What are the best screen capture tools for Windows?

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Feb 6, 2024

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ShareX vs Greenshot (for Windows) vs PicPick

vs Snagit vs Lightshot vs FastStone Capture vs Screenpresso vs OBS vs Snipaste vs Spectacle vs Screenshot Captor vs Lightscreen vs Irfanview vs Flameshot vs Windows 10's Snipping Tool vs Camtasia vs Monosnap vs ScreenshotX vs SnapDraw vs ScreenTake vs Awesome screenshot vs PrtScr vs Ksnip vs Jet Screenshot vs CloudShot vs Bug Shooting vs FireShot Lite

Specs

Platforms

Windows

Video Formats

GIF

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows, Mac

Video Formats

MP4, GIF

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows, Mac, Chrome, Firefox

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows

Video Formats

WMV

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows, Linux, Mac

Video Formats

MP4, FLV, MKV

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows, Linux, Mac

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows, Linux, Mac

Video Formats

Technology

License

GPLv3

Tethered capture

YES

Non-Distructive Editing

YES

Color profiles supported

YES

Adjustment layers

YES

Layer effects

YES

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows, Mac

Video Formats

MP4, MPEG, MOV, TREC

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows, Mobile

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Windows, Linux, Mac

Video Formats

Technology

C++

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Platforms

Video Formats

Technology

License

Tethered capture

Non-Distructive Editing

Color profiles supported

Adjustment layers

Layer effects

Pros + Cons

Pro
Allows uploading to a vast number of different services

Designed as file uploader in the first place, ShareX supports overhelming amount of services for you to upload your files to and the list is expanding.

Comment

Pro
Free and open source

ShareX is licensed under GPL with source code available on GitHub.

Comment

Pro
Customizable

You can choose what shortcut key to bind your command to, as well what host it uploads the file to.

Comment

Pro
Freezes screen when you capture

When you enter a capture mode, the screen content is preserved as it was when you started capturing by default. However there is a special "Light" mode where the screen does not freeze.

Comment

Pro
Can capture video too

Apart from still images, ShareX allows the user to record unlimited video with all the options available for normal image capture.

Comment

Pro
Capturing (screen, video, a window, etc.) with annotation + automation

Capturing (screen, video, a window, etc.) with annotation + automation makes for some powerful workflows. Annotation is key for research on any project size. Capturing screenshots, editing them ("annotating"), converting to a PNG, removing the background to make a transparent version, saving to google drive, creating large+med+sm sizes, uploading thumbnails, is an example of a workflow you could create. The list goes on... You'll find the same strength & depth in features for image handling also for text, videos, other files by type, and on and on..

Comment

Pro
Has an editor

It has its own screen editing tool.

Comment

Pro
It has a dead simple way for creating animated GIFs

It is great for creating software tutorials or highlighting new features in a sales function - nothing beats a well-placed animated GIF in an email.

Comment

Con
Too complicated

This is extremely customizable, but extremely complex! If you want something simple and intuitive out of the box, stay away from ShareX.

Comment

Con
Privacy concern

Can upload screenshots to web without you realizing, unable to delete or reverse process.

Comment

Con
Scrolling window capture doesn't work always as expected

Sometimes might need to use another screen capture software to capture a scrolling page.

Comment

Con
The editor is rather simplistic

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Comment

Con
No Linux port

has a version in github

Comment

Con
Scrolling window capture is only working in Internet Explorer

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Comment

Pro
Free and open source

Greenshot is licensed under GPL with source code available on BitBucket.

Comment

Pro
Freezes screen when you capture

When you enter a capture mode, the screen content is preserved as it was when you started capturing.

Comment

Pro
Allows annotating, highlighting and obfuscating screenshots

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Comment

Pro
Can capture an entire webpage

Instead of just capturing the visible portion of the page, this tool can capture all of the page in one image by scrolling through the page, taking images at set points and then stitching the images together.

Comment

Pro
Can be quickly invoked with the print screen button

Pressing the print screen button will allow you to select the captured area.

Comment

Pro
Selecting custom rectangle is the default

Easy to use selection tool with a magnifier to select only the part of the screen that you need.

Comment

Con
This version only works on Windows, not Linux nor Mac

However, the same author now has a separate version of Greenshot for iOS, which is available (for a small fee) in the Mac App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/greenshot/id1103915944

Comment

Pro
Classic UI design makes it easy to use.

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Comment

Pro
Includes many other useful tools

Image editor, color picker, color palette, screen-ruler, etc.

Comment

Pro
Free for personal use

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Comment

Pro
Many options to configure how the screenshot is done

There are many options to configure the way a screenshot is done: selection (whole screen, active window, rectangle, hand-drawn form) timeout (very useful when you like to show that pop-up or that mouse-over effect)

Comment

Pro
Intuitive image editor

Screen captures can directly be opened in the included image editor, which provides many tools you need all the time on screenshots: drawing on it, cropping, blurring, color correction, etc.

Comment

Pro
Has a portable version

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Comment

Pro
Includes an image editor

Allows you to adjust the capture, add captions and symbols (arrows, boxes etc).

Comment

Pro
Good markers for setting the capture area

Simple to choose between full-screen, window or a selected area.

Comment

Pro
Can easily add annotations

The editor allows you to quickly and easily mark and annotate the screen capture.

Comment

Pro
Can capture screen video

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Comment

Pro
Integrates with third party services

Google drive, Twitter, Facebook, email etc.

Comment

Pro
Allows for delayed capture

Allows you to arrange the screen as you want it captured. Things like opening a popup menu, to have it part of the capture.

Comment

Pro
Can capture editable text

Just about any text on the screen can be editable text. I say "just about" because it's like OCR software in that unusual and extra fancy fonts or text against a low contrast background may be a challenge. But overall it works in most situations.

Comment

Pro
Clean interface

In spite of some drawbacks, the clean and easy to use interface is awesome.

Comment

Pro
Available for macOS, Windows, or as a Chrome plugin

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Comment

Con
No blur function

Some screen capture tools offer the option to blur parts of the image to hide sensitive info. It would be great if Lightshot did the same.

Comment

Con
Cannot change the size of the text

There seems to be no way to make the text bigger or smaller when writing on the screen capture, which is a huge minus compared to MonoSnap.

Comment

Con
No publicly available license

No publicly available license and inquiries to the developer were not responded to.

Comment

Con
Cannot change the image hosting service

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Comment

Pro
Freezes the screen using print screen key

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Comment

Pro
Easy user interface and nice editing capability

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Comment

Pro
Output to clipboard or any of a dozen formats

Such as saving images in BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, PNG, TGA, TIFF and PDF formats as well as the screen recorder saving videos in the WMV (Windows Media Video) format.

Comment

Pro
Great capture flexibility, from full screen to freehand region

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Comment

Pro
The most lightweight, full featured snapshot for Windows.

This responsive, lightweight screenshot will probably be your favorite if you really run it through the test, A scrolling window capture that works, integrated image joining, scanner support, good magnified preview when setting boundaries, support for video capture and editing. Free upgrades for paid version with option for portable. Closest alternatives to feature set are Snagit and Shared, but this one feels much snappier with just the right features for the majority of people. Try it, you will not regret.

Comment

Pro
Onboard editing, or output to external programs

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Comment

Pro
Hotkeys

You can assign hotkeys for everything. Current setup is: F5 - Fixed rectangle capture F6 - Custom (drag a square) rectangle capture F7 - Video capture 30fps F8 - Fullscreen capture F9 - Scroll fullscreen capture F10 - Summon FS to appear if hidden.

Comment

Pro
You can capture disappearing items

When capture hotkey pressed - FSC will pause all functions going on in your screen so you can capture website dropdown menu for example, which would disappear otherwise when you leave the website window to press the capture tool.

Comment

Con
It has no feature to trim edges after scrolling capture

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Comment

Pro
Unobtrusive

Always available via hotkey, doesn't interfere with any programs or operations.

Comment

Pro
Image editor

Built-in image editor to add arrows, balloons, numbered steps, etc..

Comment

Pro
Video

Can create .mp4 videos.

Comment

Pro
Works fine with 4k screens

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Comment

Pro
Portable version

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Comment

Con
Branding

Branding in HD video capture of the free version.

Comment

Pro
Free

Free with all the features available.

Comment

Pro
Free and open source

No subscriptions or payments or licenses.

Comment

Pro
Easy to use

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Comment

Pro
Available for Linux, Mac, Windows

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Comment

Pro
Encoding using H264 (x264) and AAC and file output to MP4 or FLV

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Comment

Con
Needs tutorial to get started

Otherwise it's hard to find out how to record a screen or window.

Comment

Pro
Extendable

OBS has an API allowing developers to create their own unique plugins, giving them and others complete control of their streaming experience.

Comment

Pro
Fast

From the website: "GPU-based game capture for high performance game streaming."

Comment

Pro
Records to many popular formats

You can record videos in formats such as mp4, flv, mkv, and more. You also have control over the bitrate used.

Comment

Pro
Unlimited number of scenes and sources

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Comment

Pro
Live streams

Can be used to stream.

Comment

Con
Does not offer (virtually) unlimited overlay support

Each scene has a (generous) but very tangible overlay quantity limitation. Suitable for most projects but not for professional, studio level production.

Comment

Con
Recording a window will not record the menu bar, popup menus or child dialogs

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Comment

Con
Needs tutorial to get started

Otherwise it's hard to find out how to record a screen or window.

Comment

Con
Recording a window will not record the menu bar, popup menus or child dialogs

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Comment

Con
Overkill for simple projects

Plus the interface is a bit intimidating.

Comment

Pro
Multi-screen support

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Comment

Pro
A powerful lightweight application

This is a powerful lightweight application, which should be fully functional, graffiti, tagging.

Comment

Pro
Region detection

Is able to focus on individual UI elements of windows or a website.

Comment

Pro
Free and open source

Spectacle is licensed under MIT with source code available on GitHub.

Comment

Pro
Great UX

Spectacle is easy to use and configure. It's plug and play.

Comment

Pro
Vast feature list, continually updated

It has a wealth of features not easily seen in other products. On top of that, updates are frequent.

Comment

Pro
Record WebCam

Can make snapshots from webcams, record video (with the ESR addon).

Comment

Pro
Tool's author still participates in active community forum

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Comment

Pro
Portable mode

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Comment

Con
UI is far from ideal

Sometimes the interface is confusing.

Comment

Pro
Batch processing

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Comment

Pro
Some editing tools included (cropping, color correcting, etc...)

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Comment

Pro
Captures full desktop, desktop, windows, area, object

Capture can be initiated with hotkey or timer. Can capture to clipboard, file, printer, main window (and can thus be annotated easily).

Comment

Pro
Lightweight

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Con
Very limited

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Comment

Pro
Pre-installed

It already comes with your operative system, there is nothing to install.

Comment

Pro
Edit video after recording

Multiple media layers Cut, join, insert freeze frame, change volume Annotate with shapes and images

Comment

Con
$200 price tag

If you're not recording your screen on a regular basis, one of the free options might be a better choice.

Comment

Pro
Free

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Comment

Pro
Annotations

Lot's of choice in annotations, balloons and auto numbering.

Comment

Pro
Projects

Can save projects so you can edit the objects like text, arrows and shapes later.

Comment

Con
Interface

The user interface is a bit convoluted, and takes a while to get used to.

Comment

Pro
Cloud

Allows upload to cloud, a shareable link is created.

Comment

Pro
Animated gifs

Allows capturing animated gifs.

Comment

Pro
Annotations

Allows annotations.

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Con
No timer

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Con
Rectangles only

Only rectangular screen capture possible at the moment.

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Pro
Good screenshot quality

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Comment

Con
Can only take screenshots of browser

No other apps are supported, you can only take screenshots from within your browser.

Comment

Pro
Very good customization options are available

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Comment

Pro
Can quickly add rectangles or draw notes

Using the control-button, you're able to draw red rectangles on the screenshot to emphasize something and you're also able to draw freely to quickly highlight or add notes.

Comment

Pro
Very intuitive to use

You just have to hit the PrtScr-button on your keyboard, click once if you want to capture your entire screen, or use the shift-key to select a certain rectangular area you want to screenshot. You can also use the cursor to screenshot a very specific freely drawn shape.