Why consider Veil?
- You share your screen regularly and want to hide Slack, email, and browser tabs.
- You record tutorials or demos and need a clean, professional background.
- You prefer a simple on/off toggle over gesture-based activation.
Monocle alternative for Mac
Screen-share privacy, not focus mode.
Monocle is built for focus—quietly dimming distractions while you work. Veil is built for screen sharing—blurring background windows before a call so private apps stay hidden. If that's your use case, Veil might be a better fit.
At a glance
| Veil | Monocle | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Screen-share privacy | Focus / reduce distractions |
| Best for | Meetings, demos, recordings | Deep work, writing, browsing |
| Activation | Manual toggle from menu bar | Shake-to-activate gesture |
| Pricing | $7.90 lifetime (1 Mac) | $14 single seat / $25 three seats |
When Monocle is better
- You want an always-on ambient dimming while you work.
- You enjoy shake-to-activate and cursor-reveal interactions.
- Focus and distraction reduction is your primary goal.
Different tools for different jobs
Both apps keep one window clear while dimming or blurring the rest. The difference is why. Monocle helps you focus throughout the day. Veil helps you present without exposing private content. You could even use both—Monocle for work sessions, Veil when you go live.
FAQ
Questions
Is Veil a direct replacement for Monocle?
Not exactly. They solve different problems. Veil is optimized for screen-share scenarios where you need to hide sensitive windows quickly. Monocle is optimized for daily focus and distraction reduction.
Can I try Veil before buying?
Yes. Veil includes a free 3-day trial. Download, test it in a meeting, and buy if it fits your workflow.