ShareX
ShareX is a free, open-source Windows desktop application for screen capture, screen recording, image annotation, OCR, and file sharing, maintained by the ShareX Team since 2007 and monetized solely through community donations with no paid tiers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersBrandon, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What ShareX does
ShareX is a free, open-source Windows desktop application that bundles screen capture, screen recording, image annotation, optical character recognition, video conversion, and a broad set of productivity tools (color picker, QR code tool, hash checker, metadata viewer, clipboard viewer, ruler, monitor test, image combiner/splitter/thumbnailer/beautifier) into a single lightweight product. Founded in 2007 and actively developed for over 18 years, the application is built on .NET 9.0 with a modern image editor built on the cross-platform Avalonia UI framework, bundles FFmpeg for video encoding, uses SQLite for local history storage, and supports command-line automation.
The product is distributed through GitHub Releases, the Microsoft Store (including a native ARM64 build), and Steam (App ID 400040), and integrates natively with a wide range of third-party services including Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Cloudflare R2, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Azure Storage, Backblaze B2, Nextcloud, Imgur, Flickr, YouTube, FTP/SFTP, and various URL shorteners and paste services via its proprietary .sxcu custom uploader format. A library of 232 community-shareable image effect presets (.sxie) extends the editor, and a Chrome browser extension enables direct uploads from the browser.
ShareX is operated as a community-driven open-source project by the ShareX Team with no VC funding, no parent company, and no sales organization. Its only revenue stream is voluntary community donations via GitHub Sponsors, Patreon, Bitcoin, and Ethereum. The company has publicly committed to keeping the application free with no advertisements or paid tiers indefinitely. Distribution and user acquisition are entirely product-led and organic, relying on GitHub stars, Discord, Reddit, X (Twitter), and the Microsoft Store/Steam discovery surfaces.
ShareX firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ShareX
- Legal name
- ShareX Team
- Website
- https://getsharex.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- ShareX is a free, open-source Windows desktop application for screen capture, screen recording, image annotation, OCR, and file sharing, maintained by the ShareX Team since 2007 and monetized solely through community donations with no paid tiers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ShareX industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Screen Capture & Productivity Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- File Storage, Sync & Sharing (BPAMAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Photo/Video Backup Strategy & Implementation (Local/NAS/Cloud) (HSAFAGAH)
Keywords
Where ShareX is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brandon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
ShareX business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: ShareX relies entirely on voluntary donations from its user community as its sole source of income. Users can donate through GitHub Sponsors, Patreon, Bitcoin, and Ethereum. The tool has been free for over 18 years with no advertisements and the team has committed to keeping it free indefinitely.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Tier - Complete application at no cost |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
ShareX product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ShareX is a free, open-source Windows desktop application that captures screenshots and screencasts, annotates and edits them through a built-in image editor, and uploads the resulting files to user-configured destinations. It bundles screen recording (including GIF), OCR, video conversion, and numerous productivity tools (color picker, QR code tool, hash checker, metadata viewer, ruler, clipboard viewer) into a single lightweight application, with a customizable workflow system and an extensible custom uploader framework supporting any HTTP API.
Product overview
ShareX is a single, unified free and open-source productivity application for Windows combining screen capture, screen recording, file sharing, and numerous productivity tools. The core ShareX application provides screen capture (fullscreen, region, active window, scrolling capture) with the built-in Image Editor for annotations. It includes a comprehensive set of integrated tools: Color Picker, QR Code Tool, Hash Checker, Metadata Tool, Video Converter, Image Combiner, Image Splitter, Clipboard Viewer, Borderless Window, Inspect Window, Ruler, Monitor Test, and Image Beautifier. The product features a Custom Uploader System supporting cloud storage services (Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Cloudflare R2, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Azure Storage, Backblaze B2, Nextcloud), image hosts (Imgur, Flickr), video platforms (YouTube), URL shorteners (Kutt, Polr), text sharing services (PrivateBin, Paste.ee), and FTP/SFTP. An extensive library of 232 Image Effects (.sxie presets) is available for download. A Chrome Browser Extension enables uploads directly from web pages. Version 20.0.2 introduced a new modern Image Editor built with Avalonia UI. The application is actively developed with over 18 years of history.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ShareX ShareX is a free, open-source Windows desktop application that combines screen capture (full screen, region, active window, scrolling capture, auto capture), screen recording (including GIF), a built-in image editor with 18 annotation tools and 232 image effects, OCR, video conversion, and over 20 productivity tools (color picker, QR code tool, hash checker, metadata, ruler, clipboard viewer, etc.) in a single lightweight application, with a customizable workflow system and a custom uploader framework supporting any HTTP API for sharing to user-chosen destinations.
- ShareX Image Editor Modern Avalonia-UI-based image editor integrated into ShareX that provides 18 annotation tools (Rectangle, Ellipse, Line, Arrow, Freehand, Text, Speech Balloon, Step, Image, Emoji, Cursor, Highlight, Smart Eraser, Blur, Pixelate, Magnify, Spotlight, Crop, Cut Out) and 232 image effects for annotating screenshots, redacting sensitive information, cropping, and preparing captures before sharing.
- ShareX Scrolling Capture ShareX feature that automatically captures entire webpages or documents that extend beyond the visible screen by scrolling and combining multiple screenshots into a single image, using an image-comparison algorithm with a fallback combining method.
- ShareX Screen Recording Screen recording capability with GIF recording, FFmpeg encoding, hardware-accelerated encoders (NVENC, Quick Sync, AMF), and support for H.264, H.265, VP8, VP9, AV1, Xvid, GIF, WebP, and APNG output formats.
- ShareX OCR Optical Character Recognition feature that converts images of text into machine-readable text using Windows 10+ built-in OCR, with support for multiple languages installable through Windows Language settings and a scale-factor option to improve accuracy.
- ShareX Custom Uploader System Configurable file-upload framework that lets users push images, files, folders, clipboard content, text, or URLs to any HTTP-based hosting service, URL shortener, or self-hosted destination using the proprietary .sxcu configuration format, with dynamic syntax for URL building and shared community uploaders.
- ShareX Browser Extension Chrome browser extension that enables direct uploads (image, video, audio, text, and URL shortening) from web pages through the browser context menu, paired with the ShareX desktop application.
- ShareX Pin to Screen Tool that keeps captured images visible as floating reference windows on top of other applications, with adjustable opacity, scale, shadow, border, and toolbar controls.
- ShareX Video Converter Video conversion tool integrated in ShareX that encodes video files using FFmpeg to H.264/x264, H.265/x265, VP8, VP9, AV1, Xvid, MPEG-4, GIF, WebP, and APNG, with hardware-accelerated encoders (NVENC, Quick Sync, AMF).
Companies that use ShareX
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ShareX technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration31 records
AI capability11 records
Feature8 records
ShareX partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- GitHubcoreGitHub hosts the official ShareX repository, releases, and DevBuilds repository. ShareX uses GitHub API for update checking and GitHub Actions for CI/CD release automation.
- MicrosoftcoreShareX is distributed through Microsoft Store and uses Windows native OCR capabilities. The latest version supports native ARM64 on Windows through the Microsoft Store build.
- FFmpegcoreShareX bundles FFmpeg for video conversion and screen recording functionality. The latest version includes FFmpeg 8.1.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ShareX competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Greenshot: Greenshot is a free, open-source screenshot tool for Windows with annotation and configurable export destinations. It is the most directly comparable free/OSS Windows alternative to ShareX, sharing the same target user (Windows power users) and similar feature breadth.
- Flameshot: Flameshot is an open-source, cross-platform screenshot tool (Linux, macOS, Windows) emphasizing region capture and inline annotation. It overlaps ShareX's core capture + annotate workflow and represents the most direct cross-platform OSS alternative.
- Lightshot: Lightshot is a lightweight screenshot tool with one-click capture, inline editing, and instant cloud upload to prntscr.com. It targets the same casual-to-power-user segment but differentiates via a hosted cloud model rather than self-hosting flexibility.
- PicPick: PicPick is a Windows-only all-in-one screen capture, image editor, and productivity tool with color picker, ruler, and sharing features. It is a close functional analog to ShareX's bundled productivity suite, sold as a one-time commercial license.
- Gyazo: Gyazo provides instant screenshot and screen recording upload to a personal cloud gallery with sharing links. It competes with ShareX's custom uploader and cloud destination workflow, but relies on a hosted cloud rather than user-controlled destinations.
- Monosnap: Monosnap is a freemium cross-platform screenshot tool (Windows, macOS, iOS) offering capture, annotation, and cloud upload with a free tier. It targets the same SMB/individual segment with a SaaS monetization model opposite ShareX's donation model.
- Screenpresso: Screenpresso is a Windows screenshot and screen recording tool with built-in editor and one-click sharing aimed at technical documentation creators. It targets ShareX's developer/IT-professional segment as a commercial alternative.
Broad incumbents
- Snagit (TechSmith): Snagit is the dominant commercial screenshot and screen recording suite for Windows/macOS with deep editing, scrolling capture, and enterprise features. It is the primary paid incumbent competing for the same documentation/IT-professional segment ShareX serves for free.
- Microsoft Snipping Tool: Microsoft's built-in Windows Snipping Tool (and Snip & Sketch) now offers region/fullscreen capture, scrolling capture, OCR, and annotation shipped free with Windows. As the OS-level incumbent, it is the most relevant competitive substitute at the low end of ShareX's user base.
Emerging players
- Nimbus Capture: Nimbus Capture is a browser-based and desktop screenshot/recording tool focused on annotation, GIF capture, and quick sharing. It overlaps ShareX's casual-user capture-and-share workflow but is browser-first and lighter in advanced tooling.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ShareX social profiles
Digital presenceShareX financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ShareX leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
ShareX funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ShareX M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ShareX
What does ShareX do?
ShareX is a free, open-source Windows desktop application that captures screenshots and screencasts, annotates and edits them through a built-in image editor, and uploads the resulting files to user-configured destinations. It bundles screen recording (including GIF), OCR, video conversion, and numerous productivity tools (color picker, QR code tool, hash checker, metadata viewer, ruler, clipboard viewer) into a single lightweight application, with a customizable workflow system and an extensible custom uploader framework supporting any HTTP API.
Is ShareX a public or private company?
ShareX is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ShareX founded?
ShareX was founded in 2007.
Where is ShareX based?
ShareX is headquartered in Brandon, United States, in the North America region.
How does ShareX make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations.
Who are ShareX's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Greenshot, Flameshot, Lightshot, PicPick, Gyazo, Monosnap and Screenpresso. Broad incumbents are Snagit (TechSmith) and Microsoft Snipping Tool. Nimbus Capture is listed as an emerging player.
Does ShareX have an API?
Yes. ShareX offers a custom uploader system that allows users to configure HTTP-based integrations with any hosting service or URL shortener. This is configured through .sxcu JSON files that support various HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE), request body types (Form data, JSON, XML, Binary), custom headers, URL parameters, and response parsing using JSONPath, XPath, or regex. Users can export/import custom uploaders with the .sxcu extension. The custom uploader syntax supports dynamic values, input handling, randomization, and selection dialogs. The ShareX CLI also provides programmatic access to various capture and processing functions. Developer documentation is at getsharex.com/docs/custom-uploader.
What industry is ShareX in?
ShareX's product category is Screen Capture & Productivity Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAMAE, File Storage, Sync & Sharing, with a secondary code of HSAFAGAH, Photo/Video Backup Strategy & Implementation (Local/NAS/Cloud). Its NAICS code is 513210 and its SIC code is 7370.