I’m sure many of you are going to be just as disappointed to hear that the FastStone Capture software is now shareware. Previously I have raved about how great this software is for taking screenshots, but a lot of that excitement was because it was available at no cost. Now you’ll have to fork over $29.95 if you want to get your hands on any of the future versions (lifetime upgrades are included).
They still offer the portable version, but even that requires registration after your 30–day trial is over:
The switch to shareware comes right after they released version 5.4 today with a few new features, including improved support for Windows Vista. Here is a full list of what’s new:
- Added Fade Edge effect. Now edge effects can be applied to 4 edges instead of only 2 in previous versions.
- Supports external editors (”Edit With” list in the FastStone Editor), which allows you to edit the captured screenshot with specified external editors. This feature enables you to add virtually unlimited editing capabilities to the program
- Added option “Open in External Program” to “Auto Save” section in the Settings, which allows you to open the captured image in a specified program automatically
- Enhanced the Screen Magnifer
- Solved some compatibility issues in Windows Vista
There’s nothing revolutionary in this release that would cause me to pay for the upgrade. So if you’re thinking about upgrading I would personally hold off, and even still I think I’m more likely to buy SnagIt given that it has more features for almost the same cost. This is a really disappointing loss for the freeware community. 
I did manage to jump over to Download.com and grab FastStone Capture 5.3, which was the last free version to be offered. Luckily I caught this before most download sites updated their files. You can download the FREE FastStone Capture 5.3 from my mirror.
Maybe it’s time to give my Screenshot Captor another try
[donationcoder.com]
ps. it’s always had some powerful features for using it with other tools.
I have SnagIt and have used it for awhile now. No reason for me to switch, even for the free version. If you do a lot of screen captures, SnagIt is definitely well worth the money.
It has been awhile since I have checked that out, so it might just be time for me to do it again.
I agree, I wouldn’t switch software if you already purchased SnagIt. That software is more powerful, but I always like looking for the free way out.
I’m not sure if any of these websites have posted a copy of FastStone(yet, or ever), but when this kind of thing happens I always visit:
Last Freeware Version:
[321download.com]
Version Tracker:
[versiontracker.com]
OldVersion:
[oldversion.com]
I find these to be very helpful bookmarks.
The Print Screen key on my keyboard usually does the trick.
Paste in Paint.NET or Gimp.
[Alt Gr] + [Prt Scr] captures active window only.
:CHEERS:
Sure, print screen works but this is so much more convenient. I love this program.
Thanks for the link to v5.3. It’ll be a good idea to have a copy of it saved.
@Lappy: Those sites are normally a hit or miss when it comes to grabbing that software. Sometimes they work, but most of the time they never seem to have what I’m actually looking for.
@Simon: I agree with Dave that this tool is a lot more convenient, and makes it a lot easier to grab just the area that you’re looking for.
This is a BAD news. Will become comercial all the other FastStone products? It would be terrible…
Brave move. It’s a good program for sure. Although I think it’s not fair to compare it to its previous freeware versions (but understandable), it is competing against itself!
Also I wonder behind the rationale not to make a seperate “pro” version and keep the current version free bugfixes / compatibility.
People don’t like things taken away from them unfortunately, the psychological effect of freeware -> shareware I would think is worse than release a “plus” version even though it’s basically the same thing.
I have been using Ashampoo Magical Snap for a while now. I paid $5 for it & it has a lot of options. There is a generous try-it time frame too for any of their software. All of their programs are extremely reasonable. My nickels worth
I’m very much hoping that they don’t pick that route and make all of their software shareware, but as new versions of them get released I have a feeling we’ll see a similar thing happening.
I definitely agree that they should have just made a more advanced version and charged for that. I like to keep up with the latest versions of software though, so I’ll probably end up purchasing SnagIt if FastStone doesn’t create a free version in the next few weeks.
…one of the most popular viewers worldwide!
[irfanview.net]
has a good Screenshot Capture/screenshot
That’s so sad, I am using a version I had downloaded earlier and its free.
What’s a “Scree Magnifer”?
Should that have been “Screen Magnifer”
Maybe that the “Scree Maginifier” is the special feature that caused it to turn to shareware.
Ah yes it magnifies their profits.
Some of you might not know this: Fast Stone Image Viewer v.2.7 was shareware a couple of weeks last year (reverted back to freeware). The author is indeed going the shareware way… So grab your last freeware versions.
I didn’t know that the Image Viewer was ever shareware…I guess the developer realized the benefits that it once had to offer that as shareware.