Shutter
Shutter: A capable, free Linux screenshot app with editing, uploads, links, and broad exports. Ranked #23 of 39 in Screenshot Software by our editors (7.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux users needing free capture and sharing.
At a glance
- Editor score7.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forLinux users needing free capture and sharing
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Scrolling captureYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Captures regions, windows, desktops, menus, tooltips, and full-size webpages
- Adds annotations, cropping, censoring, and pixelization in the app
- Supports uploads, shareable links, and exports including PDF, PS, and SVG
Where it doesn't
- Available for Linux-based operating systems rather than multiple platforms
- Sharing relies on image-hosting services or FTP connections
- Its single free plan does not provide separate paid-tier options
Our verdict on Shutter
Shutter is a free, open-source screenshot application for Linux-based operating systems such as Ubuntu. It is designed for users who need more than a basic screen grab: the tool captures selected regions, windows, desktops, menus, tooltips, and webpages at full size. Built-in editing covers text, arrows, shapes, freehand drawing, cropping, censoring, and pixelization, making it suitable for documentation, bug reports, tutorials, and quick visual communication.
The capture and editing feature set is broad for a Linux-focused utility. A countdown supports menu and tooltip captures, while full-size webpage capture extends beyond a single visible screen. Captures can be exported in image formats as well as PDF, PS, and SVG. The published feature set also includes JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, WebP, and AVIF support. These options give users flexibility when preparing screenshots for documents, issue trackers, design notes, or other workflows.
Sharing is built into the workflow through uploads to image-hosting services or FTP, followed by generated shareable links. Shutter is distributed under the GPL, and its open-source model keeps the application available without a paid tier. It is a strong fit for Linux users who want capture, markup, privacy-oriented image editing, and sharing in one application. Users working across multiple operating systems or seeking a broader cross-platform ecosystem should choose a tool designed for those environments instead.
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Shutter pricing
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Shutter fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Scrolling capture | Yes |
| OCR text extraction | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | linux |
| Export formats | jpeg, png, gif, bmp, pdf, ps, svg, webp, avif |
| Cloud storage | Not verified |
| Shareable links | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | shutter-project.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Shutter
- SnagitA mature screenshot and recording suite for teams that need more than basic captures.9.3
- ShareXA powerful free Windows capture tool with automation, editing, OCR, recording and uploads.9.2
- GyazoA versatile capture tool with broad platform support and useful Pro upgrades.9.1
See all Shutter alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Shutter is ranked in 4 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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