Your built-in Windows or MacOS snipping tool just doesn’t cut it anymore. (pun intended)
Capturing and sharing recordings is more critical today than ever, whether creating quick tutorials, detailed demos, or just wanting to share something cool you found online.
But with so many different snipping tools available, finding the right one can seem daunting.
I’ve spent hours testing and comparing different snipping tools to find the absolute best ones for recordings in 2024.
Whether you’re a casual user needing a quick screen recording or a content creation pro looking for advanced features, this list has something for everyone. So, let’s ditch those basic snips and start creating like a pro! ✂️
- What Should You Look for In Snipping Tools?
- 10 Best Snipping Tools to Use in 2024
- 1. ClickUp (Best for capturing and sharing screen recordings with your team)
- 2. Movavi (Best for capturing specific screen areas and basic editing)
- 3. ShareX (Best for power users who need extensive customization options)
- 4. ScreenRec (Best for creating quick and easy video tutorials and demos with screen and audio recording)
- 5. LightShot (Best for basic screenshot capture, editing, and instant sharing)
- 6. PicPick (Best for visual creators who need various capture modes and comprehensive editing features)
- 7. Greenshot (Best for open-source enthusiasts who need advanced capture options)
- 8. Awesome Screenshot (Best for design teams who need to add feedback directly on screenshots)
- 9. Droplr (Best for quick and easy sharing with simple annotation and instant cloud uploads)
- 10. FlameShot (Best for advanced users who require high levels of customization)
- Go Beyond the Basic Snips: Click, Capture, and Conquer!
What Should You Look for In Snipping Tools?
You already have your reasons for ditching the basic snipping tools. Let’s talk about what truly sets the best ones apart.
What are the key features you should consider?
Ease of use
This might seem obvious, but trust me, it’s crucial. You don’t want to spend ages figuring out how to capture a simple video.
Ideally, the tool should have a clean and intuitive interface that lets you record and edit your videos with minimal fuss. You want a tool that feels like an extension of your workflow, not a roadblock.
Flexibility to customize
You want to be able to choose precisely what you’re recording, whether it’s a specific area of your screen, a full-blown window, or even just a portion of a web page.
Bonus points for tools that let you add annotations, arrows, or text directly to your recordings to highlight important points.
Video output formats
This might not be the most exciting feature, but it’s essential.
Make sure the tool you choose supports popular video formats like MP4 and MOV. This ensures compatibility with different platforms and editing software, so you can easily share your recordings without any hassle.
Bonus features
While the core functionality is important, some tools offer extra features that can be real game-changers.
These extras can include screen recording capabilities (beyond video snippets), cloud storage for easy access and sharing, or even integration with other productivity apps you use. They can streamline your workflow and make your life much easier.
The best snipping tool is the one that fits your specific needs and preferences.
So, take some time to explore the options and find the one that helps you easily capture and share your video recordings.
10 Best Snipping Tools to Use in 2024
1. ClickUp (Best for capturing and sharing screen recordings with your team)
ClickUp is more than a project management powerhouse; it’s also a powerful and versatile tool with a built-in snipping tool, ClickUp’s Clips, to capture and share video recordings. Its built-in video recording feature seamlessly integrates with your project management workflow.
Capture clear, concise, and informative video recordings directly within ClickUp, eliminating the need to switch between tools. ClickUp’s Clips is an excellent alternative to Loom.
ClickUp best features
- Effortless capture: Record specific areas of your screen with a single click, eliminating the need for cumbersome external tools
- Narrate with clarity: Include your voice alongside your screen capture, providing clear explanations and context within your recordings
- Annotate for emphasis: Like ClickUp Tasks, add callouts, arrows, and text directly to your recordings to highlight key points and ensure clarity for your viewers
- Integrated workflow: Capture screenshots and recordings directly within ClickUp Tasks and docs, keeping everything centralized and eliminating app-switching hassles
- Streamlined sharing: Share your recordings privately with your team or publicly with customizable links and permissions, ensuring the right people have the information they need
- AI transcription: ClickUp’s Clips uses ClickUp Brain (AI) to automatically transcribe your recordings, making it easier to revisit key points and share insights with your team
- Seamless playback: It ensures smooth playback across different devices, so your team can access and view your recordings without any hassle
- Customizable length: Need a quick explainer or a detailed walkthrough? It lets you record for as long or short as needed, giving you complete control over your content
- Streamlined Storage: Your recordings are stored securely within your ClickUp workspace, eliminating the need for external storage solutions and keeping everything organized
ClickUp’s Clips helps different teams in a company, like marketing, capture, store, and share product videos and screenshots with users, making it another significant addition to the marketing video tool stack mix.
Creating videos can be complex and overwhelming. With ClickUp’s Video Production Template, teams of all sizes—from large studios to small internal content creators—can stay organized and coordinated throughout the process, from brainstorming ideas to making final edits.
This template simplifies video production, ensuring a smooth workflow and high-quality results. It streamlines your workflow by providing a clear planning, production, and post-production structure.
It offers numerous benefits, such as effortless organization, improved communication, and reduced errors.
With customizable features and an easy-to-follow guide, ClickUp empowers teams to create high-quality videos efficiently.
ClickUp limitations
- ClickUp integration: ClickUp’s Clips functionality is currently limited to ClickUp users with a subscription
ClickUp’s pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7 per Workspace member per month
ClickUp rating and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (9500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4100+ reviews)
2. Movavi (Best for capturing specific screen areas and basic editing)
Movavi is user-friendly and offers screen recording and screenshot capture. It has a clean interface, different recording modes, and basic editing options.
Forget fiddling with complicated settings; Movavi lets you grab exactly what you need on your screen, whether a specific window or your entire desktop, with just a few clicks.
Movavi best features
- Select the specific area of your screen you want to record or choose an entire window
- Include your voice narration alongside your screen capture to explain concepts or provide commentary
- Use Movavi’s basic editing tools, like trimming and cropping, to help you polish your recordings quickly and easily
- Save your recordings in various formats like MP4, AVI, and MOV
Movavi limitations
- Lacks advanced features like annotations, transitions, or effects
- It is not ideal for creating complex video productions.
Movavi pricing
- For Windows
- Personal License: $44.95/year
- Business License: $69.95/year
- For Mac
- Personal License: $44.95/year
- Business License: $69.95/year
Movavi rating and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (45+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (850+ reviews)
3. ShareX (Best for power users who need extensive customization options)
ShareX is a free screen recorder and an open-source tool packed with features. It lets you customize everything, use hotkeys, and even integrate with platforms like Dropbox and Imgur.
ShareX best features
- Set up hotkeys, choose capture modes (full screen, specific areas, scrolling web pages)
- Record GIFs
- Upload your screenshots and recordings directly to various platforms like Imgur or Dropbox
- Since it’s open-source, it benefits from a constant stream of updates and improvements from a dedicated community
ShareX limitations
- Its extensive customization options have a bit of a learning curve compared to simpler tools
- Advanced customization requires technical knowledge
ShareX pricing
- Free to use
ShareX rating and reviews
- G2: 4.8/5 (75+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
4. ScreenRec (Best for creating quick and easy video tutorials and demos with screen and audio recording)
ScreenRec is all about simplicity. No complex software or editing headaches here—just one click, and you’re easily capturing crystal-clear screen recordings. No messing with complicated settings or editing software.
So, next time you need to capture a bug or explain something to a teammate who lives on the other side of the world, grab ScreenRec. It also doubles up as an excellent training video software.
ScreenRec best features
- Capture your system audio, microphone audio, or both, great for making training videos
- Integrate your webcam into your recordings, allowing you to add a personal touch or conquer your fear of the camera
- Easily upload to popular platforms or create custom shareable links
- Use cloud storage for your recordings
ScreenRec limitations
- Extended recording lengths and cloud storage require a paid subscription for heavier recording needs
- No advanced editing options
ScreenRec pricing
- Free forever: $0
- Pro: $8.32/month
- Premium: $81.66/month
ScreenRec rating and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
5. LightShot (Best for basic screenshot capture, editing, and instant sharing)
LightShot is another free option for quick screenshots and basic editing. This lightweight software works as a Windows snipping tool (using the ‘prnt scr’ key) and prioritizes speed and ease of use, empowering users to capture specific areas of their screen with a single keystroke.
It offers annotation tools, cloud storage, and easy sharing.
LightShot best features
- Quickly capture images using the simple screenshot process with a single-keystroke capture function
- Use annotation tools to add visual cues such as arrows, text, and shapes to your screenshots
- Once captured and annotated, readily share screenshots through popular platforms like Imgur or social media or via custom links for wider distribution
- Consumes minimal system resources to function
LightShot limitations
- It lacks advanced editing tools like cropping or resizing
- It prioritizes straightforward sharing options, limiting its functionality for users requiring specific team collaboration features or more complex sharing workflows
LightShot pricing
- Free to use
LightShot rating and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (130+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.8/5 (35+ reviews)
6. PicPick (Best for visual creators who need various capture modes and comprehensive editing features)
PicPick is a versatile tool that combines screen recording, screenshot capture, and image editing. It’s user-friendly and has a wide range of features, making it an excellent option for creative professionals and visual communicators.
PicPick is designed to be intuitive, making it accessible to beginners and experienced users. Its wide range of features ensures you have all the tools you need in one place, eliminating the need to switch between different applications.
Whether you’re creating content for social media, preparing a professional presentation, or simply capturing information for personal use, PicPick has you covered.
PicPick best features
- Use a range of capture methods, from full screen and specific regions to scrolling windows and even text extraction from screenshots
- Crop, resize, add effects, and apply watermarks with its robust editing toolkit
- Add arrows, text boxes, shapes, and even freehand drawings to your screenshots and recordings
- Capture images, demonstrations, tutorials, or webinars effortlessly and choose from various recording formats
- Share your images to popular platforms and cloud storage services
PicPick limitations
- Requires a slight learning curve compared to simpler tools
- It demands slightly more system resources compared to lightweight screen capture tools
PicPick pricing
- Single plan: $24/user (2 devices/user)
- Team plan: varies per user
PicPick rating and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
7. Greenshot (Best for open-source enthusiasts who need advanced capture options)
Another free snipping tool alternative and open-source option, Greenshot, is great for customization. It offers various capture modes, annotation tools, and even scripting capabilities for power users.
It caters to both casual users and tech-savvy individuals seeking advanced functionality.
Greenshot best features
- Use a diverse selection of capture modes, including full screen, specific areas, windows, scrolling windows, and even region capture with delays
- Customize capture hotkeys, define output formats, and establish automated workflows
- Crop, resize, add effects, apply watermarks, and use a variety of annotation tools for editing screenshots with its comprehensive editing suite
- Benefit from a dedicated community, leading to frequent updates, bug fixes, and even plugin development
Greenshot limitations
- The extensive feature set requires some initial exploration for new users
- Requires a slightly more technical know-how compared to pre-built, readily available options
Greenshot pricing
- Windows: free to download
- MacOS: 1.99/download
Greenshot rating and reviews
- G2: 4.8/5 (160+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.9/5 (30+ reviews)
8. Awesome Screenshot (Best for design teams who need to add feedback directly on screenshots)
This video screen recorder Chrome extension lets you capture screenshots and videos directly within your browser. It’s a powerful and versatile tool for busy professionals seeking an all-in-one solution for capturing, editing, and sharing screenshots and screen recordings.
Its ease of use, rich feature set, and seamless integration with popular browsers and workflows make it a valuable asset for any productivity-focused individual.
Awesome Screenshot best features
- Capture specific areas of your screen with a single click: the entire screen, a specific region, or a scrolling window.
- Capture screen recordings with audio narration, perfect for creating tutorials, demos, or capturing website interactions for bug reporting
- Crop, resize, add annotations (arrows, text, shapes), and even blur sensitive information with its robust editing suite
- Easily upload to popular platforms like Google Drive or create custom shareable links to share over Slack, Teams, etc
Awesome Screenshot limitations
- Limited advanced editing features compared to the full desktop app
- Extended recording lengths and additional cloud storage space require a paid subscription for heavier usage
Awesome Screenshot pricing
- For individuals
- Free: $0
- Basic: $6/month
- Pro: $8/month
- For teams
- Workplace lite: $0
- Workplace premium: $10/user/month
- Enterprise: contact sales
Awesome Screenshot rating and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (35+ reviews)
9. Droplr (Best for quick and easy sharing with simple annotation and instant cloud uploads)
Droplr is all about sharing and collaboration. It’s a streamlined solution for creative teams and individuals who need to share screenshots, screen recordings, and files seamlessly.
Its focus on instant sharing, annotation capabilities, and seamless integration with popular workflows make it a valuable asset in today’s collaborative work environments.
Droplr best features
- Capture screenshots, screen recordings, or upload any file with a single click
- Shared content is instantly accessible to your team members or clients through secure, shareable links. Centralize all your visual assets in one easily accessible location
- Annotate your screenshots and recordings directly within the platform, highlight key areas, add comments
- Integrate with popular project management tools and communication platforms
- Available on all major operating systems and platforms
Droplr limitations
- The free plan offers a taste of Droplr’s functionalities but has storage limitations and restrictions on advanced features like custom branding or team management tools
- Not ideal for complex file types or document collaboration requiring in-depth editing features
Droplr pricing
- For individuals
- Pro Plus: $8/month
- For businesses
- Team: $9/month
- Enterprise: contact sales
Droplr rating and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (395+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (115+ reviews)
10. FlameShot (Best for advanced users who require high levels of customization)
Flameshot is a free and open-source tool with advanced features, making it a compelling choice for Linux users.
Its intuitive interface, lightweight design, and essential functionalities provide a user-friendly and feature-rich screenshot tool, making it a valuable addition to any Linux user’s toolkit.
FlameShot best features
- Run it smoothly on most Linux systems without bogging down your workflow
- Easily capture and annotate screenshots with its simple interface
- Use various capture modes, including full screen, specific areas, windows, and even scrolling regions
- Use a selection of annotation tools like arrows, text boxes, shapes, and even a highlighter
- Quickly copy the image to your clipboard for easy pasting into documents or emails
FlameShot limitations
- Lacks advanced editing tools like cropping or resizing
- Designed specifically for Linux users. You might need to explore alternative screen recording tools for Windows or Mac
FlameShot pricing
- Free to use
FlameShot rating and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
Go Beyond the Basic Snips: Click, Capture, and Conquer!
The world of screen recording has evolved. Whether you’re a casual user capturing a funny moment or a creative professional crafting polished tutorials, there’s a perfect tool out there waiting to be discovered.
This list has explored a range of screen recording solutions, each with its strengths.
If you’re a power user or a creative professional, the world is your oyster! ClickUp’s Clips will give you access to advanced capture modes, robust editing capabilities to enhance your recordings, and seamless integration with popular video project management tools and communication platforms.
This level of functionality empowers you to create high-quality screen recordings that effectively communicate your message and leave a lasting impression.
Elevate your video recordings with the best snipping tools. Sign up on ClickUp today and revolutionize how you capture and share content!