Beyond PrtSc: The Best Screen-Capture Apps for 2024
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At some point in your life, you must capture an image on your monitor. It could be for an important investor meeting. It could be for reporting software bugs. It could be for social media laughs. However, Windows' old PrtScn capture-to-Clipboard key has limited use, even when paired with Paint or Paint 3D for image-editing purposes. You'll need the power and flexibility that screen-capture utilities provide. Editors' Choice picks SnagIt and ScreenPal are great places to start, but there are many other worthwhile apps. Regardless of the software you choose, you can be confident that you'll be able to grab images and create videos as you please. Here are the screen-capture apps you should explore.
Screencaps on Windows, Mac, and Consoles
The highlighted software ranges from simple, free apps for your PC's operating system to premium, third-party utilities that add deep markup capabilities, GIF creation, and optical character recognition (OCR) tech. Dedicated video-editing suites like Corel VideoStudio , CyberLink PowerDirector , or Pinnacle Studio Ultimate are not covered here.
The screen-capture field comprises standalone apps and tools built into more robust packages. There are even two free ones bundled into Windows 10. Our How to Take Screenshots in Windows 10 feature highlights that pair, plus the other available options (though Windows' offerings don't focus on screen recording). If you're a Windows user ready to upgrade, learn How to Take Screenshots in Windows 11 and How to Capture Video Clips in Windows 10 and 11 . Alternatively, check out How To Take Screenshots on a Mac or any other device .
Professional educators should consider even more powerful (and more expensive) education-focused products, such as Adobe Captivate and TechSmith Camtasia , for their video sessions. Gamers can enjoy screen capture features using the Nvidia GeForce Experience app, Opera GX browser, or Steam . Also, check out our screen-capture guides for Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 5 , and Xbox Series X/S .
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