Freedom251 › Screenshot Software
Lightscreen
What Lightscreen is
Lightscreen is a screenshot utility for saving and cataloging captures as files on disk. It runs in the background and can be called with global hotkeys. Its six configurable capture actions let you resize or readjust the capture area, while a preview window provides an integrated image viewer. For sharing, Lightscreen can upload screenshots to Imgur and compatible pomf clones; users can also add other compatible hosts manually. Imgur uploads are anonymous, and the help page says account uploads were planned for a later version. Screenshots can be named in sequence or with customizable date and time formats. Portable mode keeps preferences in a config.ini file, so the installation can be moved without losing those settings. Lightscreen supports Windows and Linux. For uploads, the help page says either platform may require OpenSSL support. The site lists version 2.5, which includes improvements to area capture and date naming usability, along with fixes for cursor capture, crashes, and SSL issues. The code is licensed under GNU General Public License version 2, and the site credits Christian Kaiser as its maker.
Who it suits
Lightscreen suits people who want screenshots saved and named automatically, with capture controls available through global hotkeys. It also fits users who want a portable installation or upload options for Imgur and compatible hosts on Windows or Linux.
What it does well
- Runs in the background and responds to global hotkeys.
- Six configurable capture actions.
- Preview window includes an image viewer.
- Supports sequential and customizable date-and-time filenames.
- Portable mode preserves preferences in config.ini.
- Code licensed under GNU General Public License version 2.
What to know first
- Imgur uploads are anonymous; account uploads were planned for later.
- Uploads may require OpenSSL support on Windows or Linux.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Not stated | Free |
As lightscreen.com.ar lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Lightscreen website.
- Choose a download for Windows or Linux.
- Install OpenSSL support if needed for uploads.
- Use the background app's global hotkeys to invoke capture actions.
- Adjust the capture area and naming preferences as needed.
Verdict
Choose Lightscreen if you want background screenshot capture, configurable hotkeys, and files named to your preferences. It can also upload captures to Imgur and compatible hosts. Look elsewhere if Imgur account uploads are essential, since the help page describes uploads as anonymous.
Questions
How much does Lightscreen cost?
Lightscreen is free.
Which platforms does Lightscreen support?
Lightscreen supports Windows and Linux.
Can Lightscreen upload screenshots?
It can upload to Imgur and compatible pomf clones, and users can add other compatible hosts manually. Imgur uploads are anonymous; account uploads were planned for a later version.
Is Lightscreen open source?
Its code is licensed under GNU General Public License version 2.
Who makes Lightscreen?
The site credits Christian Kaiser.
What does portable mode do?
It stores preferences in a config.ini file so the installation can be moved without losing settings.
Facts from Lightscreen's own pages
- Background operation
- It runs as a hidden background process and can be invoked with one or more hotkeys. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Capture controls
- It offers six configurable actions with global hotkey access and lets users resize and readjust the capture area. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- File naming
- Screenshots can be named sequentially or with customizable date and time formats. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · lightscreen.com.ar, 21 Sept 2026
- Image uploads
- Screenshots can be uploaded to Imgur and other image hosts; Imgur uploads can be anonymous, and the help page says account uploads were planned for a later version. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Imgur account limit
- The help page describes Imgur uploads as anonymous and says account uploads would come in a later version. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Latest listed version
- The site lists version 2.5 and describes improved area capture, date naming usability, and cursor capture, crash, and SSL fixes. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The code is licensed under GNU General Public License version 2. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- The changelog lists Linux compatibility, and the help page says Linux users may need to install OpenSSL through their package manager. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site credits Lightscreen to Christian Kaiser. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- OpenSSL requirement
- The help page says Windows or Linux users may need to install OpenSSL support for uploads. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Other upload hosts
- Users can download a list of pomf clones and manually add other compatible hosts. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows,Linux · lightscreen.com.ar, 21 Sept 2026
- Portable mode
- Portable mode stores preferences in a config.ini file so the installation can be moved without losing settings. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Portable use
- Portable mode stores preferences in a config.ini file so users can move the installation without losing settings. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Previews
- A preview window includes an integrated image viewer. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Lightscreen automates saving and cataloging screenshots as files on disk according to user preferences. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Release
- The maker’s download link leads to the Lightscreen 2.5 release on GitHub, dated June 19 (the release page does not state a year in the opened content). · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Screenshot naming
- Screenshots can be named sequentially or by customizable date and time formats. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Security and fixes
- Version 2.5 lists fixes for cursor capture, crashes, and SSL issues. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
- Upload services
- Lightscreen can upload screenshots to Imgur and compatible pomf clones, and users can add other compatible hosts manually. · lightscreen.com.ar, 11 Oct 2026
Where Lightscreen stands on Freedom251
- Screenshot Software#14 of 39
- Screenshot tools#28 of 40