OVERLAID

// HONEST COMPARISON · CHECKED SEPTEMBER 2026

Overlaid vs
Scribbble

Scribbble and Overlaid are close cousins: both new, both Mac-first, both one-time purchases at about the same price, both built around shortcuts.

The difference is what each one adds on top of drawing. Scribbble leans towards whiteboarding and capture. Overlaid leans towards live demos, with keystrokes and cursor effects.

PICK SCRIBBBLE IF

you want a whiteboard mode and a built-in snapshot tool.

PICK OVERLAID IF

you want a keystroke overlay and cursor effects like click ripples, halo and trail.

// AT A GLANCE

THE BASICS.

SCRIBBBLEOVERLAID
Price$12$11.99 ($4.99 at launch)
How you payOne-timeOne-time
Free trialFree version to try, 14-day money-back7 days, everything unlocked
Runs onmacOS 14 or latermacOS 14 or later
Made byScribbbleA solo developer

// CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE

Where Scribbble is better.

SCRIBBBLE WINS

Whiteboard mode

A blank canvas for sketching. Overlaid only draws over what's on screen.

SCRIBBBLE WINS

Built-in snapshots

Capture the full screen or a region from inside the app. With Overlaid you use macOS's own screenshot shortcut.

SCRIBBBLE WINS

A money-back guarantee

Scribbble has a free download to try every tool first, and a 14-day money-back guarantee once you buy.

SCRIBBBLE WINS

A dockable toolbar

Dock it to the left or right edge of the screen.

Where Overlaid is better.

  • +Keystroke overlay

    Every shortcut you press, as a keycap with themes and nine positions. Not listed for Scribbble.

  • +More cursor effects

    Click ripples, halo and a trail as well as spotlight. Scribbble lists spotlight.

  • +Freeze, zoom and draw

    Zoom up to 8x on a frozen frame, pan around and draw at any scale.

Keystrokes on screen while you work, the main thing Overlaid adds.

// FEATURE BY FEATURE

SIDE BY SIDE.

“Not listed” means we couldn't confirm it from Scribbble's own site or docs either way. It might exist. If it does, tell us and we'll update this.

FEATURESCRIBBBLEOVERLAID
Draw over any app, liveYesYesMarks stay put while you keep using the app underneathBOTH
Arrows and shapesYesArrows, rectangles, ellipsesYesLine, arrow, rectangle, ellipseBOTH
HighlighterYesYesMultiply blend, text stays readableBOTH
Text labelsYesYesBOTH
Move and resize marksNot listedYesSelect, move, resize, duplicate
Fading inkYesAuto-fadeYes2, 5 or 10 secondsBOTH
On-screen rulerYesMeasure toolYesPixels and pointsBOTH
Whiteboard modeYesNoSCRIBBBLE
Freeze, zoom and drawNot listedYesUp to 8x, pan around, draw at any zoom
Live magnifierYesMagnifyYesMagnifier lens follows the cursorBOTH
Spotlight cursorYesYesBOTH
Cursor halo or click effectsNot listedYesHalo, click ripples, trail
Keystroke overlayNot listedYesKeycaps, themes, 9 positions
Built-in screenshot toolYesFull screen or regionNoUse macOS ⌘⇧4, your marks are includedSCRIBBBLE
Works in any call appYesYesShare your whole screenBOTH

Choose Scribbble if

  • ✓You want a whiteboard canvas
  • ✓You want snapshots inside the annotation app
  • ✓You like a toolbar docked to the screen edge

Choose Overlaid if

  • ✓You show keyboard shortcuts
  • ✓You want click ripples, halo or a cursor trail
  • ✓You want to freeze the screen and draw while zoomed

// FAQ

QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK.

$12 one-time, according to its pricing page, with a free version to try first and a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Yes. Both support Apple Silicon and Intel, and both need macOS 14 or later.

// WHERE THIS CAME FROM

SOURCES.

Checked September 2026. Apps change. If something here is out of date or wrong, email us and we'll fix it.

// MORE COMPARISONS

OTHER APPS.

// YOUR NEXT CALL

Don't take our word for it. Try both.

7 days free with every feature. Then a one-time purchase. No account, no subscription.

BUY OVERLAID · $4.99or try it free for 7 days