11 Firefox Extensions for Taking Browser Screenshots
by Steven Rossi on September 1, 2009 in Tools and Tutorials
I’ve been looking at Firefox extensions that simplify the process of taking screenshots of web pages. I’m not sure I’ve decided on the best one, but I’ve found lots of them. So, in no particular order, here are 11 Firefox extensions which allow for easy website screengrabs.
- WebShots
WebShots is one of the more basic of the screen capture tools. It’s got a keyboard shortcut that opens up a sidebar which allows for a one-click screen capture. Simple and it does the job.
- Snapper
Snapper only allows for selection-based screenshots; that is, it won’t grab the entire browser window—it will only snap the selected area. You activate Snapper by clicking a button in the status bar area, make a selection, and click Save. Very simple and useful.
- Abduction
Abduction takes screenshots by creating a new File menu option, “Save Page As Image…”. When you click this, a new window opens in which you select all or part of the page to capture, choose the filetype of the resulting image, and Save.
- Shooter
Shooter is very similar to Abduction, mentioned above. In fact, it uses the same File menu concept, same keyboard shortcut, and same pop-up window. There’s very little difference, although I’ve seen some devoted users say that Abduction is past its prime and Shooter has taken over. It’s a toss-up to me, though.
- Screengrab
Screengrab is the extension I have been using. It gives the option of saving or copying to your clipboard the full page, the visible portion, a selection, or the entire window. It’s also simple to use, and it gives a lot of options.
- Screenshot Pimp
Screenshot Pimp performs a lot of the same actions (like allowing you to choose a filetype, keyboard shortcut, and full page vs. selection preference), but its preferences allow for more control over the default abilities. It’s activated through a toolbar button, and it works nicely out of the box as well as once you’ve customized it.
- iimmgg.com Tools
Like the other two extensions in this section, iimmgg.com Tools allows you to save an image to its service and to save it to your hard drive. You can log in within its preferences menu and, through the right-click menu, save the image to iimmgg.com. Pretty simple, even if you don’t use iimmgg (or have never heard of it, like me).
- Pict Uploader
Pict Uploader looks a lot like iimmgg.com Tools, but it has one additional feature: the ability to upload an image from your computer to Pict.com. I guess that little feature takes it beyond simply capturing screenshots, but you would have to be a pict.com user to care about that.
- Grab Them All
Grab Them All uses an external text file to take screenshots of a list of websites and place the image files in a specified directory. If you’re looking to automate the process of taking browser screenshots (although I can’t exactly come up with a use case for this), try Grab Them All.
- FireShot
FireShot is pretty complex, and it allows for annotation, quick editing, exporting, drawing, and working with multiple images. Like I said, it’s a little more complex, but it’s got a lot to offer.
- Talon
Talon uses Aviary’s image editing tools to provide one of the most powerful screen capturing apps I’ve ever seen. It allows for one-click save-to-hard-disk functionality, but it also provides the ability to use Aviary’s rich image editing applications. If you’re looking for something advanced, this is certainly it.
Basic Tools
Integrated with Image Services
Full-Featured Tools
Any others I missed? I’d love to hear what tools you guys are using, especially if you have any advice as to which one I should use. Talk to me in the comments.