This top five Linux screenshot tool list represents hundreds of hours of research. We poured over feature descriptions for more than 80 screenshot tools to come up with a semi-objective analysis of which Linux screen capture tools are best on the basis of software features and business practices. We also looked at scores of other articles that claim to list the “Best” or “Top” Linux screenshot tools (a quick meta-analysis). Very rarely did they offer any kind of data or comparisons to back up their claims.
In short, we have hard evidence to back up our top Linux Screenshot Software claims.
If you think of any features that we should have included in our comparison analysis let us know in the comments below. We highly suggest you participate in our custom screenshot software survey so you can layer in your own importance prioritization for each feature.
We found 15 screenshot applications that advertise Linux support. We list the top five Linux screenshot applications here, along with three runners up.
As of this writing, we are not incentivized in any way by any of these screenshot software companies. Please see our original research publication on Screenshot Tools that is always kept up-to-date.
So without further ado, we present to you our evidence-backed ordered listing of the top five screenshot software solutions for Linux:
- CloudApp 4.5
- Gyazo
- Greenshot
- Shutter
- Screencastify
- ImageMagick 7
- FireShot
- Kazam
Runners up:
Top Five Linux Screenshot Tools
CloudApp 4.5
CloudApp 4.5 Comparison Details
Free trial: Limited
Pricing: $8 / 2 User / Month Billed Yearly
Feature summary: Capture your screen with video using voice and face, annotated images or GIFs and share instantly with a link that conveys your meaning.
Age of Software/Company: 11.6 Yrs
Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.
Business Score: 10.34
Software Score: 49.54
Distinctive features:
- Optical Character Recognition for Edits
- General Data Protection Regulation Compliant
- Linux Support
- Video Editing
- Chrome Extension / Plugin
- iPhone Support
- Stamp / Watermark
CloudApp 4.5 makes video capture easy. The user can make quick annotations to a capture before it is shared. It's been reported that there is no print function on the share menu.
Gyazo
Gyazo Comparison Details
Free trial: Limited
Pricing: $3.99/Month If Yearly Billed
Feature summary: Fast way to create screenshots, GIFS, and MP4 video. Shares captures quickly.
Age of Software/Company: 13.5 Yrs
Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.
Business Score: 10.43
Software Score: 45.81
Distinctive features:
- Grab / Extract Text
- Optical Character Recognition for Edits
- Firefox Extension / Plugin
- Android Support
- General Data Protection Regulation Compliant
- API Available for Custom Development
- Linux Support
- Chrome Extension / Plugin
- iPhone Support
- Open Source
- Stamp / Watermark
Though a number of features come only with the paid version, Gyazo offers high quality captures and high quality when you create animated GIFs. It rates well on convenience and files are easily shareable.
Greenshot
Greenshot Comparison Details
Free trial: Fully Free
Pricing: Free
Feature summary: Easy to understand screenshot tool.
Age of Software/Company: 10.8 Yrs
Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.
Business Score: 11.33
Software Score: 40.45
Distinctive features:
- Optical Character Recognition for Edits
- API Available for Custom Development
- Linux Support
- Open Source
- Crosshair / Magnifier
While some may like more options while editing, Greenshot does allow keyboard keys to be assigned as shortcuts. It is free for Window users but may have a small fee for MacOS users.
Shutter
Shutter Comparison Details
Free trial: Fully Free
Pricing: Free
Age of Software/Company: 12.1 Yrs
Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.
Business Score: 10.99
Software Score: 35.93
Distinctive features:
- Linux Support
- Open Source
- Rotate Screenshot
- Crosshair / Magnifier
Shutter, previously known as GScrot, uniquely allows a user to hide private data by pixelating / censoring areas of the screenshot. In order to quit Shutter: hit Ctrl + Q. If users close the Shutter main window, the program will close but remains running in the system tray.
Screencastify
Screencastify Comparison Details
Free trial: Limited
Pricing: $49.00 / Year
Feature summary: Simple, shareable, powerful screen recorder.
Age of Software/Company: 7.1 Yrs
Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.
Business Score: 10.21
Software Score: 39.5
Distinctive features:
- Quick Response (QR) Code Support
- General Data Protection Regulation Compliant
- API Available for Custom Development
- Linux Support
- Chrome Extension / Plugin
Easy to use, Screencastify enhances communication in any setting. While the recording infrequently stops for longer recordings, the videos are directly saved to Google Drive. Users can share the video with a sharing link that is generated automatically.
Top Linux Screenshot Tools – Runners Up
ImageMagick 7
ImageMagick 7 Comparison Details
Free trial: Fully Free
Pricing: Free
Feature summary: Create, compose, edit, or convert bitmap images. Contains a plethora of capabilities and features, a robust tool that does not disappoint.
Age of Software/Company: 21.1 Yrs
Business Score: 8.53
Software Score: 47.22
Distinctive features:
- Android Support
- API Available for Custom Development
- Linux Support
- iPhone Support
- Open Source
- Combine Multiple Images
- Rotate Screenshot
This is a very powerful command-line tool that is used mostly to edit images. It can also reportedly be used to capture images with the import command, though this is not advertised on their website.
FireShot
FireShot Comparison Details
Free trial: 30 Days
Pricing: $39.95
Feature summary: Capture entire webpages, edit and save them to various formats, upload, and print. Also allows sending to OneNote, email or clipboard.
Age of Software/Company: 10.6 Yrs
Business Score: 8.17
Software Score: 48.25
Distinctive features:
- Grab / Extract Text
- Firefox Extension / Plugin
- API Available for Custom Development
- Linux Support
- Chrome Extension / Plugin
- Combine Multiple Images
- Rotate Screenshot
Easy to use, great for full page or selection screenshots. It is recommended to get the Chrome Plugin, and it allows saving of screenshots to a separate FireShot folder.
Kazam
Kazam Comparison Details
Free trial: Fully Free
Pricing: Free
Feature summary: With design in mind, this provides simple screen recording and sound recording.
Age of Software/Company: 10.5 Yrs
Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.
Business Score: 11.73
Software Score: 27.61
Distinctive features:
- Linux Support
- Chrome Extension / Plugin
- Open Source
Kazam is easy so it is a good password manager for newer users. It provides a choice of formats for video output. Although users are unable to record from the webcam it does support a delay timer.