ShareX vs FastStone Capture

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.

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

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

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.

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

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..

It has its own screen editing tool.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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