Gradia – The Best Screenshot App for GNOME

GNOME has always had a problem: the built-in screenshot function is good for capturing, but you need external tools for editing. Gradia finally solves this problem – and does it really well.

Why Not Flameshot Anymore?

I used Flameshot for years. It was the best screenshot solution for Linux. But under GNOME, Flameshot has problems:

The Disadvantages of Flameshot under GNOME

Wayland Compatibility:
Flameshot is only very limitedly compatible with Wayland. You often have to use tricks to make it work under GNOME.

No Native Integration:
Flameshot completely bypasses GNOME's native screenshot function. This leads to inconsistencies in the workflow.

Dependencies:
Flameshot is based on Qt, not GTK. This means unnecessary system dependencies that waste resources.

Conclusion: Flameshot feels like a foreign solution, not a part of GNOME.

Gradia – The Native Alternative

Gradia is different. It integrates seamlessly into GNOME because it uses libadwaita and native GNOME components.

What Makes Gradia Better?

Integrated Workflow:
You take a screenshot with GNOME's selection interface, and Gradia opens automatically for editing.

Native Feeling:
The app looks and behaves like a real GNOME application.

Integrated Editing:
Annotations, arrows, text, cropping – all directly in the app, without external programs.

Installation & Setup

Installation via Flathub

flatpak install flathub be.alexandervanhee.gradia

Setting up a Keyboard Shortcut

1. Settings → Keyboard → Custom Shortcuts
2. Command: flatpak run be.alexandervanhee.gradia --screenshot=INTERACTIVE
3. Key: Print Screen

Done! Now Gradia will start automatically with every screenshot.

Compatibility with Other Desktops

Linux Mint (Cinnamon)

Works well, but: Gradia takes a fullscreen screenshot by default. You then have to crop it in the editing view.

KDE Plasma

Less useful. Spectacle (KDE's native screenshot app) already offers all the features that Gradia has.

Conclusion

Finally, GNOME gets the screenshot app it has been missing all this time.

Screenshots can not only be captured but also edited directly. No external app, no Qt dependencies, no Wayland problems.

Who is Gradia for?

✅ GNOME Users: Absolute must-have app
✅ Cinnamon Users: Useful, but with limitations
❌ KDE Users: Spectacle is better

If you use GNOME, try Gradia. You won't miss Flameshot.

Screenshots