Capture screenshots, video, and more
ShareX is an open-source screenshot program for windows users. You can use it to capture any area of your monitor screen, and then upload that capture to any destination with a single button press. You can also record video, edit and annotate shots, and even create GIFs. As a small bonus, the program is free of ads, which is a rarity for a piece of free software.
The only screenshot tool you'll ever need
A bottomless toolbox to capture and upload your content
ShareX is like a digital Swiss Army knife for anybody who needs to take screenshots. Whether you're creating video tutorials, writing guides, or recording Youtube videos, ShareX has a tool to fit your needs. The way ShareX works is deceptively easy once you start to learn the program. It opens and runs in a single window on your desktop, which acts as a command center for the program. There are multiple different ways to take screenshots and record video, including binding those operations to a single button press or manually selecting the area you want to capture by clicking and dragging. From there, you can edit and annotate your content in ShareX's in-house editor before then sending it on to any number of upload sites. Currently, the program supports uploads to a staggering 80 different upload sites, from GitHub to Imgur to Dropbox and more.
You can set up custom workflows to automatically complete various tasks after taking your shot. You can also bind these tasks to keyboard shortcuts. For example, you could capture a screenshot, automatically create different sized copies of that shot, and upload it to several different sites all in a few short button presses. Once you put in the initial effort of creating the shortcuts, you'll save unbelievable amounts of time by letting ShareX do the work for you. Other screenshot tools like SnippingTool simply can't match that level of detail, and because ShareX is open source the possibilities for customization are just about endless. ShareX's customizability and array of different options are its major strengths. If you can think of it, ShareX probably has a way to do it.
However, that level of detail comes with a learning curve. For new users, learning how to use ShareX can be an overwhelming process. Though the endless options and customizations are a definite strength, they also serve to make the app difficult to use for beginners. The program isn't intuitive either, so you'll likely find yourself browsing support forums or looking up video tutorials if you're not already familiar with how to use similar programs. Having to take up so much time to learn to use a tool designed to save time is ironic, and also frustrating. If you're a user who just needs to take a few simple screenshots, using ShareX is probably overkill for this reason. This is where simpler programs like Lightshot and SnippingTool have a definite advantage. In addition, ShareX's default editor is also simplistic, which is surprising for a program that's so deeply detailed in other areas. You'll probably have to look for another outside program if you need something more in-depth for your post-capture editing.
Where can you run this program?
ShareX is currently available to download for Windows users. Unfortunately, the program is not supported on Mac, so iOS users will need to look for other options.
Is there a better alternative?
For free programs, ShareX is hard to beat. If you're looking for a screenshot program that isn't quite as overwhelming for beginners, try Lighshot. It's essentially a pared-down version of ShareX. Its simple interface is much easier to learn, with the added benefit of being able to use browser plugins.
If you're looking for an even simpler program, Snipping Tool is about as bare-bones as is possible for a screenshot program. The best alternative, however, is Greenshot. It has many of the same features as ShareX, and is also an open-source program. Greenshot's major advantage is that it's also available for Mac. For that reason, Greenshot is the best alternative for iOS users looking for an equivalent program.
Our take
At times, it almost seems like ShareX has a mind of its own. It's like ShareX can anticipate any screenshotting need you might have, and it'll already have a tool for it. Its flaws are minimal, and its near-infinite customizability means the program can be tweaked to exactly suit your needs. When you see how effortless it is to make your workflow more efficient and productive, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Should you download it?
Absolutely. ShareX is a one-stop shop for all of your screenshotting needs.
