Shapedrop
Drop a file.
New shape.
A small pill waits at the bottom of your screen. Drag a file onto it and an arc of matching formats opens. Let go – done. Everything stays on your computer.
For Macs with Apple silicon (M1 to M5) · macOS 14 Sonoma or later · Windows is coming.It’s this simple
- DragDrag a file, several files, a folder or a link from your browser onto the pill.
- Pick a tileThe arc only shows what fits the file. Let go over the tile you want.
- DoneThe new file sits next to the original. The original stays untouched.
Why Shapedrop
Nothing is uploaded. No account, no cloud, no usage data.
Text recognition and background removal use Apple’s own image recognition – fast and accurate.
Several steps in one go – or a folder where every new scan turns into a searchable PDF on its own.
Claude, Cursor & co. can use Shapedrop as a tool. The converting still happens only on your Mac.
The app speaks your language – with help for every tile and answers to common questions.
No subscription. One license for 2 of your own Macs, all version 1 updates included.
What works with which file
Photos and imagesPNG, JPG, WEBP, HEIC (iPhone), RAW, TIFF, GIF, BMP …
- PDFTurns the photo into a PDF for email or filing.
- JPGSaves as JPG – works almost everywhere.
- PNGSaves as PNG – good for graphics and logos.
- WEBPSaves as WEBP – small and fast for websites.
- SmallerMakes the photo much smaller, e.g. for email.
- For emailMakes the file small enough for any email (under 10 MB).
- Cut outRemoves the background, only the subject stays.
- TextTypes out the text in the image, e.g. from a photographed note.
- ScanTurns a phone photo of a document into a clean scan PDF – straightened and easy to read.
- Search PDFMakes a PDF you can search for words.
- No metadataRemoves location and camera info before you share the photo.
- IconsTurns a logo into every icon for your website and app.
- Read codesReads QR codes and barcodes in the image and writes the content to a text file.
- TIFFSaves as TIFF – for print shops and archives.
- GIFSaves as GIF – for old apps and forums.
- BMPSaves as BMP – for old Windows apps and devices.
Several photos or a folderdrag several images at once
- One PDFPuts all photos into one PDF, in the right order.
- Search PDFLike “One PDF”, but you can search it for words.
- By datePuts copies of the photos, named by the date taken, into a new folder – the originals stay.
PDFsPDF
- ImagesTurns every page into an image.
- PagesSplits the PDF into single pages.
- SmallerMakes the PDF smaller without blurring the text.
- For emailMakes the file small enough for any email (under 10 MB).
- Search PDFMakes a scan searchable – the pages look just like before.
- PasswordProtects the PDF with a password. It won’t open without it.
- No metadataRemoves author, app and other hidden details.
- RedactRedacts IBANs, card numbers, email addresses and phone numbers – optionally also dates, amounts and your own terms. You see every page first and can click boxes away or draw your own. The text underneath is gone too.
- Choose pagesTakes out only the pages you need, e.g. 1-3 and 5.
- TIFFTurns the whole PDF into one multi-page TIFF, e.g. for fax or archiving.
Several PDFsdrag several PDFs at once
- MergeCombines all PDFs into one.
VideosMP4, MOV, WEBM, MKV, AVI
- MP4Saves as MP4 – plays on every device.
- Audio onlyTakes just the audio from the video.
- TextTypes out what’s said in the video.
- GIFMakes a short GIF from it.
- SmallerMakes the video much smaller.
- For emailMakes the file small enough for any email (under 10 MB).
- SubtitlesTurns what’s said into a subtitle file (SRT) for YouTube, TikTok & co.
- 9:16Turns the video vertical for TikTok, Reels and Stories.
- No metadataRemoves location and device info without re-encoding.
Audio and voice messagesMP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, OPUS (WhatsApp), AIFF …
- TextTypes out what’s said – e.g. a voice message.
- MP3Saves as MP3.
- M4ASaves as M4A – good for iPhone and Mac.
- WAVSaves as WAV in full quality.
- FLACSaves as FLAC – full quality, but smaller than WAV.
WordDOCX
- PDFSaves as PDF.
- TextPulls out the plain text.
Excel and spreadsheetsXLSX, XLS, ODS
- PDFSaves as PDF.
- CSVSaves every sheet as CSV, e.g. for your bookkeeping.
- JSONSaves the table as JSON – for apps and websites.
PowerPointPPTX, PPT, ODP
- PDFSaves as PDF.
E-invoicesXRechnung and ZUGFeRD as an XML file
- ReadableTurns an e-invoice (XRechnung, ZUGFeRD) into a clear PDF to read and file.
ArchivesZIP, 7Z, RAR, TAR, GZ
- ExtractExtracts the archive into a new folder next to it.
Any filesdrag several files or a folder – unknown kinds too
- ZIPPacks all files into one ZIP – even files Shapedrop doesn’t otherwise know.
Markdown and textMD, TXT
- PDFTurns Markdown or text into a clean PDF.
- WordTurns Markdown into a Word file with headings and lists.
- HTMLTurns Markdown into a finished web page.
E-booksEPUB (without copy protection)
- PDFTurns the e-book into a PDF to read or print.
- TextTakes the plain text out of the e-book.
DataCSV, TSV, JSON
- ExcelTurns CSV or JSON into an Excel sheet.
- CSVSaves as CSV that opens correctly in German Excel (semicolons).
- JSONSaves the table as JSON – for apps and websites.
ContactsVCF (vCard, e.g. from iPhone or Outlook)
- ExcelTurns contacts into an Excel list with name, company, phone and email.
- CSVTurns contacts into a CSV list, e.g. for newsletter tools.
SubtitlesSRT, VTT, ASS
- SRTSaves the subtitles as SRT – works almost everywhere.
- VTTSaves as VTT – for websites and browser video players.
- ASSSaves as ASS – for subtitles with their own font and color.
FontsTTF, OTF, WOFF, WOFF2
- WOFF2Makes the font small for websites (WOFF2).
- WOFFSaves the font as WOFF for older browsers.
- TTF/OTFTurns a web font back into a font you can install.
Links and textdrag from your browser or a note
- QR codeMakes a QR code image.
- QR as SVGMakes a QR code that stays sharp at any size (e.g. for print).
One price. For good.
Try everything for 7 days, no sign-up. Then buy once – your license key arrives by email right away.
- 2 of your own Macs at once
- All version 1 updates
- Receipt showing the tax
- Secure payment via Stripe/Link
For teams and offices
One key for everyone. Each person may use Shapedrop on 2 computers. Under “License …” you see which computers are signed in and can free old ones yourselves.
Frequently asked questions
Privacy & security
Are my files uploaded?
No. Shapedrop converts everything on your computer. No file, text or image ever leaves it.
What does Shapedrop send over the internet?
Only two things: for the license, the key, a random ID for this device and the device type (Mac or Windows PC) – at most once a week. And the check for updates. No file names, no content, no usage data.
Can my AI see my files when I connect it to Shapedrop?
Your AI tells Shapedrop which file to convert – the converting happens on your computer. For text tiles (e.g. “Text” or “Search PDF”) the AI gets the recognized text back so it can keep working with it. What your AI does with it depends on your AI provider.
Is the original changed or overwritten?
Never. The new file sits next to the original with its own name. If that name exists already, Shapedrop adds a number.
Using Shapedrop
Where do I find the new file?
Right next to the original, in the same folder. QR codes from links go to your Downloads folder. Clicking the green pill or the notification shows the file.
The arc doesn’t open.
Then Shapedrop doesn’t know this file type yet. “How it works” lists which files work. Tip: drop the file on the pill – you’ll see whether there are matching tiles.
I picked the wrong tile.
Right-click the pill → “Undo”. Or use the arrow next to the entry under Home or History here. The new file goes to the Trash – the original is untouched anyway.
The pill is gone or in an odd place.
One click brings it back to the bottom of your screen.
I want Shapedrop ready right after startup.
Turn on “Open at login” in Settings.
How do I get Shapedrop into the Dock?
Turn on “Show in Dock” in Settings. Or drag Shapedrop from Applications into your Dock.
Text recognition isn’t accurate.
It works best with straight, sharp photos in good light. Handwriting often isn’t recognized.
Speech to text comes out in the wrong language.
Shapedrop listens in your system language (e.g. English). If the recording is in another language, the result may be inaccurate.
PowerPoint to PDF doesn’t work.
For that Shapedrop needs the free LibreOffice (libreoffice.org). Install it once and it works – including faithful Word and Excel PDFs.
Does Shapedrop work without dragging?
Yes. Under Settings → “Without dragging” you can turn on the Finder right-click (“Convert with Shapedrop”), the shortcut ⌃⌥S for the files selected in Finder, and set up a terminal command.
Can Shapedrop convert a folder automatically?
Yes. Under Settings → “Watch folders” pick a folder and what should happen, e.g. “Photos/scans → search PDF”. Every new file there is then converted on its own while Shapedrop is running. Files already in the folder stay untouched.
I received an e-invoice as XML and can’t read it.
Drag the XML file onto the pill and choose “Readable”. Shapedrop turns it into a clear PDF with sender, line items and amounts. Both XRechnung and ZUGFeRD work.
License & purchase
How long can I try Shapedrop?
7 days, with every feature. After that you need a license.
On how many computers can I use Shapedrop?
One license covers 2 of your own computers at the same time. Deactivate Shapedrop on one and the slot is free again.
Are there licenses for teams and companies?
Yes: for 5, 10 or 25 people (2 computers each) and for a whole company (up to 250 computers). Everyone uses the same key. Under “License …” you see which computers are signed in and can free old ones yourselves. Prices are on the website.
I have a new computer.
Deactivate on the old computer under “License …”, then enter your key on the new one. If the old computer is broken or gone, write to us – we’ll free the slot.
I can’t find my license key.
It’s in the email after your purchase (check your spam folder too) and was shown right after paying. If you can’t find it, write to us from the email address you bought with.
Do I get an invoice?
Yes. Our payment service (Link, by Stripe) emails you a receipt showing the tax right after your purchase.
Do updates cost extra?
No. All version 1 updates are included in the license and arrive automatically.
Does Shapedrop need the internet?
Not for converting. With a license, Shapedrop briefly checks at most once a week that it’s valid – and keeps working for 30 days with no internet at all.
I’d like a refund.
Write to us via “Didn’t find your question?” or reply to your receipt. We’ll take care of it quickly.
Didn’t find your question? Write to us: [email protected]