PicPick vs FastStone Capture vs Screenshot Captor vs Jet Screenshot

[tomos]

This one deserves a bit more widespread visibility:

dottech shootout:

[Windows] Best free screenshot program — PicPick vs FastStone Capture vs Screenshot Captor vs Jet Screenshot

Screenshot Captor gets 'first honorable mention'

[xtabber]

While PicPick is rated 1st, FastStone 2nd and Screenshot Captor 1st honorable mention, note is made that all three are similarly capable, so the ranking boils down mostly to personal preference about the interface.

It should be noted that PicPick is only free for personal (home) use, and that the "Freeware version may include third-party (sponsored) advertisements." according to the developer's website.  Also, FastStone Capture is no longer free, so even though the last freeware version can still be downloaded from the dottech web site, updates will not be available for free.

[Josh]

I have paid for, and continue to use, FastStone Capture. It is the EASIEST to use and has all of the features I need with very little clutter. Scrolling capture works beautifully with two clicks (click the scrolling cap button or hit the hotkey combo, select area to capture and bam...done). I love movie mode for short "How to videos". I paid 20 bucks for it, once, about 4 years ago and have never regretted it. The features seem to flow very intuitively and make me productive rather quickly. Great tool!

[Tinman57]

  I've used several screenshot programs over the years, but once I discovered ScreenShotCapture I blew away the other ones and haven't looked back since....

[Jibz]

I have paid for, and continue to use, FastStone Capture. It is the EASIEST to use and has all of the features I need with very little clutter.

I had the same experience.

I am surprised Greenshot isn't mentioned.

[Tuxman]

... and shareXmod.

[Paul Keith]

For those who don't want to click the link, this is why Screenshot Captor fell so far below:

One of the issues I have with this software is that although on its website it is stated that it allows for “the easy and automatic or on-demand uploading of screenshots to a wide variety of image hosting services (imageshack, flickr, ftp, etc.)”, on further inspection the downloading of additional software is required in order for this functionality to be utilized. Additionally the user interface comes across as being more cluttered and less user-friendly than that of PicPick and FastStone Capture.

[mouser]

fair criticisms.. i'll have to try to do better with Screenshot Captor to win some of you guys back.

[cmpm]

PicPick is annoying with it's constant updates and crapware bundle.
I removed it off my wife's computer, she was annoyed as well.
Plus you have to get it from cnet and no direct download link that I found.

FastStone is better at scrolling windows then SC.
Other then that SC is my standard.

Without reviewing the built-in editors they are all basically the same.

I've had no troubles with SC's built-in editor.
It does what it says, and what I want it to.
FastStone's editor is pretty basic.

Oh, one other thing.
SC is faster at saving shots.
One can grab multiple shots very quick.
Just save in the pop-up dialog and grab another without the editor.

edit again- Just played with FS a bit, it can save quickly too.

[PhilB66]

Plus you have to get it from cnet and no direct download link that I found.

www.nteworks.com/latestdownload/picpick_inst.exe

[crabby3]

My 2 cents-

In defence of PicPick...

The 'constant updates' can be stopped by: Open PicPick Editor, click the file menu in the upper left-hand corner, click Program Options, click About, uncheck the box in front of Check for program updates, then click OK.

The 'crapware bundle' can be unchecked in the Install Wizard during installation. 1 click

EDIT:  As I recall you have to chose Custom Install to avoid the crapware... so maybe it's 2 clicks.

--------------

Personally I don't use all the options.  Just the screen cap and occasionally the Protractor, which doesn't seem to be listed in the dotTech review.

[tkh7819]

Just realized that PicPick no longer shows the direct download link on their web page now (I can't find it. Correct me if I am wrong). It was there until recently.
Hope the author won't remove the direct link from their server.

The installer contains crapware, but the option to skip its installation is clear.

I do not know how the preview window behaves. I always use the auto save to file feature and the capture speed of Faststone Capture and PicPick is similar in my opinion.

[oblivion]

For what little it's worth -- particularly given that there doesn't seem to be much to choose on the  functionality front -- SC is my preferred option of those mentioned here. I agree that the UI feels perhaps a tiny bit cluttered but it's never let me down yet, it seems to be able to cope well with everything I've ever needed from it, AND, apparently unlike the others with the possible exception of PicPick (which I can't use at work) it has a portable version.

I don't do the scrolling capture thing often, but the one time I needed it (and I badly needed it to work quickly and effectively, can't remember why but it was a big window, maybe four horizontal screens by eight vertical) after not too much effort, I got what I needed.

[crabby3]

My 2 cents-

In defence of PicPick...

FWIW

In the beginning....
I used the screen capture that came with Jasc Paint Shop Pro 9.  It was cumbersome at best because I had to open PSP and keep it running to grab stuff.

Next choice...
Through Gizmos I found Donation Coder and Mouser's SC.  Was much, much better than using PSP but not ideal. (for me anyway)

PicPick...
Don't recall where I found it but... PicPick's initial PNG grab is displayed in ppi... when opened in PSP9... which is what I was looking for and still want.  And the Protractor is equally useful.

For some reason the Minds at Jasc didn't include a Protractor with PSP9.    With PicPick I just right-click the tray icon, left-click the Protractor, and there it is... ready to use... anywhere.  

Don't know if SC has these features now?