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Maim

Free#39 of 39 in Screenshot SoftwareScreen Capture Software

Maim: A focused, scriptable screenshot utility for Linux X11 workflows. Ranked #39 of 39 in Screenshot Software by our editors (5.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux users needing scriptable basic capture.

5.4/10Editor score
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At a glance

  • Editor score
    5.4 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Linux users needing scriptable basic capture
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    Free
  • Facts checked
    20 Sep 2026
Maim screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • Captures desktops, windows, selected regions, and defined geometries
    • Supports PNG, JPG, BMP, and WebP output
    • Pipes image data to standard output for command-line workflows

  • Where it doesn't

    • Designed for X11 desktops rather than broader platform coverage
    • Focuses on capture without annotation, OCR, or scrolling tools
    • Does not provide cloud storage or built-in shareable links

Our verdict on Maim

Maim is an open-source command-line utility for capturing screenshots on Linux X11 desktops. It suits users who prefer terminal workflows, shell scripts, and image output that can feed into pipelines. Capture modes cover the full desktop, a specified window, an interactively selected region, or a region defined by geometry. Cursor compositing or hiding and a capture delay timer add practical control for scripted and interactive use.

Its strongest feature is the combination of graphical capture options with standard-output piping. Maim can write image data to a file or send it to standard output, making it a natural fit for command-line workflows that need repeatable capture steps. Output includes PNG, JPG, BMP, and WebP, while interactive region selection is supported through slop. The GNU General Public License version 3 also makes the project’s open-source distribution model clear.

Maim is intentionally narrow. It concentrates on taking screenshots rather than adding annotation, OCR, scrolling capture, cloud storage, or shareable links. The X11 focus also makes platform fit an important buying decision: Linux users working on X11 and comfortable with command-line tools should find its scope aligned with basic capture needs, while users seeking broader desktop support or a larger post-capture workflow should choose a different type of screenshot product.

Your product? Our editors can test Maim in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Maim pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on github.com

Maim fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromFree
Scrolling captureNot verified
OCR text extractionNot verified
Supported platformslinux
Export formatspng, jpg, bmp, webp
Cloud storageNot verified
Shareable linksNot verified
DeploymentSelf-hosted
PlatformsLinux
Built forSolo, Small business (editorial estimate)
PricingFree plan
Websitegithub.com
Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to Maim

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Also Ranked In

Maim is ranked in 2 of our directories.

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — Maim 5.4/10

Maim is listed in our Screenshot Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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