FastStone Capture 10.8

Overview

If you are looking for a fully optioned and powerful screen capture tool that is also lightweight and does not eat up much of your system’s resources, then the FastStone Capture application is exactly what you are looking for. Overall, the application allows you to take screenshots of certain windows, menus, objects, freehand or rectangular regions from your desktop, scrolling windows and webpages. At the same time, you are able to edit your screenshots and add annotations, watermarking, sharpening, resize the pictures, apply edges and effects. What makes the FastStone Capture stand out from the crowd is the fact that it enables you to record the activities that you perform on your monitor, sounds included, into compressed videos that you can later share with your friends or work colleagues.

Installation

There are no specific system requirements needed for installing the FastStone Capture, except for a Windows operating system and 3.3 MB from your hard drive. The application does not include spyware or malware and the installation process will take only a few seconds of your time. It is important to note that the FastStone Capture is a paid application, but you have a thirty days trial period, enough time to decide whether this is the right screen capture software for you. During the trial period, you will be able to enjoy its full array of features and functions. 

Interface

The interface of the FastStone Capture is composed of a little bar, which includes most of its main functions. However, even though it is small, you should know that it includes four different skins to choose from via the settings command. The main commands of the FastStone Capture can also be accessed if you right click on its icon, located in the tray bar menu. The application includes seven different screen shot options, which are: capture active window, window or object, rectangular region, freehand region, scrolling window and fixed region.

It is important to note that it also incorporates various options regarding the output. Therefore, after taking a screenshot, you can copy it to clipboard or send it to editor, file, printer, email, word, power point or the web. At the same time, the FastStone Capture allows you to acquire your images from your scanner machine and convert them to PDF. The application also includes a vast list of settings, where you can customize details about screenshot capture, editing, FTP, file names, autosave options and hotkeys.

Pros

The main advantage that the FastStone Capture holds over the vast majority of similar software is the fact that it allows you to make videos of web pages or activities you are currently performing on your computer. In addition, this application lets you take screenshots that are larger than the classic one page pictures. The settings menu is yet another fine point of the FastStone Capture, as it provides dozens of options to help you tailor the application to your needs.

A further thing to appreciate about this software utility is the fact that you have an entire free month at your disposal to test it out. During this time, there are no limitations and restrictions about what options you can use from the program. In addition, it is updated regularly and you can rest assured that you will benefit from a smooth and flawless performance. Once you decide to purchase it, you will be pleasantly surprised that you will pay under twenty dollars to get a lifetime registry. 

Cons

Some users feel that they are paying for more options than they actually need. However, considering that it's a onetime payment and future options that will come with updated versions are included in this payment, this complaint is not justified.

Alternatives

A few of the alternative screen capture programs are Greenshot (Win), Jet Screenshot (Win), Jing for Windows, Jing for Mac, Shutter (Linux), Skitch (Mac), PicPick (Win) and SnagIt (Win).

Conclusion

Considering the pricing, the plethora of screen captures as well as the numerous settings of the FastStone Capture, it is indeed one of the few software tools that can qualify as the best bang for the buck. It does not take much of your hard drive’s space and it does not consume your computer’s resources. Overall, a good investment that you will not regret, even for one second!