Flameshot Guide: The All-Rounder of Open Source Screenshot Tools
Flameshot: No Need to Open Photoshop for Annotations After Screenshots
One-sentence solution: Take a screenshot, then open another app to add arrows and boxes? Flameshot lets you edit immediately after capture — arrows, text, blur, all in one go.
Do you do this at work too — press the screenshot key, then open an image editor to add arrows and text, and finally save. Two steps become three.
Flameshot combines screenshot and editing into one.
What is Flameshot?
Flameshot is a feature-rich, open-source, and free screenshot tool. Press the screenshot key and immediately enter the editing interface — arrows, boxes, text annotations, blur, doodles… everything you need is here. Screenshot and send.
The problem it solves: screenshot → edit → send, three steps become two. Eliminates the middle step of opening extra software.
Editing Features Overview
After capturing a screenshot, the editing interface includes:
- Arrows: Point to key areas
- Boxes/Circles: Highlight specific regions
- Text: Add descriptions
- Blur/Pixelate: Hide sensitive information
- Doodle: Freehand drawing
- Numbered labels: Step-by-step instructions
- Undo/Redo: Go back if you make a mistake
After editing, you can copy to clipboard, save locally, or upload to imgur.
Comparison with Similar Tools
| Aspect | Flameshot | ShareX | Snipaste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editing features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Post-capture upload | Supported | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ |
| Screen recording | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Open source | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cross-platform | ✅ Win/Mac/Linux | ❌ Win only | ❌ Win only |
Flameshot’s editing capabilities stand out among all screenshot tools — it can almost serve as a simple drawing tool.
Download
- GitHub Releases: https://github.com/flameshot-org/flameshot/releases
- Download the installer for your system
Tip: Enable “Run on startup” so you can always screenshot with
Print Screen.
Quick Start
- After downloading and installing, you can set the Print Screen key as the screenshot shortcut
- Press the screenshot key to enter capture mode
- Select an area to enter the editing interface
- Choose tools like arrows, text, or blur in the editor
- After editing, press Ctrl+C to copy or save the image