Grim
Grim: A focused, free Linux utility for Wayland captures, with no editing or sharing tools. Ranked #59 of 61 in Screen Capture Software by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for wayland users needing simple CLI capture.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forWayland users needing simple CLI capture
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Annotation toolsNo
- Facts checked23 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Captures full compositor output, selected regions, or specific outputs
- Command-line operation fits Linux workflows and helper tools
- Open-source software with free PNG image output
Where it doesn't
- Linux and Wayland desktop support only
- No annotation, OCR, or scrolling capture features
- No browser extension, cloud sharing, or graphical editor
Our verdict on Grim
Grim is a small command-line screenshot utility for Linux Wayland desktops. It captures compositor output through the Wayland screencopy protocol, a specified screen region, or a targeted output, then writes the image to a file, commonly as PNG. Its audience is solo users and small teams that need direct desktop capture from scripts, terminal workflows, or other command-line helpers rather than a graphical capture workspace.
The published model is open source with a free plan, so there is no paid tier structure to compare. Grim is deployed on the desktop and distributed in the freedesktop.org GitLab ecosystem. Its platform fit is deliberately narrow: the product is designed for Linux environments using Wayland, and its command-line operation allows it to connect with other terminal-oriented tools. PNG is the listed export format, keeping the output straightforward for workflows that accept standard image files.
Grim’s strength is focused capture control: users can select compositor output, a region, or a particular display target without an annotation or editing layer in the utility itself. That focus also defines its limits. The published capabilities do not include scrolling capture, annotation tools, OCR, browser extensions, or cloud sharing. Users who need a visual editor, text recognition, collaborative distribution, or support beyond Linux Wayland should choose a broader screen-capture product. For Wayland users who value a lightweight, scriptable utility and file-based PNG output, Grim is a direct fit.
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Grim pricing
Grim fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Scrolling capture | No |
| Annotation tools | No |
| OCR | No |
| Browser extension | No |
| Desktop platforms | Not verified |
| Cloud sharing | No |
| Export formats | PNG |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | gitlab.freedesktop.org |
| Facts checked | 23 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Grim
- SnagitA polished capture and editing toolkit for teams that can budget for an annual subscription.9.3
- ShareXA flexible Windows capture toolkit with scrolling screenshots, OCR, recording and upload workflows.9.1
- ZightA cross-platform capture tool with team workflows, integrations, and a free plan.9.0
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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