
Lightshot is a tool for screenshots that has become very popular. It is one of the best on the market, with amazing features, and what is better, it is completely free.
It competes with even the best paid screenshot tools, and surpasses “Cutout”, the free tool of WindowsIt can be used as a separate desktop application on Windows or MacOS, or it can be used as a browser extension.
Its versatility, number of functions, and the fact that it is free have made it very popular, and for this reason, we wanted to show you all the necessary information so that you know about this tool and decide to download it.
So, let's not beat around the bush, let's get right into getting to know Lightshot.
What is Lightshot
Lightshot is a screenshot tool that works on both Windows and MacOS platforms. Unlike many other screenshot tools, Lightshot is available as an extension for Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer.
Is Lightshot safe? Testing experts have approved Lightshot as a spyware-free software application, malware, worms, trojans and any other faulty code. So yes, it is safe. Especially if you downloads from its official site.
The developer keeps this software up to date, and you can safely download it from their official site, it is free to use. Its availability in multiple languages OS and web browsers sets it apart from other free screenshot tools.
What can Lightshot be used for?
Lightshot is a great replacement for the built-in Windows screenshot tools. It offers many more features than the tool Cutout, but without overwhelming the space and processing speed of your device. You can use Lightshot to:
- Take snippets of different tasks and actions shown on the screen.
- Tag and annotate captured screenshots for further elaboration.
- Share the captured screenshots directly on various social media platforms.
- Find similar images and screenshots on Google.
If you have used any screenshot tool before, using Lightshot will be no different. Like many applications of this type, it takes over the function of the “Print Screen” after installation.
When you press the “ keyPrint Screen” on a device on which it is installed Lightshot, the application opens instead of capturing the full screen and copying it to the clipboard.
When you press “Print Screen” or you click the Lightshot icon in the taskbar, the screen goes dark and the cursor turns into a selection pointer.
Hold down the left mouse button and select the area you want to take a screenshot of. If you notice, Lightshot’s main screenshot feature works similarly to the Windows “Snipping” tool. Instead of taking a screenshot of the entire screen, its default action is to take a screenshot of a region.
Once you select the region and release the left mouse click, the selected region becomes bright while the remaining part of the screen remains dim and two taskbars appear at the bottom left and right of the selected window.
Let's take a quick look at these floating widgets.
The vertical taskbar
This taskbar is the editing tool for Lightshot with some basic editing functions. The first option on the taskbar is the freehand drawing marker. You can use it to highlight, label, and circle the content of the screenshot you took.
The second option in the taskbar allows you to draw a straight line on the captured shot. Again, this can be used to underline the content of the captured image.
You can also draw an arrow on the screenshot taken from the vertical taskbar. Or you can draw a rectangle on the captured image to surround and highlight anything.
You can also insert a text box into the captured screenshot. It is the simplest text box that comes with a single font style and size. It is added to Lightshot to add comments or labels to the content of the screenshot taken. However, you can change the color of the text.
The vertical taskbar also allows you to use a typical text highlighter on the screenshot.
The horizontal taskbar
This taskbar is primarily used to share and save screenshots you've taken. Starting from the left, you have the option to upload your screenshots to the Lightshot repository on their website. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl + D to perform this task.
Next is the share symbol which allows you to share the captured screenshot directly on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
The next option on this taskbar is unique and not available in any free screenshot tool. From this Google symbol, you can search for images similar to your captured screenshot through Google image search.
Next in line are the print, copy and save functions, and they work just like in any other Windows application.
Lightshot Features
Among its many features, taking screenshots is the most basic one. It has a single click and hotkey assisted screenshot function.
Once the screenshot is taken, users are directly prompted to edit it there. Once done, they can choose to save the file to the desired location.
The Lightshot interface is similar to any other tool. It is a lightweight program with less than 5 MB of disk space. After installation, it settles in the system tray bar.
From there, users can right-click directly on the Lightshot icon and select take screenshot. Once you have selected the areas of the screenshot, the user interface will display all the editing tools.
After installing Lightshot, it replaces the default keypress screen with its own commands. Each time you press it, you will invoke the Lightshot interface.
In the screenshot tool, we can do it in multiple ways like area selection, window selection, or custom dimension screenshots. After that, we can use editing tools like adding texts, doodles, pen, eraser, highlighter, and area color tool.
We can even add shapes like arrows, circles, squares, etc. With such editing, they have also maintained an undo/redo tool.
The browser settings are the same as the desktop app. Additionally, Lightshot offers to save screenshots and share them directly on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Because of this, its similar image search features are very helpful in finding similar screenshots on the Internet.
- Compatible with Mac and Windows.
- Very efficient screenshot tool.
- Quick screenshot process.
- Custom screenshot area.
- Intuitive user interface.
- Share screenshots online.
- Instant screenshot editing.
- Powerful online editor.
- Search for similar images.
- Compatible with Chrome and Firefox.
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Advantages
- The ease of use of this software is one of the best advantages, without the need to use additional applications.
- The file size of this software is very small and does not take up too much RAM for your PC to use, so it does not interfere with its performance.
- You can easily upload screenshots to some of your social media accounts directly.
- You can use this software to submit results for your forum posting activities.
- It's free and completely safe.
Disadvantages
- Due to the small size of the software, Lightshot can be classified as a minimalist program that cannot satisfy more detailed editing needs.
- It was known for having malware when downloading, but this is easily avoidable by downloading directly from its official website.
Plans and prices
Lightshot is a free software application. All versions of it for each platform are free to download, install and use. However, unlike many free software applications, it does not come with the GNU General Public License.
Lightshot is not an open source screenshot tool. It has been registered as the intellectual property of skillbrainsIn short, no one can edit, modify and publish the Lightshot source code.
Lightshot It is also different from other free screen capture tools because it does not ask users for donations or contributions. For now, Skillbrains and Lightshot's only revenue model is paid advertising on their website.
How and where to download Lightshot
Lightshot is one of the lightest screenshot tools for Windows. Its installation file is around 2,5 MB and the full program takes up no more than 6 MB of space. storage on the hard drive.
The download and installation process is also quite simple.
- Go to the website of Lightshot Skillbrains, where you will find separate download tabs for Windows and Mac.
- If you are going to download on Windows, just click the Green button “Download for Windows".
- The installation .exe file will be downloaded to your PC.
- Click on this executable file and follow the installation steps like any other Windows application.
- Click on "Run".
- Select the language in which you want to run the installation.
- Accept the copyright agreement of skillbrains and click on "Next".
- The program will install quickly, remember that it is very light.
- Click “Finish” and open the program from the Start menu or from the bottom right taskbar.
Installing Lightshot for Chrome
If you want to use Lightshot directly in your browser, you can add its browser extension.
- Go to the website of Lightshot Skillbrains.
- Click on "Install”, in the Google Chrome section and you will be directed to the page of Lightshot on Chrome Web Store.
- Click on "Add to Chrome” and this screenshot app will become a handy tool in your browser.
Just like the Windows app, the Lightshot Chrome plugin doesn't consume much memory (668 KB) and doesn't slow down your browsing. The extension is also free to use.
It is important to mention here that the installation and activation of Windows apps and browser extension does not require any license or serial key. It is free and ready to use after installation.
Opinions from users who have used Lightshot
- Tessa Morrison:
“I use it every day and I think the tool is great. You can take the necessary screenshot very quickly and share it with colleagues or friends. At the same time, there are glitches from time to time, so it is difficult to trust the tool. The account also lacks the convenience of managing screenshots, deleting some of them becomes a challenge. I hope the Lightshot team will fix it, as the extension is great.”
- Tobias Krkoška:
“I love it, I use it every day.”
- Anna Smith:
“I have been using Lightshot for about 2 years. It is very easy to take screenshots and share them. I have not had any problems with this app.”
Lightshot Alternatives. Top 5 of This Year
There are several screenshot apps that you can use instead of Lightshot. Some of them are free, but others are paid. Just compare them and draw your own conclusions.
1.Bandicam
Everyone likes to have a multitasking software that is handy and useful for any purpose. There is a fine line of difference that makes users choose one product over another. Bandicam falls into this classification.
It is a handy, easy-to-use, multitasking software that comes with various features and functions. It can provide you with much more than just screen recording and taking a screenshot.
Its interface is very easy to use, and you can record both the screen of your devices and make videos. It is widely used for streaming games. You can even schedule the recordings you want to make.
Bandicam It is available in a free version, limited in features, and a paid version, with all the toys. Only for Windows.
2. Snagit
If you want to work with innovative screen recording software, with a combination of standard and advanced features, you can download Snagit Screen Capture.
Snagit is developed by TechSmith, comes with several options for screen capture, webcam recording, and even text capture. You can edit and enhance your videos and images.
With Snagit you can capture panoramas, capture text, create GIFs, and share them directly across multiple platforms.
The software allows you to have presets in your recording. You can have multiple settings for the presets. You can allow the preset to have the same settings that are already in the software.
The software also allows you to add the hotkeys in the software for various purposes. The software tends to provide a personalized experience to the users.
3. Screencast-O-Matic
Are you looking for something that can make screen recording easier for you? Do you want a perfect companion for recording screens, video calls, and audio? Screen Recorder Screencast-o-Matic it can serve you.
The screen recorder Screencast-o-Matic is a simple and easy-to-use screen recorder that allows you to record screens, video calls, and audios. It helps you create video tutorials for your students.
It has features like screen recording, audio recording, webcam recording, narration recording and some more.
The software allows you to feed audio through different means. You can feed audio through some virtual microphone. If you record a video, particularly webcam video, the software allows you to input audio through the microphone of some other webcam video.
Screencast-o-Matic is available for Windows, MacOS, iOS y Android.
4.ManyCam
ManyCam is a video and screen recording software to capture computer screen or video calls. It provides various image presets, effects, masks and drawing options.
Did you record a video call but want to edit it? Do you want to add some emoticons to video or some funny face masks? ManyCam does all that. It’s a screen and video recording software with numerous customizations to add to your images and videos.
The doodle icon below the audio provides various tools to draw or write on the video screen. You get many features to draw and write while recording.
Adding emoticons enhances the beauty of the creations. Also, through emoticons, you can communicate effortlessly. They can speak volumes without speaking. ManyCam offers you various emoticons to add to your videos or images.
5. Movavi
If it's your voice that's required and not you personally, recording audio for the required video is all you need to do. If you don't want to appear in front of the audience, you can try Movavi Screen Recorder.
You can record your screen, your audios and capture the screenshot. You can schedule the next recordings. You can schedule the recording that best suits your needs and your time.
To record audio, you need to connect a microphone to your PC. If you want to play the background audio of a video, you can select the desired capture area while recording the audio.
You can also change the frame rate of the video within a range of five to sixty. Additionally, you can preview your recorded video.
Movavi Screen Recorder provides various synchronization features for recording your screen. If you are using a full version, you can limit There to continue recording. In the trial version, you cannot record a video that exceeds five minutes.
FAQs
Let's look at some of the questions that are frequently asked by Lightshot users.
How do I take a screenshot with Lightshot?
You must have the software installed on your PC. Then, you can use the “Print Screen” key or set up some other shortcut if you wish.
Can I recover all the screenshots I've taken?
Yes. You just need to register at https://prnt.sc/ to access all your screenshots.
Can you use the Windows Clipboard to copy in software?
Yes, yes you can use it. Just choose a region and press Ctrl + C. It will be copied to the clipboard ready to be pasted to the location of your choice.
What image formats does Lightshot support?
Lightshot supports images in JPG, PNG, BMP formats.
Conclusion
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If you want to use a screenshot tool that offers more features than the built-in Windows screenshot tools, but also doesn't have the complexity and sophistication of paid applications, Lightshot is an excellent choice for you.
It is free to use and has no pop-up ads and allows you to take screenshots of a region, annotate them and share them on different social media platforms.
Lightshot, a great solution, light, very practical and free.
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.