Taking screenshots on Ubuntu has been straightforward since the GNOME Screenshot tool shipped by default, but the shift to Wayland has broken many popular third-party tools that relied on X11’s permissive screen-capture API. If you have tried Shutter or the old Flameshot and found them non-functional on Ubuntu 24.04’s default Wayland session, this guide explains why and introduces the tools that actually work in 2026. We have tested every major screenshot tool on both Wayland and Xorg sessions, comparing features like area selection, annotation, delay capture, window detection, and clipboard integration. Expect a clear recommendation for different use cases along with installation and configuration instructions.
Why Wayland Broke Your Screenshot Tool
On X11, any application could call XGetImage to capture the contents of any window or the entire screen — no permission needed. This is how Shutter, scrot, and earlier versions of Flameshot worked.
Wayland’s security model is fundamentally different: applications cannot see each other’s windows. To capture the screen, an application must request access through the XDG Desktop Portal, which prompts the user to select a screen, window, or area through a compositor-managed dialog. Tools that have not been updated to use this portal simply do not work on Wayland.
The Tools That Work
1. GNOME Screenshot (Built-In)
Ubuntu 24.04’s GNOME ships with a built-in screenshot tool accessible via Print Screen.
How to use:
- Print Screen — opens the screenshot UI (select area, window, or full screen)
- Shift+Print Screen — select an area immediately
- Alt+Print Screen — capture the active window
- Ctrl+Print Screen — copy to clipboard instead of saving
Pros: No installation needed, works perfectly on Wayland, integrates with GNOME’s notification system (click the notification to open the screenshot in Files or an editor).
Cons: No annotation tools, no delay timer in the quick capture mode, no scrolling capture.
Best for: Quick captures where you do not need to annotate.
2. Flameshot
Flameshot is the most feature-rich screenshot tool for Linux, and its Wayland support has matured significantly since the rocky early days.
sudo apt install flameshot
On Wayland, Flameshot uses the XDG Desktop Portal for screen capture. You will see a portal dialog before the capture — this is normal and unavoidable on Wayland.
Features:
- Area selection with real-time dimension display
- Built-in annotation: arrows, text, rectangles, circles, blur, highlight
- Delay timer (configurable)
- Upload to Imgur (optional)
- Clipboard integration
- Pin screenshots to the desktop
Configuration:
flameshot config
Set your preferred save directory, filename pattern, and default annotation colour.
Keyboard shortcut setup:
Open Settings → Keyboard → Custom Shortcuts:
- Name: Flameshot
- Command:
flameshot gui - Shortcut: Super+Shift+S (or your preference)
Cons: The Wayland portal dialog adds an extra click before each capture. Some annotation tools feel less polished than dedicated image editors.
Best for: Annotated screenshots for documentation, bug reports, and tutorials.
3. Ksnip
Ksnip is a Qt-based screenshot tool with strong annotation features and native Wayland support.
sudo apt install ksnip
Features:
- Area, window, and full-screen capture
- Annotation tools: arrows, numbered markers, text, blur, stickers
- Built-in image editor with crop and scale
- Delay capture
- Global hotkey support
- Configurable auto-save
Pros: Excellent annotation tools (the numbered markers are perfect for step-by-step guides). Clean, professional output. Works well on both Qt and GTK desktops.
Cons: Heavier than Flameshot. Less community ecosystem (fewer integrations and plugins).
Best for: Professional documentation and technical writing.
4. grim + slurp (Wayland-Native CLI)
For terminal-oriented users, grim (screenshot) and slurp (area selection) are lightweight Wayland-native tools.
sudo apt install grim slurp
Full screen:
grim screenshot.png
Area selection:
grim -g "$(slurp)" screenshot.png
To clipboard:
grim -g "$(slurp)" - | wl-copy
Pros: Extremely fast, scriptable, no GUI overhead. Perfect for automated screenshot pipelines.
Cons: No annotation. No GUI. Requires Wayland (does not work on Xorg).
Best for: Scripted captures, CI pipelines, power users.
5. Spectacle (KDE)
If you are running KDE Plasma:
sudo apt install kde-spectacle
Spectacle has first-class Wayland support with rectangular region, active window, and full-screen modes. Includes basic annotation and direct sharing.
Best for: KDE Plasma users.
Comparison Table
| Feature | GNOME Built-in | Flameshot | Ksnip | grim+slurp | Spectacle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayland native | ✅ | ✅ (portal) | ✅ (portal) | ✅ (native) | ✅ (native) |
| Xorg support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Area selection | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Annotation | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Basic |
| Delay timer | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Scriptable | ✅ |
| CLI interface | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Clipboard | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto-save | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Scriptable | ✅ |
What About Shutter?
Shutter was the gold standard for Linux screenshots for nearly a decade, with its powerful editor and plugin system. Unfortunately, as of 2026, Shutter’s Wayland support remains incomplete. It works on Xorg sessions, but on Wayland it either captures a black screen or crashes. If you need Shutter’s features, run it on an Xorg session. For Wayland, use Flameshot or Ksnip instead.
Our Recommendation
- Daily driver (GNOME): Use the built-in Print Screen for quick captures. Install Flameshot for when you need annotation.
- Documentation work: Ksnip’s numbered markers and professional annotation tools make it the best choice.
- Scripting and automation: grim + slurp, no contest.
- KDE users: Spectacle integrates perfectly and is already installed on Kubuntu.
Related Reading
- Wayland vs Xorg — understanding the display protocol affects your tool choices
- Ubuntu 24.04 Post-Install Checklist — getting your tools set up after a fresh install
- Snap vs Flatpak vs Deb — choosing how to install these tools
