At some point in your life, you'll need to 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 Twitter laughs. Unfortunately, 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.

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.

This article, on the other hand, covers both still-image and video/screen-animation capture. The highlighted software runs the gamut from simple, free apps included with your PC's operating system to premium, third-party utilities that add deep mark-up capabilities, GIF creation, and optical character recognition (OCR) tech. Dedicated video-editing suites, such as Corel VideoStudio, CyberLink PowerDirector, or Pinnacle Studio Ultimate are not covered here. 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.

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.

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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, such as 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 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. Additionally, explore our screen capture guides for the PlayStation 5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.

Jeffrey L. Wilson contributed to this article.

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Jeffrey L. Wilson

Managing Editor, Apps and Gaming

Since 2004, I've written about consumer tech for many publications, including 1UP, Laptop, Parenting, Sync, Wise Bread, and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skill set as the managing editor of PCMag's apps and gaming team.

The Technology I Use

As a member of the App & Gaming team, I use a wide variety of apps and services. Google Drive is an essential file-syncing service for moving documents between team members in this work-from-home era. Scrivener has been an invaluable writing tool as I rework my fiction manuscript. YouTube Premium and YouTube TV deliver hours of entertainment (though I only use the latter service during the F1 and NBA playoff seasons).

In terms of hardware, I use a Lenovo Thinkpad Carbon X1 laptop for work and an Origin PC tower for playing PC games. I also have a Steam Deck, which lets me play my favorite titles under a shade tree. Of course, I have a smartphone, and the Google Pixel 9a is my handset of choice.

My main input devices are the Das Keyboard 4 Professional and Logitech MX Vertical Ergonomic Mouse, though I bust out the Hori Fighting Commander Octa or Hori Fight Stick Alpha when mixing it up in fighting games. I have a thing for arcade sticks. I collect Neo Geo AES games, too, but only if I can find the carts on the (relative) cheap.

For video and music consumption, I fire up my Lenovo Tab P11; it has a sharp screen and great Dolby Atmos-powered speakers. My Kindle Paperwhite has received much use, too. I have a standalone, Sony Blu-ray player connected to a TCL television when it's time to go full cinephile. I'm also a vinyl guy, so the Bluetooth-enabled Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT keeps the wax spinning.

My first computer was a Commodore 64. Long live BASIC and retro computers!

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Jordan Minor

Principal Writer, Software

My PCMag career began in 2013 as an intern. Now, I'm a senior writer, using the skills I acquired at Northwestern University to write about dating apps, meal kits, programming software, website builders, video streaming services, and video games. I was previously a senior editor at Geek.com and have written for The A.V. Club, Kotaku, and Paste Magazine. I'm the author of the gaming history book Video Game of the Year: A Year-by-Year Guide to the Best, Boldest, and Most Bizarre Games from Every Year Since 1977, and the reason everything you know about Street Sharks is a lie.

The Technology I Use

I use the newest Android and iOS smartphones for testing, but I currently use an iPhone 14 as my personal phone. I just hate that we gave up headphone jacks.

I've always favored gaming laptops over desktops. On that note, I have a 16-inch HP Envy with an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. No matter what machine I’m working on, an alarming amount of my personal and professional life revolves around cloud-synced Google Drive files.

For food subscriptions, my household sticks with CookUnity and HelloFresh for meals. Video streaming is a bit more complicated. While there are too many services to list, we're subscribed to most of the major ones. These days, I find myself drawn to HBO Max's movies and shows, as well as Peacock's reality trash.

I've been a lifelong Nintendo fan, and I sincerely believe the Nintendo Switch will go down as one of the best gaming consoles of all time. It has an unbelievable library of new and old games from Nintendo and third-party companies. The handheld/console hybrid approach makes playing games so much more flexible, a legacy that continues with the Nintendo Switch 2 and Valve’s Steam Deck.

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Beyond PrtSc: The Best Screen-Capture Apps for 2026