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Utilities · head to head

Kap vs Rectangle

Kap logo

Kap

Utilities

Free open source screen recorder for macOS, focused on video and GIF capture rather than annotation

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rectangle logo

Rectangle

Utilities

Free open source window snapping for macOS, with a separate paid Rectangle Pro for extra features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Kap it has no annotation tools at all, so any still-image markup work needs a separate app such as Shottr or CleanShot X.; Rectangle rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.
  • They diverge on capability: Kap covers Multi-format export, Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kap and Rectangle actually diverge.

Attributes where Kap and Rectangle differ
AttributeKapRectangle

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Open source, no licence fee), free tier (Yes), platforms (Mac), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Kap

  • Multi-format export
  • Area, window or display capture
  • Plugin system
  • Basic trimming
  • Menu bar operation
  • Open source

Only in Rectangle

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Drag to snap
  • Multi-display support
  • Almost full screen
  • Rectangle Pro extras
  • Open source core

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Kap

  • A developer recording a demo GIF for a README or documentation pagenot Rectangle
  • A marketer capturing a quick product walkthrough clip without buying screen recording softwarenot Rectangle
  • Someone creating App Store style device-framed screenshots for a listingnot Rectangle
  • A user who only needs video capture and does not want to pay for a suite of annotation features they will not usenot Rectangle

Rectangle

  • A developer who wants source-available window management with no cost and no accountnot Kap
  • Anyone replacing Magnet who does not want to pay even a small one-time feenot Kap
  • A user who installs software via Homebrew rather than the Mac App Storenot Kap
  • A power user who later wants Rectangle Pro extras but does not need them from day onenot Kap

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Kap

  • It has no annotation tools at all, so any still-image markup work needs a separate app such as Shottr or CleanShot X.
  • There is no scrolling capture or OCR, features both Shottr and CleanShot X include.
  • Editing is limited to basic trimming, so anything beyond a simple cut needs a dedicated video editor afterward.
  • It is Mac only, offering nothing for screen recording needs on Windows.
  • As a volunteer-maintained open source project, updates and bug fixes depend on community contribution rather than a company with paid support obligations.

Rectangle

  • Rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.
  • It is Mac only, so it offers nothing for a user who also runs Windows and wants one window manager everywhere.
  • It has no official paid support channel, being a community open source project, so issues are handled through GitHub rather than a vendor support desk.
  • Some very old or unusually built third party apps still resist Rectangle window snapping, a limitation shared with most third party window managers on macOS.
  • Because it is not distributed through the Mac App Store, some users have to manually approve accessibility permissions and updates rather than getting silent App Store updates.

Pricing, plan by plan

Kap

Free
  • KapFree
    • Free and open source under the MIT licence
    • MP4, WebM, GIF and device frame export
    • Plugin system for extended workflows

Rectangle

Free
  • RectangleFree
    • Free and open source, no account needed
    • Keyboard and drag window snapping
    • Multi-display support
  • Rectangle Pro$9.99/one-time
    • Separate paid app, not an in-app unlock
    • Cursor-following snap areas
    • Per-app window size memory

Which should you pick?

Choose Kap if

  • You need multi-format export.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want area, window or display capture.
Kap review

Choose Rectangle if

  • You need keyboard shortcuts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want drag to snap.
Rectangle review

Questions people ask

Is Kap or Rectangle better?
Neither clearly leads. Kap starts at Free and Rectangle at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kap or Rectangle?
Kap starts at Free and Rectangle at Free.
Does Kap or Rectangle run on more platforms?
Both run on Mac, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Kap for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Kap best used for?
Kap is most often used for a developer recording a demo gif for a readme or documentation page, a marketer capturing a quick product walkthrough clip without buying screen recording software, someone creating app store style device-framed screenshots for a listing, a user who only needs video capture and does not want to pay for a suite of annotation features they will not use. Of those, a developer recording a demo gif for a readme or documentation page and a marketer capturing a quick product walkthrough clip without buying screen recording software are not what Rectangle is typically brought in for.
What can Kap do that Rectangle cannot?
Kap covers Multi-format export, Area, window or display capture, Plugin system, Basic trimming. Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts, Drag to snap, Multi-display support, Almost full screen.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kap: Is Kap free?

Yes, entirely. It is open source under the MIT licence with no paid tier.

Rectangle: Is Rectangle really free?

Yes. The core app is free and open source with no feature gating or trial period.

Kap: Does Kap do screenshots or only video?

It is focused on video and GIF recording. For still screenshots with annotation, pair it with Shottr or CleanShot X.

Rectangle: What does Rectangle Pro add?

Cursor-following snap areas, per-app window size memory and some additional layouts, sold as a separate one-time purchase app.

Kap: Can Kap export directly to GIF?

Yes, GIF is one of its native export formats alongside MP4, WebM and Apple device frames.

Rectangle: How is it different from Magnet?

Rectangle is free and open source; Magnet is a paid Mac App Store app from the start with no free tier.

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