I replaced my screenshot tool with this free app, and I'm never going back to Snipping Tool - MakeUseOf

What the report says

MakeUseOf published a first-person app recommendation by Oluwaseun Bamisile on July 25, 2026, explaining why the writer switched from Microsoft’s Snipping Tool to Greenshot for screenshot work. According to the article, the move was prompted by a need for stronger annotation options, including blurring sensitive details and adding notes without moving images into a separate editor.

The piece highlights Greenshot as a free, open-source screenshot utility on Windows, with the article noting that it does not require an account, subscription, trial, or paid unlocks for the features discussed. Bamisile says the app runs quietly in the background and uses minimal system resources, making it suitable to keep available at startup for frequent screenshot tasks.

MakeUseOf’s account focuses on workflow improvements for people who create tutorials or other image-heavy content. The article says Greenshot can capture selected regions, full screens, windows, and the last selected area, and that each mode can be assigned or adjusted through keyboard shortcuts. After capture, users can choose whether to edit, copy, save, print, or send images to destinations such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Paint, Imgur, and other supported apps.

The author’s main reason for preferring Greenshot is its built-in editor, which supports arrows, shapes, text, highlights, and obfuscation tools in one place. While acknowledging that newer screenshot apps may offer cloud or AI features, the MakeUseOf piece frames Greenshot as a lightweight option for users who mainly need fast capture, practical annotation, and flexible export without added cost.