Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Spectacle App VS ShareX

Compare Spectacle App VS ShareX and see what are their differences

Spectacle App logo Spectacle App

Move and resize windows with ease.

ShareX logo ShareX

ShareX is a free and open source program that lets you capture or record any area of your screen...
  • Spectacle App Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-18

Important note: Spectacle is no longer being actively maintained

  • ShareX Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-29

Spectacle App features and specs

  • User-Friendliness
    Spectacle App offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, which allows users to quickly understand and navigate through its features without a steep learning curve.
  • Efficiency
    The app provides keyboard shortcuts for managing window sizes and positions, enhancing workflow efficiency and minimizing the time spent on window management.
  • Customization
    Users can customize the keyboard shortcuts according to their preferences, making the app versatile and adaptable to different working styles.
  • Free to Use
    Spectacle App is available at no cost, providing powerful window management features without any financial barriers.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Spectacle App allows users to contribute to its development and modifications, promoting community collaboration and transparency.

Possible disadvantages of Spectacle App

  • Limited Development
    The app is no longer actively maintained, which may result in compatibility issues with newer operating systems or a lack of new features over time.
  • Basic Functionality
    While effective, Spectacle App offers relatively basic functionality compared to some commercial window management tools, which may have more advanced features.
  • No Multi-Monitor Support
    Spectacle App lacks robust support for managing windows across multiple monitors, which can be a limitation for users with complex setups.
  • Potential Bugs
    As an open-source project without ongoing maintenance, users might encounter bugs or glitches that will not be addressed through official updates.

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.

Spectacle App videos

Demo of Spectacle App for Mac

More videos:

  • Review - Spectacle App Showcase: Window Management, Manipulation, & Organization for Mac (2017)

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 Spectacle App and ShareX)
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Screenshots
8 8%
92% 92
OSX Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Screenshot Annotation
10 10%
90% 90

User comments

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Reviews

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

Spectacle App Reviews

Moom vs Magnet vs Spectacle
While custom sizes can only be done with Moom, the predefined window sizes are provided by Magnet and Spectacle out of the box, but can also be configured manually with Moom. It’s also possible to assign keyboard shortcuts. So, in this case, if you want all the features, Moom can do them all.
Source: medium.com

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 a lot more popular than Spectacle App. While we know about 273 links to ShareX, we've tracked only 4 mentions of Spectacle App. 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.

Spectacle App mentions (4)

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 / 7 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 / 11 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 / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

LightShot - The fastest way to take a customizable screenshot.

Snagit - Screen Capture Software for Windows and Mac

Moom - Move your mouse over the green zoom button in any window, and Moom's mouse control overlay will appear (as seen in the above animation).

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