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Snipping Tool VS Rectangle

Compare Snipping Tool VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

Snipping Tool

Use Snipping Tool to capture a screen shot, or snip, of any object on your screen, and then annotate, save, or share the image

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Alternatives Is it good?
ScreenSnap Pro
Stop sharing plain, boring screenshots. Add stunning backgrounds, pro annotations, and instant cloud links — all in one click. Pay once, own it forever. sponsored
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 480 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 480
Screenshot Annotation popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
229 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Snipping Tool
Rectangle
Website support.microsoft.com rectangleapp.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in
Screenshot Annotation Screenshots Image Annotation Screen Capture +1
Mac Tools Window Manager Mac Developer Tools +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Snipping Tool 5 features
Rectangle 5 features
  • Built-in Tool
    Snipping Tool comes pre-installed with Windows, eliminating the need for additional software downloads or installations.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users of all levels to capture screenshots.
  • Multiple Capture Modes
    Offers several capture modes like free-form snip, rectangular snip, window snip, and full-screen snip to provide flexibility in taking screenshots.
  • Annotation Features
    It provides basic annotation tools such as a pen, highlighter, and eraser, allowing users to mark up their screenshots.
  • Delay Feature
    Includes a delay feature that allows users to capture screenshots after a set amount of time, useful for capturing context menus or transient states.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Editing Tools
    The built-in editing tools are quite basic and don't offer advanced features, limiting post-capture modifications.
  • No Scrolling Capture
    Snipping Tool does not support scrolling captures, making it inadequate for capturing long webpages or documents.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report performance lags and glitches, particularly when taking multiple screenshots in quick succession.
  • No Cloud Integration
    There is no built-in feature to directly save or upload screenshots to cloud services, which can be inconvenient for users who rely on cloud storage.
  • Deprecated Status
    As Microsoft is gradually moving towards Snip & Sketch and other newer tools, Snipping Tool may not receive future updates, potentially leading to compatibility issues.
  • Ease of Use
    Rectangle offers an intuitive user interface that makes window management straightforward and user-friendly.
  • Customizable Shortcuts
    Users can easily configure keyboard shortcuts to better suit their workflow, making window management faster and more efficient.
  • Free
    Rectangle is available for free, making it accessible to anyone without the need for a financial investment.
  • Frequent Updates
    The app receives regular updates, introducing new features and ensuring compatibility with the latest macOS versions.
  • Lightweight
    Rectangle is a lightweight application that doesn't consume many system resources, ensuring smooth performance even on older Macs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Rectangle lacks some of the more advanced features found in paid window management applications, such as multiple monitor support and more complex window arrangements.
  • MacOS Only
    Rectangle is only available for macOS, so users of other operating systems are unable to take advantage of its features.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users report occasional bugs or unpredictable behavior, which might require troubleshooting or waiting for a future update.
  • Learning Curve for Shortcuts
    While customizable shortcuts are a benefit, there is an initial learning curve for users to memorize and effectively use these shortcuts.
  • Basic Aesthetic
    The app's design and aesthetic are quite basic, lacking the polish and visual appeal found in some other similar tools.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Snipping Tool
Rectangle

Overall verdict

  • The Snipping Tool is generally considered a good utility for quick and simple screen captures.

Why this product is good

  • The Snipping Tool is praised for its ease of use, being built into Windows, which makes it readily accessible without needing additional installation. It allows users to capture screenshots easily and offers basic editing features such as highlighting and annotation. This makes it suitable for users looking for straightforward and efficient screen capture functionality.

Recommended for

    The Snipping Tool is recommended for users who need a quick and simple way to capture and annotate screenshots. It is ideal for those who require minimal features beyond basic capture, like students, educators, and professionals who need to illustrate or highlight portions of their screen in a fast and uncomplicated manner.

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Rectangle is highly regarded for its ease of use, extensive customization options, and the fact that it is free and open-source. It provides essential functionality without unnecessary complexity, making it suitable for both casual users and power users who need efficient window management.

Why this product is good

  • Rectangle is a popular window management tool for macOS, known for its simplicity and ease of use. It allows users to efficiently organize and resize application windows using customizable keyboard shortcuts or by dragging windows into pre-defined areas of the screen. This can enhance productivity by minimizing the time spent arranging windows and improving multitasking capabilities.

Recommended for

    Rectangle is recommended for macOS users looking for a straightforward, lightweight solution to manage application windows. It is particularly beneficial for those who frequently work with multiple applications at once, including developers, designers, and anyone who values a tidy and organized desktop environment.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Snipping Tool 2 videos + Add
Rectangle 3 videos + Add

How To Use Snipping Tool In Windows 10 [Tutorial]

More videos

  • - New Snipping Tool review. Snip & Sketch

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

  • - Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline Review #1
  • - Marvin Malton 160 Rectangle Flying Hour Watch Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Snipping Tool
Rectangle
100% 100%
Screenshot Annotation
0% 0%
0% 0%
Mac Tools
100% 100%
100% 100%
Screenshots
0% 0%
0% 0%
Window Manager
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Snipping Tool and Rectangle. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Snipping Tool no reviews yet
Rectangle no reviews yet
  • Best 6 Mac Window Managers
    mackeeper.com · Sep 2023

    Rectangle shows that you don’t need to dip into your bank account to get window resizer tools. This free Mac window manager lets you manage multiple windows using keyboard shortcuts, menu options, or by dragging and...

  • Top 6 Window Manager Apps for Mac
    www.maketecheasier.com · May 2023

    Most window manager apps for Mac support multiple monitors. They can help you move windows between screens and create custom layouts for each monitor. Many window manager apps – such as BetterSnapTool, Magnet, and...

  • The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
    www.makeuseof.com · Apr 2023

    However, it might take some time for you to get used to the shortcuts in the Rectangle app since there are many. Furthermore, you can also add some of your apps to exceptions if you want to keep them away from...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Snipping Tool 0 mentions
Rectangle 480 mentions

Tracking Snipping Tool since Mar 2021.

  • Apple introduces M6 and M5 Ultra for a big leap in performance and AI compute
    Rectangle solved my macos window management annoyances. https://rectangleapp.com/ Not involved in dev of this, just a happy user. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Released
    As a both old Linux and now decade user of MacOS, after I got used to no middle-click paste and no focus-follows-mouse: 1. Keyboard shortcuts are Emacs, Ctrl-A: start of line, E: end of line, K: kill selected or to end of line, Y to... - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Native Instant Space Switching on macOS
    Every macOS user uses Rectangle.app — https://rectangleapp.com The ones who don't use it is because they don’t know it exists. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago

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Alternatives to Snipping Tool and Rectangle

When comparing Snipping Tool and Rectangle, you can also consider the following products.

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