We’ve all had to take a screenshot of our PC and share it. This could be to send a bug to a website developer, send an online receipt to a friend, or even a tweet you want to save. However, you don’t always want to send the entire web page. Sometimes you just want to snip a specific part of the page or make minor changes (such as arrows and circles) to the page. The best free snipping tools are used to capture screen activity.
It is a popular tool for digital designers and photographers. Such programs are also popular with content creators to enhance their visuals, create memes and even short clips. Moreover, snipping tools can serve as easy-to-use recording devices that include basic photo/video editing functions. Below we have mentioned the best free snipping tools.
Best Free Snipping Tools Comparison Table
| Screen Capture Software | Platform | Price (USD) | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| ScreenRec | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free | Visit Website |
| Screenshot Captor | Windows | Free | Visit Website |
| PicPick | Windows | Free | Visit Website |
| Grab | Mac | Free | Visit Website |
| ShareX | Windows | Free | Visit Website |
| Ashampoo Snap 11 | Windows | $39.99 | Visit Website |
| Greenshot | Windows | Free | Visit Website |
ScreenRec
Features
- Capture screenshots and record screen activity.
- Easy sharing options with cloud storage integration.
- Annotation tools for marking up screenshots.
ScreenRec is a great tool for anyone who wants to stay as productive as possible when it comes to screen recording. You can capture your desktop instantly and send it as a link to share. In addition, the 1-click screen capture works extremely fast with little to no lag. You can also annotate the screenshots, for example, if you want to add comments or highlight important parts of the screenshot.
The software also offers you a high level of privacy, as all your content is encrypted and you can control who can and cannot see it. You can even view analytics about your screenshot, such as who viewed it and for how long. This is truly a unique offering in this space and is great for individuals or teams who want to share their screenshots. For now, this is one of the best free snipping tools you can consider now.
Pros
- Free to use with no watermarks or limitations.
- Offers both screen recording and snipping capabilities.
- Allows easy sharing and uploading of captured images and videos.
Cons
- May lack advanced editing features compared to paid alternatives.
- Some users have reported occasional bugs or performance issues.
Screenshot Captor
Features
- Powerful screenshot capture and editing capabilities.
- Customizable capture modes and hotkeys.
- Special features for capturing scrolling windows and multiple monitors.
Screenshot Captor is a free snipping tool for Windows. It is a universal program that can capture images or selected areas. You can take a screenshot of entire windows or of a part of a scrolling window. It is also possible to capture images from a web camera. Overall, this is one of the best free snipping tools you can consider now.
With Screenshot Captor you can restrict access to certain data, add text and adjust various image settings. There is even a special tool that lets you add a watermark to an image to protect the authorship of digital content. The only downside to the software is that it expires every six months. Although renewing the registration is free, you’ll have to create a new subscription key to continue using the software.
Pros
- Offers a wide range of capturing options, including scrolling captures and timed screenshots.
- Provides various editing and annotation tools.
- Supports batch processing for capturing multiple screenshots.
Cons
- User interface can be overwhelming for new users.
- Some users have reported occasional stability issues.
Picpick
Features
- Versatile snipping tool with screenshot capture and image editing features.
- Offers a wide range of annotation and enhancement tools.
- Includes a color picker, pixel ruler, and protractor for precise measurements.
Picpick is one of the best screenshot apps for PC. There are several good reasons to recommend Picpick (lightshot for pc) to PC users. It is a complete screen capture utility. When it comes to screenshot app for PC, Picpick is called the “Swiss army knife”. It is so strong and powerful that it is hard to believe. Picpick(lightshot for pc) has many options and is easy to use. If you are a graphic designer or a computer programmer, you will find it useful. For now, this is one of the best free snipping tools.
Pros
- Provides a comprehensive set of screenshot capturing and editing tools.
- Allows customization of hotkeys and settings.
- Offers additional features like color picker and pixel ruler.
Cons
- Free version may display ads.
- Some users have reported occasional issues with certain editing features.
Grab
Features
- Native snipping tool for Mac operating systems.
- Capture screenshots of the entire screen or specific regions.
- Annotation options and easy sharing to other applications.
The latest Mac models have a simple screen capture utility instead of Grab. The new screen capture tool is not called software. It is one of the many Mac features that you can access via a keyboard shortcut.
You can activate both Grab and its newer version with keyboard shortcuts like Command+Shift+3 to capture the entire screen area, or Command+Shift+4 to select a specific part of the screen. All screenshots are automatically saved to your hard drive. Still, this is one of the best free snipping tools you can consider now.
Pros
- Built-in snipping tool on macOS, no installation required.
- Offers basic screenshot capturing and annotation features.
- Easy to use with a simple user interface.
Cons
- Limited functionality compared to dedicated snipping tools.
- May lack advanced editing options.
Sharex
Features
- Feature-rich snipping tool with advanced capture options.
- Supports various capture modes, including scrolling captures and region-based captures.
- Offers extensive customization and automation features for capturing and sharing screenshots.
The free open-source ShareX program is a powerful screenshot and screen capture program for Windows. Its GIF and video capture features are often very useful. With ShareX, you can not only take screenshots of your computer screen. You can also use it to record videos. And since it’s free, its users are enthusiastic. Overall, this is one of the best free snipping tools.
Pros
- Extensive features for capturing, editing, and sharing screenshots and recordings.
- Supports a wide range of capture methods and customization options.
- Offers integration with various online platforms and cloud storage services.
Cons
- User interface can be overwhelming for new users.
- May require some configuration to fully utilize its capabilities.
Ashampoo Snap 11
Features
- Capture screenshots, record videos, and create tutorials.
- Provides multiple capture modes and editing tools.
- Supports annotation, cropping, and adding effects to screenshots.
Another effective and free snipping tool, Ashampoo Snap FREE offers flexibility and precision for all your snapshots. This simple, fast and to-the-point snipping tool for Windows allows image editing where you can add arrows, graphics, numbers and more to make the image very presentable and user-friendly. Currently, this is one of the best free snipping tools you can consider.
Pros
- Offers a user-friendly interface with easy-to-use capturing and editing tools.
- Provides various capture modes, including scrolling captures and timed screenshots.
- Allows direct sharing and exporting of captured content.
Cons
- Free version may have limited features compared to the paid version.
- Some users have reported occasional performance issues.
Greenshot
Features
- Lightweight snipping tool with essential screenshot capture features.
- Allows capturing of full screens, specific regions, or individual windows.
- Provides basic annotation tools for adding text, shapes, and highlights to screenshots.
You can capture entire web pages or just a small portion of the page, add visuals, and even export and upload the files directly in the app. It’s a lightweight snipping tool and one that doesn’t come with a lot of unnecessary bells and whistles. Thus, this is one of the best free snipping tools you can consider now.
This free tool is so easy to use that anyone can learn it in no time. This simplicity makes the program a popular choice for those who aren’t very knowledgeable in this area. An added bonus is that Greenshot is open-source and has a dedicated community interested in making it better and better.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy-to-use snipping tool.
- Offers basic editing features, including annotation and highlighting.
- Allows customization of hotkeys and output options.
Cons
- May lack advanced editing capabilities.
- Some users have reported occasional compatibility issues with certain applications or operating systems.
FAQs
Lightshot is a simple screen capture app, similar to the Windows Snipping Tool. If you’re looking for an app that has just enough tools to take a screenshot, annotate it, and save it, Lightshot might be a good choice
ShareX is often considered one of the best free snipping tools for Windows 10. It is a completely free and open source tool for Windows 7 to 11 that allows you to capture your screen in different ways, such as an image from a video or a specific window. Main Features: Multiple capture methods.
