Flameshot is a completely free, open-source, and cross-platform screenshot utility built for power users. Unlike traditional screenshot tools that save an image and force you to open a separate editor, Flameshot specializes in immediate, on-screen annotation before the image is even captured.
Key Features
In-Place Annotation – Instantly draw arrows, add text, blur sensitive information, and highlight elements directly on the frozen screen capture overlay.
Adjustable Capture Area – Uniquely allows you to resize and adjust your selected capture area even after you have started annotating it, preventing you from having to restart if you missed a few pixels.
Completely Free & Open Source – No subscriptions, no freemium cloud storage upsells, and no telemetry. It is completely driven by the open-source community.
Pin to Screen – Pin parts of your screen to float above other windows, making it easy to reference code, designs, or text while working.
Direct Uploads – Features built-in support to instantly upload your screenshots to Imgur and copy the URL to your clipboard with a single click.
Why Use Flameshot?
Flameshot is the ultimate tool for developers and users who want a fast, no-nonsense screenshot utility focused entirely on immediate annotation. It avoids heavy features like video recording or enforced cloud storage in favor of a lightning-fast, purely local workflow, making it a favorite for those looking for a truly free, open-source CleanShot X alternative.
Platform & Compatibility
Architecture
Minimum macOS
macOS Big Sur 11Public Opinion
Curated highlights from Reddit and other communities, not user-submitted reviews.
“Users consider the 'in-place annotation' a massive productivity booster, heavily praising the ability to resize the capture window even after they've already started drawing or adding text.”
Reddit: r/macapps — Unpopular opinion: Flameshot is better than CleanShot X
“The open-source community loves that it provides advanced features without the steep recurring subscription fees or cloud-storage lock-in associated with premium tools.”
“Because it is built on Qt to support multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS), some Mac users feel it lacks the buttery-smooth, native Swift UI aesthetics and integration found in apps built exclusively for macOS.”
“Installation on macOS can sometimes be slightly tedious due to Apple's security protocols; users frequently have to manually bypass the 'unidentified developer' warning and manually grant screen recording permissions before it works.”
Flameshot Official FAQ / Troubleshooting
“It lacks the ability to take scrolling screenshots of long web pages out of the box, which is a feature heavily relied upon by users of competing tools like Shottr and CleanShot X.”
Community
