NotchStar Screenshot Tray vs the macOS floating thumbnail
The macOS floating thumbnail is a preview in the bottom right corner for a few seconds after a capture. The NotchStar Screenshot Tray holds up to 12 screenshots under the notch for five minutes each. They work together: macOS captures, NotchStar holds. Here is where each is better. Prices as of 4 November 2026.
Side by side
| macOS floating thumbnail | NotchStar Screenshot Tray | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Corner of the screen | Under the notch |
| How long | A few seconds, longer while the pointer rests on it | Five minutes, unless used |
| How many | The latest capture | The latest 12 |
| Drag out | Yes, to another app | Yes, one, several picked, or all with Option |
| Edit and markup | Yes, click the thumbnail | No |
| Copy to clipboard | Control click, then Save to Clipboard | Right click, Copy |
| Cost | Included in macOS | $4 once with the other nine NotchStar tools |
The macOS column is from Apple’s Take screenshots or screen recordings pages, checked 4 November 2026.
Where macOS wins
It is built in and free, it works on every Mac, and clicking the thumbnail lets you mark up the capture straight away. The tray has no editing.
Where the tray wins
- The screenshot waits long enough that you can take three and send them together.
- Thumbnails are larger and sit in a row you can see without chasing a corner.
- You can pick several with Command click, or send them all with Option drag.
Can they run together
Yes, but only with a delay. While the macOS preview is on, the file is not saved until it goes, and the tray waits for the file. Show screenshots instantly turns the preview off to remove the wait.
NotchStar needs macOS 14 or later. See other trays in Mac screenshot tray apps compared. The overview is on the Screenshot Tray page.
