Greenshot review
A focused desktop capture tool with useful annotation and export options; Mac is paid and less feature-rich.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Greenshot is a desktop screenshot tool for people creating documentation, tutorials, bug reports, and other visual materials. On Windows, it captures a selected region, active window, full screen, or complete scrolling web pages in Internet Explorer. A separate Mac app offers screenshot capture and annotation. Its practical appeal is a straightforward capture-and-markup workflow rather than a broad screen-recording or collaboration suite.
The Windows version is free and open source. It includes annotation with text and shapes, highlighting, blur, and pixelation, plus export to files, clipboard, printer, or email. Windows captures can also be sent to Microsoft Office, Flickr, Picasa, or Jira; Outlook or the default email client is supported as an email destination. OCR is available through a plug-in that uses Microsoft MODI. These options suit users who need to mark up and route still images into existing desktop workflows. The Mac App Store version is a separate purchase, and the published description characterizes it as less feature-rich than the PC version.
Greenshot is a sensible fit for basic desktop capture and annotation, especially for Windows users who value a free, open-source tool and local exports. Its scrolling capture is specific to Internet Explorer, so users who need complete scrolling captures from other browsers should look elsewhere. The Mac app covers core capture and markup, but those seeking feature parity with Windows may prefer another option. Likewise, OCR depends on the separate plug-in and Microsoft MODI, rather than being a built-in capture capability.
Greenshot pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Captures regions, windows, and full screens on Windows and macOS
- Adds text, shapes, highlights, blur, and pixelation to screenshots
- Exports to files, clipboard, printers, email, and supported integrations
- Where it doesn't
- Scrolling web-page capture is limited to Internet Explorer
- The Mac app costs a one-time fee and has fewer features than the PC version
- OCR requires a plug-in with Microsoft MODI
Greenshot fact sheet, pricing and score →
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