Wikipedia defines a screenshot (screen capture or screen grab) as a digital image that shows the contents of a computer display. A screenshot is created by the operating system or software running on the device powering the display.

To take a screenshot on Windows, you need to press and hold PrtScn, Windows logo key + PrtScn or Fn + Windows logo key + Space Bar, depending on your hardware. On macOS, use Shift + Command + 3.

However, the functionality of the OS screenshotting is limited. To crop, blur or add any extra effects or text to your screenshots, it’s better to use special screenshot tools. They help easily capture any part of the screen or the whole page, do whatever editing and create a sharable link to it.

Check the below list of best screen capture software with the description of the common features and how to use them for effective screen capture management.

1. ScreenRec

ScreenRec is an easy-to-use screenshot tool and video recorder. Basic editing functionality includes comment boxes, text boxes, arrows, and rectangles. You can get the link to the edited image or send it through email. You can get up to 2GB of free cloud storage and store all your images in one place, which is enough to consider ScreenRec one of the best screenshot tools in its class.

2. PicPick

PicPick is a free screen capturing tool available on all Windows devices. Its graphic editor includes Color Picker, Color Pallette, Magnifier, Pixel Ruler, Protractor, etc.

After you’re done with editing, save, share, or send your image via email, Dropbox, Google Drive, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

PicPiсk also offers custom settings such as customized hotkeys, file naming and more.

3. Greenshot

Greenshot is a free screenshot software tool for Windows. macOS users will have to pay a one-time fee of $1.99 to start using it.

Its functionality doesn’t differ much from the above tools. It can capture a selected area, window or full screen, crop, magnify, annotate, highlight or blur selected parts. The great advantage of the service is its export. You can save the image as a file, send to a printer, copy to the clipboard, send it by email or even upload to Dropbox or Jira.

4. FastStone

FastStone Screen Capture is a service for creating screenshots with a lot of extra functions. This is a popular screenshot tool for Windows, and by the way, only Windows users can access it. After a trial period, you need to pay $19.95 to keep on using it. With FastStone, you can:

• create 7 types of screenshots, including a full-size screenshot, including scrolling windows;
• record screen video and save it as WMV;
• save images in different formats: BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, PNG, TGA, TIFF, and PDF;
• blur the selected area;
• apply color editing, etc.

However, its functionality isn’t limited to making screenshot capture and image editing. With FastSone, you can also edit photos in a professional way, change their size, apply after-effects, remove backgrounds and much more, so it is the best screenshot tool for Windows users who work with visuals a lot.

5. DropIr

DropIr is a screen capture service that can be used as an alternative to FastStone Capture for macOS 7. It has a simple built-in editor with a standard set of tools. Although offering fewer features, DropIr can help record a video of the screen. It then can be cropped and converted into a GIF.

Droplr is a paid service: the basic pricing plan is $7/mo or $84/year for up to 15 users. If your team consists of more users, apply for a custom plan. Given the opportunity to record screen videos, in addition to making captures, Droplr has the right to be one of the best screenshot tools in its affordable price segment. 
 

6. ScreenTray

ScreenTray is a service available on macOS and Windows. It has basic functionality: you can capture the selected area, crop unnecessary pieces, highlight, and add comments. You can use the service for free, but your screenshots will feature the tool’s watermark. To use it without the watermark or with your own logo, make a one-time purchase pricing $9.99.

A big advantage of the service is that it has an app that makes it possible to use all the editor functions on mobile.

7. ksnip

While the above screenshot software is available for Windows and macOS, ksnip supports Linux as well. Use it to

• take different types of screenshots (selected area with mouse cursor, full screen, including all screens, last selected rectangular area without selecting again, etc.);
• customize capture delay;
• annotate screenshots;
• apply effects;
• add watermark;
• blur the selected area, etc.

All screenshots are automatically saved to imgur.com. You can print them or save to PDF/PS.

8. Monosnap

Monosnap is another free service for Windows and macOS that supports screenshotting and video recording. Initially, the tool was released for macOS only, but its success was huge and so they rolled it for Windows as well. The software has cloud storage: free users can use up to 2 GB and paid users up to 10 GB. Monosnap integrates with Zoom, YouTube, Dropbox, Yandex.Disk and Google Drive.

To get access to the full functionality, use one of the paid plans: Non-Commercial ($2.50/mo, if billed yearly $3/mo, if billed monthly) or Commercial ($5 per user/mo, if billed yearly; $10/mo, if billed monthly).

9. GoFullPage

GoFullPAge (former Full Page Simple Screen Capture) is a free Chrome extension. It can capture the entire page or selected area. It has a built-in editor with a minimum number of functions and allows you to save images in .png and .pdf or copy them to the clipboard. So, if you are sure that the best screenshot tool is the one that comes with basic functionality only, this solution is right for you.

10. Scrnli

Scrnli is another Chrome extension. It’s a simple free tool for those who don’t need extra functions. Using it, you can capture a screen in one click and give the image basic editing. Once you’re done editing, the image can be saved in .png and .pdf or copied to the clipboard.

11. Snagit

Snagit is a powerful screen recording and screenshot tool that allows users to capture images, video, and audio from their computer screens. It is a popular tool for creating tutorials, presentations, and other visual content.

Some of the key features of Snagit include:

• Capturing screenshots and videos of any size or shape

• Adding annotations, callouts, and other visual elements to screenshots and videos

• Recording audio and video from a computer's microphone and webcam

• Integrating with other tools like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Google Drive

• Sharing screenshots and videos directly to social media, email, and other platforms

So, Snagit is a versatile screenshot app that can help users create high-quality visual content for a variety of purposes. However, it’s not a free screenshot tool. The one-time purchase of a license costs nearly $70. 

12. Flameshot 

Flameshot is another screenshot app worth giving a try. It is a free and simple screenshot tool available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Flameshot allows users to capture a selected area or the entire screen and provides basic editing tools to annotate and modify the captured screenshot.  It also has a built-in image editor that allows users to add text, shapes, and other elements to their screenshots. Overall, Flameshot is a user-friendly and lightweight screenshot tool for capturing and editing screens.

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The number of screen capture tools is immense. You make a choice taking into account your operating system and the features you’re looking for. Even the paid tools from the above list have free plans or trial periods so you can test them before making a purchase. See whether the interface is easy to use, functionality is clear and does the intended job. If you have your requirements clearly defined, it will be easier to make the right choice.