Text Grab alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 30, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Text Grab: windows only for the desktop app, and AI and translation features are limited to the paid Store build. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Text Grab, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. TextSniper currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Microsoft PowerToys	Open source	Yes	Windows	4 of 4	56.8
2	ShareX	Open source	Yes	Windows	3 of 3	52.6

1. Microsoft PowerToysTop pick
Best for: Windows users who want a free launcher, window layouts and key remapping from one trusted install
Open sourceWindows
56.8
score / 100
Why switch from Text Grab
Its Text Extractor uses Text Grab's code and comes free with many other Windows utilities.
Pros
Free and open source, maintained by Microsoft
Bundles a launcher, window zones and key remapping
Each tool can be enabled separately
Frequent updates
Cons
Windows only
Some modules are less capable than dedicated apps
Many settings pages to wade through
Visit Microsoft PowerToys Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.360
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Microsoft PowerToys a good Text Grab alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
License
MIT
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Open source
Yes
Checked Oct 29, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
Launcher
Command Palette
Checked Oct 29, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
Window manager
FancyZones
Checked Oct 29, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
2. ShareX
Best for: Windows power users who want free capture with automated upload workflows
Open sourceWindows
52.6
score / 100
Why switch from Text Grab
A free all-in-one screenshot tool with built-in OCR, annotation and upload.
Pros
Free and open source with no limits or watermark
Huge range of upload destinations and custom uploaders
OCR, scrolling capture and GIF recording built in
Cons
Windows only
Crowded interface and deep settings
No video editor for recordings
Visit ShareX Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.346
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is ShareX a good Text Grab alternative?
Verified facts
3 of 3 verified
License
GPL-3.0
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Platform
Windows
Checked Oct 29, 2026getsharex.com(opens source in a new tab)
Upload targets
Includes S3, Google Cloud Storage, Cloudflare R2
Checked Oct 29, 2026getsharex.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Text Grab alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Text Grab alternative for most people

TextSniper

A polished paid equivalent for anyone moving to a Mac.

Best Text Grab alternative for a free option

Microsoft PowerToys

Its Text Extractor uses Text Grab's code and comes free with many other Windows utilities.

Best Text Grab alternative for open source

ShareX

A free all-in-one screenshot tool with built-in OCR, annotation and upload.

Best Text Grab alternative for Mac

TextSniper

A polished paid equivalent for anyone moving to a Mac.

Best Text Grab alternative for Windows

Microsoft PowerToys

Its Text Extractor uses Text Grab's code and comes free with many other Windows utilities.

Text Grab alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Text Grab?

TextSniper ranks first right now. A polished paid equivalent for anyone moving to a Mac. Microsoft PowerToys and ShareX follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Text Grab?

Yes. Microsoft PowerToys (open source) and ShareX (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Text Grab?

Yes: Microsoft PowerToys and ShareX.

Why do people switch from Text Grab?

The complaints we hear most: windows only for the desktop app; AI and translation features are limited to the paid Store build; free GitHub build has no auto-updates.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Text Grab, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.