ApexShot review
A flexible Linux capture tool with annotation, OCR, recording, and optional cloud sharing.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ApexShot is an open-source Linux application for screenshots, screen recording, image annotation, OCR, QR-code detection, and sharing. It suits Linux users who want capture options beyond a basic screenshot utility, including people who prefer hotkeys or CLI commands. Capture works locally without cloud services, and the app supports GNOME, Hyprland, Sway, and other Wayland compositors. A Chrome or Chromium extension adds full-page scrolling capture; the product is also available as a browser extension.
The capture and editing toolkit is broad: users can take area, full-screen, or crosshair screenshots, then add arrows, shapes, text, numbers, highlights, or freehand marks. Blur, pixelation, blackout, crop, and focus tools are also included. OCR extracts text, QR-code detection handles codes, and recording can save to MP4 or GIF with optional audio. History covers screenshots, recordings, and cloud uploads. These features make ApexShot a fit for people who need an extensible Linux workflow; those looking for a simple capture-only tool may find its range unnecessary. Video recording is not supported on Fedora.
Cloud use is optional. The Free plan costs nothing and includes 2 GB of storage, 20 uploads per month, 7-day retention, and public share links. Pro costs $5 per month and adds 100 GB, unlimited uploads, 90-day retention, unlisted and private links, and device linking. Team lists 500 GB, unlimited uploads, 365-day retention, shared libraries and workspaces, and admin and seat management; it is not yet for sale. For private infrastructure, ApexShot supports self-hosted uploads through XBackBone. Since the product is in public beta, users who require mature software may prefer to wait; Linux users who value local capture, flexible controls, and optional sharing should find the feature set relevant.
ApexShot pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Captures screenshots and scrolling webpages, with detailed annotation tools
- Adds OCR, QR-code detection, and MP4 or GIF screen recording
- Supports hotkeys, CLI, cloud sharing, and XBackBone self-hosting
- Where it doesn't
- Public beta software may change as development continues
- Free cloud storage has 2 GB, 20 monthly uploads, and 7-day retention
- Video recording is not supported on Fedora
ApexShot fact sheet, pricing and score →
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