Top Snipping Tools for Mac You Can Use in 2026

Snipping tools for Mac help users capture a selected portion of the screen, annotate it, and share it instantly. While macOS has a built-in Screenshot tool (⇧+⌘+5), many users prefer third-party snipping apps for advanced features like OCR, cloud sharing, screen recording, and quick editing.

Many users need to capture a specific part of their screen to save important information, error messages, text, or visuals that cannot be copied directly. A snipping tool makes it easy to take partial screenshots and edit or share them instantly.

However, users who switch from Windows PC to MacBook or iMac often struggle to find the equivalent of the Windows Snipping Tool on macOS when trying to capture a selected screen area.

If you are also struggling to capture Mac images, this article has got you covered, helping you choose the best snipping tool for Mac.

A Snipping Tool for Mac allows MacBook users to capture all or part of the screen and save it as a new image in the computer’s storage with a unique file name.

For instance, if you want to share a computer error screen with your friend without sharing the whole screen, you can use a snipping tool Mac for a particular area you want to send. Snipping tools usually include editing features like a Pen or Highlighter to write or draw on the captured image.

Just like on Windows OS, a snipping tool for Mac is built right into Mac OS. You can search for the tool manually or access it using keyboard shortcuts. If you are unable to find the Mac snipping tool and want to know how to snip on Mac, you just need to press ⇧+⌘+5 simultaneously.

This keyboard shortcut will display a snipping tool menu at the bottom of your screen, offering various options to capture the screen and edit as needed. You can write or draw on the captured screen using available options.

MacOS includes a built-in Screenshot app that allows users to capture the entire screen, a selected window, or a specific portion. Press Shift + Command + 5 (⇧+⌘+5) to open the screenshot toolbar. From there, you can choose different capture modes, record your screen, set a timer, and select the save location.

You can also use:

• Shift + Command + 3 for full-screen capture
• Shift + Command + 4 to capture a selected area

This built-in feature works on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and other macOS devices.

Below are some of the best snipping tools for Mac in 2026, based on features, ease of use, pricing, and compatibility with macOS.

1. TextSniper App

Textsniper is a popular snipping tool for Mac that helps users extract text from images, PDF files, or even videos. The app comes with an intuitive UI and is very easy to use for both experts and beginners. New users can also find a tutorial on their official website to use it effectively.

TextSniper is especially useful for users who frequently extract text from non-selectable sources like images, scanned PDFs, presentations, or YouTube videos. Its built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology makes it a powerful productivity tool for students, marketers, and remote teams.

Key Features:

• Extracts text from images, videos, and non-selectable content using OCR technology.
• Works offline and ensures privacy by not collecting user data.
• Supports text-to-speech functionality.
• Scans QR codes and barcodes.
• Customizable shortcuts for quick access.
• Compatible with macOS and supports multiple languages.

Pricing:

• 1 Mac License: $7.99
• 3 Macs License: $9.99
• Unlimited License: $11.99

2. Droplr

Whether you need a high-resolution Mac snipping tool for personal, business, or enterprise use, Droplr is the best free snipping tool for Mac. The tool comes with cloud storage features, enhanced security, and screen recording at a relatively lower cost. It is one of the top-rated snipping tools that record screens and create GIFs as well.

The tool captures snips and screen recordings directly to the cloud and allows users to create a custom short link to make the snips instantly shareable across different digital channels. The saved snips and recordings can be found in an online Droplr account that users can also sort using tags and boards.

Droplr is particularly popular among remote teams and digital marketers who need fast screenshot sharing and cloud-based collaboration tools.

Key Features:

• Captures screenshots with annotation tools.
• Records screencasts with optional webcam and audio.
• Offers cloud storage for files and screenshots.
• Provides a link shortener for easy sharing.
• Allows file transfers up to 10 GB.

Pricing:

1. Free Plan: $0 per month for individual users.
2. Personal Use Plan: $5.99 per month for individual users.
3. Pro Plan: Starting at $8.29 per month for 5 users.
4. Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing

3. Monosnap

Monosnap is a snipping tool that works great with Macintosh OS, Chrome, and Windows OS. Individual users can download Monosnap for free, while commercial users may need a paid license starting at $5. The app can also be used as content management software and cloud storage as well. Monosnap also comes with many exciting features like video editing, customizable hotkeys, a cloud storage solution and a tool to hide personal information, etc.

Key Features:

• Captures screenshots (full screen, window, or selected area) and records videos or GIFs.
• Includes annotation tools like blur and highlight.
• Integrates with cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
• Offers OCR for text recognition.
• Supports hotkeys for quick actions.

Pricing:

• Free plan: $0
• Non-Commercial: $2.50
• Commercial: $5

4. Lightshot

If you are looking for a fast and lightweight snipping tool for Mac in 2026, Lightshot is a reliable and easy-to-use option. It is a free tool to snip images and screens on Mac. Features of Lightshot include a screenshot of a selected area of the screen of Mac, writing or drawing on captured snips, and adding shapes & colors to snips. Furthermore, the tool also helps you find similar images online.

Key Features:

• Captures customizable screenshots with a simple interface.
• Provides instant editing tools for annotations.
• Uploads screenshots to the cloud and generates shareable links.
• Features a search tool for finding similar images.
• Available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and browsers.

Pricing:

• LightShot doesn’t cost anything.

5. SnapNDrag

SnapNDrag is one of the best Mac snipping tools and is available in both free and paid versions. The free version of SnapNDrag allows you to snip the screen, delete, and rename files. The paid version offers exciting features, such as resizing the snipped screen, turning off ads, assigning global hotkeys, and other features available in the free version.

Key Features:

• Captures screenshots with one-click options (window, selection, or timed).
• Maintains a library of all screenshots for easy organization.
• Includes annotation tools without altering the original image.
• Allows sharing via email, social media, and other apps.
• Supports batch renaming and customizable hotkeys.

Pricing:

• SnapNDrag Pro: Priced at $9.99, available on the Mac App Store.

Taking a screenshot of a selected area of a screen or window on a Mac is not a big deal anymore as there are several snipping tools available for Mac OS. A user also doesn’t need to remember keyboard shortcuts when it comes to capturing Mac images.

Lightshot is a popular choice for quick screen snipping and instant sharing, especially for teams and collaborative work environments. You can simply choose the right snipping tool for Mac from the list above and make snipping easier than ever before.