Flameshot is open source under the GNU GPL v3, so it is free to use and has no ads. That cost aligns with its practical feature set if the task is to capture a still image, mark it up, and save or copy it: the tools are available directly on the selected area rather than requiring a separate editing step.
The workflow begins by dragging a selection box over the screen. Flameshot then keeps the capture available for in-place editing, with tools for arrows, text, free drawing, rectangles, circles, solid boxes, and highlighted text. Incrementing number markers make it possible to label steps in a sequence, which is useful when preparing instructions or documenting a bug.
Privacy edits can also be made before sharing. The built-in blur and pixelation options conceal selected details on the screenshot, such as information that should not appear in a guide or report. After annotation, the image can be saved or copied, so the same capture process works for preparing a file or pasting an image into a conversation.
Configuration and Windows setup
Flameshot’s configuration dialog lets users adjust the interface colour, choose which buttons appear, set keyboard shortcuts, and change image-saving options. A capture shortcut such as Print Screen can be configured there, along with the default save folder. Once running, the program sits in the system tray, providing access to its capture workflow without requiring the configuration dialog for every screenshot.
The Windows release is limited to 64-bit systems, a requirement to bear in mind before choosing an installation method. Flameshot is available for Windows as an installer or a portable ZIP; the Windows installer is an MSI, while the ZIP provides a portable option. The program also supports macOS and Linux.
For repeatable tasks, the command-line interface can take screenshots from scripts or support custom key bindings. This gives users a way to incorporate capture into an existing routine while keeping the same still-image focus and annotation tools. Keyboard shortcuts and visible capture buttons can be tailored to suit how often those actions are used.
Where its scope fits
Flameshot is suited to guides, bug reports, and chats where a clear, marked-up screenshot is more useful than an untouched capture. Its numbered markers, shapes, arrows, and text support explanatory images, while blur and pixelation help remove sensitive details before the image is shared.
The feature set is specifically centered on still screenshots. Flameshot does not provide screen recording or scrolling capture, and it does not offer upload workflows. Those boundaries matter for users whose documentation requires video, a long page captured in one image, or an integrated upload process; for a quick capture with annotations, the available tools cover the key steps from selection through saving or copying.
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