Spectacle

What Spectacle is

Spectacle is a free, open-source Linux application from KDE for capturing desktop screenshots. It can capture the entire desktop, a single monitor, the active window, the window under the mouse, or a rectangular region. Keyboard shortcuts are available for taking screenshots. After capture, images can be saved as-is, printed, or sent to other applications for manipulation. Screenshots can also be annotated before saving, printing, or sending them to another application. The listed export format is PNG. Spectacle is available under the GPL-2.0+ license, and its plan costs nothing. Linux users can install it through Discover, other AppStream application stores, or their distribution’s package manager. The KDE Applications page lists KIPI Plugins as an extension; those plugins add export features to Spectacle and Gwenview, with destinations such as Mediawiki, Facebook, or a local album. The Spectacle page links to its handbook and KDE community forum for help. KDE’s software privacy policy says KDE software generally does not transfer information from a user’s device except after an explicit user action. Third-party distributors may modify software, so KDE recommends checking with the distributor about its privacy behavior.

Who it suits

Spectacle suits Linux users who need to capture screenshots of a desktop, monitor, window, or selected screen region. It is also useful for people who want to annotate captures or pass them to another application, print them, or save them as PNG.

Limits

Spectacle is a Linux application, and PNG is the listed export format.

Getting started

1. Visit the Spectacle page on KDE’s website.
2. Install it through Discover, another AppStream application store, or your Linux distribution’s package manager.
3. Use a keyboard shortcut or choose a capture target: desktop, monitor, window, window under the mouse, or rectangular region.
4. Annotate the screenshot if needed, then save it, print it, or send it to another application.
5. Consult the handbook or KDE community forum for help.

Verdict

Choose Spectacle if you use Linux and need flexible desktop screenshot capture with annotation and straightforward output options. Its free GPL-2.0+ license and multiple installation routes suit Linux users. Look elsewhere if you need an application for another platform or an export format beyond PNG.