The best Photo Booth alternatives for Mac (2026)
The best Photo Booth alternative for most people is MacCam: it is free, keeps the classic Photo Booth effects, adds Portrait, Studio Light and Edge Light, and saves straight into Apple Photos. For plain video recording QuickTime Player is enough, and for streaming or screen recording OBS Studio is the free standard.
Why look for an alternative?
Photo Booth still works, but it has barely changed in years. It keeps photos in its own library instead of Apple Photos, cannot pause a video, and has no Photographic Styles or background blur of its own.
1. MacCam – the closest modern replacement
A native camera app for photos and videos. The Photo Booth effects are there (several with a strength slider), plus Portrait, Studio Light and Edge Light, Photographic Styles, self-timer, grid and video with pause. Everything goes into Apple Photos, album “Camera”. Free; macOS 15 or later on Apple silicon.
2. QuickTime Player – built in, for video
Comes with macOS. File › New Movie Recording records video from the built-in camera, an iPhone or a webcam. No photos and no effects, and you choose where to save each file.
3. FaceTime – for Live Photos during a call
During a FaceTime video call you can take a Live Photo of the other person with the shutter button. It is not a camera app for yourself, but useful for capturing a moment.
4. OBS Studio – for streaming and screen recording
Free and open source. Powerful scenes, overlays and streaming, but made for creators; it is more than you need for a quick photo.
Easier with MacCam
Try MacCam instead of Photo Booth
- Download MacCam from maccam.app and open it – it moves itself into Applications.
- Open MacCam. A short tour asks for camera access.
- Press Space. The photo is saved straight into Apple Photos, album “Camera”.
Questions
Is Photo Booth discontinued?
No. Photo Booth still ships with macOS, it has just not received new features for a long time.
Does MacCam have the Photo Booth effects?
Yes – Black & White, Sepia, Comic, Thermal Camera, X-Ray, Bulge, Twirl, Kaleidoscope, Light Tunnel and more.
Is there a free Photo Booth alternative?
MacCam, QuickTime Player and OBS Studio are free. MacCam is the only one of them made for taking photos.