Screen annotation software, compared for Windows

Pick the tool you use now.

No comparison matches that word. Try “pen”, “zoom” or “keys”.

Updated November 1, 2026

If you use a Windows tool now

Keep it, or see what SHARA adds. Each page says where the other tool wins.

If your tool is Mac-only

These apps don’t run on Windows. Each page maps what carries over to a Windows PC.

Windows table

SHARA vs Epic Pen, ZoomIt and PowerToys

Only rows that change a decision. Each competitor cell comes from the vendor’s own page.

Checked November 1, 2026. Sources: epicpen.com (its pricing page is inconsistent about which tools are Pro, so the table follows its FAQ), ZoomIt and PowerToys on Microsoft Learn (updated October 21, 2026). “Not listed” means the vendor doesn’t mention it.
CapabilitySHARAEpic PenZoomItPowerToys
Runs on✓Windows 10 / 11✓Windows only✓Windows; Mac on GitHub✓Windows 10 (2004+) and 11
Cursor highlight✓Halo, click flashHighlighted cursor in Pro✕None✓Mouse Highlighter, Find My Mouse
Drawing✓Pen, Arrow, Text; shapes PRO✓Pen free; text and shapes in Pro✓Pens, shapes by held keys, textThrough its ZoomIt module
Zoom✓Lens, Live Zoom PRONot listed✓Zoom and LiveZoomThrough its ZoomIt module
Keystrokes✓Keystroke Pill PRONot listed✕NoneNot listed
Break timer, recording✕Not offeredNot listed✓BothThrough its ZoomIt module
Price✓Free; Pro $19.99 onceFree Basic; Pro subscriptionFreeFree

Where the others are better: ZoomIt and PowerToys are free, and ZoomIt (also inside PowerToys) adds a break timer and screen recording. Epic Pen lists pen pressure support. The Mac-only apps are native on the Mac. SHARA’s edge is the cursor, pen, text, shapes, whiteboard, zoom, screenshots and keystrokes on one live overlay, in a docked toolbar or one Ctrl+Space Wheel (see every SHARA hotkey).

How we compare

How we built these pages

  • No guessing. If a vendor doesn’t mention a feature, the cell says “Not listed”.
  • Sources on every page. Each comparison names the vendor pages it used and the date they were read.

Disclosure: Mashyo makes SHARA, so read this as an informed, not neutral, view. Last updated: November 1, 2026.

FAQ

Comparison questions, answered

Which of these tools run on Windows?

Epic Pen, ZoomIt, PointerFocus, gInk and ppInk, KeyViz and PowerToys run on Windows, and so does SHARA. Cursor Pro, Screenbrush, KeyCastr and Mouseposé are macOS-only, so on a Windows PC you need a native alternative rather than an emulator or virtual machine.

Which comparison should I read first?

Start with the tool you use now: the page names where that tool wins and what SHARA adds. If you don’t use one yet, the best screen annotation software for Windows roundup ranks every option by job.

Is there one Windows tool that highlights, draws, zooms and shows keystrokes?

Yes. SHARA does all four on one overlay, opened from the docked toolbar or the Ctrl+Space Wheel. The halo with its click flash, Laser, Pen, Arrow, text labels, Eraser and screenshots are free forever. Zoom, Highlighter, Line, Rectangle, Circle, Whiteboard and the Keystroke Pill are in Pro, and every install starts with a 14-day Pro trial.

Is ZoomIt or PowerToys enough if I only zoom and draw?

It can be. ZoomIt is free and strong for zooming into still content, and PowerToys bundles it with a mouse highlighter. Neither shows keystrokes, and ZoomIt has no cursor halo, which is where SHARA helps most in live software demos. SHARA can run on the same PC.

Check every SHARA row on your own PC. Every install starts with a 14-day Pro trial.

Download free fromView onMicrosoft Store