Overall Winner

ShareX

beats Flameshot by 17 points

Flameshot 56/100
ShareX 🏆 73/100
Flameshot

Flameshot

Free

VS
ShareX

ShareX

Free

The verdict

ShareX is the most powerful free screenshot tool with 20+ capture modes and 80+ upload destinations, but is locked to Windows. Flameshot is the only major screenshot tool with Linux support and a CLI interface, making it ideal for developers. Both are free and open-source.

Score breakdown

Dimension
Flameshot
ShareX
Price & Value
★★★★★
★★★★★
Features
★★★★☆
★★★★★ wins
Ease of Use
★★★☆☆
★★★☆☆
Reviews
★★★☆☆
★★★★☆ wins

Each dimension rated 1–5. Higher is better across all four.

What users say

Flameshot

"Best open-source cross-platform screenshot tool for developers"

Pros

Free open-source with active GitHub Windows Mac and Linux support Command-line interface for developers

ShareX

"Most powerful free screenshot tool for Windows"

Pros

Completely free and open-source 20+ capture modes including scrolling and OCR 80+ upload destinations and custom workflows

When to Choose Each

Choose ShareX if you’re on Windows and want the most feature-rich free screenshot tool available. ShareX offers 20+ capture modes (region, window, fullscreen, scrolling, animated GIF), 80+ upload destinations, and extensive automation through custom workflows. It includes built-in OCR, image editing, and file hashing. With a 5/5 features rating and 5/5 price rating, ShareX is unmatched in raw capability for free tools. The trade-off is a steep learning curve and Windows-only platform support.

Choose Flameshot if you need a cross-platform tool that works on Linux, Windows, and Mac — especially if you value a command-line interface. Flameshot is free, open-source, and privacy-focused with clean annotation tools and customizable shortcuts. It’s the only major screenshot tool with native Linux support, making it a favorite among developers. However, it has lower mention volume across platforms, a less polished UI, and far fewer features than ShareX (no scrolling capture, no upload destinations, no automation).

Key Differences

DimensionShareXFlameshot
Price100% free, open-source100% free, open-source
Features20+ capture modes, 80+ upload destinationsRegion/window/fullscreen, annotation, OCR
UXSteep learning curveLess polished UI, simpler interface
Reviews5 reviews, strong community supportLow mention volume, niche appeal
PlatformWindows onlyLinux, Windows, Mac
CLI SupportNoYes
Best ForWindows power users wanting maximum featuresDevelopers needing cross-platform + CLI support

Pricing & value

Metric Flameshot ShareX Winner
Free tier Yes Yes Tie
Starting price Free Free Flameshot
Is ShareX better than Flameshot?
ShareX is more powerful with 20+ capture modes and 80+ upload destinations, but only on Windows. Flameshot is lighter, cross-platform, and ideal for quick annotations on any OS.
Is Flameshot available on Mac?
Yes, Flameshot supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. ShareX is Windows-only.
Which is better for developers?
Both support CLI workflows. Flameshot is lighter and available on Linux. ShareX has more features and automation options but requires Windows.

Our pick

🏆 ShareX