Zight and Snagit have emerged as top screen capture tool contenders, each offering a unique set of features and capabilities. This blog post will walk you through an in-depth analysis of both platforms, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your specific needs. Whether you’re a professional seeking to make content creation easier or a team looking to improve collaboration, our comparison will help you identify the ideal solution to meet your goals.

Zight vs Snagit Feature Comparison

Both Zight and Snagit have a range of useful features that help users be more productive, communicate better, and save valuable time and resources. Explore this feature comparison chart, where we break down some of the more important features (e.g. the screen recorder, GIF maker, and screenshot apps) to empower you to make a well-informed choice when selecting the right application.

Zight may be better suited for team environments due to its robust collaboration and security features, whereas Snagit could be a great choice for individuals who work independently.

Now let’s delve into some of these features, explore what each application offers, and consider user insights on what matters most in choosing the best screen recording solution.

1. Screen Recording and Video Editing

Unlike other alternatives, Zight offers a robust video and screen recording feature, enabling users to effortlessly create professional video messages and screen recordings across Mac, Windows, Chrome, and iOS platforms. Our user-friendly applications allow you to record your entire computer screen or select specific regions with ease and then swiftly share your content via a convenient URL.

In addition, you can also decide what you want to screen record – whether it’s screen only, cam only, or a combination of your entire screen and webcam. Our screen recorder gives users the flexibility to choose the ideal recording setup for their needs while also giving them the option to edit while recording with annotation tools like a line, arrow, pen, highlighter, circle, and square – allowing them to add clarity and call out important information.

Once the recording is complete, Zight steps in to take your video content a step further. Whether you stumbled over your words, your pet made an unexpected cameo, or you simply wish to remove distracting elements, Zight offers a concise yet useful array of video editing tools:

Trim & Split
Crop
Rotate & Merge
Filter
Finetune

These tools are designed to be easy to use and user-friendly, so there’s no need to venture outside the Zight ecosystem or download additional apps to achieve polished, professional results.

Screen recording with Zight

Snagit also offers screen recording, which allows you to customize your recording preferences, including what to record, where to share it, and whether to use your webcam. You can toggle your webcam on or off during the recording, which we found useful, and users can access basic video editing tools like arrows, rectangles, and numbers in real-time.

Following the recording, Snagit offers a video converter which allows you to merge multiple videos into a single one; however, it does not provide options to control the order of video placement. Its limited video editing capabilities may restrict users from enhancing videos, eliminating unwanted segments, or improving clarity. However, Snagit does offer some other valuable features, such as saving frames as images and exporting them as GIFs.

2. Create and Annotate Screenshots

When it comes to creating screenshots and communicating your message effortlessly, Zight allows its users to quickly capture and annotate screenshots without getting bogged down by a multitude of options and features.

At Zight, we understand the power of visual communication. That’s why our user-friendly application allows you to easily capture screenshots, eliminating the need for time-consuming downloads before sharing. Our focus is on streamlining the process so you can save time and effort.

But what truly makes Zight stand out is our approach to annotations. We provide a concise selection of annotation tools that empower you to illustrate, emphasize, and clarify your content without the complexity and distractions that other applications may present. We believe in keeping things straightforward, ensuring your message is crystal clear without unnecessary frills.

Snagit also offers a powerful screen capture feature with multiple options to capture, including selecting a region, window, full-screen, scrolling & automatic scrolling, and more. This flexibility offers users a wide range of options so they can choose the specific section to capture. In addition, users can add an effect and choose which application to share their content to, all before starting the screen capture. We think this is pretty slick!

Furthermore, Snagit stands out after capturing a screenshot due to its extensive array of tools and effects. It has a robust arsenal of features that allow you to edit and annotate your content, including arrows, text, shapes, stamps, and a myriad of other options. The range of customization is vast, encompassing changes in colors, fills, outlines, shadows, properties, thickness, line styles, themes, cutouts, perspective, page curls…the list goes on! While this toolset is undoubtedly comprehensive and appeals to users with a penchant for design and in-depth content editing, it’s important to note that Snagit’s wealth of options can inadvertently lead to users spending more time than necessary fine-tuning their content. In some cases, it can become more of a design-focused tool rather than a productivity-enhancing one, potentially taking away from the efficiency and clarity that quick communication often demands.

3. Analytics

Zight offers many analytics features that allow users to see the impact of what they create, such as seeing directly how many and who viewed your content.

Zight analytics provides users with:

Number of views & notifications: With all of our plans, you’ll be able to see how many times your content has been viewed and will also receive a notification on the 1st and 5th time your content was viewed.
Engagement and viewer insights: With our Pro, Teams, and Enterprise plans, you’ll get additional analytics insights on who has watched your video, the percentage of videos viewed, video completion rates, and call-to-action conversion rates.
Determine the impact of your content and create content with higher engagement.
Measure video performance and determine ROI.
Export: With our Enterprise plan, admins have the ability to export viewer emails and timestamps for further insights to help drive business decisions.

Screenshot of analytics that shows something like this:

Snagit lacks analytics, which means that both users and administrators are left without the ability to track content viewership, engagement, and its influence on business decisions.

4. Admin functions

Admin functions are pivotal in maintaining control and security over your digital content. Zight excels in this regard by offering a wealth of essential admin features, granting users the oversight and authority they need. These include domain lockdown and admin privileges, ensuring that documents created on their servers remain under strict control.

Moreover, Zight simplifies Team Management and supports implementing organization-wide policies, streamlining operations and fostering a secure environment. In addition to robust admin capabilities, Zight provides multi-layered security measures, such as the option for content to self-destruct based on expiration time or view count, reinforcing data protection. Furthermore, Zight is proud to hold SOC II Type 2 compliance, attesting to its commitment to safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the highest industry standards in security.

Zight offers these Admin features to Teams & Enterprise users:

Manage Users & Roles
Account Transfer and Ownership of Content

Zight offers these Admin features to Enterprise only customers:

Custom Billing
Unlimited Free View-only Licenses
Company-wide Policies
99% Guaranteed Uptime SLA
Consolidate All Users on Your Domain into One Account
Activity Report (Beta)
Groups (Set security settings for each group)

Snagit does not offer any admin functions.

Zight offers file storage and sharing in the cloud, making your content easily accessible and secure. Cloud storage allows you to access your files and content from anywhere with an internet connection. This means you can easily retrieve and share your screenshots, video recordings, and more on different devices, whether you’re at the office, at home, or on the go. Zight’s cloud-based approach means your files are always at your fingertips for quick access.

Snagit is a desktop-only app, where each screenshot and video recording are saved to your computer – which means:

Quickly eats up storage space on your device
Your content is only available on the computer you downloaded the software to

In addition, Snagit’s process to protect your content and determine who can view your content can be cumbersome. You must first share your content to Screencast, then navigate to that application, and click “Share” once more. However, this secondary share option only allows access to individuals with the link without the added security of a password or access phrase. Ensuring the security of shared content is of paramount importance to our Zight users, which is why we offer many options for our users to protect their content when sharing.

Snagit users are missing out on having the ability to store their content in the cloud:

6. Workflow integration

With Zight, you’ll experience seamless workflows by connecting Zight with the tools your team already uses and making your work experience more productive, all in a scalable and secure space. We integrate with Slack, Jira, Confluence, Zendesk, Microsoft Teams, Lucid, and more.

Zight also has an SDK and web recorder. With just a few lines of code and less than a day to implement, Zight brings video recording capabilities to our users’ products so they can better communicate and collaborate by embedding playing and recording videos right in their own product.

Snagit also has some integrations – like Zight, Snagit integrates with Slack so their users can connect and collaborate on content. Snagit also integrates with tools like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Dropbox, Evernote, OneDrive, and more.

However, some users have expressed a desire for better integration of Snagit with other software tools that are used in everyday workflows for teams across the board, from product management to marketing and engineering. The inability to effortlessly integrate Snagit with other tools they use on a daily basis (like Jira, Confluence, or Zendesk) can be a drawback for those seeking a more cohesive workflow.

7. Keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts with Zight are the easiest way to leverage the application functions and are the quickest, most productive way to get anything done. Our users shave off hours of their day and work week by using keyboard shortcuts with Zight.

These simple keyboard shortcuts have helped me cut down screen time, stay streamlined, and get more done in less time!
– Ben Adamski, Web Developer

Snagit doesn’t offer any keyboard shortcuts, leaving users feeling a little less productive when it comes to improving their processes. While Snagit does offer various features for capturing and editing, research suggests users’ desire for a more streamlined and keyboard-friendly experience.

8. UI

In the realm of product design and aesthetics, Zight takes immense pride in crafting an exceptional user experience, redefining simplicity and efficiency in screen recording. Our recent release, version 8.0 for Mac and Chrome (with a forthcoming update for Windows users), marks a significant stride towards platform consistency, offering a modern and unified UI that harmonizes with your Mac and Chrome experiences.

Listening closely to our users, we’ve incorporated feedback to ensure a consistent experience. We’ve introduced color cues for quick app actions, enhancing your workflow and making tasks easier to accomplish. Zight’s user interface also presents users with the choice of dark and light modes. This caters to individual preferences for an optimal viewing experience.

In evaluating Snagit’s UI, we found that it is straightforward and user-friendly, prioritizing functionality over aesthetics. However, many users find that the UI looks outdated compared to modern software applications, leading to dissatisfaction. Many users suggest a visual refresh to align with contemporary design standards, aiming to improve the overall user experience. Some users express dissatisfaction with the latest version’s UI changes, which were not well-received. Users also note areas of improvement, including advanced editing capabilities, customization options, and streamlining processes. Overall, there’s a desire for a cleaner and more modern UI that balances both aesthetics and functionality.

The UI on Mac looks dated compared to other apps I have seen the latest version and do not like the UI.
– Terry M., Mid-Market

Pricing Zight vs Snagit

Zight recognizes that the demand application varies widely, catering to individual users, teams, and entire organizations. To accommodate this diversity, we offer a range of plans that are designed to be flexible and scalable. This ensures that they can adapt to our customer’s evolving needs and growing requirements.

Additionally, Zight takes pride in its commitment to transparency on our plans page, making it crystal clear which features are included in each plan. You won’t have to second-guess or wonder about what you’re getting because we keep our plans up-to-date, aligning them with the latest feature releases and what’s on the horizon.

In contrast, Snagit follows a different pricing approach. You select a plan, make a one-time license purchase, and it’s yours for a lifetime. You can install it on two devices, and the benefit includes complimentary upgrades to the latest versions.

Additionally, Snagit distinguishes itself from Zight by providing a comprehensive support package that encompasses phone, chat, and email assistance.

Snagit’s pricing:

– Snagit plan:

$62.99 billed once

Users get one perpetual license of Snagit

– Snagit + Assets

$112.98

Users get One perpetual license of Snagit and one year of Assets for Snagit

– Snagit + Camtasia

$329.99

Users get one perpetual license of Snagit and one perpetual license of Camtasia

– Enterprise

Snagit also has a site licensing model for its Enterprise users. Some of those benefits include an unlimited number of Snagit installs as well as locked-in pricing for 3 years and dedicated resources for onboarding, training, and support. Snagit also has discounts for Education and Government/Non-profit organizations.

Customer Reviews

Check out the reviews to find out what our happy users love about using Zight.

5 Bonus Reasons to Choose Zight Over Snagit

While both Zight and Snagit are powerful tools for screen capture and recording, Zight offers several unique advantages that make it an ideal choice, especially for teams and professionals seeking enhanced functionality and seamless collaboration. Here are five bonus reasons to consider Zight over Snagit:

Advanced AI Video Capabilities Zight incorporates AI to enhance video creation and editing. This feature automates various tasks, such as auto-captioning and video analysis, which can save time and improve accuracy. AI tools help users create more polished and professional content effortlessly.
Comprehensive Analytics and Insights Zight provides robust analytics features that offer insights into how your content is being used and who is engaging with it. Users can track views, engagement rates, and even viewer identities. This data-driven approach helps teams understand the impact of their content and make informed decisions to enhance communication and training materials.
Enhanced Security and Compliance Zight offers advanced security features, including SOC II Type 2 compliance, ensuring that all user data and content are protected according to the highest industry standards. Additionally, Zight includes options for password protection, content expiration, and view count limitations, giving users full control over their shared content.
Extensive Workflow Integrations Zight integrates seamlessly with a wide range of tools and platforms commonly used in professional environments, including Slack, Jira, Confluence, Zendesk, and Microsoft Teams. These integrations help streamline workflows, enabling users to incorporate screen captures and recordings into their existing processes without disruption.
Custom Branding and Personalization Zight allows users to customize their content with branding options such as logos, custom URLs, and personalized themes. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses that want to maintain a consistent brand image across all communications. Personalized branding helps create a professional appearance and reinforces brand identity in all shared content.

By leveraging these additional features, Zight not only meets the basic needs of screen capture and recording but also provides advanced functionalities that enhance productivity, collaboration, and security, making it a superior choice for both individual users and teams.

Snagit Free vs. Zight Free

Snagit Free:

Limited Trial Period: Snagit offers a free trial, typically for 15 days, after which a purchase is required to continue using the software.
Features:
- Screen Capture: Allows users to capture full screens, regions, windows, and scrolling windows.
- Image Editing: Basic editing tools like cropping, resizing, and adding annotations.
- Video Recording: Limited video recording capabilities.
- Templates: Access to some templates for creating guides and tutorials.
Watermarks: Content created during the trial period may have watermarks.
Support and Updates: Limited access to customer support and updates during the trial.

Zight Free:

Freemium Model: Zight offers a free version with limited features and an option to upgrade to a paid version for more capabilities.
Features:
- Screen Capture and Recording: Ability to capture and record screens, including full screens, specific areas, and webcam recordings.
- Image and Video Editing: Basic editing tools for both images and videos, such as trimming videos and adding text or annotations.
- Sharing and Collaboration: Easy sharing options via links and integrations with other tools for collaboration.
- Storage Limits: Limited storage space for saving captures and recordings.
No Watermarks: Content created with the free version does not have watermarks.
Support and Updates: Access to community support and regular updates, with premium support available in paid plans.

Key Differences:

Trial Period vs. Freemium: Snagit offers a time-limited trial, while Zight provides a freemium model with ongoing free access.
Watermarks: Snagit trial content may have watermarks, while Zight free version does not apply watermarks to content.
Support: Snagit trial users have limited support, whereas Zight offers ongoing community support for free users.
Feature Access: Both offer basic screen capture and editing features, but Zight’s free version includes collaboration tools and sharing options without time restrictions.

Try Zight, the #1 Snagit alternative, for free today!

When you join Zight, you’ll have access to a product that’s not only easy to use but also highly reliable. It’s a platform that’s been helping users just like you increase productivity, making complex tasks feel effortless. Our exceptional onboarding team is ready to guide you through the transition, whether you’re migrating from Snagit or any other visual communication tool. Their expertise will streamline the process, ensuring your team gets up to speed swiftly and becomes Zight pros without any hassle.

Check out our Plans page for more details on all of Zight’s features.

Feature	Zight	Snagit
Screenshots + Annotations
Video Recording + Annotations
Video editing
AI for VIdeos
GIF Maker + Annotations
Templates
Custom branding
Captions + Auto Transcriptions
Files stored on the cloud
File sharing
CTA
Password protection
SOC II Type 2
Analytics
Admin controls
Keyboard shortcuts
Auto link generation
Workflow Integrations – Slack, Teams, Jira, Confluence, Zendesk, and Lucid		Slack