Flameshot is an open-source screenshot utility for capturing selected screen areas, adding annotations immediately, copying results, saving images, and sharing visual information through a focused workflow.
Flameshot captures screenshots through an interactive selection interface that places editing controls directly around the chosen screen area. Users can resize or move the selection, then add arrows, lines, text, shapes, highlights, counters, blur, or pixelation before completing the capture. Finished images can be copied to the clipboard, saved locally, opened in another application, or sent through an available sharing action. Its direct workflow suits bug reports, tutorials, technical support, documentation, and everyday visual communication where annotations must be added quickly. Configurable colors, buttons, filenames, and shortcuts give users practical control without requiring a separate image editor.
Flameshot supports a focused capture workflow through its system tray interface, global shortcut integration, configuration dialog, and command-line options. Version 14 improves behavior across multiple monitors and fractional display scaling, which matters on mixed-resolution desktop arrangements. ShareX is a related option for users who need screen recording, extensive upload destinations, and more complex post-capture automation. Command-line commands can launch graphical capture, specify a save directory, copy output, or support scripts and custom key bindings. The application is also available for Linux and macOS, although desktop security rules, Wayland implementations, and shortcut handling can affect setup differently across operating systems.
The main benefit of Flameshot is that users can capture, explain, and deliver visual information without interrupting their current task. Annotation controls appear during selection, allowing important details to be marked, numbered, highlighted, or concealed before the image reaches another application. This reduces repeated switching between a capture utility and a general-purpose editor when preparing support replies, software instructions, issue reports, or review comments. Copy and save actions keep the workflow flexible: temporary captures can move directly to the clipboard, while important images can be stored with configured naming and location rules. Customizable tool buttons prevent unnecessary controls from crowding the interface, and shortcut support makes frequent captures faster. Command-line access also lets technical users connect Flameshot with scripts, launchers, and desktop key bindings. Its open-source license, modest installation size, and availability across major desktop platforms make it suitable for both individual use and repeatable team documentation processes.
A draggable selection overlay lets users define the required screen area and adjust its position or dimensions before completing the screenshot. The surrounding controls keep capture and editing actions close to the selected content, reducing the need to crop an oversized image in another application afterward.
Flameshot provides arrows, lines, freehand drawing, rectangles, circles, text, highlights, counters, and solid-color elements inside the capture interface. These tools help explain interface steps, identify defects, label important controls, and prepare visual instructions while the original screen context is still visible.
Sensitive portions of a screenshot can be blurred or pixelated before the image is copied, saved, or shared. This capability is useful for concealing account details, private messages, identifiers, and other confidential material, although users should inspect the completed image carefully before distributing it.
Completed captures can be copied directly to the clipboard or written to local storage according to the selected action. Clipboard output supports quick pasting into chats, documents, and issue trackers, while saved files provide a durable copy for records, guides, attachments, or later editing.
Users can change interface colors, visible tool buttons, keyboard behavior, image naming, save locations, and other preferences through the configuration system. Tailoring the toolbar keeps frequently used annotations accessible and removes controls that would otherwise slow down a focused screenshot workflow.
The command-line interface can launch graphical capture, work with specified paths, and expose configuration operations without navigating the main window. Technical users can incorporate Flameshot into shell scripts, desktop launchers, automated procedures, or custom keyboard shortcuts that match an existing working environment.
Version 14 includes substantial improvements for systems using multiple monitors and fractional display scaling. Better handling of varied screen arrangements helps the selection overlay correspond with the intended display area, particularly when connected monitors use different resolutions, scale factors, or physical layouts.
Windows, Linux, and macOS builds provide a similar core capture and annotation workflow across major desktop platforms. Installation and shortcut behavior differ by operating system, and Linux users may need desktop-specific configuration because Wayland, X11, portals, and notification services handle screenshots differently.
It is used to capture selected screen areas, annotate them immediately, conceal sensitive details, copy images to the clipboard, save files, and prepare visual material for documentation or communication.
Yes. The software is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0, and its source code is publicly available through the official project repository.
Yes. It supports full-screen capture as well as an interactive graphical mode for selecting and adjusting a specific region before saving or copying the result.
Yes. Arrows, text, lines, shapes, highlights, counters, drawing tools, blur, and pixelation can be applied within the capture interface before the final image is saved or copied.
Yes. Capture commands can be connected to global shortcuts. Windows includes default shortcut integration, while Linux shortcut configuration commonly depends on the desktop environment.
No. Its primary function is still-image capture and annotation rather than video or animated GIF recording.
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