Maim review
A focused, scriptable screenshot utility for Linux X11 workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Maim pros and cons
- 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
Maim fact sheet, pricing and score →
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