The Best Screenshot Apps for Google Phone for Professional-Looking Images

2024-01-16

Need to capture screenshots? Maybe you need to record on-screen content for a walkthrough. You could be collaborating with team members, communicating with customers, or creating collateral for marketing.

Whatever the case, you need two things: your Google Phone and the right screenshot app.

We’re assuming that since you’re reading this guide you already have the first item. Now, you just need to figure out which screenshot app to use. It can be confusing. There’s a glut of apps on the market today and they’re anything but equal.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best screenshot apps for Google Phone to create and deliver professional-quality images. We’ll also help you understand the criteria you should be using to choose the right app for your needs and other important topics.

Why would you need a screenshot app for your phone? 

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Your Google Phone comes with screenshot and screen recording capabilities baked in. Why would you need a third-party app?Why not just use the phone’s native capabilities?

Here are a few reasons you might want to skip Google’s app and go with something else:

  • The video files are very large and can eat up your phone’s storage or cloud storage.
  • While the native app can capture audio, some users report that it’s not very good.
  • The video and image quality can vary.
  • The editing tools are pretty limited.

These are just a few reasons you might want to ditch the native Android app and download a third-party option. But what features should you look for in a replacement?Here are some of the most commonly used features of these apps:

  • Improved editing, configuration, and annotation capabilities
  • Improved capture options
  • Better compatibility with other devices and platforms
  • Easier sharing, exporting, and saving/storage processes
  • Additional tools, such as transforming images into GIFs or to search/scan images

Of course, once you’ve chosen your screenshot app, you’ll need to know how to make the most out of it. It’s not quite the same as taking high-quality photos or videos of an external subject, since the subject here will always be whatever’s on the screen.

Tips for taking professional-looking screenshots

The art of the screenshot is a delicate one. It takes balance, skill, and a lot of practice to learn what not to share, more often than not. Some people forget things like cropping out personal details, or removing their browser data, while others might just need some tips on taking better screenshots. Either way, here’s what you need to know.

Clean it up 

If you don’t need it on the screen, it has to go. Check every single inch of the window or area that you are capturing to make sure that it won’t detract from what you want to share. 

Know the point

For example, if you’re making a tutorial, you’ll want to be sure that the entire app is in the window and use editing tools and markups like arrows to point out important features to the reader. If you’re generating bug reports, you might need to point out the broken issues or errors that need to be resolved.

Auto-upload with caution

Auto uploading can be handy, but if you’re trying to share professionally, it can also be dangerous. Some tools may want to share items before you’re ready, or they may send sensitive files that you don’t want to share without warning you as to what you’re sending.

Share the right amount

Again, this goes back to considering what you’re trying to do with your screenshots. Crop the screenshot so that there’s no wasted space. Think about the result from the perspective of the viewer—what would they expect to see?

If you keep these things in mind, you’ll be on your way to professional-looking images, no matter which of the tools below you use. Speaking of which, let’s dive in and take a look at the best screenshot apps for Google phones.

Android’s native capabilities

Okay, we’re going to start with the basics. Your Google Phone comes with a screenshot and screen recording tool built into it. If you don’t want to bother with downloading a third-party app, this might be a great option for you. It’s not particularly feature-rich, but for anyone who just needs an app that will “do the job” and nothing more, it’s free and readily available.

Android’s native app does three things. First, you can take decent screenshots with it. Second, you can use it to take scrolling screenshots on Android 12 and up. You can also record your phone screen and capture your audio natively. There’s also the ability to edit and share your screen. Note that the editing capabilities are pretty rudimentary when compared to some of the apps we’ll discuss shortly, but they’re preset and easily accessible. Sharing is also a simple matter.

  • Free option? Yes
  • Price: Free
  • Captures screenshots, scrolling screenshots, on-screen video, and audio
  • Native editing tools (basic)
  • Easy sharing capabilities
  • Works with your photo album
  • Uses the Photos app for editing purposes

Screenshot Touch

Screenshot Touch is gaining more and more popularity as time goes on. It has several features that make it unique and help it stand out. The app also stays right in the notification panel on your phone so that you can capture screenshots with a single tap. You can record in mp4 format, too, including the option for custom bitrates and framerates. There's an impressive suite of editing tools, including the opportunity to draw on your shots, and even an in-app browser.

This tool also has audio and resolution editing tools, and you can save screenshots in multiple folders to keep everything organized. It’s got a great rating in the Google Play Store and it’s one of the favorites among Android users. It makes it easy to include your status bar and even change the image format and resolution, too. Plus, it starts with a free version, although you’ll need to pay a one-time fee to access all the features.

  • Free option? Yes
  • Editing tools
  • In-app browser
  • Format and resolution options
  • Mp4 screen recording
  • Custom folders to organize screenshots

AZ Screen Recorder 

AZ Screen Recorder offers a no-root version, which is something that a lot of Android users are on the market for, including those with Google phones. This tool comes free or paid for a small one-time fee, and includes a robust selection of screen capture choices, along with screen recording, video and image editing tools, and even a GIF creation tool. You can integrate the front camera for commentary or game streaming and share to social media too.

With AZ Screen Recorder, you will be able to add background music, export Full HD videos, and even incorporate internal sound. You will enjoy that there are no time limits, no watermarks, and no ads, giving you plenty of access without the hassles and still being a budget-friendly option. It’s a great tool for those who don’t want to spend a fortune.

  • Free option? Yes
  • Countdown timer
  • Picture-in-picture
  • Video configuration tools
  • GIF creation
  • Social media sharing
  • Front camera integration
  • Impressive editing tools

ScreenMaster

The name says it all. ScreenMaster is a helpful tool for anyone doing screenshot work. There’s a lot to love about this app, too. You’ll find that it shares some similarities with Screenshot Touch, like the ability to shake the phone to capture still images of the screen.

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find three tabs. These are home, screenshot, and edit. Home is where you’ll go to tweak and customize the app. Screenshot is where you’ll view your photos. The edit tab is where you capture your image or video and make adjustments. You can choose to markup a photo, stitch a photo into a stream, capture a web page, or record video of your screen.

Note that this app does not support video recording. You’ll need another app to capture video and audio, and then you can use ScreenMaster to edit that content.

  • Free option? Yes
  • Shake or press the floating button to capture shots
  • Editing and annotations
  • Multiple sharing and export options
  • Multiple photo transformation capabilities
  • Easy integration with other tools
  • Multiple screen capture options

Screenit

Screenit is an app that includes a built-in photo editing tool that makes it easy for you to edit screenshots and add effects right in the app. It's free to use for the first 48 hours, but then the full features will require a premium subscription. However, it does offer Imgur upload, several other integrations, and additional editing and configuration features. It’s lightweight and one of the features that we like here is that it’s great for older Android OS devices.

Today, many people are working on older technology and struggling to integrate modern apps, but companies like this have developed tools that deliver without forgetting about the older versions and what they might need. Screenit works with Android 4.1 or later, which is not something you find in most apps on the market today.

  • Free option? Yes
  • Easy screenshot tool
  • Compatible with older Google phones
  • Unique upload and sharing options
  • Integrates with other tools

Screenshot Easy

Love the functionality of Screenshot Touch but hate the interface? You’re not the only one. The developers of Screenshot Easy wanted to bring all that functionality and put it in a more streamlined package, and it looks like they succeeded.

When you open the app, you’ll see four tabs at the top of the screen. These are screenshot, screen record, website screenshot, and scrolling screenshot. The functionality of each is pretty self-evident. To capture a screenshot or video, just tap the button that says “start capture”. This button is present on all four tabs, but each tab also has its own settings.

You’ll find that this app’s scrolling screenshot makes it pretty useful. That’s because you can capture entire pages that aren’t websites. For instance, you can capture an entire PDF this way.  

  • Free option? Yes
  • Capture scrolling screens, including PDFs
  • Offline and online sharing and exporting
  • Professional-quality editing tools
  • Plenty of settings to adjust functionality

Partner with Smith.ai to capture better solutions for call and message answering and more

Whether you’re collaboratively working through a debugging project or creating compelling new marketing collateral, the right screenshot app can be a huge advantage. Our list has a little something for everyone.

However, don’t forget that while you’re focused on capturing screenshots and videos, your phone lines aren’t staffed. Even a single missed call could mean a lost sale or a missed opportunity to create a lifelong customer. Let our virtual receptionists take care of your communications while you focus on more immediate projects.

We can act as your 24/7 answering service, but our experts can do so much more. Need help setting appointments? What about capturing customer service call information to delve into later? We also offer lead screening and intake, outbound calls, and warm phone transfers, among other critical services.  

Schedule your consultation today to learn more about ourservices. You can also find us at hello@smith.ai or (650) 709-2975.


Tags:
Apps and Software
Written by Sean Lund-Brown

Sean Lund-Brown is a current Marketing Assistant for Smith.ai. A graduate from Metropolitan State University of Denver, Sean graduated with a BA in Music and an individualized degree in Teaching Vocal Pedagogy.

Take the faster path to growth.
Get Smith.ai today.

Affordable plans for every budget.

Sign up for our newsletter

By signing up, you agree to receive news & updates from Smith.ai.
Thank you!
Your submission has been received.
Yikes! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Take the faster path to growth.
Get Smith.ai today.

Affordable plans for every budget.