Lightshot is a stepping stone. Here is what comes next.
Lightshot is quick and free. It is also screenshot-only, uploads everything to prnt.sc by default, and has no video capability at all. When you need video, better annotations, and control over where your screenshots go, Nabist is the next step.
No credit card required. Windows and Mac. Free trial, then $80 once.
Nabist vs. Lightshot: Side by Side
Both are fast screen capture tools. That is where the similarity ends.
Lightshot features based on publicly available documentation as of early 2026.
The prnt.sc Problem
Lightshot is convenient. But every screenshot goes to their servers by default.
Uploads by default
Lightshot uploads screenshots to prnt.sc automatically when you click share. That means anything you capture can be publicly accessible on their servers. Many users do not realize this is happening.
Public URLs, no expiration
Screenshots on prnt.sc get a short public URL. Anyone with the link can view them. There is no expiration and limited control over deletion. For anything sensitive, this is a real risk.
Nabist stays local
Nabist copies to your clipboard or saves locally by default. No automatic cloud upload, no public URL you did not ask for. Share only what you choose, where you choose.
What You Get When You Upgrade from Lightshot
Lightshot gets you a screenshot. Nabist gets you a complete capture workflow.
Screenshots that stay where you put them
Clipboard or local file. No automatic upload to a third-party server. Your screenshot goes exactly where you tell it to.
Annotation that explains things
Numbered steps, arrows, callouts, and text boxes. Lightshot has basic shapes. Nabist has the full toolkit for walking someone through a process.
Video recording (Lightshot has none)
Record your screen with system audio and microphone. Trim it, add a voiceover, and share a clean clip. Lightshot cannot do any of this.
Your data stays local
No default cloud uploads, no public prnt.sc URLs. Screenshots and recordings live on your machine unless you choose to share them.
REST API + Stream Deck
Trigger captures from scripts or a Stream Deck button. Features Lightshot does not have and never will.
Lifetime updates included
Your $80 covers every future update. No subscription, no annual fee, no surprises.
"Used Lightshot for years. Then I needed to record a walkthrough and realized it just cannot do that. Switched to Nabist and now screenshots, annotations, and video are all one tool. $80 well spent."Nabist user, QA engineer
Who Moves from Lightshot to Nabist
Software Engineers
Lightshot covered quick bug screenshots. Nabist adds numbered step annotations, video walkthroughs, and keeps nothing on a public server.
Technical Writers
Numbered steps, callouts, clean annotation. Nabist is the annotation tool Lightshot was trying to be.
Privacy-Conscious Users
You do not want your screenshots automatically uploaded somewhere. Nabist keeps everything local until you decide otherwise.
Support Teams
When a screenshot is not enough to explain the issue, you can record a short video. Lightshot cannot do that. Nabist can.
Common Questions When Moving from Lightshot
Ready for the Full Workflow?
14-day free trial. No credit card. See what Lightshot was missing.
Windows · $80 one-time · Lifetime updates · 2 activations per license