Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

• ScreenPal

  Best for Free Capture With a Premium Upgrade Option

  4.5 Excellent

  Bottom Line:

  ScreenPal is an excellent free screen-capture utility with a subscription option that offers even more powerful tools.

  • Pros

    • Screen capture and video recording
    • Capable free version with unlimited storage
    • Premium video editor
    • Premium screen capture features like OCR and scrolling capture
    • Mobile companion apps
    • Online storage and publishing

  • Cons

    • Fewer image export file formats than competitors
    • Best features locked behind a monthly subscription
  Learn MoreScreenPal Review
• Snagit

  Best for Premium Screen Capture

  4.5 Excellent

  Bottom Line:

  Snagit continues its reign as the screen-capture utility of choice. The app costs more than competitors, but its strong and versatile toolset remains unmatched.

  • Pros

    • Integrated GIF maker
    • Panoramic scrolling capture
    • Lets you create and share custom, themed templates
    • Exports to cloud storage across operating systems
    • Mobile app Wi-Fi syncing
    • OCR functionality
    • 4K support

  • Cons

    • File syncing requires third-party cloud storage
    • Relatively expensive
  Learn MoreSnagit Review
• Droplr

  Best for Flexible Screen Capture Anywhere

  4.0 Excellent

  Bottom Line:

  Droplr is a simple, affordable way to capture screenshots and screen recordings on a variety of synced devices, with premium upgrade options for professional teams.

  • Pros

    • Easy screen-capture and editing
    • 4K video screen-recording
    • Premium enterprise add-ons
    • Mobile companion apps
    • Cloud storage and team file sharing

  • Cons

    • No OCR
    • Limited file types
    • No free option
  Learn MoreDroplr Review
• Ashampoo Snap 11

  Best for 4K Video Capture

  3.5 Good

  Bottom Line:

  Ashampoo Snap makes it a breeze to capture stills and video, as well as create GIFs, but stability issues prevent the app from snatching the screen-capture utility crown.

  • Pros

    • Multi-language OCR support
    • GIF maker
    • Live 4K video editing
    • Built-in image editor with numerous borders and effects
    • Can share images to many destinations

  • Cons

    • Relatively expensive
    • Lacks Wi-Fi syncing
    • Occasional technical issues
  Learn MoreAshampoo Snap 11 Review
• NexSnap

  Best for Stylish Screenshot Editing

  3.5 Good

  Bottom Line:

  NexSnap isn't as feature-rich as some competing screen-capture apps, but it's a low-cost, easy way to take screenshots and make them look a lot cooler.

  • Pros

    • Easy to use
    • Adds cool visual effects to screenshots
    • Affordable yearly subscription

  • Cons

    • Lacks video capture capabilities
    • Extremely limited free version
  Learn MoreNexSnap Review
• Vimeo Record

  Best for Existing Vimeo Subscribers

  3.5 Good

  Bottom Line:

  Although it isn't the best overall screen-capture utility, Vimeo Record gives individual users free, quality video recording, while team subscribers receive terrific group perks.

  • Pros

    • Free, unlimited screen and video recording
    • Integrates with the larger Vimeo hosting platform
    • Intuitive interface

  • Cons

    • Lacks screenshot functionality
    • Only works as a Chrome browser extension
    • Team features require paid Vimeo subscription
  Learn MoreVimeo Record Review
• Windows Snip & Sketch

  Best for Fast Free Windows Screen Capture

  3.0 Good

  Bottom Line:

  Windows Snip and Sketch lets you capture and annotate screenshots. It's simple, free, and useful, but serious screen-snappers will want to stick with more-powerful tools.

  • Pros

    • Easily capture and annotate screenshots
    • Eraser, highlighter, and measurement tools
    • Save and export shots to social media

  • Cons

    • No video capture
    • Lacks voice recording
    • Doesn't capture scrolling windows
    • Lacks advanced features, such as OCR support and a GIF creator
  Learn MoreWindows Snip & Sketch Review