FlameshotLinux
vs
SnagitWindows
Flameshot as a Linux alternative to Snagit
Updated
Our verdict
Flameshot can replace Snagit for basic screenshot capture and annotation, especially for users who need a free, lightweight tool on Linux. It covers full‑screen, window, and region captures, offers drawing, text, arrows, and blur, and lets you copy or save instantly. However, it lacks video recording, advanced editing (layering, masking), and the rich export options Snagit provides. It is best suited for casual documentation, quick tutorials, or support screenshots, but not for complex video tutorials or professional publishing workflows.
- License
- GPL-3.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 14.0.0 (June 8, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both capture full screen, window, or region screenshots
- Both allow annotation with arrows, text, and shapes
- Both support keyboard shortcuts for quick access
- Both can copy to clipboard or save to file
What is different
- Flameshot does not record screen video or audio
- Flameshot lacks advanced image editing (cropping, layers, masking)
- Flameshot does not export to MP4 or other video formats
- Flameshot does not offer a built‑in cloud storage beyond Imgur
- Flameshot’s export options are limited to PNG and JPEG
Opening your Snagit files
Snagit saves captures in its proprietary .snag format, which Flameshot cannot open. To use a Snagit image in Flameshot, export the Snagit capture as PNG or JPEG first. For video, Snagit’s .snag files cannot be imported; you would need to export the video as MP4 and then use a separate video editor on Linux.
Switching from Snagit to Flameshot, step by step
- Open Snagit and export your existing screenshots as PNG or JPEG
- Export any Snagit video recordings as MP4
- Install Flameshot via your distribution’s package manager or Flathub
- Configure your preferred keyboard shortcuts in Flameshot settings
- Replace Snagit shortcuts with Flameshot’s shortcuts on your system
Key features of Flameshot
- Customizable crosshair and toolbar appearance
- In‑app drawing, text, arrows, and blur tools
- One‑click upload to Imgur
- DBus interface for scripting
- Configurable keyboard shortcuts
- Copy to clipboard or save to file instantly
- Support for PNG and JPEG output
How to install Flameshot on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.flameshot.Flameshotsudo apt install flameshotsudo apt install flameshotsudo dnf install flameshotsudo pacman -S flameshotsudo zypper install flameshotFrequently asked questions
Does Flameshot support video recording?
No, Flameshot only captures still images. Use a separate tool like OBS or SimpleScreenRecorder for video.
Can I use Flameshot to annotate after saving?
Yes, Flameshot’s built‑in editor lets you annotate immediately after capture before saving or copying.
Is Flameshot free?
Yes, Flameshot is open source under GPL‑3.0‑or‑later and is free to use.
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