The best screenshot tools for Windows — honestly compared.
There's no single “best” — it depends on what you need. Here's where ShotsGlow fits against the free tools, Snagit, the Mac tools and the Snipping Tool: native Windows capture, on-device AI, and a one-time price.
vs Snagit
The lifetime, no-subscription alternative — with on-device AI that Snagit only ships on Mac.
Learn more →Mac-only → Windowsvs CleanShot X
CleanShot X has no Windows version. ShotsGlow is the native Windows answer.
Learn more →Free → polishedvs ShareX
ShareX captures everything; ShotsGlow makes it look designed and exports store sizes.
Learn more →Free → polishedvs Greenshot
Greenshot is a tidy free capture tool; ShotsGlow adds backdrops, AI cutout and ratios.
Learn more →Free → polishedvs Lightshot
Lightshot is quick-share; ShotsGlow keeps it on-device and makes it look designed.
Learn more →Free → polishedvs Snipaste
Snipaste pins screenshots to your screen; ShotsGlow designs, redacts and exports them.
Learn more →Built-in → finishedSnipping Tool alternative
Capture like the Snipping Tool, finish like a design tool — and free the Print Screen key.
Learn more →3rd optionSnagit vs CleanShot X
Comparing the two classics? Here's where a native Windows option fits.
Learn more →What only ShotsGlow does on Windows.
| Free tools ShareX · Greenshot | Snagit $39 / year | Mac tools CleanShot · Xnapper | ShotsGlow $9 once | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native Windows capture | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ Mac only | ✓ |
| Designed backdrops & polish | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| On-device AI background removal | ✗ | Mac only | ✗ | ✓ |
| Blur / redact sensitive info | Basic | ✓ | Some | ✓ |
| 30 social & App Store sizes | ✗ | ✗ | Some | ✓ |
| One-time / lifetime price | Free | ✗ subscription | ✓ | ✓ $9 |
| Screen recording | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ not yet |
Need screen recording? Snagit or free ShareX win. Need a designed, redacted, store-sized screenshot on Windows without a subscription? That's ShotsGlow.
How to choose
If you need to record your screen, keep Snagit or ShareX. If you're on a Mac, CleanShot X is excellent. If a free capture tool already covers you and the screenshot doesn't need to look designed, the built-in Snipping Tool or Greenshot is fine. ShotsGlow is for the specific case the others miss on Windows: turning a screenshot into a designed, redacted, store-sized image — natively, with on-device AI, for $9 once.