Productivity Tools

5 Best Screenshot Apps for Mac in 2024

By Alex • Updated Apr 5, 2024

Best for: Overall | Windows | Mac

Whether you're creating a tutorial, reporting a bug, or sharing something interesting from your screen, a reliable screenshot tool can simplify your tasks.

Here are the top 5 screenshot apps for Mac that we think you should consider in 2024.

Best Screenshot Apps for Mac

1. CleanShot X
2. Snagit
3. Lightshot
4. Shottr
5. Xnapper

What Makes a Great Screenshot App

Before we dive into specifics, let's understand what constitutes a great screenshot app.

1. Ease of Use: A great screenshot app should have a user-friendly interface, enabling you to take screenshots swiftly and efficiently.
2. Multiple Capture Modes: The tool should offer different capture modes, including full screen, specific region, active window, and scrolling screenshot.
3. Editing Capabilities: It should provide robust editing features to annotate, highlight, or add shapes and text to your screenshots.
4. File Format Options: The app should allow you to save screenshots in various formats like PNG, JPEG, or GIF.
5. Sharing Options: It should offer quick sharing options to popular platforms like social media, email, or cloud storage services.

Now, let's deep dive into our top picks for the best screenshot apps for Mac in 2024.

1. CleanShot X

CleanShot X is a versatile screenshot tool for Mac that offers a plethora of features making it the ultimate screen capturing tool. It's developed with a user-friendly interface that makes capturing, annotating, and sharing screenshots a breeze.

Key Features:

• User-friendly interface with easy setup
• Multiple capture modes including full screen, specific area, and window
• Built-in text recognition (OCR) feature
• Pin screenshots for easy reference
• Cloud integration for easy sharing and storage

Our Take:

CleanShot X stands out for its comprehensive feature set and ease of use. The app's ability to capture scrolling windows is particularly impressive, making it a perfect choice for capturing web pages or long documents. The additional features like text recognition and pinning screenshots enhance its functionality, making it a worthy investment for professionals.

Try CleanShot X →

2. Snagit

Developed by TechSmith, Snagit is a powerful screen capture and recording tool that is ideal for anyone seeking to improve their communication and work more efficiently. It offers a range of features for capturing, editing, and annotating screenshots.

Key Features:

• Multiple capture modes including scrolling capture
• Powerful editing tools such as text recognition and smart move
• Option to create custom presets and keyboard shortcuts
• Ability to share screenshots directly to various platforms
• Library feature for organized storage of screenshots

Our Take:

Snagit is an excellent tool for professionals who require advanced screenshot capabilities. The software's comprehensive feature set, including its impressive editing options, makes it a top choice among users. The scrolling capture feature is a standout, letting you capture long web pages or documents effortlessly.

3. Lightshot

Lightshot is a simple and intuitive screenshot tool that allows you to capture any area on your desktop quickly. It offers basic editing capabilities, making it an excellent choice for those seeking simplicity without compromising functionality.

Key Features:

• Simple and intuitive interface
• Option to share screenshots directly to social media
• Allows for quick annotation of screenshots
• Provides a link for easy sharing of screenshots

Our Take:

Lightshot is the ideal tool for individuals seeking a straightforward and efficient screenshot app. Its simplicity, combined with essential features like quick annotation and easy sharing, makes it a popular choice among users. However, it lacks advanced features, making it less suitable for professional use.

4. Shottr

Shottr is a lightweight, fast, and feature-rich screenshot tool optimized for Apple Silicon. It offers unique features like auto-scrolling for long captures and on-the-fly text recognition, making it a robust tool for professionals.

Key Features:

• Fast screenshot capturing with optimized performance for M1 chips
• Supports scrolling screenshots and automatic text recognition
• Allows for annotation and pixelation of screenshots
• Provides a quick zoom feature for detailed viewing

Our Take:

With its fast performance and unique features like scrolling screenshots and text recognition, Shottr certainly stands out. It's an excellent tool for professionals who require advanced screenshot capabilities. Its optimization for Apple's M1 chips further enhances its performance, making it a reliable tool for Mac users.

5. Xnapper

Xnapper is a powerful screenshot tool that allows you to capture stunning screenshots in just two seconds. It offers automatic screenshot beautification, making your screenshots look professional and appealing.

Key Features:

• Automatic screenshot beautification
• Quick and easy two-second screenshot capture
• Supports annotation and highlighting
• Offers quick sharing options for screenshots

Our Take:

Xnapper's standout feature is its automatic beautification of screenshots, making it an excellent tool for those who want their screenshots to look polished and professional. Its quick capture and easy sharing options further enhance its appeal, making it a great tool for both professionals and casual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use these screenshot apps for free?

Yes, all these apps offer free versions. However, the free versions may have limited features or watermarked screenshots. You can opt for paid versions to access all features and remove watermarks.

Can I edit my screenshots using these apps?

Yes, all these apps offer editing features such as annotation, highlighting, adding shapes, and more. Some apps like Snagit and CleanShot X even offer advanced editing options.

Can I share my screenshots directly from these apps?

Yes, these apps provide options to share your screenshots directly to various platforms like social media, email, and cloud storage. Some apps like CleanShot X and Snagit even offer integrated cloud storage for easy sharing and access.

Can these apps capture scrolling screenshots?

Yes, some apps like CleanShot X and Snagit support scrolling capture, allowing you to capture long web pages or documents that don't fit on your screen.

Are these apps compatible with the latest Mac OS?

Yes, all these apps are compatible with the latest Mac OS. Additionally, Shottr is specifically optimized for Apple's M1 chips, offering enhanced performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these five screenshot apps for Mac offer a range of features to cater to different user needs. While CleanShot X and Snagit are feature-rich and ideal for professionals, Lightshot and Xnapper are perfect for users who prefer simplicity and speed.

Shottr, with its fast performance and unique features, is a worthy contender as well. Ultimately, the choice of the best screenshot app depends on your specific requirements and preferences.

All Screenshot Apps for Mac