Softwr

Utilities · head to head

Shottr vs Truecaller

Shottr logo

Shottr

Utilities

Free Mac screenshot tool with annotation and OCR, with an optional paid tier for extra features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Truecaller logo

Truecaller

Utilities

Caller ID and spam blocking app that identifies unknown numbers by crowdsourcing users' contact books

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Shottr it lacks CleanShot X cloud link hosting and self-cleaning desktop features, so teams that share links constantly may find it thinner.; Truecaller its caller ID database is built from other users uploading their contact books, which means a person's name and number can be listed without them ever installing or consenting to Truecaller directly.
  • They diverge on capability: Shottr covers Pixel-precise annotation, Truecaller covers Caller ID.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Shottr and Truecaller actually diverge.

Attributes where Shottr and Truecaller differ
AttributeShottrTruecaller
Pricing modelOne-time purchaseFree tier plus subscription
PlatformsMaciOS, Android

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Shottr

  • Pixel-precise annotation
  • Built in OCR
  • Scrolling capture
  • Colour picker
  • Quick resize and export
  • Free core functionality

Only in Truecaller

  • Caller ID
  • Spam blocking
  • Call recording
  • SMS spam filtering
  • Truecaller for Business
  • Premium profile controls

What people use each for

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

Shottr

  • A user who wants OCR and precise annotation without paying anything up frontnot Truecaller
  • Someone evaluating whether a screenshot tool is worth paying for before committing money, unlike CleanShot X which requires payment firstnot Truecaller
  • A user who occasionally needs a colour picker and is fine with the free tier for everything elsenot Truecaller
  • Anyone who wants a lighter alternative to CleanShot X without giving up scrolling capture or annotationnot Truecaller

Truecaller

  • Someone wanting to identify unknown numbers calling from delivery services, banks or scam operationsnot Shottr
  • A user who wants unknown-sender SMS automatically filtered out of the main inboxnot Shottr
  • A small business wanting its verified name and logo to show when it calls customersnot Shottr
  • A person who wants to check whether their own number is unexpectedly listed and request removalnot Shottr

Where each one falls short

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

Shottr

  • It lacks CleanShot X cloud link hosting and self-cleaning desktop features, so teams that share links constantly may find it thinner.
  • Pricing tiers and their exact contents have shifted and are inconsistently reported across sources, making it harder to know exactly what a given tier unlocks before buying.
  • The free tier periodically prompts to purchase, which some users find naggy over long term daily use.
  • It is Mac only, offering nothing for a Windows machine in a mixed environment.
  • Video and GIF recording is more limited than a tool built specifically for that, such as Kap or CleanShot X.

Truecaller

  • Its caller ID database is built from other users uploading their contact books, which means a person's name and number can be listed without them ever installing or consenting to Truecaller directly.
  • Removing a number requires actively finding and using the unlisting tool; it is opt-out, not opt-in, so most people never realise they need to do this.
  • The free tier is ad-supported, and ads appear on the call screen itself, which some users find intrusive during otherwise mundane phone use.
  • Call recording availability depends on local law and has been restricted or removed in some regions and OS versions, so it cannot be relied on everywhere.
  • Regulatory and app-store scrutiny of the contact-upload model has led to restrictions or bans in some countries, so availability and feature set are not consistent globally.

Pricing, plan by plan

Shottr

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full capture and annotation for everyday use
    • Built in OCR included
    • Occasional prompt to consider purchasing
  • Basic$8/one-time
    • One-time unlock of extra features
    • Removes purchase prompts
  • Friends Club$25/one-time
    • Higher one-time tier
    • Access to experimental features and priority support

Truecaller

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Caller ID and spam blocking
    • Ad-supported
    • Limited profile privacy controls
  • Premium$2.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • See who viewed your profile
    • Priority spam list updates

Which should you pick?

Choose Shottr if

  • You need pixel-precise annotation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want built in ocr.
Shottr review

Choose Truecaller if

  • You need caller id.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want spam blocking.
Truecaller review

Questions people ask

Is Shottr or Truecaller better?
Neither clearly leads. Shottr starts at Free and Truecaller at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Shottr or Truecaller?
Shottr starts at Free and Truecaller at Free.
Does Shottr or Truecaller run on more platforms?
Shottr runs on Mac. Truecaller runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Shottr for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Shottr best used for?
Shottr is most often used for a user who wants ocr and precise annotation without paying anything up front, someone evaluating whether a screenshot tool is worth paying for before committing money, unlike cleanshot x which requires payment first, a user who occasionally needs a colour picker and is fine with the free tier for everything else, anyone who wants a lighter alternative to cleanshot x without giving up scrolling capture or annotation. Of those, a user who wants ocr and precise annotation without paying anything up front and someone evaluating whether a screenshot tool is worth paying for before committing money, unlike cleanshot x which requires payment first are not what Truecaller is typically brought in for.
What can Shottr do that Truecaller cannot?
Shottr covers Pixel-precise annotation, Built in OCR, Scrolling capture, Colour picker. Truecaller covers Caller ID, Spam blocking, Call recording, SMS spam filtering.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Shottr: Is Shottr free?

Yes, the core app can be used free indefinitely, with an optional one-time paid tier for extra features and no more purchase prompts.

Truecaller: How does Truecaller know who is calling me from an unsaved number?

It matches the number against a database built largely from other users' uploaded contact lists, plus spam reports from its user base.

Shottr: Does Shottr do OCR?

Yes, built in OCR extracts text from a captured screenshot without needing a separate app.

Truecaller: Can I remove my number from Truecaller if I never installed it?

Yes, Truecaller provides an unlisting search and removal tool at truecaller.com/unlisting, though you must find and use it yourself.

Shottr: Is there a subscription?

No. Any paid tier is a one-time purchase, not a recurring subscription.

Truecaller: Does Truecaller read my messages or call content?

Truecaller states it does not access call or message content, only caller ID and spam-reporting metadata.

Share

Related pages

More on Shottr

More on Truecaller

Keep looking

Other head to heads