What Snagit is and how the subscription model works

Snagit is a screen capture tool made by TechSmith that lets you take screenshots, record video from your screen, and edit both before sharing. The subscription model means you pay a recurring fee — usually monthly or annually — to use the software and receive updates. You do not own the software outright; your access ends when your subscription ends or you stop paying.

TechSmith offers Snagit through two main paths: a one-time purchase (perpetual license) or an annual subscription. The subscription includes cloud storage for your captures, access to the latest features as they roll out, and technical support from TechSmith. If you choose the perpetual license instead, you pay once but do not receive automatic updates or cloud storage.

The subscription renews automatically each year unless you cancel before the renewal date. You can use Snagit on Windows or Mac, but a single subscription covers one person on one computer at a time — if you want to use it on multiple devices simultaneously, you need multiple subscriptions.

Key Takeaways

  • Snagit subscription costs vary by region and promotion, but typically runs between $60 and $80 per year for an annual plan.
  • Your subscription includes cloud storage for captures, automatic software updates, and access to new features as TechSmith releases them.
  • One subscription covers one person on one device; using Snagit on a second computer at the same time requires a second subscription.
  • Your subscription renews automatically each year on the anniversary of your purchase date unless you cancel before renewal.
  • If you stop paying, you lose access to the software and cloud storage, though captures you downloaded to your computer remain yours.

Annual subscription cost and what's included

TechSmith's annual subscription price varies by region and changes based on promotions, so the exact amount you pay depends on where you live and when you purchase. In the United States, the annual subscription typically ranges from $60 to $80, though TechSmith frequently runs discounts during sales periods. You can check the current price on TechSmith's website before you commit.

Your annual subscription includes cloud storage (the amount varies by plan tier), automatic updates to the software, and access to new features as TechSmith releases them throughout the year. You also receive email support from TechSmith's support team. If you purchase a monthly subscription instead, the per-month cost is higher than dividing the annual price by twelve, so annual plans are more cost-effective if you plan to use Snagit long-term.

How to set up and manage your subscription

To start a Snagit subscription, you create a TechSmith account on their website, choose your plan (annual or monthly), and enter payment information. TechSmith accepts major credit cards and some regions may have additional payment methods. After purchase, you read the Snagit software to your computer and sign in with your TechSmith account credentials.

Your subscription is tied to your TechSmith account, not to a specific computer. If you reinstall Snagit on the same device or move to a new computer, you sign in with the same account and your subscription follows you. However, you cannot use the same subscription on two computers simultaneously — if you try to sign in on a second device while actively using Snagit on the first, TechSmith's system will log you out of one of them.

To manage your subscription, log into your TechSmith account on their website. From there you can view your renewal date, update payment information, read invoices, and cancel your subscription. If you cancel before your renewal date, your subscription remains active until that date arrives, then stops.

What happens when your subscription ends

When your subscription expires and you do not renew, Snagit stops working. You cannot open the software or take new captures. Any captures you saved to your computer before the subscription ended remain on your hard drive and you can still view and edit them with other tools, but you cannot use Snagit itself.

Cloud storage tied to your subscription also becomes inaccessible. If you stored captures in TechSmith's cloud, you have a grace period (typically 30 days after expiration) to read them to your computer before they are deleted. After that period, those captures are gone unless you have a backup elsewhere.

If you decide to resubscribe later, you create a new subscription and sign in with your TechSmith account. Your previous captures stored on your computer are still there, but cloud storage starts fresh with the new subscription.

Comparing subscription to the one-time purchase option

TechSmith also sells Snagit as a perpetual license — you pay once, own the software indefinitely, and it never expires. The perpetual license typically costs more upfront than one year of subscription (usually $50 to $70 depending on promotions), but you never pay again for that version.

The trade-off is that perpetual licenses do not receive automatic updates. You get bug fixes and security patches, but new features that TechSmith adds after your purchase date are only available if you buy an upgrade license later. Cloud storage is not included with the perpetual license; you store captures only on your computer or use a third-party cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox.

If you use Snagit occasionally or for a short project, the perpetual license may cost less over time. If you use it regularly and want the latest features without thinking about upgrades, the subscription is simpler because updates arrive automatically.

Using Snagit on multiple devices

One Snagit subscription is licensed for one person to use on one device at a time. If you own both a Windows desktop and a Mac laptop and want to use Snagit on both simultaneously, you need two separate subscriptions — one for each device.

You can install Snagit on multiple devices using the same TechSmith account, but only one device can be actively signed in and using the software at any given moment. If you sign in on a second device while Snagit is running on the first, TechSmith's licensing system logs you out of one of them automatically.

Some organizations purchase Snagit through volume licensing or team plans, which may have different rules for multiple users or devices. If you are buying for a workplace, contact TechSmith's sales team to discuss options beyond individual subscriptions.

Canceling your subscription and what to do before you do

To cancel your Snagit subscription, log into your TechSmith account, navigate to your subscription settings, and select the cancel option. You can cancel anytime, and your subscription remains active until your next renewal date. TechSmith does not offer refunds for partial subscription periods if you cancel mid-year.

Before you cancel, read any captures stored in your TechSmith cloud storage to your computer. After your subscription ends, you lose access to the cloud and cannot retrieve those files. You have a grace period of about 30 days after expiration to read them, but it is safer to do it before you cancel.

If you are canceling because you found a different tool or no longer need screen capture software, make sure you have exported or saved any projects you want to keep. Snagit stores project files on your computer by default, so they do not disappear when the subscription ends — only the ability to open and edit them with Snagit goes away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Snagit subscription on my work computer and personal laptop at the same time?

No. One subscription covers one person using Snagit on one device at a time. If you need to use it on both computers simultaneously, you need two subscriptions. You can install Snagit on both devices using the same account, but only one can be actively signed in and running the software.

What happens to my screenshots if I cancel my subscription?

Screenshots saved to your computer stay on your hard drive and remain yours. Captures stored in TechSmith's cloud storage become inaccessible when your subscription ends, though you have about 30 days after expiration to read them before they are deleted. After that window closes, cloud captures are gone.

Do I have to pay for Snagit every year, or can I buy it once?

TechSmith offers both. You can buy an annual subscription that renews each year, or purchase a perpetual license once that never expires. The perpetual license costs more upfront but includes no cloud storage and does not receive automatic updates. New features are only available if you later buy an upgrade.

How do I stop my subscription from renewing automatically?

Log into your TechSmith account on their website, go to your subscription settings, and cancel before your renewal date. Your subscription stays active until that date, then stops. TechSmith will send you a reminder email before renewal, which is a good time to cancel if you have decided not to continue.

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-year?

TechSmith does not refund unused portions of annual subscriptions. If you cancel three months into a twelve-month subscription, you do not receive a refund for the remaining nine months. Your subscription straightforward stops renewing after your current period ends.