Snagit vs Greenshot: which one to use?

Snagit vs Greenshot: which one to use?

In this article we will talk about Snagit vs Greenshot: which screen capture tool should you use? Choosing the right screen capture tool can be a difficult task, especially when there are multiple options available on the market. Two of the best third-party screen capture tools for Windows and macOS are Greenshot and Snagit. 


While the features and workflow are quite identical, some options, an outdated user interface, and price make them different. If you are already using Greenshot, which is free and open source, here we are going to find out if Snagit is worth buying for nearly $ 50.



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Snagit vs Greenshot, the characteristics

If you need all-in-one screen capture software and wonder what extra options you get for $ 50 with Snagit, you might be surprised. Here we will cover the key differences to help you make your decision.

Options available for screen capture

Both software have similar options for taking a screenshot on Windows of any app window or the entire screen. However, two things are missing in Greenshot that are available in Snagit.


First, Snagit has an option to delay screen capture. In other words, you can now press the Print Screen button and automatically take the screenshot after a set time.

Secondly, Snagit allows you to apply visual effects to captured screenshots directly using saved presets. There is no need to open the image editing panel and apply effects manually. Presets can include a border around the image, crop to a preset size, automatically manage borders, etc.



Snagit allows users to capture text from images using OCR without hassle. Although Greenshot allows you to do this, the process is a bit complicated and relies on a plug-in and add-on from Microsoft.


Screen Recording

Snagit wins this battle, as Greenshot doesn't even let you record the screen. Greenshot is just a screen capture tool and that's it! Snagit instead has a dedicated panel (as for images) to manage the screen recording options. You can record webcam, system audio and microphone with the help of Snagit.

Image editor

If you need basic image editing features, Greenshot is more than enough. Snagit goes deeper in every way and has more granular control over editing. From adding text to the chat bubble to creating video from images, you'll find a lot more options everywhere in Snagit. 

For example, let's say we want to add a square shape / box that highlights a part of the screenshot. In Greenshot, you can add a box and change the color, thickness and shadow. On the other hand, Snagit has all these options but also allows you to change the general appearance of the window itself.


Video editor

Greenshot does not have the screen recording function. However, Snagit comes with a video editing window similar to its image editing panel, allowing you to perform basic edits even if you are a beginner. The highlight of the video editor is that you can create a GIF or animated photo using images.


Custom models

This is another area where Snagit overtakes Greenshot. Greenshot does not get custom templates while Snagit offers it thus increasing productivity. You can use templates to create better looking images with captured screenshots.


App integrations

While Greenshot is free, it does offer some useful app integrations that allow you to quickly share or upload a screenshot to cloud storage or other apps. However, as Snagit is more advanced than Greenshot, you will find modern apps like Slack, Twitter, Screencast.com, SharePoint, etc. On the other hand, Greenshot is limited to Imgur.com, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Paint, and other traditional apps.


Learning for beginners

Since both screen capture tools have so many options and features, it may take some time to learn everything for a beginner. However, both companies have detailed manuals to help you get started with screen capture.

Price of Snagit vs Greenshot

This is the deciding factor. Snagit will cost you around € 50 while Greenshot is available for free and is open source. Greenshot only asks for money (€ 1,99) when you try to download it on Mac. Snagit works on both Windows and macOS.

Conclusione: Snagit vs Greenshot

When it comes to Snagit vs Greenshot, you can't just say one is better than another without thinking about the price. Considering all the features, Snagit is undoubtedly better than Greenshot but, it also costs a lot more. 

To conclude, if you are already using Greenshot but are not happy with its features and need more granular or precise control over the result, Snagit is probably the best option. 

It offers so many additional features that will make your life easier. However, if you don't use either, we recommend that you try both (Snagit has a trial version) before making your purchase.


Further Reading:

  • How to Record Screen on Mac
  • 8 ways to take a screenshot on Windows 10
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