TextSniper alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave TextSniper: mac only, and language support depends on your macOS version. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces TextSniper, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. TRex currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Text Grab	Open source	Yes	Windows, Browser extension	4 of 4	59.6
2	ShareX	Open source	Yes	Windows	3 of 3	51.2

1. Text GrabTop pick
Best for: Windows users who regularly copy text out of images, videos and apps
Open sourceWindows, Browser extension
59.6
score / 100
Why switch from TextSniper
The closest equivalent for Windows users, with a free open-source build.
Pros
Free open-source build, with a low-cost Store version
Several OCR engines to choose from, all running locally
Live overlay mode and table capture go beyond simple snipping
Cons
Windows only for the desktop app
AI and translation features are limited to the paid Store build
Free GitHub build has no auto-updates
Visit Text Grab Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.377
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Text Grab a good TextSniper alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
License
MIT
Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Store price
$9.99
Checked Nov 1, 2026textgrab.net(opens source in a new tab)
On-device OCR
Yes
Checked Nov 1, 2026textgrab.net(opens source in a new tab)
PowerToys
Basis of Text Extractor
Checked Nov 1, 2026textgrab.net(opens source in a new tab)
2. ShareX
Best for: Windows power users who want free capture with automated upload workflows
Open sourceWindows
51.2
score / 100
Why switch from TextSniper
Free Windows capture suite with built-in OCR for people moving off the Mac.
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 ×0.341
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 TextSniper 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 TextSniper alternative for…

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

Best TextSniper alternative for most people

TRex

Free, open-source menu bar OCR tool that does the same quick text grab without a licence fee.

Best TextSniper alternative for a free option

Text Grab

The closest equivalent for Windows users, with a free open-source build.

Best TextSniper alternative for open source

ShareX

Free Windows capture suite with built-in OCR for people moving off the Mac.

Best TextSniper alternative for Mac

CleanShot X

Paid all-in-one capture app that includes text recognition alongside screenshots and recording.

Best TextSniper alternative for Windows

Text Grab

The closest equivalent for Windows users, with a free open-source build.

TextSniper alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to TextSniper?

TRex ranks first right now. Free, open-source menu bar OCR tool that does the same quick text grab without a licence fee. Text Grab and CleanShot X follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to TextSniper?

Yes. TRex (open source), Text Grab (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 TextSniper?

Yes: Text Grab and ShareX.

Why do people switch from TextSniper?

The complaints we hear most: mac only; language support depends on your macOS version; major upgrades are paid; can misread code and symbols.

How is this list ranked?

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