Capture the menu by following the steps to capture the entire screen, capture a window (the menu is treated like a window), or capture a selected portion of the screen. Markup, share, and save After you take a screenshot, a thumbnail of the screenshot appears briefly in the lower-right corner of your screen. With PicPick, users can capture the full-screen images of the entire desktop, including the Start menu and application-specific taskbars, or restrict the screenshot to a specific window size.
Taking beautiful screenshots is part of my job as a tech blogger. However, when I am on my Mac, I will always avoid using the inbuilt screen capture function as I find them to be rather limited in features. Instead, I use several other third party screen capture tools for Mac that allow me to take better images and at the same time give me more control on how the shots should be taken.
If you are like me, who are searching for alternative Mac screen capture apps, here are 5 useful ones that I have used and can recommend.
Best Mac tool for clean desktop screen Camouflage There are people who keep their things in order and there are ones who don’t care about arranging things and use the things as when need occur. Go to your Mac's top toolbar or your PC's Windows console at the bottom, click on the CloudApp Icon, then choose to either record your screen HD video format, choose to create a GIF, take a screenshot, or annotate your snip. It is perfectly possible to use the inbuilt tools within OSX Lion to do your Mac screen capture. You can capture a full-screen and you can capture a section of the screen with using a marquee selection otherwise known as a crosshair snapshot. Home » App News » Android Apps » Mac » Download Free Screen Recorder/Capture Apps for Mac OS. Download Free Screen Recorder/Capture Apps for Mac OS. And is widely used for video and audio screen capture. Screenflick tool serves multipurpose, it is used for recording online presentation, recording video calls and chat.
1. Capture Me
Capture Me features a floating translucent window that you can move, resize and take screenshots by clicking on it. To use the program, you simply drag and resize the translucent window to cover the area you want to capture, then click on any area within the window to capture the screen. Once the image is captured, you can resize and save it in various formats at different locations.
Other than being a screen capture tool, there is one useful feature of Capture Me that is often overlooked by many. Sometimes when you are working on a project, you might need to reference several programs constantly. Since Capture Me has a window that floats on top of all other windows, you can use it as a image sticky where you take a snapshot of the necessary info and keep it always on top of the screen. In this case, you can save the trouble of constantly flipping through the windows. It can save you a lot of time too.
2. Backdrop
If you are tired of cleaning up your desktop everytime you want to take a screenshot, then Backdrop is the app for you.
Backdrop is a screen capture enhancement tool rather than a screen capture app. It does not allow you to take screenshots, but it can set a nice plain background to cover up your desktop and save you the trouble of cleaning up your desktop.
You can use Backdrop to set the background to any color (or images) of your liking. It also works even if you are using multiple displays, which can be useful if you frequently take screenshots on different screens.
3. Skitch
Skitch is more than a screen capture tool. It is an image editing tool with the ability to take screenshots, crop, resize, draw, annotate and sketch. When you take a screenshot with the SNAP function, the captured image will be sent to the editing window where you can resize, add some text to it or simply upload to the Skitch server to share it with your friends.
Other than the full screen capture and the define region capture mode, Skitch also has a frame capture mode that is similar to that of “Capture Me”. Upon selecting the frame capture mode, the Skitch editing window will become transparent and you can resize it over the image. Once you are done, simply click on the snap button on the right pane to capture the image.
Another useful function of Skitch is that you can save the image in various formats. At the moment, it supports :
- .jpg – Most compatible
- .png – Sharing fine snaps, drawing and text
- .pdf – Printing on another computer
- .svg – Importing into design applications
- .skitch – Passing to another Skitch user
- .tif – Sending to print publications
4. Jing
Jing allows you to do three things: take screenshots, record videos and share it online. (We have mentioned it earlier in 5 Free Screencasting Apps for Creating Video Tutorials5 Free Screencasting Apps for Creating Video Tutorials5 Free Screencasting Apps for Creating Video TutorialsRead More) When you first load up Jing, you don’t see any window. Instead, Jing docks itself as a yellow circle in the top right hand corner of the desktop. Move your mouse to the yellow circle and you will be able to select if you want to take screenshot or screencast.
When you choose the screenshot option, the usual crosshair cursor appear and you will be able to define your capturing region. Once the screenshot is taken, the captured image will automatically appear in the editing window.
The editing window allows you to do basic image editing such as adding texts, arrows, highlights, draw shapes etc. There are also options for you to upload to Screencast, your own web server or Flickr.
One drawback of Jing is that you can only save the screenshot in .png format.
5. InstantShot!
Free Screen Capture Tool For Mac
InstantShot! is useful in that it allows you to configure the screenshot setting even before you make the capture. This will ensure that you only need to do it once and get it right the first time.
Another feature of InstantShot! that is sorely missing in most screen capture apps is the ability to take multiple shots with one click. By pressing the hotkey Shift + Cmd + T, InstantShot! will start to take multiple shots at 5 seconds interval. During this period of time, you can shift the capturing window around to capture different region of the desktop. When you are done, simply press Shift + Cmd + T again to stop.
I found this function rather useful when I need to take screenshots of a file installation in progress.
The above are the five screen capture tools that I recommend. I am sure there are more useful apps out there that I didn’t mention. Tell me which are your favorite Mac screen capture apps?
Explore more about: Image Editor, Screen Capture.
- I had been a windows user since 1985. 4 years ago I switched to Mac happily. But sadly for some reason there is no built in app that I know of similar to SNIPPET. I have ever like the fact I have to memorize key strokes or what ever they are called. I want some kind of icon I can click on when I want to use something. I had an app called Screen grab. It stopped working when I installed sierra. It was all I needed. I could save my grab anywhere, and in 3 different formats. Sadly when I go online to look for upgrades to that app it's gone. I will never pay 50.00 for any Screen grab app when I feel it should be part of the file or operating system
- Maybe good additions to this list are the checklist of criteria for selecting a screen capture tool at http://www.indoition.com/screen-capture-tool-choosing.htm, as well as the list of screen capture tools at http://www.indoition.com/screen-capture-tools-survey.htm.
- Gee, I NEVER knew that Mac had a built in screen capture feature either. :( I've been using Grab and/or ScreenCaptureX for Mac. Both are free and terrific. Grab captures the desktop/screen, or an entire window (even that portion which must be scrolled to, because it is not visible on the screen). ScreenCaptureX also allows you to capture the desktop/screen, or size up and down to capture any portion of an open window that is visible. Unfortunately, it does NOT capture portions of the window that must be scrolled to if they are not visible. Thanks for the heads up.
- I gloriously use Snagit at work on my PC. TOTALLY BUMMED no Snagit for Mac! You can capture a 'timed' screen for those drop-down menus and most of all..a SCROLLING SCREEN!! Can any of them other than Snagit do that? I have been making it my life's mission (in-between finding a good slideshow software like ProShow Producer, but that's a whole nuther complaint..) to get them Snagit folks to make it for Mac..Jing is okay, but it's NOT SNAGIT!! I love my Mac and iTouch, and even though I'm with Verizon, I will switch to the iPhone..love them apps! But being the 'red-headed stepchild' of computers is no fun. If I have to load Parallels, etc. on my Mac to run Windows..I wouldn't have purchased a Mac! I truly miss my wonder PC programs that took years to find, and I still bought a Macbook. Haven't turned my 'blue screen' PC on since I bought my Mac in January 09 (and never looked back!) Thank you all for letting me vent! Still looking for good slideshow software - using Keynote (I would like the versatility that Photodex ProShow Producer has..they did inform me THEY WILL NOT DEVELOP for a Mac!!) (and I STILL bought a Mac! What does that tell ay?
- OMG I LOVE YOU !! :D
- Hi,
Currently I am using a screen capturing tool called Voila, helps me a lot with my work. These people are coming up with newer updates wit better features. Boy I sure am glad that i switched to Voila. :) - Voila a nice Capture and annotation tool for Mac. I am just enjoying the copy of it.
- I'm looking for a Mac app like the PC app Snagit that can not only capture dialogs into an image format but can also capture TEXT in a dialog. I've found hundreds of app for the PC but zero for the Mac that can capture/grab text from a dialog...still looking :(
- Thanks, I have been looking for free screen capture tool for some time now.
- CaptureMe is the best I've found so far. It's so close to previous commercial products like FullShot, that I've used before, that I don't know how it can be beat, but I guess I could try the others.Nov 12, 2018 I teach statistics at a university and use EXCEL. My MAC/Apple student users can't find the Data Analysis Tool Pack. I have looked and found one reference to MAC EXCEL 2001 for installing KB276444 which is no longer supported (see below). If you are using a Mac and Excel 2004–2016 for Mac or Apple Numbers for daily analytical and statistical purposes, StatPlus:mac LE is exactly what you need to get started! Get a powerful statistical tool for free – now with a set of new essential features - without leaving Excel. Healthcare data analysis tools. If you need to develop complex statistical or engineering analyses, you can save steps and time by using the Analysis ToolPak. You provide the data and parameters for each analysis, and the tool uses the appropriate statistical or engineering macro functions to. TAMS Analyzer. When it comes to free qualitative data analysis software for MAC, this is one of the most popular choices. TAMS (stands for Text Analysis Markup System) is an open source tool that allows you to quickly code sections of text.
- i love ishowu - paid for it, it is hands down the best commercial app in its price range and worth every pennyfor simple shots, i do have skitch installed but i use the amazing screenshot plus widget (free) which is lighting fast with awesome configuration options and very lightweight (tried about a zillion of these image cap widgets before sticking with screenshot plus)
Updated: May 18, 2019 Home » Freeware and Software Reviews » Photoshop & Image Editing
You can take screenshots directly in Windows and paste them onto Microsoft Paint, having said that, if you are looking for something feature rich, you will need a third party tool. Why pay for a software when there are plenty of open source and freeware available? After going through a number of these screen capturing tools, we’ve shortlisted these 10 tools and tricks as the best for your daily productivity.
Alternative Article ➤ 11 Free Software for Video Capturing, Game Broadcasting and Online Streaming
↓ 01 – Edge’s Web Note | Microsoft Edge Browser
Surprisingly the best screen capture tool for websites is none other than Microsoft Edge in Windows 10. What makes Edge the best is with a click on a button, you have the screen captured and a ‘pen’ tool to scribble. Pros: It’s a built-in function that is easily accessible. Cons: Annotating options are limited and it captures only the visible things. Microsoft Edge is the only browser that lets you take notes, write, doodle, and highlight directly on webpages. Then you can save and share your handiwork in all the usual ways. Make notes on recipes, send your partner “subtle hints” about birthday gifts, or just draw mustaches on celebrities—the web is your canvas.
↓ 02 – Microsoft Windows | Windows
The other method is none other than the ‘Print Screen’ button. Hit the ‘Print Screen’ button and ‘Paste’ it to an image editor such as Photoshop. To capture a perfect window without the background, use the combination “Alt+Print”.
↓ 03 – ShareX | Windows
If you’re looking for something powerful yet free, ShareX is the answer. It is free, open source, lightweight and free from advertisements! It comes with advanced screenshot capture, screen recorder, file sharing and productivity tool with features such as capturing screenshots including full screen, window, monitor, region, freehand, scrolling, and more. It also contains tools like a screen color picker, an image editor, a ruler, a DNS changer, a QR code generator, a directory indexer and more.
↓ 04 – TechSmith Jing | Windows | macOS
Jing is a computer service that lets you capture basic video, animation, and still images, and share them on the web. The always-ready program that allows you to instantly capture images and videos—then share them with anyone. Jing is a great tool for adding basic visual elements to all of your online conversations.
- Capture what you see – Capture an image of what you see on your computer screen with Jing. Simply select any window or region that you want to capture, mark up your screenshot with a text box, arrow, highlight or picture caption, and decide how you want to share it.
- Record what you’re doing – Select any window or region that you would like to record, and Jing will capture everything that happens in that area. From simple mouse movements to a fully narrated tutorial, Jing records everything you see and do. Jing videos are limited to five minutes for instant, focused communication.
- Send your video or screenshot – Send your screenshots and videos all over the web. As soon as you’re done with your screen capture or screen recording, it’s ready to upload to Screencast.com and share through IM, email, social media, and more.
↓ 05 – Windows Snipping Tool | Windows
You can use Snipping Tool to capture a screen shot, or snip, of any object on your screen, and then annotate, save, or share the image. Simply use a mouse or tablet pen to capture any of the following types of snips:
- Free-form Snip. Draw an irregular line, such as a circle or a triangle, around an object.
- Rectangular Snip. Draw a precise line by dragging the cursor around an object to form a rectangle.
- Window Snip. Select a window, such as a browser window or dialog box, that you want to capture.
- Full-screen Snip. Capture the entire screen when you select this type of snip.
After you capture a snip, it’s automatically copied to the mark-up window, where you can annotate, save, or share the snip.
↓ 06 – Lightshot | Windows | macOS | Chrome | Firefox
Access repair tool free. Lightshot – easy screenshot tool, is screen capture tool for Windows that works very much like the Snipping tool in Windows Vista and 7, with the added advantage of automatically uploading it online for sharing or editing. Available also as Firefox addon, Chrome extension and IE addon besides Desktop application.
- Fast screenshot of selected area – Our app allows you to select any area on your desktop and take its screenshot with 2 button-clicks.
- Easy-to-use application – Simple and intuitive user interface makes your work with the app easier and faster.
- Share screenshots via Internet – Upload your screenshot to the server and get its short link right away.
- Powerful editors – You can edit screenshots instantly when taking them or later using a powerful online editor.
- Similar image search – Find similar images. Select any image on your screen and find dozens similar images.
↓ 07 – Lightscreen | Windows | Linux
Lightscreen is a simple tool to automate the tedious process of saving and cataloging screenshots, it operates as a hidden background process that is invoked with one (or multiple) hotkeys and then saves a screenshot file to disk according to the user’s preferences.
↓ 08 – Greenshot | Windows
Being easy to understand and configurable, Greenshot is an efficient tool for project managers, software developers, technical writers, testers and anyone else creating screenshots. Greenshot is a light-weight screenshot software tool for Windows with the following key features:
- Quickly create screenshots of a selected region, window or fullscreen; you can even capture complete (scrolling) web pages from Internet Explorer.
- Easily annotate, highlight or obfuscate parts of the screenshot.
- Export the screenshot in various ways: save to file, send to printer, copy to clipboard, attach to e-mail, send Office programs or upload to photo sites like Flickr or Picasa, and others.
↓ 09 – DuckCapture | Windows | macOS
DuckCapture allows you to capture a window or region on your screen, or the contents of a tall web page that scrolls. You can change your captured area or add more areas to one image, add annotations. When finished, you can save to file, copy to clipboard or print out directly. DuckCapture comes with four capture modes that make screen capture easy! Capture a window on your screen, region of your screen, or the contents of a tall web page that scrolls. You can easily edit, and share a screenshot. Don’t waste time cropping your captures. DuckCapture is exactly what you need.
↓ 10 – PicPick | Windows | macOS
Specially designed for the home user and aiming at giving as much flexibility as possible during the work. It even includes some features never to be found in Photoshop. PicPick, besides being a very easy to use image editor also sports graphic capture options and a set of hotkeys and options some similar editors would envy.
- Capture anything – Take screenshots of an entire screen, an active window, the scrolling windows and any specific region of your desktop, etc.
- Edit your images – Annotate and highlight your images: text, arrows, shapes and more with the built-in image editor that includes the latest Ribbon style menu.
- Enhance with effects – Easily add effects to your images: drop shadows, frames, watermarks, mosaic, motion blur, brightness control and more.
- Share everywhere – Save, share, or send your images via Web, email, ftp, Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive, Box, Evernote, Facebook, Twitter and more.
- Graphic Accessories – Variety of graphic design accessories including color picker, color palette, pixel ruler, protractor, crosshair, magnifier, whiteboard.
- Customizable setting – With highly advanced settings, you can customize hotkeys, file naming, image quality, and many other options that fits your needs.
↓ 11 – Shutter [ Discontinued ] | Linux
Shutter is a feature-rich screenshot program for Linux based operating systems such as Ubuntu. You can take a screenshot of a specific area, window, your whole screen, or even of a website – apply different effects to it, draw on it to highlight points, and then upload to an image hosting site, all within one window.
- Capture – Shutter allows you to capture nearly anything on your screen without loosing control over your screenshots (tabbed interface).
- Edit – Especially if you are taking screenshots for writing tutorials or manuals you need to edit the image, e.g. highlighting some part of it. With Shutter you don’t need to open an external graphics editor like GIMP, because Shutter ships with its own built-in editor.
- Share – We all spend much of our time in forums, wikis, chats etc. From time to time we need to do some screenshots and upload them so we can share them with other people.
- Plugins – Shutter ships with a great variety of plugins that allow you to add impressive effects to your screenshots.