Head-to-head · Screen Capture Software
Greenshot vs Snipping Tool
Greenshot leads on 1 check, Snipping Tool on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreGreenshot · 8.8/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresGreenshot · 4 of 5
Greenshot scores higher on our rubric for screen capture software: 8.8 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.
Greenshot offers scrolling capture; Snipping Tool doesn't. On desktop platforms, Greenshot gives you Both where Snipping Tool offers Windows.
Greenshot is the better fit for free basic capture on Windows and macOS. Snipping Tool is the better fit for windows users wanting a capable free default.
- Greenshot fits best
Free basic capture on Windows and macOS
- Snipping Tool fits best
Windows users wanting a capable free default
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Side by side
| Feature | Greenshot 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | Snipping Tool 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #5 in Screen Capture Software | #6 in Screen Capture Software |
| Best for | Free basic capture on Windows and macOS | Windows users wanting a capable free default |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows |
| Integrations | 7 integrations | 3 integrations |
| Features Greenshot 4/5 · Snipping Tool 2/5 | ||
| Scrolling capture | ✓ (best) | — |
| Annotation tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| OCR | ✓ | ✓ |
| Browser extension | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Cloud sharing | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Desktop platforms | Both | Windows |
| Export formats | PNG, JPEG | PNG, JPG |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Greenshot is a desktop screenshot tool for people creating documentation, tutorials, bug reports, and other visual materials. On Windows, it captures a selected region, active window, full screen, or complete scrolling web pages in… Read the review → |
For everyday screen capture and quick visual documentation, Snipping Tool brings screenshots and selected-area screen recording together in a free Windows utility. It suits Windows users who want to capture a window, the full screen, or a… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Greenshot — where it wins
- Captures regions, windows, and full screens on Windows and macOS
- Adds text, shapes, highlights, blur, and pixelation to screenshots
- Exports to files, clipboard, printers, email, and supported integrations
Where it doesn't
- Scrolling web-page capture is limited to Internet Explorer
- The Mac app costs a one-time fee and has fewer features than the PC version
- OCR requires a plug-in with Microsoft MODI
Snipping Tool — where it wins
- Captures freeform, rectangular, window, and full-screen images
- Combines selected-area recording with microphone audio
- Includes OCR, contact-detail redaction, annotations, and automatic saving
Where it doesn't
- Does not natively support scrolling capture
- Limited to Windows
- Does not provide cloud sharing
- Greenshot8.8/10 · Free plan
A focused desktop capture tool with useful annotation and export options; Mac is paid and less feature-rich.
Visit GreenshotFull verdict → - Snipping Tool8.7/10 · Free plan
A free Windows capture utility for screenshots, selected-area recording, and quick edits.
Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update






