Freedom251 › Screenshot Annotation Software
Grabbit
What Grabbit is
Grabbit is an open-source screenshot capture and annotation tool for macOS. Global hotkeys capture a selected screen region, while a separate quick-capture shortcut sends an image directly to the clipboard. Its editor supports arrows, text, shapes, blur and pixelation, highlights, borders, drop shadows, cropping, and numbered step callouts. OCR uses macOS Vision on-device to extract selectable text from a screenshot region without cloud processing. Users can copy captures to the clipboard or save them as PNG, JPEG, or TIFF. The maker says Grabbit makes no network requests during use, has no accounts or telemetry, and keeps screenshots on the computer. Capture shortcuts can be configured independently in Settings. Grabbit requires macOS 13 Ventura or later and Screen Recording permission. It is distributed as a pre-built binary ZIP, is not notarized, and is not available through the Mac App Store. Its source is published on GitHub under the MIT License. The listed plans cost nothing.
Who it suits
Grabbit suits macOS users who want to capture and annotate screenshots without a subscription or extra features. It is also suited to people who want on-device OCR and local image storage.
What it does well
- No network requests during use, according to the maker
- On-device OCR through macOS Vision
- Exports PNG, JPEG, and TIFF
- Open source under the MIT License
- All features included in the Free plan
What to know first
- Requires macOS 13 Ventura or later
- Requires Screen Recording permission
- Not notarized
- Not available through the Mac App Store
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0.00 forever; genuinely free · All features included · No subscription · Open source · No credit card required | Free |
| Grabbit | Free forever · No free-tier limits stated · no account required | Free |
As getgrabbit.app lists them, read 24 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Grabbit provides screenshot capture, annotation, and on-device OCR in a free macOS app. Its offline and local-storage approach may suit privacy-conscious users, but distribution is limited to a pre-built ZIP that is not notarized.
Facts from Grabbit's own pages
- Annotations
- The editor includes arrows, text, shapes, blur and pixelation, highlights, borders, drop shadows, crop, and numbered step callouts. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Browser extension
- No · getgrabbit.app, 24 Sept 2026
- Build
- The maker says the app uses Swift and AppKit, has no external dependencies, and can be built with `bash build.sh`. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Capture
- Global hotkeys capture a selected screen region, with a quick-capture shortcut that sends it directly to the clipboard. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Capture and quick-capture keyboard shortcuts can be configured independently in Settings. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- Grabbit is distributed as a pre-built binary ZIP and is not notarized or available through the Mac App Store. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Export
- Screenshots can be copied to the clipboard or saved as PNG, JPEG, or TIFF. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- PNG, JPEG, TIFF · getgrabbit.app, 24 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · getgrabbit.app, 24 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The maker describes clipboard copy and local image export, and says the app has no cloud sync. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Grabbit as a focused tool for people who want to capture and annotate screenshots without Snagit-style subscriptions or extra features. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Measurement tools
- No · getgrabbit.app, 24 Sept 2026
- Minimum OS
- Grabbit requires macOS 13 Ventura or later and requests Screen Recording permission for capture. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- OCR
- Grabbit extracts selectable text from a screenshot region using macOS Vision on-device, without cloud processing. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Offline and privacy
- The maker says Grabbit makes zero network requests during use, has no accounts or telemetry, and keeps screenshots on the computer. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Grabbit is an open-source macOS screenshot capture and annotation tool. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Redaction tools
- Yes · getgrabbit.app, 24 Sept 2026
- Source and license
- The maker describes Grabbit as open source, publishes its source on GitHub, and lists an MIT License. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to open a GitHub issue to suggest features and offers an optional Buy Me a Coffee link. · getgrabbit.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Team collaboration
- No · getgrabbit.app, 24 Sept 2026
Where Grabbit stands on Freedom251
- Screenshot Annotation Software#43 of 76