Lightshot is popular for its quick area selection and instant sharing, but it has significant drawbacks - especially around privacy. Here are better alternatives.
Why people switch from Lightshot
Privacy concerns
Lightshot uploads screenshots to prntscr.com by default. These URLs are guessable - security researchers have found sensitive content by randomly generating URLs. Your screenshots aren’t private unless you specifically save locally.
Limited output options
Lightshot captures raw pixels. Making screenshots look professional requires additional editing.
No element capture
You draw a box, not click on what you want. Getting precise boundaries takes effort.
Ads and bloat
Lightshot has gotten more cluttered over the years with ads and unnecessary features.
Alternatives by use case
For web element screenshots: Pluck
If you mainly screenshot web content (tweets, code, UI components), Pluck is purpose-built for this. Click any element, get a styled screenshot. No cloud, no account, no ads.
For power users: ShareX (Windows)
ShareX is incredibly powerful but has a learning curve. It can capture, annotate, and upload to dozens of destinations. Fully configurable workflows. Open source and free.
For simple desktop capture: Snipping Tool / Greenshot
Windows’ built-in Snipping Tool (Win+Shift+S) handles basic screenshots well. Greenshot adds annotations and more export options while remaining lightweight.
For Linux users: Flameshot
Flameshot is the closest Lightshot equivalent for Linux - quick selection with annotation tools. Also available on Windows and Mac.
Privacy comparison
| Tool | Default storage | Account needed |
|---|---|---|
| Lightshot | Public cloud | Optional |
| Pluck | Local only | No |
| ShareX | Configurable | No |
| Snipping Tool | Local only | No |
| Greenshot | Local only | No |
| Flameshot | Local only | No |
Every alternative here is more private than Lightshot’s default behavior.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Lightshot | Pluck | ShareX | Greenshot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area selection | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Element capture | No | Yes | No | No |
| Auto-styling | No | Yes | No | No |
| Annotations | Basic | No | Advanced | Good |
| Cloud upload | Default | Never | Optional | Optional |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Making the switch
- Identify your main need: Web elements → Pluck. Desktop apps → ShareX/Greenshot.
- Consider privacy: If Lightshot’s public uploads worry you, any alternative here is better.
- Try the free options: All alternatives listed are free. Test them before committing.
- Uninstall Lightshot: Once you’ve transitioned, remove Lightshot if you no longer need it.
Most users find that a combination of tools works best - Pluck for web content, OS tools or ShareX for everything else.
Top Lightshot alternatives
Pluck Recommended
Click-to-capture web elements with automatic styling. Privacy-focused - no cloud uploads, no account needed. Perfect for beautiful web screenshots.
ShareX
Powerful open-source Windows tool with dozens of capture options, workflows, and destinations. Best for power users.
Windows built-in screenshot tool. No installation needed. Good for basic capture needs. Win+Shift+S shortcut.
Greenshot
Free, open-source Windows screenshot tool. Lightweight with good annotation features. Privacy-focused.
Flameshot
Free, open-source tool for Linux (also Windows/Mac). Similar to Lightshot but with better privacy.