Best screen annotation apps for Mac (2026)
Last updated 2026-11-03. Competitor details were checked on their official pages on that date.
macOS can mark up screenshots and PDFs, but it has no built-in way to draw live over your whole screen while you teach, present or record. For that you need an annotation app that sits on top of everything. Here are the options worth considering, including our own app, TeachPen. We list facts from each official page and say where another app may suit you better.
Quick comparison
| App | Price | Platforms | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TeachPen | Free Basic. Pro $3.99/month or $24.99 lifetime | macOS 13+ (Apple Silicon), Windows 10+ | Teachers and presenters who switch between Mac and Windows |
| Presentify | $14.99 one-time (Mac App Store) | macOS 13+ | Mac-only users who want a polished, low-cost presenter tool |
| Markury | Yearly or lifetime, price not shown on the homepage. Free trial | macOS 12+, Windows 10+ | Users who want one license on two of their own devices |
| DrawPen | Free, open source (MIT) | macOS, Windows, Linux | Anyone who wants a free tool and is comfortable with an early-stage app |
TeachPen
TeachPen is our app, built by an instructor for live classes. Basic is free with no watermark or time limit and covers the pen, highlighter, eraser, lines, arrows and click-through. Pro adds shapes, text, a whiteboard and blackboard, cursor highlight, spotlight, fade ink, ghost mode and custom shortcuts. The same app runs on Windows, and a personal license can move between your Mac and PC (one active computer at a time).
Activation uses your purchase email and a 6-digit code, with no password-based account sign-up. If the license server or your network is unavailable, TeachPen keeps working; Pro only falls back to Basic after 7 days without a successful check and returns once you are online.
Requires macOS 13 or later on an Apple Silicon Mac.
Presentify
Presentify is a well-maintained Mac App Store app for $14.99. It offers shapes, text, a highlighter, a whiteboard, cursor highlight, spotlight and zoom, plus an interactive mode where you hold Fn to use the apps underneath. If you only ever present on a Mac and want a one-time purchase under $15, it is a strong pick.
Markury
Markury is a native app for macOS 12+ and Windows 10+. Its homepage says you can choose a yearly subscription or a one-time lifetime license, that one license covers two devices you own, and that it offers a 7-day money-back guarantee. Prices are not listed on the homepage, so check its pricing page.
DrawPen
DrawPen is a free, MIT-licensed open source app for macOS, Windows and Linux. It includes a brush, fade pen, shapes, text, highlighter, laser pointer and eraser, toggled with Cmd+Shift+A. It is still on 0.0.x versions, so expect rough edges.
What about Epic Pen on Mac?
Epic Pen announced a macOS version in 2022, but its official website currently describes it as running on Windows 10 and 11. If you need Mac support, confirm the current status on epicpen.com first. See also our Epic Pen alternative page.
How to choose
- Mac only, one-time purchase: Presentify or TeachPen lifetime.
- Mac and Windows: TeachPen or Markury.
- Free and open source: DrawPen, or TeachPen Basic if you want a free tier from a maintained commercial app.
Apps that draw over other windows, capture the screen or use global shortcuts may ask for macOS Screen Recording or Accessibility permission the first time. That is normal for this kind of tool.
Try TeachPen free
TeachPen Basic is free with no watermark and no time limit: pen, highlighter, eraser, lines, arrows, colors, undo and redo, click-through and PNG save. Pro adds shapes, text, whiteboard and blackboard, cursor highlight, spotlight, fade ink, ghost mode, custom shortcuts and more for $3.99 a month or $24.99 once.
Windows 10 (1809 or later, 64-bit) and macOS 13 or later on Apple Silicon.