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Utilities · head to head

Google Lens vs Shottr

Google Lens logo

Google Lens

Utilities

Visual search that identifies objects, text, plants, products and translates text from the camera

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shottr logo

Shottr

Utilities

Free Mac screenshot tool with annotation and OCR, with an optional paid tier for extra features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Lens product identification results are commercially influenced, since Lens surfaces shopping listings that connect to Google's ads and shopping business rather than purely neutral matches.; Shottr it lacks CleanShot X cloud link hosting and self-cleaning desktop features, so teams that share links constantly may find it thinner.
  • They diverge on capability: Google Lens covers Object and plant identification, Shottr covers Pixel-precise annotation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Lens and Shottr actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Lens and Shottr differ
AttributeGoogle LensShottr
Pricing modelFree, bundled into other Google appsOne-time purchase
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebMac

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Lens

  • Object and plant identification
  • Text translation
  • Text copy and search
  • Shopping match
  • Homework help
  • Search inside Google Photos

Only in Shottr

  • Pixel-precise annotation
  • Built in OCR
  • Scrolling capture
  • Colour picker
  • Quick resize and export
  • Free core functionality

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Lens

  • Translating a restaurant menu or street sign in real time while travellingnot Shottr
  • Identifying a plant or insect from a photo taken outdoorsnot Shottr
  • Finding where to buy an item of clothing or furniture seen in a photonot Shottr
  • Copying text out of a photographed document or whiteboard instead of retyping itnot Shottr

Shottr

  • A user who wants OCR and precise annotation without paying anything up frontnot Google Lens
  • Someone evaluating whether a screenshot tool is worth paying for before committing money, unlike CleanShot X which requires payment firstnot Google Lens
  • A user who occasionally needs a colour picker and is fine with the free tier for everything elsenot Google Lens
  • Anyone who wants a lighter alternative to CleanShot X without giving up scrolling capture or annotationnot Google Lens

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Lens

  • Product identification results are commercially influenced, since Lens surfaces shopping listings that connect to Google's ads and shopping business rather than purely neutral matches.
  • Accuracy on plant, animal and object identification varies significantly and is not reliable enough for anything safety-critical such as identifying a poisonous plant or mushroom.
  • It requires camera or photo library access, and photographed content passes through Google's recognition systems, which is a consideration for sensitive documents.
  • It is bundled into other Google products rather than a discrete standalone app on iOS, so discoverability and access differ by platform.
  • Translation quality is inconsistent for handwriting, stylised fonts and less common languages compared with clearly printed text in major languages.

Shottr

  • It lacks CleanShot X cloud link hosting and self-cleaning desktop features, so teams that share links constantly may find it thinner.
  • Pricing tiers and their exact contents have shifted and are inconsistently reported across sources, making it harder to know exactly what a given tier unlocks before buying.
  • The free tier periodically prompts to purchase, which some users find naggy over long term daily use.
  • It is Mac only, offering nothing for a Windows machine in a mixed environment.
  • Video and GIF recording is more limited than a tool built specifically for that, such as Kap or CleanShot X.

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Lens

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited scans
    • No subscription tier exists

Shottr

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full capture and annotation for everyday use
    • Built in OCR included
    • Occasional prompt to consider purchasing
  • Basic$8/one-time
    • One-time unlock of extra features
    • Removes purchase prompts
  • Friends Club$25/one-time
    • Higher one-time tier
    • Access to experimental features and priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Lens if

  • You need object and plant identification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want text translation.
Google Lens review

Choose Shottr if

  • You need pixel-precise annotation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want built in ocr.
Shottr review

Questions people ask

Is Google Lens or Shottr better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Lens starts at Free and Shottr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Lens or Shottr?
Google Lens starts at Free and Shottr at Free.
Does Google Lens or Shottr run on more platforms?
Google Lens runs on iOS, Android, Web. Shottr runs on Mac.
Can I use Google Lens for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Lens best used for?
Google Lens is most often used for translating a restaurant menu or street sign in real time while travelling, identifying a plant or insect from a photo taken outdoors, finding where to buy an item of clothing or furniture seen in a photo, copying text out of a photographed document or whiteboard instead of retyping it. Of those, translating a restaurant menu or street sign in real time while travelling and identifying a plant or insect from a photo taken outdoors are not what Shottr is typically brought in for.
What can Google Lens do that Shottr cannot?
Google Lens covers Object and plant identification, Text translation, Text copy and search, Shopping match. Shottr covers Pixel-precise annotation, Built in OCR, Scrolling capture, Colour picker.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Lens: Is Google Lens a separate app I need to download?

On Android it is usually built into the camera and Google app; on iOS it lives inside the Google app or Google Photos rather than as a standalone download.

Shottr: Is Shottr free?

Yes, the core app can be used free indefinitely, with an optional one-time paid tier for extra features and no more purchase prompts.

Google Lens: Does Google Lens cost anything?

No, it is free with no subscription tier.

Shottr: Does Shottr do OCR?

Yes, built in OCR extracts text from a captured screenshot without needing a separate app.

Google Lens: Are shopping results in Lens neutral?

No, product identification links to Google Shopping listings, which include paid placements alongside organic matches.

Shottr: Is there a subscription?

No. Any paid tier is a one-time purchase, not a recurring subscription.

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