Lightshot vs ShareX: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Lightshot and ShareX side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Lightshot
Capture, edit, and share customizable screenshots quickly and easily.
Best for you if:
- • You want very fast and easy to take screenshots
ShareX
Capture, annotate, and share screenshots and files with extensive customization options.
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free and open source with no advertisements
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Screenshot Tools Productivity | Screenshot Tools Screen Recording |
Rating | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 · SourceForge 5.0 131 reviews | 4.8/5 G2 4.8 · Capterra 4.8 · SourceForge 5.0 102 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Potential costs for third-party storage services. |
Choose Lightshot or ShareX?
Choose Lightshot if
- You want very fast and easy to take screenshots
- You want offers instant editing capabilities
Choose ShareX if
- You want completely free and open source with no advertisements
- You want highly customizable workflow and extensive features for power users
In-Depth Analysis
Lightshot
Capture, edit, and share customizable screenshots quickly and easily.
Lightshot's pricing is extremely generous as it offers a fully-featured screenshot tool completely for free.
Strengths
- Pro: Very fast and easy to take screenshots
- Pro: Offers instant editing capabilities
- Pro: Convenient sharing options with short links
- Pro: Unique 'similar image search' feature
- Pro: Cross-platform availability (desktop and browser extensions)
Weaknesses
- Con: Online editor might require an internet connection
- Con: No advanced organizational features mentioned for saved screenshots
Key features
ShareX
Capture, annotate, and share screenshots and files with extensive customization options.
ShareX offers an incredibly generous pricing model, as it is completely free and open-source.
Watch out
Potential costs for third-party storage services.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free and open source with no advertisements.
- Pro: Highly customizable workflow and extensive features for power users.
- Pro: Supports a wide variety of capture methods and upload destinations.
- Pro: Lightweight and actively developed for over 18 years.
- Pro: Includes many useful productivity tools beyond just screen capture.
Weaknesses
- Con: Only available for Windows.
- Con: Can be overwhelming for new users due to the sheer number of options.
- Con: User interface might not be as modern as some paid alternatives.
Key features
Plans and prices: Lightshot vs ShareX
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lightshot |
| app.prntscr.com read Oct 7, 2026 |
| ShareX |
| getsharex.com read Nov 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Lightshot pricing and ShareX pricing.
Key Takeaways
Lightshot
- Choose if you want capture, edit, and share customizable screenshots quickly and easily
ShareX
- Choose if you want capture, annotate, and share screenshots and files with extensive customization options
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.7/5 from 131 reviews for Lightshot, 4.8/5 from 102 reviews for ShareX).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Lightshot and ShareX compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.7/5 from 131 reviews for Lightshot, 4.8/5 from 102 reviews for ShareX). Both have a free plan.
What are Lightshot and ShareX used for?
Lightshot: Capture, edit, and share customizable screenshots quickly and easily. ShareX: Capture, annotate, and share screenshots and files with extensive customization options.
What does Lightshot cost vs ShareX?
Lightshot is free. ShareX is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Lightshot and ShareX?
Lightshot's main strength: very fast and easy to take screenshots. ShareX's main strength: completely free and open source with no advertisements.