Often when the word free is associated with software, we assume we get what we pay for – limited functionality. Not so in the case of screen capture software. There are some great free screen capture software tools that you can easily incorporate into your workflow. Screen captures and screenshots are simple tools that can have a big impact on your workplace communication and presentations.

What is a screen capture?

Computers are equipped to take a screen capture out of the box. A screen capture is basically a snapshot of what is on your screen. Through a specific configuration of commands (varying depending on device and operating system) you can capture either the entire window or a region on your screen that is saved in your computer’s temporary memory and can be pasted as needed.

Why would I need screen capture software?

By using a screen capture software, you can increase the usability of your screen capture. You can annotate and share your screen capture easily as well as have access to your history for future use and reference.  By giving yourself the tools to edit your screen captures, you can make the most out them and create a visually impacting communication piece.

What should I look for?

A free screen capture software should offer you easy to use editing tools so that you can highlight aspects and annotate captures. The interface should be easy to use and not require expert level computer know-how. The tool bar of editing  tools should be fairly intuitive. You should be able to get a shareable link as well as have access to your screen capture history. Learn more about what to look for when searching for screen capture software.

What are the benefits of using free screen capture software?

There are several useful things you can do with screen captures if you have access to great screen capture software. Screen captures can be transformed into incredibly precise communication tools. Here are just a few ideas of how you can use screen captures in your day-to-day operations.

• Create a visual plan. Whether you are looking to create a manual or a simple storyboard for a project, by having screen capture software, you can turn a series of  screen captures into a visual plan. By annotating images and creating shareable links, you can easily turn your screen captures into a presentation or even a manual or reference guide.
• Relay clear feedback. Instead of typing out lengthy descriptions of bugs in your QA process, use screen captures. You can give clear examples of problems found, annotate and share them in a way that’s easily stored and accessed for reference. It’s also a great way to give clear feedback on mockups and design projects.
• Save time. A picture truly is worth a thousand words. Instead of explaining it, show it. A screen capture provides the perfect canvas to illustrate your point visually and with concise text.
• Communicate more, faster. By taking screen captures and creating shareable links, you avoid sending too many emails. With products like Mango Recorder by MangoApps, you can use the bulk share to download multiple files for sharing and communicate the shareable zip file link with colleagues.
• Create a visual database. Your screen capture history should be easily accessible to access your visual database. You can easily find old iterations and feedback by browsing through your history.  You won’t have to re-capture things you need to reuse.

With the right free screen capture software, you can streamline much of your project management and team collaboration. It provides you a way to give clear feedback, share succinctly, and store your history. Choosing the right free screen capture software can make completing a variety of tasks easier and more concise.