InSnapSnipping Tool alternative: what to use on Windows and Mac
The Snipping Tool is built into Windows and fine for quick snips. Here is what it covers, where it stops, and how InSnap compares on Windows and Mac.
The Snipping Tool is the quickest way to take a screenshot on Windows 11: it is already installed, Windows + Shift + S opens the snip bar, and current versions record video too. An alternative matters when you regularly need something it does not do — a long scrolling page, text you can extract, a recording with a camera overlay, or the same workflow on a Mac.
There is no Snipping Tool for Mac. macOS has its own capture toolbar on Shift-Command-5 for area, window and full-screen captures plus basic screen recording, with annotation left to Preview.
What the built-in tools cover
In Windows 11 the Snipping Tool takes rectangular, free-form, window and full-screen snips, with a markup pen and crop for still images. Recording is Windows 11 only; the Windows 10 version does not record. When recording you pick a screen area or an app window, and the file can include microphone and system audio. It saves MP4 with a basic trim tool and an "Edit in Clipchamp" option, but no webcam overlay or separate audio tracks.
On macOS, Shift-Command-5 captures a selection, a window or the whole screen and can record with optional microphone audio. Markup and cropping happen afterwards in Preview or Quick Look.
Comparison at a glance
| Feature area | Windows Snipping Tool | InSnap |
|---|---|---|
| Availability and platforms | Built into Windows 11. The Windows 10 version cannot record video. | macOS 14.4+ and Windows 10+ (64-bit); one licence covers both. |
| Capture and annotation | Rectangle, free-form, window and full-screen snips; pen markup and crop on still images. | Area capture with window and UI-element detection; arrows, shapes, text, numbers, mosaic, spotlight, magnifier, watermark, Smart Erase. |
| Scrolling capture | No, it captures only what is visible on screen. | Yes, as a Pro feature: scroll inside the selection and it stitches the frames. |
| OCR | Text actions in Windows 11 can copy text from a snip. | On-device OCR in the free version. Select text on the image and copy. |
| Screen recording | Windows 11 only: area or app window, microphone and system audio, MP4, basic trim, Edit in Clipchamp. No webcam overlay or separate tracks. | Area recording with system audio, microphone, click and keystroke effects. Camera picture-in-picture and GIF are Pro. |
| Sharing | No share link; copy or save, then share through Windows. | Copy, save or pin to screen. Optional Cloud links with an expiry date and password. |
| Editing | Markup and crop for still snips; trim for video; Clipchamp for more. | Image editor with crop, rotate, backdrops (Pro) and stitching (Pro); video editor with auto zoom. |
Product details were checked on 27 October 2026. Features change with Windows updates — verify them on Microsoft's Snipping Tool support page before you rely on them.
Where the Snipping Tool stops
Scrolling. It captures the visible screen, so a long settings page, chat thread or spreadsheet needs a browser's full-page command or a tool that scrolls and stitches.
Recording extras. Area, window, microphone and system audio are covered. A webcam bubble, separate system and microphone tracks, cursor highlights and automatic zooms are not.
Cross-platform. It is Windows-only, so a work PC and a personal Mac mean two tools, two shortcuts and two output folders.
What an alternative should cover
- One shortcut everywhere, on every machine you use.
- Annotation one click from the selection, and OCR that runs offline.
- One licence for both systems, with a price model you understand.
Where InSnap fits
If you want one tool for screenshots and screen recording on both systems, InSnap covers the same daily loop.
InSnap runs on macOS 14.4+ and Windows 10+ with one licence for both. The free version covers capture, annotation, pinning, OCR and basic recording to MP4, so everyday snips need no purchase.
Pro is a one-time purchase ($15, up to three devices, future updates included, activation without an account). It adds scrolling capture, Smart Erase, GIF, video editing with auto zoom, step-by-step guides, backdrops, stitching, magnifier, spotlight, watermark and camera picture-in-picture. Cloud storage is a separate optional subscription ($2.99 per month or $29 per year for 50 GB) with expiring, password-protected links.
OCR reads Chinese, English and Latin-script languages well but not Japanese kana, Korean or Russian. Smart Erase is a local algorithm and works best on smooth or interface backgrounds.
How to switch
Install InSnap, set the capture shortcut in Settings › Hotkeys (⌘1 on macOS, Ctrl+1 on Windows), then drag a selection or hover to snap to a window or UI element. Recording opens from the capture toolbar.
FAQ
Is there a Snipping Tool for Mac?
No, it ships with Windows only. On macOS the built-in equivalent is the capture toolbar on Shift-Command-5, with annotation afterwards in Preview.
Can the Snipping Tool record video on Windows 10?
No, recording was added to the Windows 11 version. The Windows 10 Snipping Tool takes still snips only.
Does the Snipping Tool take scrolling screenshots?
No, it captures only what is visible. InSnap's scrolling capture is a Pro feature that scrolls inside the selection and stitches the result.
Is InSnap free?
Capture, annotation, pinning, OCR and basic recording to MP4 are free. Pro is a one-time $15 purchase; Cloud is a separate optional subscription.
Can I use one InSnap licence on Mac and Windows?
Yes, one licence covers up to three devices across macOS 14.4+ and Windows 10+, and activation does not require an account.
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