Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

LICEcap VS ShareX

Compare LICEcap VS ShareX and see what are their differences

LICEcap logo LICEcap

A straightforward, high performance application that enables users to capture a portion of the desktop and save it to . GIF or . LCF, LICEcap is available for download as a GPL free software.

ShareX logo ShareX

ShareX is a free and open source program that lets you capture or record any area of your screen...
  • LICEcap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-14
  • ShareX Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-29

LICEcap features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    LICEcap is known for its straightforward interface, making it easy for users of all levels to create animated GIFs quickly without a steep learning curve.
  • Lightweight
    The application is lightweight and doesn't require significant system resources, ensuring smooth performance without impacting other processes.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Available for both Windows and macOS, LICEcap provides flexibility to users across major operating systems.
  • Minimalist Design
    With a minimalist design, LICEcap allows users to focus on capturing screen activity without distraction.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, LICEcap allows developers to review and modify the code to suit their specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of LICEcap

  • Limited Features
    Compared to other screen recording tools, LICEcap offers basic features with limited editing capabilities, which might not satisfy advanced users.
  • No Audio Recording
    LICEcap does not support audio recording, which can be a drawback for users who need to include sound in their screen captures.
  • GIF Format Only
    LICEcap exclusively creates animated GIF files, lacking support for other video formats that might be necessary for certain projects.
  • Quality Constraints
    The quality of GIFs created by LICEcap may be lower compared to video formats, due to the inherent limitations of the GIF format in terms of color and frame rate.
  • Limited Customer Support
    As a free and open-source tool, LICEcap doesn't offer dedicated customer support, which might leave users relying on community forums for help.

ShareX features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    ShareX is completely free and the source code is open to the public. This allows for community contributions, and users can trust that there are no hidden costs or malware.
  • Feature-Rich
    ShareX offers a wide range of features including screen capture, video recording, GIF creation, and various upload methods to many different services.
  • Customization
    The software provides extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor their workflows to their specific needs. This includes hotkeys, automated tasks, and image editing on-the-fly.
  • Various Output Formats
    Users can save their captures in multiple formats such as PNG, JPEG, GIF, and more. This makes it versatile for different use cases.
  • Automated Processes
    ShareX can automate various processes such as uploading to cloud services, copying URLs, and performing file operations. This enhances productivity and saves time.
  • Regular Updates
    The application receives regular updates, ensuring that it keeps up with new technology and user requirements.

Possible disadvantages of ShareX

  • Complexity
    With its wide array of features, ShareX can be complex and overwhelming for new users. The interface might take some time to get used to.
  • Windows-Only
    ShareX is only available for Windows. Users on other operating systems like macOS or Linux will not be able to use it natively.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users report occasional bugs or instability, which may require troubleshooting or waiting for updates to resolve.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and customization options, there is a steep learning curve for users who want to make the most out of all functionalities.
  • Third-Party Dependencies
    Some features may rely on third-party services or frameworks, which can lead to complications or additional configuration steps.

Analysis of LICEcap

Overall verdict

  • Yes, LICEcap is considered a good tool for those who need a straightforward and effective solution for creating GIFs from screen recordings.

Why this product is good

  • LICEcap is popular for its simplicity and efficiency in capturing screen recordings as GIFs. It offers features such as adjustable capture area, pause/resume of recording, and the ability to include or exclude the mouse cursor. The software is lightweight and free to use, making it highly accessible.

Recommended for

  • Developers creating GIF demos or tutorials
  • Educators making instructional content
  • Users who need to quickly share screen activity as GIFs
  • Anyone looking for a free, easy-to-use screen recording tool

Analysis of ShareX

Overall verdict

  • ShareX is a robust and versatile tool for anyone in need of an advanced screen capture and file-sharing software. Its open-source nature and no-cost usage make it an attractive choice for casual users and professionals alike. With a little time spent on exploring its features, users can unlock a powerful toolset that can greatly enhance productivity.

Why this product is good

  • ShareX is considered good by many due to its extensive range of features for screen capturing, file sharing, and productivity. It is an open-source tool, which means it's free to use and has a strong community of contributors who constantly update and improve the software. The application supports multiple capture methods, including full screen, active window, or specific region. It also provides editing tools, annotations, and supports various file formats. Additionally, ShareX offers seamless integration with many cloud storage and file-sharing services, allowing for easy sharing and storage of captures.

Recommended for

  • Tech enthusiasts who appreciate open-source software.
  • Content creators who need extensive screen capturing and editing capabilities.
  • Professionals who require quick sharing of visual content with clients or teams.
  • Educators and trainers creating instructional content.
  • Remote workers who frequently share screenshots or screen recordings with colleagues.

LICEcap videos

DIGITALYCHEE REVIEW - LICEcap & GIF Brewery

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Create a .GIF (Animated photo) using Licecap
  • Review - Licecap - Create Animated Gif of your Desktop Work | All Features Explained

ShareX videos

Here's why you should download ShareX.

More videos:

  • Review - Simple Screenshots & Screen Recording — Why You Should Use ShareX
  • Tutorial - ShareX Install and How to use Guide 2019

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to LICEcap and ShareX)
Screenshots
7 7%
93% 93
Screenshot Annotation
8 8%
92% 92
Image Annotation
6 6%
94% 94
Screen Recording
7 7%
93% 93

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare LICEcap and ShareX

LICEcap Reviews

30 Best Free Screen Capture Tools and Plugins
LICEcap lets you record screen activities and save them as GIFs on Windows and macOS. You can also pause and restart recording, and even insert texts. Moreover, it provides hotkeys to capture and record the screen quickly.

ShareX Reviews

Selecting the Best Screen Recorder for Windows 11: A Thorough Exploration
Selecting the right screen recorder for Windows 11 hinges on your specific needs and the level of complexity you’re comfortable with. ScreenRec offers a balanced mix of ease of use and functionality, making it an excellent choice for most users. However, those with more specialized needs might find OBS Studio, Camtasia, Bandicam, or ShareX to be better suited to their...
Source: medium.com
Top 8 Best Free Screen Recorders in 2024
Another top contender for best free screen recorders in 2024 is ShareX. While not as feature-rich as some of its counterparts like OBS or ScreenMix, it still serves as an excellent fit for beginners venturing into screen recording. With ShareX, you enjoy the flexibility of customizing your recording area, allowing you to capture specific windows or your entire screen. ShareX...
Source: mixilab.com
The Most Recommended 11 Screen Recorders for Windows 10/11 in 2023 [HOT]
After installing and starting ShareX on your PC, just use the shortcut key to start screen capture and select areas, automatically save images, upload directly to the cloud, share online, and so on. ShareX is free to use. ShareX for Windows 10/11 can easily import media from your computer. You can choose to record the whole screen, part of the screen or a specific program at...
The 5 Most Recommended Free Screen Recording Softwares
ShareX is an open source screen recording software. This screen recording tool does not add watermark or time limit to the recorded video, and it can also be saved in GIF format after recording.
Top 15 Free Alternatives to OBS | Online Free Screen Recorder for PC
ShareX, like OBS, is a free and open-source tool for Windows users. This free tool provides a lot of features, including full-screen window, designated areas and active window recording; set timed recording; performming recording while scrolling the page; taking screenshots and supporting OCR to extract text from screenshots, etc.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ShareX seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 273 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

LICEcap mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of LICEcap yet. Tracking of LICEcap recommendations started around Mar 2021.

ShareX mentions (273)

  • Devlog: Hacktoberfest 2024 (2/4)
    I made sure to document every step of the way via screenshots to ensure I could test enabling and disabling certain features. The screenshot tool I use on Windows is called, ShareX, and I find it extremely useful with regards to pointing out certain elements in an image. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Flameshot – Powerful, yet simple to use open-source screenshot software
    I've been using ShareX (https://getsharex.com/) for some years, which is also open-source, and very featureful while not feeling too bloated, though Windows only. I'll have to have a look at this next time I'm on a Linux desktop, as I found the options lacking compared to ShareX last time I looked. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • The fastest tool for measuring anything on your screen
    ShareX (https://getsharex.com/) doesn't have quite this nice UX but it's free. I often use it alongside browser dev tools. Here's a screenshot of me measuring this comment box https://i.imgur.com/yoTHbzq.png. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Full Screen recording software for lower end machines.
    ShareX will run on that machine no problem. Open-source & free. Https://i.imgur.com/KQAoDin.jpg. Source: over 1 year ago
  • 'Screen Apnea'
    ShareX [1] is my other "must install" app. I never would have guessed how much my branch of engineering consists of "take a screenshot and draw lines, arrows and circles on it." Being able to customize my workflow to do all of that is really great. [1] https://getsharex.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing LICEcap and ShareX, you can also consider the following products

ScreenToGif - This tool allows you to record a selected area of your screen and save as a animated gif.

Greenshot - Greenshot is a free and open source screenshot tool that allows annotation and highlighting using the built-in image editor.

recordit.co - Make a short video capture of your desktop as a gif.

LightShot - The fastest way to take a customizable screenshot.

Snagit - Screen Capture Software for Windows and Mac

FastStone Capture - A powerful, lightweight, yet full-featured screen capture tool that allows you to easily capture...