Shutter review
A capable, free Linux screenshot app with editing, uploads, links, and broad exports.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Shutter pros and cons
- 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
Shutter fact sheet, pricing and score →
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