Epic Pen for Windows

If you find yourself needing to markup screenshots, guide viewers during presentations, or simply doodle over your desktop, Epic Pen is an incredibly handy tool. Its simplicity is its greatest strength. The free version provides everything you need for basic annotations, including a pen, highlighter, eraser, and a screenshot tool.

The magic of Epic Pen lies in its ability to overlay any application or window. You can scribble directions on top of a map application, emphasize key points in a document, or add a mustache to your video call (just for fun, of course).  While not a robust image editing suite, it fills a niche with surprising effectiveness.

Upgrading to Epic Pen Pro unlocks additional colors, the ability to draw shapes, text input, and convenient hotkeys.  The Pro license is well worth the price if you rely on Epic Pen frequently, but the free version can easily handle most casual use cases.

Where Epic Pen stands out is how it compares to rival screen annotation tools. Often, similar programs either clutter their interface with excessive features or become too specialized. Epic Pen avoids bloat, offering an intuitive experience that doesn't bog you down. Compared to something like Zoom's built-in annotation tools, Epic Pen offers smoother strokes and more versatility in what you can overlay.

Tank Media continues to update Epic Pen with refinements and new features. While simplicity is its core strength, it doesn't sacrifice functionality for ease of use. By striking this balance, Epic Pen caters to a wide range of users, from casual doodlers to professionals needing quick annotations.

Highlighted cursor: Makes your cursor easier to track during screen recordings or presentations.

Vanishing ink: Allows annotations to fade away automatically – an excellent addition for tutorials or temporary instructions.