A Modern Ksnip Alternative for Linux

Looking for a modern Ksnip Alternative?

Ksnip set the standard for Linux screenshot annotations. Screention brings that beloved markup workflow into the modern era — with a lightweight Rust engine, Wayland support, offline OCR, and no Qt dependency.

$ curl -fsSL https://screention.gkernel.com/install.sh | bash

Installs the .deb with apt, the .rpm with dnf or zypper, or the AppImage on other distros. x86_64 only. Needs Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12, Linux Mint 21, Fedora 38 or newer, or openSUSE Tumbleweed.

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Screention modern Ksnip alternative with arrows and annotations
Head-to-Head Comparison

Ksnip vs. Screention

Here is how Screention compares to Ksnip for everyday Linux desktop workflows, based on Ksnip's README.

Feature
Ksnip
Screention
Wayland Compatibility
Supported (GNOME, Plasma, portal)
Native XDG Portal + automatic grim fallback
Dependencies & Architecture
Qt-based
Rust backend, no Qt dependency
Annotation Toolkit
Pen, marker, shapes, text, stickers, blur & pixelate
Pen, arrows, shapes, text, numbered steps, blur & pixelate
Offline Text Recognition (OCR)
Separate OCR plugin (ksnip-plugin-ocr)
Built-in offline OCR to clipboard
QR & Barcode Scanner
Not listed in its README
Built-in QR code and barcode reader

The markup tools you love, in a modern app

Built with Rust and modern web technologies.

Instant Region Capture

Select any area of your desktop with live dimension readouts and keyboard arrow micro-adjustments.

Arrows, Shapes & Pen

Draw directional arrows, frame areas with rectangles or ellipses, and add freehand markup in 12 curated colors.

Blur & Pixelate

Hide credentials, API keys, and private messages with pixelate, blur, or a solid box before pasting or saving.

Offline OCR to Clipboard

Extract text from any non-selectable screen element straight to your clipboard with zero network calls.

No Qt Runtime Dependencies

Native compiled binary. No Qt runtime to install.

Local-First Privacy

Screenshots, recognized text, and your gallery stay on your computer unless you press Upload. No account required, and usage counts can be turned off in Settings.

Frequently asked questions

Why look for an alternative to Ksnip?

Ksnip has been one of the most capable screenshot annotation tools on Linux for years. You might want a Ksnip alternative if you prefer OCR without a separate plugin or a built-in QR code and barcode reader. Screention is an actively maintained, modern alternative built with Rust and Tauri.

How does Screention compare to Ksnip's annotation capabilities?

Screention covers the everyday markup tools: freehand pen, straight lines, directional arrows, rectangles, ellipses, text notes, numbered steps, highlighters, blur or pixelate, and solid boxes. In addition, Screention includes built-in offline OCR text extraction and a QR code and barcode reader.

Does Screention run on Wayland?

Yes. If you are switching from Ksnip on a Wayland desktop, Screention connects directly to the native XDG Desktop Portal on modern GNOME and KDE Plasma desktops and includes an automatic grim fallback for tiling compositors like Sway and Hyprland.

How does Screention compare to Ksnip in system overhead?

Ksnip is a Qt-based application. Screention uses a Rust core and waits idle in the tray until you take a screenshot.

Can I use Screention offline?

Yes. Screenshots, annotations, and OCR take place on your device without an account or a network connection, and a screenshot is only uploaded if you press Upload. When you are online, the app sends pseudonymous usage counts, which you can turn off in Settings > Privacy.

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