shouldiuse.io

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Should I Use ShareX?

getsharex.com·Analyzed 13 hours ago··Based on 11 sources

Free, open source screen capture, recording, and file sharing for Windows.

Worth it

Worth it

A clear buy for Windows power users who capture constantly and want paid-tier features for $0.

Free, powerful Windows capture tool that replaces paid apps — if you'll climb its steep learning curve.

Confidence: High

$0

Price

Free and open source

80

G2 reviews

Community reviews

5

Trustpilot reviews

Small sample

4

Apps it can replace

Per MakeUseOf hands-on test

Value for money5

Free yet replaces multiple paid tools

Ease of use2

Complicated, technical interface; steep learning curve

Feature depth5

Capture, record, annotate, automate, custom upload destinations

Security posture3

Published security policy; recurring antivirus false-positive flags

Pros

  • Completely free and open source, no paid tiers⁷
  • Captures, records, annotates, and uploads from one tool
  • Replaced four separate apps in a hands-on test³
  • Community calls it the #1 screenshot tool on Windows
  • Listed in the VA's official software catalog10

Cons

  • Complicated, technical interface with a steep learning curve²
  • Guess: Windows only; no official Mac or Linux version
  • Some users find it ugly and effectively unusable⁶
  • Antivirus tools have repeatedly flagged installers as malware⁸

Gotchas

  • mediumAntivirus flagged releases as trojans; community says false positives, but corporate IT may block it⁸
  • mediumUploads go to destinations you configure; Reddit threads raise privacy concerns about where captures land⁹
  • lowGuess: no vendor support or SLA; fixes depend on volunteer maintainers

Best for

  • Windows power users
  • Developers and documentation teams
  • Anyone replacing paid capture apps
  • People uploading captures to their own storage

Not for

  • People who want one-button simplicity
  • Mac or Linux users
  • Non-technical staff who avoid settings menus
  • Teams needing vendor support or SLAs

Companies that use it

  • US Department of Veterans Affairs10

Pricing

ShareX

$0

  • Screen capture and recording
  • Uploads to many destinations
  • Open source, no support contract

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

  • Repeatedly reported as malware by antivirus toolsGitHub issues #7135 and #6700 report releases 15 and 16 flagged as trojans/ransomware; community treats these as false positives. No confirmed breach in sources.⁸

What users say

Enthusiastic power users call it the best free Windows capture tool, while beginners report a steep, ugly learning curve.

“ShareX is not a simple screenshot utility.”
— Reddit, r/Windows11
“ShareX is so difficult to use .... that it is USELESS”
— Reddit, r/sharex
“Alright so ShareX is still the #1 screenshot tool on Windows”
— Reddit, r/software

Alternatives

Compare ShareX with each alternative.

Windows Snipping Tool

Built into Windows 11; now catching up on features

Greenshot

Simpler free Windows screenshot tool many offices already use

Flameshot

Cross-platform open-source capture with quick annotation

Full analysis

Based on 30+ public sources: reviews, Reddit threads, GitHub issues, and a government TRM listing.

Sources

  1. ShareX 16.1 screen recorder review — TechRadartechradar.com
    review
  2. ShareX (Windows) Review 2026: Pros, Cons & An Alternativeatomisystems.com
    review
  3. I uninstalled 4 apps once I found everything ShareX does — MakeUseOfmakeuseof.com
    review
  4. ShareX Reviews — G2 (80 reviews)g2.com
    review
  5. ShareX Reviews — Trustpilot (5 reviews)trustpilot.com
    review
  6. ShareX is so difficult to use — Reddit r/sharexreddit.com
    review
  7. ShareX GitHub repositorygithub.com
    official
  8. ShareX 15 reported as infected with a trojan — GitHub issuegithub.com
    security
  9. ShareX Privacy & Security Concern — Redditreddit.com
    security
  10. ShareX — VA OIT Technology Risk Matrixoit.va.gov
    official
  11. Windows 11 Snipping Tool replaces ShareX, Snagit & PowerToys — Windows Forumwindowsforum.com
    news

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