This top-five free 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 free 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” free 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 free screenshot software claims and we are sharing that evidence with you.
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 more than 40 screenshot applications that were available for free. We list the top five here, along with three runners up.
We trust this information will save you time in your search. Also feel free to check out our up-to-date, original research publication on screenshot software.
So here we present, our data-driven, ordered listing of the top-five free screenshot software solutions, with three runners up:
- ShareX 13
- Greenshot
- Shutter
- Full Page Screenshot
- ImageMagick 7
- Screenshot Captor 4
- Kazam
- Skitch
Runners up:
Top Five Free Screenshot Tools
ShareX 13
ShareX 13 Comparison Details
Free trial: Fully Free
Pricing: Free
Feature summary: Provides screen capture, file sharing and a tool to increase productivity.
Age of Software/Company: 7.5 Yrs
Business Score: 8.26
Software Score: 61.09
Distinctive features:
- Protractor / Ruler
- Quick Response (QR) Code Support
- Grab / Extract Text
- Optical Character Recognition for Edits
- Freehand / Freeform Capture
- API Available for Custom Development
- Video Editing
- Open Source
- Stamp / Watermark
- Crosshair / Magnifier
There is occasional confusion due to the high number of options available with ShareX 13 but they provide great support. It installs quickly and also allows automatic upload to multiple cloud based services.
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.
Full Page Screenshot
Full Page Screenshot Comparison Details
Free trial: Fully Free
Pricing: Free
Feature summary: Capture entire websites and page elements, easy processing, offline access.
Age of Software/Company: 10.4 Yrs
Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.
Business Score: 11.22
Software Score: 33.52
Distinctive features:
- Quick Response (QR) Code Support
- Chrome Extension / Plugin
- Open Source
Full Page Screenshot is a nice straightforward way to change a full web page into an image. Initially released in 2012, this Chrome extension is reliable and can handle complex pages.
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: 21.2 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.
Top Free Screenshot Tools – Runners Up
Screenshot Captor 4
Screenshot Captor 4 Comparison Details
Free trial: Fully Free
Pricing: Free
Feature summary: High quality tool lets users grab, annotate, manipulate, and share screenshots.
Age of Software/Company: 3.3 Yrs
Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.
Business Score: 10.41
Software Score: 36.81
Distinctive features:
- Combine Multiple Images
- Stamp / Watermark
- Rotate Screenshot
Screenshot Captor 4 supports multiple monitors. It is great for taking many screenshots with less work. Some feel it has too many effects and features but it does well at capturing an entire web page.
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.
Skitch
Skitch Comparison Details
Free trial: Fully Free
Pricing: Free
Feature summary: Explain your vision in a few words, using notes, shapes, and sketches to quickly bring your ideas to life.
Age of Software/Company: 3.9 Yrs
Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.
Business Score: 10.84
Software Score: 29.22
Distinctive features:
- Android Support
- General Data Protection Regulation Compliant
- iPhone Support
Skitch is set up so that you need to press CTRL+SHIFT+S to do a regular save since CTRL + S will save to Evernote. Users enjoy the simple interface and the ability to capture timed screenshots and annotating right onto photographs.