What it does
ShareX is a free, open-source Windows capture tool with an image editor and customizable after-capture workflows. It includes annotations, redaction, image effects, background styling, recording and several save or sharing destinations.
Enable Open in image editor under After capture tasks to send each capture through annotation before later save, copy or upload steps run. The editor also opens existing images through Tools > Image editor.
Arrows, text and numbered Step markers remain editable until they are flattened or the final image is produced. Background controls add margins, rounded corners, shadows and transparent, solid, gradient or image fills. The bottom toolbar can save, copy, pin or upload the result; Enter continues the configured task chain and Esc cancels it.
For a long page, choose Capture > Scrolling capture and select the target region. ShareX scrolls and joins the captured sections. Fixed headers or sidebars can prevent matching, so a custom region that excludes those elements can help. Green status indicates a successful stitch, yellow a partial result, and red means the initial sections could not be joined.
ShareX is free, requires no account and runs on Windows. Its source code is distributed under GPL version 3. Uploading is optional and follows the destinations and tasks you configure.
Strengths
- Supports reusable after-capture task sequences.
- Combines editable annotations with background and presentation styling.
Watch out for
- Fixed headers or sidebars can disrupt scrolling capture.
- Automatic save or upload behaviour follows the configured task chain.
Best for
- Windows users preparing repeated release-note and documentation screenshots.
Sources
- ShareX - The best free and open source screenshot tool for Windows (Oct 28, 2026)
- Image Editor - ShareX (Oct 28, 2026)
- Scrolling screenshot - ShareX (Oct 28, 2026)
- ShareX official repository (Oct 28, 2026)
- ShareX/LICENSE.txt at develop · ShareX/ShareX · GitHub (Oct 28, 2026)