The screenshot and screen recording tool you pay for once
Capture any region, window or scrolling page. Add arrows, numbered steps and blur. Record to MP4 or GIF. Export a finished step-by-step guide. $29, no subscription.
What GrabCanvas does
Capture anything, including scrolling pages
Region, window, full screen or a page that scrolls past the edge of the screen. Delayed capture for menus and tooltips.
Capture modes
Annotate with arrows, steps and blur
Arrows, callouts, numbered steps, highlights, shapes and text. Blur finds email addresses for you so nothing private ships in a support ticket.
Annotation tools
Turn screenshots into step-by-step guides
Each step marker becomes a line in a written steps list. Export image and steps together to Markdown, Word, HTML or PDF.
Guide export
Record your screen to MP4 or GIF
Pick a region, a window or the full screen. Record the microphone, system audio, both or neither. Pause and resume without starting over.
Screen recording
Copy text you can't select
Drag over an error dialog, a slide in a video call or a paused video, and the text is on your clipboard. Recognition runs on your computer, so nothing is uploaded.
Copy text from screenWhat early users say
Tell us how you use itAs a UX designer, GrabCanvas has completely transformed my workflow. The annotation tools are lightning-fast, and being able to capture scrolling pages in full resolution without glitchy stitching saves me hours every week when compiling audit reports.
I used to rely on three separate tools for screen capture, OCR text extraction, and quick markup. GrabCanvas combined them all seamlessly. The text recognition accuracy is phenomenal, allowing me to grab code snippets and error logs directly off images instantly.
From screenshot to finished how-to in one window
Drop numbered markers on a capture and GrabCanvas writes the steps list beside it. Edit the wording, reorder the steps, and paste the whole guide, images included, into your help center, wiki or ticket.
See how guides workTurn on two-factor authentication
- 1Open Security in the left sidebar.
- 2Turn on Two-factor authentication.
- 3Select Save changes. Changes apply at next sign-in.
Screenshot tools went subscription. GrabCanvas didn't.
Snagit now charges every year. CleanShot X is Mac only and charges for updates after the first year. The free tools each cover one platform. GrabCanvas is one $29 payment for Windows, macOS and Linux, with every feature included. The license never expires and includes six months of free updates.
| Tool | Price | 3-year cost | Windows | macOS | Linux | Scrolling capture | Copy text (OCR) | Guide export | No account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GrabCanvas | $29 onceevery feature, license never expires | $29 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yeson-device | Yes | Yes |
| Snagit | ~$39 per yearsubscription only since 2024/25 | ~$117 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Partial | No, a TechSmith account is required |
| CleanShot X | $29 + paid updatesone year of updates included | $29–$67$67 with updates | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| ShareX | Freeopen source | $0 | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Flameshot | Freeopen source | $0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Competitor pricing, platforms and features as published on each vendor's site in October 2026, rounded to the dollar. CleanShot X's 3-year cost is $29 if you skip its update plan and about $67 if you keep updates. Check their sites for current terms. See the full comparisons.
One price. No renewal.
Try every feature first. Buy when you're sure. Or claim one of the 100 free launch licenses while they last.
Works on every desktop you own
Questions people ask before buying
Is GrabCanvas really a one-time payment?
Yes. You pay $29 once and the license never expires. There is no subscription, and no "pro" tier hiding features. The license never expires, and it includes six months of free updates. See the pricing page for the full terms.
What is included in the free trial?
Every feature: all capture modes, screen recording, every markup tool, copy text from screen and guide export. The trial lasts 7 days, so you can evaluate the whole app before you pay. Exports made during the trial carry a watermark; a license key removes it.
Do updates cost extra? What about a version 2.0?
Each license includes six months of free updates, counted from the day you buy. The license itself never expires, and the version you have keeps working for as long as you want to run it. Updates released after those six months are not included. CleanShot X includes one year, then about $19 per year. See the pricing page for details.
How many computers can I use one license on?
A personal license covers the computers you personally use, across Windows, macOS and Linux. Teams buy one license per person.
Do my screenshots get uploaded anywhere?
No. Captures are saved on your computer. "Saved to Library" means a folder on your own machine. "Share" copies to the clipboard, saves a file, or hands the image to the app you drag it into. GrabCanvas has no upload service of its own, so nothing leaves your machine unless you send it somewhere yourself. There is no account and no sign-in. Read the privacy policy.
How is this different from the Snipping Tool or the built-in Mac screenshot?
The built-in tools capture a region or a window and stop there. GrabCanvas adds scrolling capture, an annotation editor with numbered steps and automatic blur, screen recording to MP4 and GIF, copy text from any screen, and exports a finished step-by-step guide with the image. See the Windows and Mac pages for a side-by-side.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes. If GrabCanvas is not for you, email info@grabcanvas.com within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. Details on the refund page.