Ray.so Alternative: Free Code Screenshot Tool Without Uploading Code

Ray.so — the code screenshot tool from the Raycast team — has become one of the most popular options for creating beautiful code images. Its gradient backgrounds and clean interface produce excellent results with minimal effort. But like Carbon.sh, it processes your code on a server, which means your code is uploaded every time you generate a screenshot.

This guide compares Ray.so with the free browser-based alternative that renders everything locally — no upload, no account, same high-quality PNG output.

What Ray.so Is and Why Developers Love It

Ray.so is a free code screenshot tool built by the team behind Raycast (the Mac productivity launcher). Its distinctive feature is beautiful gradient backgrounds — preset color gradients that make code images look polished with one click. The interface is clean and minimal, taking less than 30 seconds to go from code to exported image.

Ray.so supports multiple themes and languages, has no account requirement for basic use, and produces high-quality PNG output. It became popular in the Mac developer community through Raycast's user base and has since spread broadly.

For sharing public code on social media and in blog posts, Ray.so is an excellent tool with a strong aesthetic. Its gradient backgrounds in particular produce images that stand out in developer feeds.

Where Ray.so Has Friction

Server-side processing: Ray.so renders your code on a remote server. Your code text is transmitted to ray.so's infrastructure every time you generate a screenshot. This is a concern for proprietary code, internal tools, or code covered by an NDA.

Internet dependency: Ray.so does not work offline. If you need to create a code image without internet access — on a plane, in a secure facility, or in a network-restricted corporate environment — Ray.so is unavailable.

Gradient backgrounds only: Ray.so's signature look is gradient backgrounds. If you want a solid color or a different aesthetic, the options are limited compared to a tool with a full color picker.

Tied to Ray ecosystem: Some advanced Ray.so features are integrated with Raycast. Non-Mac users or those outside the Raycast ecosystem have less integration value.

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The Local Browser Alternative: Ocelot Code Screenshot

The Ocelot Code Screenshot tool does the same job — beautiful code images with syntax highlighting and window chrome — but processes everything in your browser. Nothing is uploaded. Your code stays in your browser tab.

Feature comparison:

Feature	Ray.so	Ocelot (free alternative)
Code uploaded to server	Yes	No
Account required	No	No
Gradient backgrounds	Yes (signature feature)	No (solid color picker)
Custom solid background	Limited	Full color picker
Works offline	No	Yes (after load)
Export PNG	Yes	Yes, 2x resolution
Languages	Many	19
Themes	Several	8

The main trade-off: Ray.so's gradient backgrounds look better out of the box for social media. The local tool gives you full privacy and offline capability with solid-color backgrounds.

When to Use Ray.so vs the Local Browser Tool

Use Ray.so when:

• Your code is public or open-source — no privacy concern
• You want Ray.so's specific gradient aesthetic for social media
• You are a Raycast user and value the ecosystem integration
• You are always online and network access is not a concern

Use the local browser tool when:

• The code is proprietary, under NDA, or sensitive
• You need it to work without internet access
• You want a solid color background with precise control via color picker
• You are on Windows or Linux and outside the Mac/Raycast ecosystem

Getting a Ray.so-Style Look Without the Upload

Ray.so's aesthetic comes from its preset gradients — purple-to-pink, blue-to-cyan, orange-to-yellow. You can approximate this with the Ocelot tool by picking the dominant color from any Ray.so gradient as a solid background.

For the purple Ray.so gradient: set background to #6b21a8 (deep purple). For the blue gradient: try #1e3a8a (dark navy). For orange: #92400e (dark amber). The code window will stand out against these solid colors in a way that reads as similarly intentional.

If you need a true gradient, export the Ocelot PNG and open it in Figma — replace the background layer with a gradient, then re-export. This adds 60 seconds but gives you any gradient you want without uploading your code anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ray.so free?

Yes, Ray.so is free with no account required for basic screenshot generation. Some advanced features are tied to the Raycast app. The Ocelot browser tool is also completely free with no account ever.

Does Ray.so upload my code to a server?

Yes. Ray.so processes code server-side to generate screenshots. For public code this is acceptable; for proprietary or sensitive code, use a local browser tool that processes everything in your browser without any upload.

Can I use Ray.so on Windows?

Ray.so works in any browser on any OS — it is a web tool, not a Mac-only app. The Raycast integration is Mac-only, but the web tool itself works cross-platform.

What is the best Ray.so alternative for private code?

The Ocelot Code Screenshot tool on WildandFree Tools. It renders syntax highlighting and exports PNG entirely in your browser with no server upload. Your code never leaves your machine.