Screenix
Linux screenshot guide

Choose a Screenshot Tool for Linux

Start with GNOME's capture overlay for a quick screenshot, Spectacle for capture and annotation on KDE, or Flameshot for a free annotation overlay. Screenix brings capture, cropping, backgrounds and editable annotations together for screenshots you want to use in documentation or support.

Watch the Screenix screenshot capture and editing demo, then follow the guide for the current controls and access limits.

Follow the screenshot editing guide

Which screenshot tool fits your task?

  1. 1For a quick capture on GNOME, press Print Screen and use the built-in overlay. It saves the image and puts a copy on your clipboard.
  2. 2On KDE Plasma, start with Spectacle. It combines screen, window and region capture with annotation tools, including arrows and text.
  3. 3For free annotation immediately after capture, try Flameshot. On Wayland, check its setup notes for your desktop and installed version.
  4. 4For screenshots you want to crop, frame and revise for a guide or support reply, try Screenix's editor. You can keep the editable project and return to it when the instructions change.

Compare Four Linux Screenshot Tools

Choose by your desktop, the editing you need and how you want to save the result.

For editable screenshots
1

Screenix

Capture and refine screenshots for documentation and support

Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Debian, Mint (X11 and supported Wayland desktops)$39/yr or $59 lifetime

Pros

  • Opens a new capture or an existing image in the screenshot editor
  • Adds arrows, rectangles, ellipses, text, highlights and numbered steps
  • Redacts details with blur, pixelation or a solid cover
  • Crops the image, enlarges a detail and adds a background, frame or shadow
  • Provides undo and redo for edits during the current editor session
  • Keeps an editable project so you can revise the screenshot later
  • Copies the finished image or saves it as PNG

Cons

  • Copy and Save As require a paid license, including during the trial
  • On Wayland, area and window capture use your desktop's screenshot picker and permissions
  • A free desktop capture tool is enough if you only need an unedited image
See How It Works

The 7-day trial needs no credit card and includes screenshot capture and editing. Copy and Save As require a paid license.

2

Flameshot

Free capture with an annotation overlay

Linux (X11 and desktop-dependent Wayland support)Free

Pros

  • Adds arrows, text, shapes and pixelation during capture
  • Copies the finished capture or saves it as an image for free
  • Provides undo and redo while you annotate
  • Can upload to Imgur from the capture workflow

Cons

  • GNOME and Plasma Wayland support is documented as experimental and may need desktop-specific setup
  • The Print Screen shortcut needs to be assigned in your desktop settings
3

GNOME Capture Overlay

A quick screenshot with the desktop's built-in controls

Current GNOME desktops, including Ubuntu and Fedora GNOMEFree, built in

Pros

  • Built into current GNOME Shell desktops
  • Press Print Screen to open the capture UI; Alt+Print captures the active window immediately
  • Captures a selected area, a window or the whole screen
  • Saves in Pictures/Screenshots and copies the image to the clipboard

Cons

  • No annotation tools in the capture step, editing requires opening in another app
  • The built-in overlay described here is specific to GNOME
4

Spectacle

Screen capture and annotation integrated with KDE Plasma

KDE Plasma (Kubuntu, KDE Neon, Fedora KDE, Arch KDE)Free

Pros

  • Supports full screen, active window, region, and individual window captures
  • Includes annotation tools such as arrows, markers, text and numbered labels
  • Saves the image to a chosen location or copies it to the clipboard
  • Offers capture delays for menus and other temporary screen content

Cons

  • Designed for KDE Plasma, so another desktop may need extra KDE packages
  • Annotation behavior and available tools vary by Spectacle and Plasma version

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Reviewed September 9, 2026. This comparison is published by Screenix and uses the projects' official documentation to review capture, editing and saving features. The video shows Screenix's own workflow. Available controls depend on the installed version and desktop.

Ready to make the switch?

Make Your Next Screenshot Easier to Follow

Try cropping a screenshot, pointing out a setting with an arrow and framing the result for your next guide or support reply.

The 7-day trial needs no credit card and includes screenshot capture and editing. Copy and Save As require a paid license.