// GUIDE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
Free screen annotation tools for Mac
The options include ZoomIt for Mac, DrawPen, Annotate and ScreenBrush. Overlaid has a 7-day free trial with every feature unlocked.
You don't have to pay to draw on your Mac screen. There are several good free tools, and a few of them are open source.
We make a paid one, so here's the honest list, with ours at the end.
METHOD 01
ZoomIt for Mac
Free, open source (MIT)
Microsoft's official Mac version of the classic presentation tool. Zoom, draw on a frozen frame, snip, record and a break timer.
- 1brew install --cask zoomit
- 2Grant Screen Recording.
- 3Use its shortcuts to zoom and draw.
GOOD
- +Free, from Microsoft
- +Recording and snips built in
NOT SO GOOD
- −Draws on a frozen frame, not the live screen
METHOD 02
DrawPen
Free, open source (MIT)
A simple cross-platform annotation app with pen, shapes, text, highlighter, laser, eraser and a whiteboard.
- 1brew install --cask drawpen, or download from GitHub.
- 2Press ⌘⇧A to start drawing.
GOOD
- +Free
- +Whiteboard mode
- +Also on Windows and Linux
NOT SO GOOD
- −Not Mac-native
METHOD 03
Annotate
Free, open source (MIT)
A keyboard-driven Mac annotation app with fade and persist modes, a board mode, a cursor spotlight and counters.
- 1brew install --cask annotate
- 2Needs macOS 14 or later.
GOOD
- +Free
- +Mac-native
- +Fade mode and spotlight
NOT SO GOOD
- −No zoom or keystrokes listed
METHOD 04
ScreenBrush (free tier)
Free, Plus is $6.99
Pen, text, eraser, snapshots, whiteboard and timers for free. Shapes and undo are in Plus.
- 1Download from the Mac App Store.
GOOD
- +Free tier covers the basics
- +Runs on old Macs
NOT SO GOOD
- −Shapes and undo cost extra
METHOD 05
Your call app, or macOS itself
Free, built in
Zoom and Teams can annotate a screen share. macOS has Markup for screenshots and Accessibility Zoom for magnifying.
- 1In Zoom or Teams, click Annotate while sharing.
- 2For zoom, turn on Accessibility Zoom in System Settings.
GOOD
- +Nothing to install
NOT SO GOOD
- −Only inside that app, or after the fact
METHOD 06THAT'S US
Overlaid (not free)
$11.99 once, 7-day free trial
If the free tools don't quite fit: live drawing plus keystrokes, freeze-and-zoom and cursor effects, all in one app.
- 1Download the trial. Every feature is unlocked for 7 days, no card.
GOOD
- +Keystrokes, zoom and cursor effects together
- +Fading ink
NOT SO GOOD
- −Costs money after the trial
// WORTH KNOWING
THREE TIPS.
Try the free ones first
If one of them covers what you need, you don't need to pay for anything.
Check it's still maintained
Look at the date of the latest release before relying on an app for an important talk.
Test on a real call
Every overlay app needs a whole-screen share. Test once before it matters.
// FAQ
QUICK QUESTIONS.
Yes, several. ZoomIt for Mac, DrawPen and Annotate are free and open source. ScreenBrush has a free tier.
No. It has a 7-day free trial with everything unlocked, then it's a one-time purchase.
// COMPARE
- Overlaid vs ZoomIt for MacMicrosoft's free, open-source Mac port of the classic Windows presentation tool: zoom, draw, snip, record.
- Overlaid vs ScreenBrushA free Mac drawing app with a paid Plus upgrade, a slide clicker for iPhone, lower thirds and timers.
- Overlaid vs KeyCastrThe free, open-source keystroke visualiser for macOS.
// YOUR NEXT CALL
Draw on your screen in the next five minutes.
7 days free with every feature. Then a one-time purchase. No account, no subscription.