PixPin

PixPin is a free screenshot, screen recording, and OCR tool for Windows and macOS that captures anything on your screen and lets you pin it as a persistent reference note.

What is PixPin?

PixPin is a free all-in-one tool for Windows and macOS that combines screenshots, screen recording, and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) into a single application. It takes screen content as input—windows, regions, full screens, or scrolling pages—and produces annotated images, GIFs, videos, and pinned reference notes as output. The tool is developed by an independent team and can be downloaded from pixpin.com.

Key Features

• Screenshots — Capture windows, regions, or full screens with smart auto-detection of UI elements for pixel-perfect captures.
• Screen Recordings — Record videos or GIFs with annotations; the Pro tier adds keystroke and mouse click overlays for tutorials.
• Long Captures — Stitch scrolling web pages, chat threads, or documents into a single continuous screenshot.
• OCR Text Extraction — Select and copy text directly from pinned notes or extract it during a screenshot, eliminating manual retyping.
• Pin to Screen — Pin images, text snippets, colors, and files to your screen as sticky-note-style references that stay visible as you work.
• Annotation Tools — Circle, highlight, number, mosaic, and mark up screenshots and pinned notes to communicate visually.
• Quick Pin Screenshot (PixPin Pro) — Press WIN + Drag (Left Click) globally in any software to capture and pin a screenshot instantly.

Who is it for?

• Designers — Pin mockups and UI references, annotate design feedback, and capture visual inspiration for projects.
• Developers — Keep API documentation, logs, and error messages on screen while coding; capture bugs with screenshots or recordings.
• Product Managers — Document user flows and feedback threads using long captures and OCR to keep research organized.
• Educators & Trainers — Create annotated tutorials and demos with screenshots and GIFs to explain concepts step by step.

What can you do with PixPin?

• Customer Support — Record step-by-step issue walkthroughs and highlight screen areas to guide users visually through solutions.
• Writers & Researchers — Extract quotes from screenshots using OCR and pin visual references while writing or researching.
• Quick Reference — Use the global mouse function (WIN + Drag) to instantly capture any screen region and pin it as a visual note without switching applications.

Pricing

PixPin is free to start with no sign-up required. A PixPin Pro tier adds Quick Pin Screenshot (global mouse capture) and Action Recording with keystroke and mouse click overlays. Download the free version from the PixPin download page.

FAQ

Is PixPin free?

Yes, PixPin is free to start and does not require an account or sign-up. A PixPin Pro tier with additional features is available, but the core screenshot, recording, OCR, pin, and annotation tools are included in the free version.

What platforms does PixPin support?

PixPin is available for Windows and macOS. The product page does not mention Linux or mobile versions.

Can PixPin extract text from images?

Yes. PixPin includes OCR that lets you select and copy text directly from pinned notes or extract it during a screenshot capture.

Does PixPin support GIF recording?

Yes. PixPin can record screen activity as GIFs with annotations, making it suitable for quick tutorials, bug reports, and visual demonstrations.

Can I pin notes to my screen while working in other apps?

Yes. PixPin lets you pin images, text, colors, and files to your screen as persistent sticky-note references that stay on top of other applications. The Pro tier adds a global mouse shortcut (WIN + Drag) to capture and pin from any software.