DocFX vs StepShot

DocFX is a free static site generator for technical documentation. It builds documentation from .NET assemblies, XML code comments, REST API Swagger files and Markdown, and can produce rendered HTML pages, JSON models or PDFs. Static HTML output is placed in the `_site` folder for publication to hosting services such as GitHub Pages. DocFX can also be used as a NuGet library through the `Docfx.App` package and .NET APIs. It parses CommonMark-compliant Markdown with Markdig and supports additional extensions. Built-in templates include a modern option with dark mode and customization settings; users can also customize templates with CSS, JavaScript, Mustache templates and metadata. DocFX can generate git links for GitHub, GitLab, Azure Pipelines, AppVeyor, TeamCity and Jenkins. It requires .NET SDK 8.0 or higher. Node.js v20 or higher is optional generally, but required to create PDFs. Native reference documentation generation covers .NET and REST APIs; other languages need a custom API docs converter. PlantUML diagrams use a remote server by default, with local rendering available as a setting.

StepShot is a macOS app that turns recorded workflows into step-by-step tutorials, standard operating procedures, and training documents. It captures activity through action-driven capture or screen recording, using cursor pauses as an additional cue for splitting recordings into steps. Users can edit steps and annotations, then export to PDF, Markdown, or HTML. Capture, editing, and all three export formats work locally without an internet connection. Optional AI assistance can suggest improvements to titles, descriptions, and step order; users review suggestions individually before applying them. Cloud planning requires a connection and a user-supplied OpenAI-compatible endpoint, API, and quota. The free plan costs nothing, allows unlimited capture and editing, and exports only the first 10 steps in Markdown or HTML. Pro costs 269 CNY, paid once and adds unlimited steps, PDF export, branding, optional cloud planning, and activation on two devices. Team costs 899 CNY, paid once and adds five-device activation, shared brand presets, bulk licensing, centralized invoicing, and priority feedback handling. StepShot requires macOS 14 or later and supports Apple Silicon and Intel.