Comparison / 4 min read

CleanSlate vs ScreenVeil: clean desktop or clean window?

CleanSlate and ScreenVeil both cost $9.99 once. CleanSlate tidies your Mac right before you share. ScreenVeil keeps private apps open and out of the window you share.

By ScreenVeilPublished September 26, 2026

Diagram comparing hiding windows on your Mac with sharing a separate window that leaves private apps out. — Illustration

The short answer

Both cost $9.99 once, but they do different jobs. CleanSlate tidies the Mac you're presenting from right before you share, hiding desktop icons, windows, notifications and even Chrome tab titles. ScreenVeil leaves your Mac as it is and gives you a separate window to share, without the apps you mark as private. Choose CleanSlate for a clean desktop. Choose ScreenVeil if private apps need to stay open during the call.

Same price, different job

What each one changes

01
CleanSlate changes your Mac
Right before you share, it hides desktop icons, windows, notifications, the Dock, the menu bar and your wallpaper, according to its website.
02
ScreenVeil changes what you share
Your Mac stays as it is. People see Privacy Screen, a separate window without your private apps.

One tidies the room. The other gives your audience a different view of it.

CleanSlate vs ScreenVeil at a glance

We make ScreenVeil, so read this with that in mind. We checked CleanSlate's website on September 26, 2026. Apps change, so check both sites before you buy.

Scroll sideways to compare →

	CleanSlate	ScreenVeil
How it works	Hides things on your Mac right before you share	Shows your screen without your private apps in a separate window
Private apps during the call	Hidden on your Mac	Open and usable on your Mac
Browser tabs	Hides Chrome tab titles	Hides whole apps, not single tabs
Notifications	Hidden	Leaves macOS notification banners out of Privacy Screen by default
Desktop icons, Dock, menu bar and wallpaper	Hidden	Shown as they are, minus your private apps
Price	$9.99 once for one Mac	$9.99 once, with 3 free sessions first
Requires	macOS 13 or later	macOS 14 or later

Pick CleanSlate if

You want a spotless desktop, Dock and menu bar while you present.
You share Chrome and want tab titles hidden.
You're still on macOS 13.
You don't need your private apps until the call ends.

Pick ScreenVeil if

You switch between several apps while you present.
Slack, email or notes need to stay open and usable on your side.
You'd rather not change anything on your own desktop.
You want to try it before you pay. The first three sessions are free.

Before your next call

0 of 4 checked

I know whether my problem is desktop clutter or private apps I still need.
If I share a browser, I've planned for tabs separately.
I did a test share to a second device with harmless content.
The share kept updating while I switched apps.

For your rehearsal. Selections stay on this page and are not sent anywhere.

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