Screenshots are an essential tool for many people, and for many different types of businesses and industries. In today’s device-based world, being able to grab a screen capture to share or create a professional image from can be an invaluable resource. And while most devices include their own native screenshot feature, they’re hardly obvious and often require special keyboard shortcuts that are difficult to remember or execute.

On most Android devices, for example, the screenshot function involves pressing some combination of the power and volume keys, or may even include the home key on some devices. The first problem here is that if you don’t hit the buttons correctly, you’ll screen capture the volume control, too. The same goes for other mobile devices, and although their “shortcuts” are typically much less complex and hidden than those on PCs and Mac desktop computers, they’re still more of a pain than their worth.

Plus, you might want more editing features than what your phone’s camera software offers. Perhaps you just need features like video capture and GIF creation so that you can share things with your team (or your clients) for collaborative projects, training, and more. Screenshots have become much more popular because they’re more accessible on mobile, but the native integrations still aren’t a perfect product. (Speaking of integrations, on the list below, you’ll find plenty of apps with easy integrations and when you want even more streamlined solutions, ask how our dedicated virtual receptionists can work with the tools you use to help you get more done in less time and with less work on your part.)

What’s in a good screenshot app?

As with anything, you’ve got to make sure that you’re aware of what you’re getting. Not only does it need to work, but it needs to work better than the native app on your device. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time and effort, and valuable storage space on your smartphone or tablet. Here are a few key elements that need to be on your list:

Capture Options: You will not only want to be able to take standard screenshots, but you want to choose an app that allows you to capture a specific region or the entire screen, scrolling screens (such as for sharing longer written posts or images), and more. Again, if it doesn’t outperform your native app, it’s probably not worth your time.

Editing Features: This should include advanced cropping, annotations, and more. Plus, editing should be as easy as the screengrab in the first place, even with advanced features to help enhance your screenshots for business or personal use.

Cross-Device Compatibility: While the apps discussed here are great for mobile use, you’ll want to also consider whether they are cross-compatible or easily integrated to a desktop solution. Several apps on the list have a desktop or web-based versions, as well, allowing for seamless sharing throughout the company no matter what device someone is on.

Saving and Exporting: A native app will save your screenshots to a designated folder on your phone and leave it at that. Sure, you can share them and such, but that takes at least a few extra steps. With a dedicated app, you’ll want to make sure that you have easy options for saving, sharing, exporting, and even printing, if you desire.

Meme and GIF Creation: This one isn’t essential, but who doesn't like the idea of being able to create their own custom memes and GIFs to share with colleagues and others? You can even get creative and use them for communication, training aids, and more. Again, you don’t need to have it, but it could be a lot of fun to add to your workday.

There are other things to consider, such as filters, integrations with other apps, and things like whether certain features cost money or if you’re getting a totally free app, but these are minor details that won’t necessarily be important to everyone. Start with the biggest factors first and then go from there to narrow it down.

Tips for capturing high-quality shots

Before we dive into the best screenshot apps for iPhone, Android, and Google Phone, let’s go over some tips for making the most of your screenshots.

• Get all the private content off the screen. Never, ever share phone numbers, email addresses, or other information when you’re taking screenshots. This usually isn’t a problem on these devices, but there are times when your screenshots might capture private information or sensitive data. Crop it out when you can, or blur the image if you have to.

• Think about what you’re taking the screenshot for—is it for a tutorial? Perhaps it’s to show tech support how your computer is acting up so they can troubleshoot. You need to make sure that you include all the right features, such as annotations and arrows that indicate certain elements. The way you capture a screenshot depends on your intended use in some cases.

• Don’t show too much or too little. If you’re showing off a specific icon, bug, or area of the image that is relevant. The wasted space distracts and is unnecessary. Plus, if you can zoom in on the shot, why not? Of course, if there's a reason to pan out and get more in the image, such as if a close-up won’t provide the full content, you can do that too.

• Watch out for auto-uploading tools because you could risk accidentally uploading screenshots that you aren’t ready to have published to the web. They could also accidentally share private or personal details, and that could be catastrophic in the wrong hands.

• Take some time to familiarize yourself with the app that you choose and practice some shots, editing, and other tasks before you start putting it into practice. That way, you’ll have fewer risks of publishing improper content or accidentally sharing the three tabs you’ve got open for social networking in the middle of your workday, for example.

So, now that you know more about what the best screenshot apps offer and how to choose them, let’s take a look at the top options on the market today. (A note on compatibility: generally speaking, the apps on this list that are designed for use on Android will also work on Google phones, which use an Android OS, but you can double-check with each tool to be sure.)

Zappy by Zapier

Although this is a new tool on the market that is primarily geared toward new users coming to the brand from MacOS, they have also made it cloud-based so that all Zapier users who pay for membership will have access to the tool while it’s still being developed. Zappy is based on a design by people who know what remote teams are like—Zapier has a team of more than 300 employees that work across 17 different time zones, and they have been doing collaboration work without an office for eight years and counting.

Zappy is used every single day at Zapier, naturally, and they’re now making it more accessible to their customers who already use their tool for other functions by allowing people to have early access before it’s released to the masses. Zappy includes the chance to share screenshots, screen recordings, GIFs, and more. Plus, it’s all quick and easy to integrate and get started.

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·  Free option? Yes

·  Price: Free, currently, for any MacOS user or paid customer with an existing plan

·  Comes from Zapier, a leader in automation and AI

·  Includes plenty of editing tools

·  Create GIFs

·  Screen recording feature

·  Annotate, capture, and record in seconds

AZ Screen Recorder

AZ Screen Recorder is probably one of the most popular apps on the market today. This app features so much in a simple package, including the ability to stream your screen on multiple social media platforms. The built-in video editor helps trim your videos and convert to GIF format if you want to create your own. You can even change the background music, add subtitles, and export videos in Full HD. There is also a feature to integrate your front camera for commentary or game streaming.

AZ Screen Recorder has no watermarks or ads, and no time limits. It offers a simple interface, one-click shots, and a “special magic” button that will add that perfect final touch. You can record with internal sound and the app also lets you use Facecam to record screen videos too. It’s simple, but still offers plenty of features to cover all of your needs. Plus, it doesn’t require root access, making it a great choice for those who need this or just want the choice.

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·  Free option? Yes

·  Price: $2.99 for pro version

·  Picture in picture

·  Countdown timer

·  Video configuration tools (frame rate, resolution, etc.)

·  Ease of use

·  Available on iOS and Android

·  Front camera integration

Skitch

Skitch is available on Android and iOS and offers easy screenshotting from the people who created Evernote. This tool is just as well-organized as the organizing app, and it makes it easy to edit and annotate screenshots, markup shots for fun, and even sync with Evernote to keep everything in one place. Skitch makes it easy to do everything with a simple menu and it’s a free-to-use tool so everyone will love what it offers.

The app is designed to make it easier to get your point across with simple sketches, annotations, and other screenshot tools so that communication is a breeze. It functions best on iOS and Apple products, but it still gives other services a run for their money on Android and other devices. Plus, the app is free to download, but you might have to pay for premium membership in order to access the full gamut of features.

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·  Free option? Yes, free with basic use

·  Price: Starts at $8 per month

·  Sync and organize everything

·  Document scanning and handwriting searches are also available

·  Save button dedicated for saving to the web

·  Impressive editing tools

Brosix

Brosix is a unique option, offering an all-in-one instant messaging platform for business use that includes instant screenshots for collaboration and more. You can take screenshots from the text chat windows, the chat rooms, or even the contact list. Then, you can send them instantly to other users on the Brosix app with the screenshot icon. In addition, it’s available on all platforms, including iOS, Android, and Google phone, thanks to an app and web-based option.

With Brosix, you can crop, zoom, and annotate with ease. You can also save and export your screenshots, share them both in the app and externally, and even enable and disable screenshots for certain users in the administrative permissions. There is a remote desktop feature, and you can even launch whiteboard presentations and send unlimited files with this app. For those who are looking for a more robust, dynamic solution for screenshots and collaboration, this tool should be at the top of the list.

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·  Free option? Free Team Network for 3 users or fewer

·  Price: Starts at $4 per user, per month

·  Unlimited collaboration

·  Manage screenshot ability per user

·  Share screenshots online or off

·  Capture scrolling screens

·  Annotations

·  User activity management

Integrate, automate, and streamline: add Smith.ai to take your support stack higher

At Smith.ai, our virtual receptionists can integrate with your screenshot apps and even just receive the screenshots taken from your devices and send them to the appropriate parties via email or another channel. We can even help you find the best way to share your screenshots, depending on the app that you choose and the hardware involved, giving you the best chance of maximizing your success.

Screenshots might seem like a simple thing, but they offer a lot of potential value. That's why it’s important to take the time to find the best ones for your collaboration and sharing needs. If you’re looking for even more collaboration, ask how we can help with lead intake, Facebook message answering, and other services so that you can spend more time taking care of your customers.

Schedule your consultation today to discuss how we can help streamline your business operations, whether it’s through 24/7 message answering and live chat support or just taking advantage of our overflow and after-hours services. You can also reach us at hello@smith.ai or (650) 727-6484.