silicon support.
Who it suits
Synapse suits Mac users who want several capture, text-recognition, clipboard, and utility tools in one native app. Pro is described for power users needing expanded limits and tools.
What it does well
- Combines recording, screenshots, OCR, clipboard, and utility tools
- OCR runs on-device with Apple’s Vision framework
- Notch Shelf holds files, text, images, or URLs
- Privacy policy says personal data is not collected
- One-time purchase covers up to three Macs
What to know first
- Free recordings include a Synapse watermark
- Free OCR allows two extractions per day
- Free Notch Shelf allows one item
- macOS version requirements differ across pages
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Synapse Free | Clipboard text 48h / 100 items · clipboard images 20 max · OCR 2 extractions/day · Notch Shelf 1 item · Keep Awake: Display Awake only | Free |
| Synapse Pro Lifetime | Pay once. Keep it forever. · Up to 3 Macs | $29.99, paid once |
| Synapse Pro | $14.99$29.99; limited-time price, returning to $29.99 · Unlimited clipboard and search · unlimited OCR · saved and excluded apps · drawing and annotation tools · advanced Keep Awake modes · lifetime license | $14.99, paid once |
As synapsemac.com lists them, read 10 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Synapse consolidates common Mac productivity functions, with local processing and support for Intel and Apple Silicon. Check the differing macOS requirements and free-plan limits before choosing a plan.
Facts from Synapse's own pages
- App size and license limit
- The home page describes Synapse as an approximately 4 MB native app and says the one-time purchase covers up to three Macs. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Browser extension
- No · synapsemac.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Clipboard limit discrepancy
- The download page says Free clipboard history is 24 hours, while the pricing page specifies 48 hours or 100 items. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · synapsemac.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Intel and Apple Silicon
- The screen recorder, screenshot, OCR, and Notch Shelf feature pages state support for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The Pro plan is described as a complete utility layer for power users. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Notch Shelf
- Notch Shelf holds dragged files, folders, images, text snippets, or URLs while users switch between apps; Free allows one item and Pro allows unlimited items. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- OCR
- OCR uses Apple’s Vision framework on-device and copies extracted text to the clipboard; Free includes two extractions per day and Pro is unlimited. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Payments
- The privacy policy identifies Lemon Squeezy as merchant of record and says it processes transactions, billing information, and card details. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says the app operates locally and does not collect, store, track, or transmit personal data, usage metrics, files, or keystrokes to Synapse or third-party analytics services. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Product
- Synapse is a native Mac productivity utility that combines screen recording, screenshots, clipboard history, Keep Awake, OCR, QR scanning, and other tools. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Screen recording
- The screen recorder captures windows, selected areas, or the full display, and free recordings include a Synapse watermark. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Screenshot annotation
- The screenshot tool captures screen regions and supports annotations such as pen strokes, highlights, arrows, text, shapes, and number stamps in Pro. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Support
- The privacy policy directs questions and requests to the Discord community or the listed support email. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Supported macOS
- The home page says Synapse supports macOS 14.6 or later, while feature pages state macOS 13 Ventura or later. · synapsemac.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Team collaboration
- No · synapsemac.com, 24 Sept 2026
Where Synapse stands on Freedom251
- Screenshot Annotation Software#56 of 76