Side by side
Arrowbox vs Synapse
Both stand on screenshot annotation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Web
Arrowbox focuses on screenshot markup and redaction without requiring an account. Its offline operation and multiple export formats are useful, but mobile support is currently limited and project files can preserve unredacted originals.
Visit Arrowbox Free plan Mac
Synapse consolidates common Mac productivity functions, with local processing and support for Intel and Apple Silicon. Check the differing macOS requirements and free-plan limits before choosing a plan.
Visit SynapseThe facts
| Arrowbox | Synapse | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Web | Mac |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Synapse Pro: $14.99, paid once |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | arrowbox.app | synapsemac.com |
| On screenshot annotation software | #52 of 76 | #56 of 76 |
Arrowbox: what it does well
- Blur, pixelate, or black out image areas
- Exports PNG, JPEG, and PDF
- Supports multiple images on one board
- Works offline after saving the HTML file
- No account, telemetry, or watermark
What to know first
- Mobile use is not good yet
- Desktop browsers work best
- Saved JSON retains original editable image
- No browser extension
Synapse: what it does well
- Combines recording, screenshots, OCR, clipboard, and utility tools
- OCR runs on-device with Apple’s Vision framework
- Notch Shelf holds files, text, images, or URLs
- Privacy policy says personal data is not collected
- One-time purchase covers up to three Macs
What to know first
- Free recordings include a Synapse watermark
- Free OCR allows two extractions per day
- Free Notch Shelf allows one item
- macOS version requirements differ across pages
Alternatives to Arrowbox Alternatives to Synapse The whole list