This application might have been discontinued

ZScreen might have been discontinued. Try finding ZScreen alternatives

ZScreen icon

ZScreen

ZScreen, also known as ShareX, is a powerful open-source screen capture and file sharing utility for Windows. It allows users to capture areas of their screen, annotate images, and automatically upload them to various online services. While officially discontinued under the 'ZScreen' name, the project lives on as ShareX.

License: Open Source
Available for:
Windows Discontinued

About ZScreen

ZScreen, the predecessor to the widely acclaimed ShareX, was a groundbreaking open-source application for Windows designed to streamline the process of capturing screenshots and sharing them with ease. It offered a comprehensive suite of tools for screen capture, image manipulation, and automatic online uploads, making it a favorite among users who frequently needed to share visual information.

Key functionalities included:

  • Flexible Capture Modes: ZScreen provided various methods for capturing your screen, including full screen, active window, selected region, and even scrolling windows, ensuring you could capture exactly what you needed. Freeform capture allowed for more creative selection.
  • Integrated Image Editor: After capturing, users could leverage a built-in image editor to annotate, highlight, blur sensitive information, add text overlays, and apply other basic edits directly within the application. This eliminated the need for external image editing software for simple tasks.
  • Automated Uploads: One of ZScreen's most compelling features was its ability to automatically upload captured images or other files to a wide range of online hosting services. With support for over 30 different platforms, including image hosts, file sharers, and even custom FTP servers, sharing content was incredibly fast and efficient.
  • Customizable Workflow: The application was highly customizable, allowing users to define hotkeys for different capture types, configure post-capture actions (like saving to clipboard or uploading), and set up profiles for various upload destinations. This level of flexibility catered to diverse user needs and workflows.
  • Additional Utilities: Beyond core screen capture, ZScreen included handy utilities like a desktop color picker, an image hash checker, and even basic support for screen recording, though this feature has been significantly enhanced in its successor, ShareX.
  • Portability: ZScreen was available as a portable application, meaning it could be run directly from a USB drive or other removable media without requiring installation, making it convenient for users on different machines.

While development under the 'ZScreen' name ceased, the project's legacy continues with ShareX, which has expanded upon the foundation laid by ZScreen to become an even more powerful and feature-rich utility for screen capture and file sharing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Highly customizable workflow and hotkeys.
  • Extensive support for automatic online uploads to various services.
  • Integrated image editor for quick annotations and basic edits.
  • Portable version available, no installation required.
  • Efficiently handle multiple monitors.
  • Includes useful extra utilities.

Cons

  • Development under the ZScreen name is discontinued.
  • User interface can appear complex initially due to numerous options.
  • Screen recording features were basic compared to dedicated tools.

What Makes ZScreen Stand Out

Open Source

The source code is freely available, allowing for transparency and community contributions (though development under this name is discontinued).

Extensive Upload Options

Supports a wide variety of online services for automatic file uploads, streamlining the sharing process.

What can ZScreen do?

Review

Review of ZScreen (ShareX Legacy)

ZScreen, the precursor to the widely adopted ShareX, carved out a significant niche in the realm of Windows screenshot utilities. Its impact is undeniable, laying the groundwork for a powerful and highly flexible application that continues to evolve. While the 'ZScreen' moniker represents a discontinued phase of development, examining its capabilities provides valuable insight into the foundation of its successful successor.

At its core, ZScreen was designed to simplify and accelerate the process of capturing and sharing screen content. It offered a robust set of capture modes, catering to diverse needs from capturing a full desktop to isolating specific regions with pixel-perfect precision. The inclusion of scrolling capture was particularly noteworthy, addressing a common challenge in capturing lengthy web pages or documents.

One of ZScreen's standout features was its integrated image editor. Unlike many basic screenshot tools that simply capture and save, ZScreen empowered users to immediately modify their captures. The annotation tools, including text overlays, shapes, and highlighting options, were intuitive and highly effective for communicating ideas or pointing out specific details within an image. The ability to quickly blur sensitive information was also a valuable addition for privacy-conscious users.

The true power of ZScreen, however, lay in its extensive support for online uploads. The sheer number of integrated hosting services was, and continues to be in ShareX, a major differentiator. The automatic upload functionality, triggered immediately after capture, dramatically reduced the steps required to share an image. This seamless workflow was a significant time-saver for power users and anyone who frequently shared visual content online.

Customization was another area where ZScreen excelled. Users could tailor virtually every aspect of the application, from defining custom hotkeys for specific capture actions to configuring detailed post-capture workflows. This level of control allowed users to optimize the application to their specific needs and preferences, leading to a highly personalized experience.

Beyond the core screenshot functionality, ZScreen included supplementary tools like the desktop color picker, which was handy for designers and developers, and basic screen recording capabilities. While the screen recording in ZScreen was not as sophisticated as dedicated recording software, it was a useful addition for quick screencasts.

The portable nature of ZScreen was also a significant advantage. The ability to run the application directly from a USB drive without installation made it incredibly convenient for use on different computers, which was particularly beneficial for IT professionals, support staff, or anyone who needed to capture and share on various systems.

While ZScreen was a powerful application in its time, it's important to acknowledge that development under this specific name has ceased. The project evolved into ShareX, which has built upon ZScreen's foundation, adding even more features, integrations, and refinements. However, the core principles of efficient screen capture, integrated editing, and extensive automatic uploads established by ZScreen remain central to its successor.

In conclusion, ZScreen was an exemplary open-source screenshot utility that significantly influenced the landscape of such applications. Its focus on speed, flexibility, and automated workflows set a high standard and continues to serve as the basis for one of the most comprehensive screen capture tools available today. For users seeking a powerful, customizable, and efficient way to capture and share their screen, ZScreen (and its successor, ShareX) represents a compelling option.

Similar Software

DuckLink Screen Capture
DuckLink Screen Capture

DuckLink Screen Capture is a screen capture software.

Easy Screen Capture and Annotation
Easy Screen Capture and Annotation

Easy Screen Capture and Annotation is a screenshot tool.

FastStone Capture
FastStone Capture

FastStone Capture is a powerful, lightweight, yet full-featured screen capture tool and screen video recorder.

Grabilla
Grabilla

Grabilla is a software that takes a screenshot of the user's computer screen and uploads it to the Web, FTP, computer or copy to clipboard.

Greenshot
Greenshot

Greenshot is a free open source screenshot utility.

Lightshot
Lightshot

Lightshot is the fastest way to take a customizable screenshot. Simple interface, nothing useless and light weight.

MWSnap
MWSnap

MWSnap is a tool to take screen snapshots. Screen captures are useful for various reasons.

PicPick
PicPick

PicPick is an all-in-one program, primarily system tray-based, that provides a full-featured screen capture tool, an intuitive image editor, etc

Screenpresso
Screenpresso

Screenpresso screen capture allows you to grab an image or video of what you see on your computer screen, add effects, and share with anyone.

Screenshot Captor
Screenshot Captor

Screenshot Captor is a tool for grabbing, manipulating, annotating, and sharing screenshots.

ShareX
ShareX

ShareX is an open source program that lets you take screenshots or screencasts of any selected area with a single key, save them in your clipboard, hard disk, etc

Shotty
Shotty

Shotty is a screenshot utility.

Screenshots

Help others by voting if you like this software.

Compare with Similar Apps

Select any similar app below to compare it with ZScreen side by side.

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare