Mac Screenshot Troubles? Embrace These Third-Party Alternatives for Success

Screenshotting a window, your screen, a part of the screen, or a menu is essential when working on your Mac and collaborating with your team. Luckily, Mac computers come with built-in screenshot functionality.

The screenshot feature is turned on by default, and all you have to do is remember the following key combinations to take screenshots:

• Command + Shift + 3 takes a full-screen screenshot 
• Command + Shift + 4 takes a screenshot of the selected area 
• Command + Shift + 4 + Space Bar takes a screenshot of the window or menu you want to capture 

This versatile and user-friendly tool is available on your Mac computer until it is not. You may find yourself at a loss when the screenshot in Mac not working, and you don’t have any backup tool. Also, the in-built screenshot feature is basic and has limitations. 

If you want screenshot tools for Mac with advanced features and capabilities, consider the following third-party apps. 

Snagit 

Snagit is equipped with all the capabilities and features you would expect in a Mac screenshot application. Screengrabs and screen recordings can be saved in multiple formats, such as a GIF. They can be saved to the cloud library for convenient access across devices. 

The software lets users add shadows, annotate shots, change text colors, and much more. Besides capturing a specific part of the screen, you can use Snagit to capture scrolling screenshots. 

Additionally, the tool is capable of extracting text from a screengrab and pasting it into another location or document. The tool seamlessly integrates with third-party apps like Gmail, PowerPoint, Slack, and more. 

Scribe 

Do you need a tool to capture screenshots automatically? Scribe is the perfect screenshot software when you need to document a process via screenshots.

You can use Scribe’s Chrome extension or the Desktop software to capture and go through the workflow in a few clicks. 

Within seconds, Scribe will create a visual document of all the steps you have taken throughout the workflow. You will notice every text, link, and annotated screenshots has been captured. 

You can subscribe to the pro version of Scribe to easily customize the screenshots and share them. Some of the editing features of the software are highlighting and annotating, cropping and zooming, moving and editing the clicking target, etc. 

The captured screenshots can be shared as a PFD or copied into an XML document. 

Skitch 

Skitch by Evernote is similar to Mac’s built-in screenshot tool. It has the ability to take screenshots of the full screen, a selected area, a menu, a window, etc. The tool has a camera mode that allows users to take selfies using their Mac’s camera. 

The biggest strength of this tool is the features and tools it offers post-capturing. The application offers a bunch of unique features, such as adding shapes, arrows, callouts, lines, pixelation, and highlights to the screen.

While the app doesn’t come with an eraser to quickly edit the errors you have made, the undo function works. 

The final document can be saved in eight different formats. Then, you can share them via Notes, AirDrop, etc. If you are an Evernote user, the snaps can be shared on its server, and access is given across platforms.

All you need to do is sign into your Evernote account and access the screenshots. 

Lightshot 

Lightshot is a free application you can download from the Mac App Store. The application offers unique tools to take screenshots and annotate them. While some of the features are similar to Evernote’s Skitch, the application functions slightly differently. 

When you open the application, you will notice a feather icon in the menu bar. You can take a screenshot by either clicking Take Screenshot by going to the feather icon or using the Command + Shift + 9 keyboard shortcut. Regardless of the option chosen, the screen will slightly become dim to indicate that the screenshot mode is enabled.

Then, all you must do is click, hold, drag, and choose the area you want to take the screenshot of. Once the screenshot is taken, you will see a pair of menus opening. You will see different screenshot options, such as drawing random lines, arrows, straight lines, shapes, or adding text to the screenshot. 

Moreover, the colors of the annotation can be changed as well. You can even choose to save or cancel the screenshot. If you are satisfied with the screenshot, you can print, share, or upload it to cloud storage. 

The Bottom Line 

Mac’s screenshot tool works perfectly fine but has some limitations. It is a basic tool that gets the job done. But it is best to consider third-party alternatives if you want to edit your screenshot and make it fancy before sharing it.

Also, the built-in screenshot tool may suddenly stop working, and having a backup tool will save your skin.