Freedom251 › Screenshot Annotation Software

SnapTray

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What SnapTray is

SnapTray is a free screenshot and annotation app that runs from the system tray on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Press F2 to start a region capture, then select an area with its crosshair and magnifier. You can mark up captures with arrows, pencil or marker strokes, shapes, text, mosaic, step badges, and emoji stickers. Screen Canvas adds drawing and annotation directly over the desktop, while pinned reference images remain above other windows and can be resized or rotated.

The app exports PNG images. On macOS and Windows, it can also record clips and export them as MP4 with optional audio, or as silent GIF and WebP files. Those platforms include OCR and automatic masking for sensitive faces or credentials. Other tools include window detection, a color picker, custom image watermarks, and undo and redo history.

Screenshots, recordings, and settings are stored locally. Share URL uploads a captured image to x.snaptray.cc when you trigger it; you can set a password, and shared links expire automatically. SnapTray is open source under the MIT License and costs nothing. Its Linux beta supports screenshots and annotation on Ubuntu 22.04 X11; it does not support Wayland.

Who it suits

SnapTray suits people who want a free desktop tool for capturing and marking up screenshots, with extra recording and OCR options on macOS and Windows. Linux users can use its screenshot and annotation tools on Ubuntu 22.04 X11.

What it does well

Starts region capture with F2 and provides a crosshair and magnifier.
Includes arrows, shapes, text, mosaic, step badges, and emoji stickers.
Screen Canvas supports annotation directly over the desktop.
Pinned reference images can be resized and rotated.
Open source under the MIT License and free to use.

What to know first

Linux beta is limited to Ubuntu 22.04 X11; Wayland is unsupported.
Linux does not include recording or OCR.
Recording and OCR are available only on macOS and Windows.

Limits

SnapTray is free, with no paid plan stated. On Linux, the beta is limited to screenshots and annotation on Ubuntu 22.04 X11; recording and OCR are unavailable, and Wayland is unsupported.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
SnapTray	Completely free; open source under the MIT license; no ads, subscriptions, or hidden costs	Free

As snaptray.cc lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://snaptray.cc/.
Use SnapTray on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
On Linux, use Ubuntu 22.04 X11 for the supported beta.
Press F2 to begin a region capture.

Verdict

Choose SnapTray for free screenshot capture and annotation across Linux, macOS, and Windows, or for desktop recording and OCR on macOS and Windows. Linux users should look elsewhere if they need Wayland support, recording, or OCR.

Questions

How much does SnapTray cost?

The free plan costs nothing. It is described as completely free, with no ads, subscriptions, or hidden costs.

Which platforms does SnapTray support?

SnapTray supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its Linux beta supports screenshots and annotation on Ubuntu 22.04 X11, while Wayland is unsupported.

Can SnapTray record video?

Recording is available on macOS and Windows. Clips can be exported as MP4 with optional audio or as silent GIF and WebP.

Is SnapTray open source?

Yes. SnapTray is released under the MIT License.

Where does SnapTray store captures?

Screenshots, recordings, and settings are stored locally. Share URL uploads a captured image to x.snaptray.cc when triggered.

Facts from SnapTray's own pages

Annotation: Annotation tools include arrows, pencil, marker, shapes, text, mosaic, step badges, and emoji stickers. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Capture: Region capture uses a precision crosshair and magnifier, and starts with F2. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Export formats: PNG, MP4, GIF, WebP · snaptray.cc, 20 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · snaptray.cc, 20 Sept 2026
License: SnapTray is open source software released under the MIT License. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Linux limits: The Linux beta supports screenshots and annotation on Ubuntu 22.04 X11; recording and OCR are not included, and Wayland is unsupported. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Local storage: Screenshots, recordings, and settings are stored locally on the device. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Network use: Network access is used when a user triggers Share URL upload or when the optional update checker runs; the checker sends only the app version string. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
OCR and blur: OCR and automatic masking of sensitive faces or credentials are available on macOS and Windows. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Other tools: SnapTray also includes window detection, a color picker, custom image watermarks, and undo and redo history. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Pinning: Pinned reference images stay above other windows and can be resized and rotated. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Privacy: The privacy policy says SnapTray collects no data and sends no telemetry, analytics, tracking identifiers, or crash reports. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Product: SnapTray is a free screenshot and annotation tool that lives in the system tray. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Recording: On macOS and Windows, recordings can export as MP4 with optional audio or as silent GIF and WebP clips. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Redaction tools: Yes · snaptray.cc, 20 Sept 2026
Screen canvas: Screen Canvas lets users draw and annotate directly over the desktop. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Sharing: Share URL uploads a captured image to x.snaptray.cc when explicitly triggered; users may set a password and shared links expire automatically. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The privacy policy directs users with privacy questions to open an issue on the SnapTray GitHub repository. · snaptray.cc, 11 Oct 2026

Where SnapTray stands on Freedom251

Screenshot Annotation Software#18 of 76
Screen Capture Software#25 of 61