Flameshot captures and annotates screenshots directly on screen.

Flameshot is an open-source screenshot tool for capturing a selected area and marking it up before saving. Its workflow keeps selection and editing together: drag a box over the screen, add annotations to the capture, then save or copy the result.

For daily use in guides, bug reports, or chats, Flameshot makes it practical to turn a screen region into a clear, marked-up image without switching to a separate editor. Arrows, text, shapes, and number markers can be added while the capture is still on screen.

Annotate and prepare a capture

The built-in annotation tools include free drawing, rectangles, circles, solid boxes, arrows, and highlighted text. Incrementing number markers are useful when a screenshot needs to show a sequence of steps, such as the order of actions in a procedure.

Blur and pixelation tools help obscure sensitive details before an image is shared. This makes the editing stage useful not only for explanations, but also for preparing a capture that contains information that should not remain readable.

Configure the workflow

Flameshot’s configuration dialog lets users adjust the interface colour, choose which buttons appear, set keyboard shortcuts, and configure how images are saved. After installation, the program runs in the tray; users can open its configuration to assign a capture shortcut, such as Print Screen, and set the default save folder.

A command-line interface provides another way to start captures, including from scripts or through custom key bindings. This can suit repeatable tasks where launching a capture with the same method is more convenient than opening the interface manually.

Windows setup and supported systems

The Windows version supports 64-bit systems and is available as an MSI installer or a portable ZIP. The installer can be run to set up the application, while the ZIP provides a portable option. Flameshot also supports macOS and Linux.

The program is free and open source under the GNU GPL v3 license, and it has no ads. These terms are relevant for people choosing a tool for regular screenshot work, particularly when they want an open-source application rather than a paid or ad-supported workflow.

Where its scope fits

Flameshot is focused on still screenshots: its strengths are selecting a region, annotating it in place, and then saving or copying the finished image. That focused workflow makes it suitable for quick visual explanations, but it does not provide screen recording or scrolling capture.

It also does not provide upload workflows. Users whose process depends on recording the screen, capturing long scrolling content, or uploading images directly will need capabilities beyond Flameshot’s stated feature set. For straightforward annotated still images, however, the capture-and-mark-up sequence keeps the essential work in one place.