Top 8 Snipping Tool Alternative for Windows & Mac Users

Need to take a screenshot or record your screen? It's actually quite simple. Just press the corresponding shortcut key—whether you're a Windows or Mac user—to launch your computer's built-in Snipping Tool. It's easy to use and offers several essential recording modes.

However, as a default system tool, its functionality is quite limited. If you want to unlock more advanced options—like additional recording modes, flexible settings, capturing mobile content on your computer, and comprehensive video editing features—you'll need to find a suitable snipping tool alternative.

After extensive research and thorough testing, we've curated a list of 8 standout products. This article presents their performance and compatibility in both tabular and detailed text formats.

Read on to discover which video screen recorder best meets your needs across all aspects.

How We Test And Review

• Before creating any recommendations, we start with in-depth market research and gather extensive data to make sure every detail we share is accurate and reliable.

• Each product we highlight goes through hands-on testing. During this process, we look at how easy it is to use, its efficiency, overall performance, pricing, and the quality of the final output.

• To keep our evaluation balanced, we also study feedback from real users. We read reviews posted on different platforms to understand how these tools perform in everyday scenarios.

• Finally, we pay close attention to user opinions and monitor competitor platforms regularly. This helps us spot areas for improvement and update our recommendations so they stay relevant and useful.

Part 1. Quick Summary Of The Snipping Tool Alternatives

Reading through lengthy text all at once might feel tedious and make it hard to grasp the key points right away.

No worries—we've prepared a table at the beginning outlining each product's advantages, supported platforms, and potential issues. You can use this to do an initial screening, then jump straight to the sections that interest you.

Part 2. Top 8 Snipping Tool Alternatives

FVC Screen Recorder

If you are searching for the best snipping tool alternative, FVC Screen Recorder is the one to choose.

Just like the Snipping Tool, it is very straightforward to operate, but it also comes with additional capabilities such as recording your phone's display or editing your videos afterward. This makes it more than just a screenshot or recording tool—it's also a reliable Microsoft snipping tool alternative that runs on both Windows and Mac.

Main Features

• Record videos with audio on both Windows and Mac.

• Capture your desktop and webcam at the same time, while also including audio from your system and microphone.

• Save recordings in popular formats like MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, and export audio to MP3, AAC, WMA, M4A, FLAC, and others.

• Use on-screen drawing tools to annotate during the recording.

• Record from Android or iPhone devices once they are connected.

• Flexible recording modes for different scenarios.

• Built-in editor to trim or adjust recordings after capture.

How to record a video with FVC Screen Recorder:

Step 1. Download and install FVC Screen Recorder, then open it. Find the video you'd like to record.

Step 2. On the main interface, select the Video Recorder mode.

Adjust the area (full screen or custom) and choose whether you want system sound, microphone sound, or both.

Step 3. Click the red Record button to start, and when the video ends, stop recording and save it to your computer.

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Scrolling Capture Support: No

Editing After Capture: Yes

OBS Studio

If you are into gaming and want to capture gameplay or stream live, OBS Studio is the perfect snipping tool alternative Windows 11. This program, fully known as Open Broadcaster Software, is completely open-source and free.

This best game recorder is able to capture desktop screens, live streams, meetings, and game sessions, which makes it far more advanced than a simple capture utility. With its many filters, effects, fonts, and watermark controls, OBS is the most powerful tool like snipping tool for content creators.

ShareX

If you prefer a flexible and advanced capture solution, ShareX is an excellent free alternative to snipping tool that is both powerful and completely free of ads. With it, you can define recording regions with ease, whether it's full screen, a window, an active menu, or even a scrolling page.

Beyond video, ShareX shines as a screenshot utility. This software like snipping tool lets you annotate in real time with arrows, shapes, cursors, stickers, and more, plus it has a complete built-in image editor. You can even extract text from images for further use.

AceThinker Free Online Screen Recorder

If you suddenly need to record something urgently but don't want to spend time downloading or installing software, then AceThinker Free Online Screen Recorder is worth a try.

This snipping tool alternative free works right inside major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. It can capture any screen activity, browser content, webcam footage, and audio from both your system and microphone. After recording, you may either save files locally or export them to Dropbox, Google Drive, or Vimeo.

Supported Platforms: Online (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera)

Scrolling Capture Support: No

Editing After Capture: Basic

ScreenRec

If sharing your work matters most, ScreenRec is a smarter choice than Snipping Tool.

It solves the problem of oversized video files by storing your recordings directly in the cloud. As a free snipping tool alternative, ScreenRec imposes no limits on duration and adds no watermark.

After recording, you get a link you can immediately share with colleagues or teams. Compared to any other tool like snipping tool, its sharing capabilities make it unique.

Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux

Scrolling Capture Support: No

Editing After Capture: No

Camtasia

If editing your videos right after recording is a priority, then Camtasia should be your go-to snipping tool alternative Windows 10.

It is not just a screen recorder but also a full professional editor, something none of the other options can match. You can record your screen, webcam, and audio, then directly open the editing interface to apply transitions, effects, noise filters, and even background removal. Among tools similar to snipping tool, Camtasia stands out as the one most focused on editing.

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Scrolling Capture Support: No

Editing After Capture: Yes

Snagit

If Camtasia feels too expensive, Snagit is a more affordable option by the same developer, TechSmith. This makes it a practical alternative of snipping tool in Mac or Windows, especially for users with limited budgets.

Snagit supports screen recording with audio and webcam, but its editing features are more basic. However, one unique highlight sets it apart: powerful screenshot editing. You can capture still images while recording and then use Snagit's tools to enhance, annotate, or even turn images into GIFs and videos.

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Scrolling Capture Support: Yes

Editing After Capture: Yes

Bandicam

If you record a lot of clips but worry about storage, Bandicam is an efficient option compared to Snipping Tool.

It captures high-quality videos while keeping file sizes small. It even supports recording mobile content, which the Snipping Tool cannot do. As a software like snipping tool, Bandicam also lets you annotate in real time. The result is smooth recording, smaller files, and less strain on your computer.

Supported Platforms: Windows

Scrolling Capture Support: No

Editing After Capture: Limited

Part 3. FAQs of Snipping Tool Alternatives

Conclusion

In this guide, you'll find alternatives to Snipping Tool for any purpose.

For instance: OBS Studio excels at game recording and live streaming; Camtasia offers the most comprehensive video editing tools; Snagit provides a reasonably priced option; Bandicam specializes in capturing short videos; AceThinker enables online recording; ScreenRec makes sharing videos effortless.

And of course, FVC Screen Recorder delivers the most versatile features with the simplest interface.

Check out this guide's overview and decide which one you'll choose.