Macs are generally easy to take basic screenshots on; not much has changed from Command+Shift+4. But what if you want to take your screenshots to the next level with editing, highlighting, and drawing? Or what if you need to capture a video because a still image won't do your topic justice? Then you need a snipping tool.
There are several good snipping tools available for Mac users. Some of them are on the App Store proper; others require you to risk the Wild West of the internet. This list will help you find the best snipping tool for Mac screenshots!
But First…
Your Mac has a powerful snipping tool of its own! On PC, you need to open the snipping tool if you want to screenshot just one line of text. With a Mac, it’s very easy to take basic screenshots of any part of your screen.
Have you ever tried taking a screenshot on your Mac? You don't need anything special. Here are the shortcuts so that you can mess around:
- Command + Shift + 3 — takes a capture of your entire screen.
- Command + Shift + 4 — lets you select a specific part of your screen to take a capture of.
- Command + Shift + 5 — the most elaborate option. It's very similar to C+Sh+4 but with more options.
The snipping tool does that and then some. It lets you draw, highlight, and otherwise modify your screenshots. More recent versions even allow you to record videos! No wonder Mac people covet the power of the snipping tool, even though their base system packs a punch if used correctly.
The snipping tool comes standard with Windows, but Mac users sometimes want to take screenshots with easy highlighting, too. You will need the best snipping tool for Mac if you want features beyond C+Sh+5.
See what your Mac can do and what features you need/want before diving into these reviews. Warning: you may find some of these so easy to use that you forget your normal snipping tool’s power.
Lightshot
The first snipping tool we looked at was Lightshot. Lightshot is currently available in the App Store, which means it's been tested for bugs, security, etc. Reviews on the App Store were a mediocre 3 average, but overall it had positive user reviews on other parts of the internet.
The reason for the discrepancy was, in part, age. Reviews in the App Store got steadily worse as time went on. The official page is alive and well, so it is hard to see why this app feels over 5 years old.
Pros:
- Legitimate; no shady websites, problems installing, etc.
- Fast.
- Lets you search similar images over the internet and share them easily.
Cons:
- Almost fast. There's a learning curve with this one. Give it the proper permissions.
- Might not have been updated in a while.
- Didn't age well.
Final Verdict
Lightshot is a good product, but unfortunately shows its age. If the developers have updated it, they haven't kept up with the times. There are much better apps out there that do similar things, now.
One review reflected the general sentiment about Lightshot well: “I miss Greenshot.” Once restricted to PCs, Greenshot is now available to Apple users for a mere $1.99. If you want to splash a tiny bit of cash, that's probably the better option.
AceThinker Free Screen Grabber
AceThinker's Free Screen Grabber is a very good screenshotting program for Mac. It operates seamlessly from inside your web browser after you've downloaded the app. But once you've downloaded the app, it's pretty good for free software.
Once it's on, you can screenshot, edit, and send all from the app. It offers colors, shapes, and more to make your screencaps more interesting. If you're familiar with any photo editing program, you shouldn't have any trouble using the Free Screen Grabber and sending screenshots around the internet.
Pros:
- Free with an optional premium service.
- User-friendly.
- A lot of its functions might cost money on other programs.
Cons:
- There is a small catch in that you still need to download the app to practice on the webpage. Luckily, the app is free for anyone to try, so the risk isn't too big.
- The UI isn't as smooth or versatile as it could be.
- G+ died in 2019. Other things may also be outdated.
Final Verdict:
AceThinker is good for anyone curious about what snipping software can do, but not willing to commit too much money. It's the best snipping tool for Mac users who want a free, user-friendly, low-risk way to get screenshots. Once you've gotten the hang of it, you can decide whether you need more features or not.
iScreen Shoter
Ignore the spelling error in the title; iScreen Shoter is the general favorite in the App Store. Nobody ever said programmers were grammarians, and they made a pretty good program. The free version is very generous with its features, which include capturing images, recording videos, editing what you grab, and instant translation.
The general sentiment is that something goes wrong with iScreen Shoter eventually and that it lacks something compared to the PC-standard snipping tool. We can't tell you exactly what is lacking; everyone says something different.
Pros:
- Mostly free and does a lot with that.
- Developer seems receptive to feedback.
- Developed for the Apple Store.
Cons:
- In-app purchases.
- Various glitches/snags; issues highly variable.
- Missing something compared to the original snipping tool.
Final Verdict
Both ex-PC users and Mac users agree: iScreen Shoter is very good at doing what the Mac already does, but better. The developer also seems responsive and receptive to user feedback, so don't be afraid to talk to them if something goes wrong.
Most people think it does a perfect job replicating the Windows snipping tool, but something is just a bit. iScreen Shoter might be one of the best snipping tools for Mac overall…if you can handle its weird little hiccups.
Droplr
Suppose you need to share screenshots and recordings for work or a group project. You need a program that will let you capture, edit, and share with relative ease. Enter Droplr: an all-in-one suite for group projects that lets you snip, record, and share with everybody!
If that sounds too good to be true, it all comes at a price—$8 per month. Droplr has a free trial period to take the edge off. If you need it for a big group project for a class, write the end date down somewhere. Most people who just want to take good screenshots will not need all the features. Also, if you get stuck, the customer service is subpar.
Pros:
- Autosaves to Droplr Cloud.
- Automatically generates a shareable link.
- Excellent for group projects.
Cons:
- Subscription fee.
- Some features require third-party software.
- Poor customer service.
Final Verdict
Droplr is great for capturing and sharing images and videos. It's meant to work for group projects. If that is what you need, it works with some group project programs you might already have. However, it comes with a subscription fee as hefty as some streaming services, and paid programs should have better customer service.
If you're managing a big group project, Droplr may help you. If not, you may be better off looking elsewhere for the best snipping tools for Mac. Download the free trial before committing.
Snip My
Snip My did not show up in any “best of” lists. Instead, it almost tops the list on the Apple App Store and has fairly good reviews. Curious, we looked into it more.
Snip My's biggest selling point is that it tries its best to replicate the Windows snipping tool. That's it. That's what people like about it. Beyond taking screenshots, almost all of its features are paywalled. Also, users have reported consistent copy/paste errors.
Pros:
- Has many of the same capabilities as Microsoft's snipping tool.
- On the App Store, so it's been tested to some degree.
- Good reviews; does what it's supposed to do.
Cons:
- Very basic.
- Lots of features are paywalled, including stuff that should be free.
- Copy/paste errors.
Final Verdict
Snip My is one of the weirdest “best” snipping tools for Mac. All the reviews on the App Store have some horrible catch: "you need the $2 upgrade," "hard to copy/paste," and other things that make it seem like it's not worth it. It seems to be flying on the concept and Apple's stamp of approval.
Given some of the other candidates on this list, there's no reason Snip My deserves all the praise that it gets. Use the built-in Mac snipping tool or any of the other best snipping tools for Mac instead of paying 2 dollars. Why not get Greenshot for that price instead?
Conclusion
When it comes to snipping tools, Mac people are more limited than Windows people, but less limited than Linux people. If you need to find the best snipping tool for Mac, you have a lot of good options (and a few very bad ones). Hopefully, this review has helped you find the best snipping tool for Mac.
