Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Lightshot is screenshot software for capturing a selected area of your screen. After selecting a region, you can annotate it, copy it to the clipboard, save it as an image, search for visually similar images, or upload it to get a shareable link. It is available as Windows and Mac software plus browser versions, but its online uploads are public to anyone who knows the image URL.

What Lightshot is used for

Lightshot is designed for a quick select-and-capture workflow rather than continuous screen recording or full image production. You start a capture, drag over the part of the display you need, and use the on-screen controls to edit, copy, save, upload, or search.

The vendor describes the process as a two-click screenshot workflow. Editing can happen while the capture is active or later in an online editor. Uploading creates a short link, while the visual-search option looks for similar images. Those are the publisher’s stated functions; independent speed or reliability testing is not established here.

How to take a Lightshot screenshot

Windows desktop

  1. Press PrntScr to start a capture.
  2. Drag across the region you want to capture.
  3. Use the annotation controls if needed.
  4. Choose an action: Ctrl+C copies the region, Ctrl+S saves it, Ctrl+E opens the online editor, and Ctrl+D uploads it.

Pressing Esc cancels the active capture according to the hotkey guide.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Magicmoon 2-Pack 24 Inch Computer Privacy Screen Filter for 16:9 Monitor
  • Compatible Model(s): Magicmoon brand filter only for 24 inch -diagonally measured - widescreen monitor - aspect ratio 16:9 - filter size: width: 20 15/16", Height: 11 13/16" (531mm x 298mm)
  • Superior Privacy: The computer privacy filter makes the screen appear dark when looking at it from an angle (the angle is about 30 to 60 degree), but bright when looking directly at it. To change the privacy level - simply adjust your monitor’s brightness accordingly
  • Eye and Screen Protection: Privacy Filter does not only protect your private life but also protects your eyes by blocking 30% of blue light , blocking the harmful blue light between 380 to 495 nm, it filters out the blue light and relieves eye strain
  • Perfect For Open Workspaces: Great for maintaining screen privacy in open work spaces
  • Includes Two Options: Option 1 uses clear adhesive strips that securely attach to any computer screen. Option 2 (for computer screens with a raised bezel only) uses slide mount tabs that easily stick to the display frame, allowing you to slide the privacy screen filter on and off as needed

Mac desktop

The Mac download page lists Shift-Command-9 as the Lightshot hotkey. The corresponding copy, save, editor, and upload actions use Command in place of Windows’ Ctrl combinations. Because shortcuts can depend on the installed version or configuration, check the app’s current hotkey settings if the documented combination does nothing.

Browser versions

The official product pages list Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Opera versions in addition to Windows and Mac applications. A browser add-on is offered for Chrome. The exact menus and shortcut behavior can vary by browser and extension settings, so keep the desktop steps above as the reference workflow.

Lightshot shortcuts and actions

Action Windows Mac documentation
Start capture PrntScr Shift-Command-9
Copy selected area Ctrl+C Command equivalent
Save image Ctrl+S Command equivalent
Open online editor Ctrl+E Command equivalent
Upload image Ctrl+D Command equivalent
Cancel capture Esc Esc

The Mac page identifies the start shortcut, while the hotkey guide supplies the corresponding Command-based actions. Treat the table as vendor-documented defaults, not a guarantee that every older installation uses identical bindings.

Editing, saving, searching, and sharing

Basic annotation

After selecting an area, Lightshot exposes editing controls so you can mark up the image before saving or sharing. The supplied official material confirms editing during capture and in an online editor, but does not define a complete current list of drawing tools or their behavior. Do not assume advanced layers, redaction, or collaboration features.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Clipboard and local files

On Windows, Ctrl+C places the selected screenshot on the clipboard. The FAQ lists PNG, BMP, and JPG as supported formats. Use Ctrl+S when you need a file rather than a temporary clipboard image, then choose the destination and format offered by your installation.

Rank #2
[2 Pack] 24 Inch Computer Privacy Screen Filter for 16:9 Widescreen Monitor
  • 【24 PRIVACY FILTER DIMENSIONS】 Width: 20 15/16" (20.9 inches/532 mm), Height: 11 13/16" (11.8 inches/299 mm) - 16:9 Aspect Ratio. Mamol computer privacy filters are designed to be perfectly compatible with HP, Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, LG, ViewSonic and other brands of monitors. Please check the width and height dimensions of your computer screen before ordering. If you have any questions about the dimensions, please contact us.
  • 【ENHANCED PRIVACY PROTECTION】Mamol 24 inch computer privacy filter keeps your electronic information confidential, making it excellent for use in high traffic areas. the computer privacy screen 24 inch is designed with advanced microlouver technology to block visibility at around 30 degrees and black out screens completely near 60 degrees.
  • 【EYES PROTECTION】 This blackout privacy screen greatly reduces eye strain and minimizes potential hazards to vision. It filters 99.9% of UV rays and suppresses 98% of blue light. As a reversible 24-inch privacy screen filter: The glossy side of the protector provides extra clarity and greater privacy, and the matte side minimizes glare and distracting reflections. Satisfy your different daily uses as needed.
  • 【BETTER HD CLARTIY】Mamol 24 inch computer privacy screen Shield adds an extra layer of AR Ultra HD light transmission compared to others. It maintains the high definition of the screen without sacrificing too much screen brightness. It won't reduce the brightness and cause eye fatigue because of the privacy screen installed on the screen.
  • 【ANTI SCRATCH & WASHABLE 】Our privacy anti-glare Monitor film has a surface enhancement layer to protect the privacy filter from scratches and fingerprints. It is washable and reusable. Even after prolonged use, you will get a brand new privacy screen for your desktop computer monitor after cleaning. Very Durable!

Online editor and visual search

Ctrl+E opens the online editor for a browser-based editing step. Lightshot also advertises a search-for-similar-images function. These features are useful when a screenshot is a starting point for annotation or visual lookup, but they require sending the image to the relevant online service.

Uploading for a link

Ctrl+D uploads the capture and returns a short link. A prntscr.com account is needed to find all of your screenshots in a gallery; that is different from the ability to make an individual capture and copy or save it locally.

Supported platforms and the Linux limitation

Platform or channel What the official pages establish
Windows Desktop application and documented PrntScr/Ctrl shortcuts
Mac Desktop application; Shift-Command-9 is listed as the capture shortcut
Chrome Browser add-on is offered
Firefox Browser version is listed
Internet Explorer Browser version is listed
Opera Browser version is listed
Linux No application designed specifically for Linux; Wine may be tried as a workaround

Linux should therefore be described as workaround availability, not native support. Whether Wine works acceptably depends on the distribution, Wine setup, graphics stack, and the Lightshot build; the official material does not promise compatibility.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Privacy: why a Lightshot upload should not contain secrets

Lightshot’s privacy policy states: “In particular, every image uploaded (even if it was uploaded to your gallery) to this website is public – whether uploaded directly without going through a user account, or uploaded via a user account – and has its own URL. Every image can always be accessed and viewed by anyone who types in that exact URL.”

The same policy says: “Functionality of our website is not intended to be a secure platform; it’s for sharing images.” A link that is difficult to guess is not access control. Do not upload passwords, API keys, private customer data, confidential documents, unreleased designs, or anything else that must remain restricted.

Rank #3
SightPro 24 Inch 16:9 Computer Privacy Screen Filter for Monitor - Privacy Shield and Anti-Glare Protector
  • 【Privacy Filter Dimensions】- Width: 20 15/16" (532 mm), Height: 11 13/16" (299 mm), Diagonal: 24" (609.6 mm) - SightPro Blackout Privacy Screen Filter is engineered to be compatible with HP, Dell, Samsung, Lenovo, LG, Acer, ASUS, ViewSonic, and other monitor brands. Please verify your computer screen's width and height measurements before ordering. It's not recommended to make your selection based solely on your computer screen's diagonal size.
  • 【Two Attachment Options】- Installs in minutes. Option 1 uses clear adhesive strips that securely attach to any computer screen. Option 2 (for computer screens with a raised bezel only) uses slide mount tabs that easily stick to the display frame, allowing you to slide the privacy screen filter on and off as needed.
  • 【Superior Privacy and Anti Glare】- Our advanced multi-layered film filter blacks out your computer screen when viewing from the side, while maintaining a crystal clear screen straight-on. It also protects your eyes from harmful glare, UV, and blue light. [Note: It does not block visibility directly behind you, regardless of the distance.]
  • 【Perfect for Travel and Open Workspaces】- Our computer screen privacy filter is the ideal solution for healthcare providers, mobile workers, commuters, students, and business travelers. Now you can stay compliant and safeguard sensitive corporate information while working in airplanes, subways, airports and public areas.
  • 【Package Contents】- Each package includes one privacy screen shield filter, two sets of clear adhesive strips, two sets of slide mount tabs, and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Buy with confidence – located in the US, Sight Pro specializes in providing best-in-class privacy solutions to individuals, small businesses, corporations, government, and educational institutions. Our privacy screens are Section 889 and TAA compliant.

The policy also describes automatic collection of device characteristics, operating system, browser, IP address, cookie-related identifiers, login times, and page or image-viewing statistics, and says third-party advertisers may use cookies or similar technologies. Those statements describe the policy’s declared practices, not an independent security audit.

If you uploaded private information by mistake

  1. Stop sharing the image URL and remove it from any documents or chats where you posted it.
  2. Use the site’s abuse button or contact support to request removal, as the FAQ instructs.
  3. Rotate exposed credentials immediately. A removal request is not a promise of immediate or guaranteed deletion.

Lightshot compared with Windows Snipping Tool

For a Windows user choosing between them, compare the workflow you actually need rather than assuming one is universally better.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Question Lightshot Snipping Tool
Capture target Selected-area capture is the core workflow. A built-in Windows option documented by Microsoft; the reviewed material does not establish a complete current side-by-side feature list.
Annotation Editing during capture and in an online editor is documented. Not stated in the reviewed comparison sources.
Sharing Can copy or save locally, or upload to a public URL. Not stated in the reviewed comparison sources.
Privacy model Uploaded images are public to anyone with the exact URL. Not stated in the reviewed comparison sources.
Platforms Windows, Mac, and listed browser versions. Windows built-in tool.

Lightshot is a reasonable fit when a fast region capture plus link sharing is the point. Prefer a local-only workflow when your screenshot contains information that must not become publicly addressable.

Common problems and fixes

PrntScr does nothing

  • Confirm that Lightshot is installed and running rather than only having an old shortcut.
  • Check whether another screenshot utility or keyboard-management program has claimed the Print Screen key.
  • Try the configured Lightshot hotkey in the app settings; the documented shortcut may differ from your installation.

The screenshot goes to the wrong place

Use Ctrl+C when you need the clipboard, or Ctrl+S when you need a local file. Uploading with Ctrl+D is a separate action and creates an online link.

The gallery is missing older captures

The FAQ says an account is required to find all screenshots in a gallery. Captures that were only copied or saved locally will not automatically appear as online gallery items.

Rank #4
Peslv 2-Pack 24 Inch 16:9 Computer Monitor Privacy Screen, WxH:532 * 299mm
  • 【PRIVACY FILTER DIMENSIONS】- Width: 20 15/16" (532 mm), Height: 11 13/16" (299 mm), Diagonal: 24" (609.6 mm) - Peslv Dark 24 inch Privacy Screen Filter is engineered to be compatible with 24in Dell, HP, Samsung, Lenovo, LG, Acer, ASUS, Toshiba, ViewSonic, Aoc, Sceptre, PHILIPS, ViewSonic and other brands monitors with 16:9 aspect ratio. Please verify your computer screen's width and height measurements before ordering. It is not recommended to select a size based solely on the diagonal.
  • 【HIGH-CLASS PRIVACY ABLE】Peslv collected suggestions from more than 2000 computer users and performed 22188 anti-peep angle corrections on the micro-blind optical technology to ensure that any line of sight beyond +-30° facing the screen will be shielded. With a Peslv computer privacy screen 24 inch, Protect the privacy of your computer monitor screen and no longer leak any confidential data.
  • 【2 MOUNTING OPTIONS FOR EASY INSTALLATION】The Peslv 24 inch privacy screen for monitor supply 2 installation options, Various installation options, are Compatible with both 24" computer monitors with raised bezels and full-screen 24" computer monitors without raised bezels, and convenient installation allows you to complete the installation in 9 seconds. NOTE: Monitors without raised bezels are only available with mounting option 2.
  • 【EXCLUSIVE DOUBLE-SIDED TECHNOLOGY】24-inch monitor privacy filter has a double-sided surface technology developed by Peslv. Matte or Glossy. With the matte surface facing outward, you can experience the advanced AG anti-glare technology from Germany while maintaining a 30-degree privacy angle, softening the strong light outdoors, and making the screen content clearly visible. With the glossy side facing outward, you can get a super anti-peeping effect with a privacy angle of 26 degrees.
  • 【PROTECT SCREEN ALSO EYES】Filtering optical materials imported from Japan can reduce 92% of blue light and 98% of UV light, and filter all harmful light emitted from the screen to protect your eyes. The high-transparent and reinforced built-in protective layer not only presents high-definition picture quality but also protects your screen from scratches. Hurry up and place an order, own a privacy screen for a computer monitor 24 inch, and protect your monitor screen and your eyes.

You need to capture on Linux

There is no Lightshot application designed specifically for Linux in the official download information. Wine is mentioned as something users may try, but it is a compatibility workaround rather than supported native software. A Linux-native capture utility may be more predictable.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

A link reveals more than intended

Treat every uploaded image as public. Request removal through support or the abuse button, then rotate any credentials visible in the image. For future captures, crop or redact locally and keep sensitive screenshots off the upload path.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Or skip the browser setup

If your goal is an automated website screenshot rather than a hand-drawn desktop capture, ScreenshotNeo provides a GET-based screenshot API and an MCP server for AI agents. It can capture PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF output and supports options such as full-page loading, CSS selectors, device presets, dark mode, custom CSS and JavaScript, cookies and headers, waits, blocking rules, caching, signed links, asynchronous jobs, and bulk capture.

One request is enough to capture a page. The examples below use https://stripe.com; replace that URL with the page you need. See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for the complete parameter list.

cURL

curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webp

Python

import requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)

Node.js

const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' }); const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);

ScreenshotNeo removes cookie and consent banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before the shot. Bot checks, blank pages, failed loads, timeouts, and cache hits are not billed, and response headers identify the page verdict and billing status. Its MCP server lets Claude, Cursor, or another MCP client call take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots, and every feature is on every plan. Create a free ScreenshotNeo account to try it.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Questions readers commonly ask

Is Lightshot a screen recorder?

No. The documented product is for still screenshots of a selected screen area; the supplied official material does not describe video recording.

Best Value
ZOEGAA [2-Pack Computer Privacy Screen Protector 24 Inch 16:9 Aspect Ratio
  • [How To Determine The Screen Size]: Before Purchasing Our 24 inch privacy screen for monitor, Please Measure The Size Of Your Computer Screen First. Our computer privacy screen 24 inch Is Suitable For Computer Screens With A Width Of 20.92 Inches (53.13 Cm), A Height Of 11.77 Inches (29.89 Cm), And A Diagonal Length Of 24 Inches (60.96 Cm). (It Is Not Recommended To Choose The Size Only Based On The Diagonal Length.) The ZOEGAA 24-Inch 16:9 computer privacy screen Is Compatible With HP, Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, Viewsonic And Other 24-Inch 16:9 Computer Monitors. Welcome To Your Purchase!
  • [Outstanding Privacy Effect]: The Engineer Team Of ZOEGAA Has Collected Suggestions From Over 5,000 Computer Users And Corrected The Anti-Peep Viewing Angle Of The Micro-Blind Optical Technology For 35,462 Times To Ensure That The View Beyond ±30 Degrees Will Be Hidden. People On Your Left And Right Will See A Black Screen.
  • [How To Install]: ZOEGAA 24 inch monitor privacy screen Supports 2 Installation Methods. The First One Is The Insert Type Installation, Which Is removable. The Second One Is The Mounting Adhesive Installation, Which Is Non-Detachable. For Detailed Installation Methods, Please Refer To The Pictures Or Videos In The Listing.
  • [Better Clarity]: ZOEGAA privacy screen 24 inch monitor. It Has Added An AR High-Definition Light-Transmitting Layer, Which Enables The computer monitor privacy screen To Maintain Its Original Clarity While Achieving The Anti-Spy Effect; It Will Not Cause Eye Fatigue Due To The Installation Of The privacy screen for monitor.
  • [Reversible Glossy And Matte Surfaces]: The 24 in privacy screen for monitor Of ZOEGAA Has Two Different Surface Textures - The Glossy Surface Offers Better Anti-Peeping Effect, While The Matte Surface Provides Better Anti-Glare Performance. The Matte Surface Is Suitable For Use In Strong Light Environments. This 24 inch monitor privacy screen Also Has Anti-scratch And Anti-Fingerprint Functions, Ensuring That You Won't Worry About Being Damaged By sharp Objects During Use. It Is Washable And Can Achieve A Brand-New Appearance After Being Washed.

Does the official site establish a current Lightshot version?

No current version number, release date, or maintenance cadence is established by the reviewed official pages. Avoid treating the site’s footer date as a software-release date.

Who operates the upload service?

The privacy policy identifies Skillbrains and its affiliates as the relevant entity and explains the site’s stated data practices. That policy does not make uploaded images private or secure storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Lightshot without creating an account?

You can capture, copy, and save locally without relying on the gallery. The FAQ specifically says an account is needed to find all screenshots in the online gallery.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Is a Lightshot link access-controlled?

No. The privacy policy says anyone who knows the exact image URL can view an uploaded image.

What should I use for automated website captures?

A screenshot API such as ScreenshotNeo is better suited to repeatable, scripted captures than a desktop selection tool.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.