ShareX

ShareX is a free, open-source, and incredibly powerful Windows-only application that is a true powerhouse for users who need to automate their screen capture and sharing workflow. While its primary fame comes from being arguably the best screenshot tool available, its screen recording capabilities (GIF and video) are robust and highly configurable. Its defining characteristic is workflow automation: after capturing (a region, window, or screen), you can automatically upload to dozens of destinations (Imgur, Dropbox, FTP, etc.), run image edits (blur, watermark), copy links to clipboard, and more—all configurable via hotkeys. The screen recorder can capture to MP4, WebM, or animated GIF with customizable frame rates and codec settings. Historically, it evolved from the 'ZScreen' project, focusing on productivity for developers and power users. It's ideal for tech-savvy Windows users, developers, and support staff who want a completely free, automated, and highly efficient tool for both screenshots and short recordings. Compared to OBS, it's better for quick captures and sharing; compared to Snagit, it's free and more automatable but less polished. The learning curve is steep due to its vast options.