In the rapidly evolving world of web automation and digital content, screenshot APIs have become essential for developers, QA engineers, and businesses. Whether you’re building monitoring tools, automating reports, or generating visual previews, a reliable screenshot API can save hours of manual work. But with so many options, which free screenshot APIs truly stand out?
This guide delves into the top 6 free screenshot APIs, comparing their features, pricing, and integration capabilities.
1. ApiFlash: Scalable Screenshot API Built on AWS Lambda
ApiFlash is a robust screenshot API designed for scale and reliability. Powered by AWS Lambda and the latest Chrome engine, ApiFlash delivers pixel-perfect screenshots for any website, supporting full-page and mobile captures.
Key Features:
- Chrome Rendering: Always up-to-date with the latest Chrome for accurate rendering.
- Scalability: Built on AWS Lambda for stability under heavy workloads.
- Security: Full HTTPS endpoints for all plans.
- Full Page & Responsive: Capture full-page, mobile, and custom viewport screenshots.
- Automatic Timing: Detects when pages are fully loaded before capturing.
- Fast & Simple: Well-documented, easy-to-use API endpoints.
Pricing:
| Plan | Price/Month | Screenshots | Formats | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 100 | PNG/JPEG/WebP | Full page, mobile, S3 export |
| Lite | $7 | 1,000 | PNG/JPEG/WebP | Basic support |
| Medium | $35 | 10,000 | PNG/JPEG/WebP | Priority support |
| Large | $180 | 100,000 | PNG/JPEG/WebP | Premium support |
Why Choose ApiFlash?
If you need a scalable, secure, and easy-to-integrate screenshot API, ApiFlash is a top contender. Its free plan is generous for small projects, and the documentation is clear for rapid onboarding.
2. Microlink.io: Versatile Screenshot and Data Extraction API
Microlink.io transforms any website into structured data, offering screenshot-as-a-service alongside metadata extraction, link previews, and scraping.
Key Features:
- Screenshot API: Programmatically capture screenshots with a simple query parameter.
- Freshness & Caching: Consecutive requests are cached at the edge for speed.
- Automation: Device emulation, custom styles, JavaScript injection, and more.
- Overlay Composition: Create overlays, set backgrounds, and highlight code syntax.
- Global CDN: Screenshots are served from 140+ edge nodes for low latency.
Pricing:
| Plan | Price/Month | Requests/Day | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | €0/month | 50 | SDK, PDF, insights, recipes, screenshot |
| Pro | €24/month | 28,000/month | Configurable TTL, custom headers |
| Enterprise | €500/month | 500+/month | Custom endpoint, dedicated CDN, S3 |
Why Choose Microlink.io?
Microlink is ideal for developers who want more than just screenshots—its API can extract metadata, generate PDFs, and automate browser actions. The free tier is perfect for prototyping and small-scale automation.
3. ScreenshotAPI.net: Flexible, High-Quality Website Captures
ScreenshotAPI.net offers a straightforward API for generating screenshots in multiple formats, hosted on Google Cloud for reliability and scale.
Key Features:
- Multiple Formats: Output in JPEG, PNG, WebP, or PDF.
- Customization: Full-page, custom CSS, geolocation, and device emulation.
- HD Retina Quality: Supports @2x and @3x device pixel ratios.
- Video & Web Fonts: Handles HTML5 videos, single-page apps, and web fonts.
- Scalable: Supports up to 1,000,000+ screenshots per month.
Pricing:
| Plan | Price/Month | Screenshots | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 100 | All features, 7-day trial |
| Essentials | $9 | 1,000 | 20 req/min, all features |
| Startup | $29 | 10000 | 40 req/min, all features |
| Business | $175 | 100000 | 80 req/min, volume pricing |
Why Choose ScreenshotAPI.net?
If you need flexibility in output formats and high-quality images, ScreenshotAPI.net is a strong choice. The API is well-documented, and the free trial lets you test all features.
4. Screenshotlayer.com: Fast, Customizable, and Developer-Friendly
Screenshotlayer.com is a lightweight REST API for high-quality PNG, JPEG, and GIF screenshots, with advanced customization and export options.
Key Features:
- Simple API: Easy URL structure, fast processing.
- Customization: Set dimensions, viewport, inject CSS, capture delay, export to S3/FTP.
- Security: 256-bit HTTPS encryption.
- Usage Stats: Track API usage and receive notifications.
- Support: Interactive documentation and world-class tech support.
Pricing:
| Plan | Price/Month | Snapshots | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 100 | Full customization, no card |
| Basic | $19.99 | 10,000 | 10 workers, full customization |
| Professional | $59.99 | 30,000 | 20 workers, priority support |
| Enterprise | $149.99 | 75,000 | 40 workers, volume pricing |
Why Choose Screenshotlayer?
Screenshotlayer is perfect for developers who want granular control over their screenshots and easy integration into any workflow. The free plan is generous for testing and small projects.
5. ScreenshotMachine.com: Reliable, Full-Length Captures
ScreenshotMachine.com is a trusted service for capturing website screenshots and converting web pages to PDF, with a focus on reliability and ease of use.
Key Features:
- Device Emulation: Capture screenshots as desktop, tablet, or phone.
- Full Page: Handles long web pages with ease.
- Scalable: 24/7 uptime, unlimited impressions from cache.
- Code Samples: Ready-to-use code in popular languages.
- PDF Conversion: Convert web pages to PDF with a single API call.
Pricing:
| Plan | Price/Month | Screenshots | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free | 100 | Full-length, unlimited cache |
| Basic | €9 | 2,500 | Priority support, custom errors |
| Pro | €59 | 20,000 | Priority support, full features |
| Enterprise | €99 | 50,000 | Dedicated support, volume pricing |
Why Choose ScreenshotMachine?
If you need a reliable, always-on screenshot API with full-length capture and device emulation, ScreenshotMachine is a top pick. The free plan is great for getting started.
6. Webshrinker.com: Screenshots and Domain Intelligence
Webshrinker.com provides both screenshot and domain intelligence APIs, making it a versatile tool for developers who need more than just images.
Key Features:
- Screenshot API: Capture images of any website, configurable for screen size and device.
- Domain Intelligence: Aggregate, analyze, and categorize billions of domains daily.
- Pixelation: Automatically pixelate adult content for safety.
- Automation: Test websites, access cached data, and automate tasks.
- Security: Pre-signed URLs and secure API access.
Pricing:
| Plan | Requests/Month | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 100 | Custom sizes, device emulation |
| Enterprise | Custom | Domain intelligence, automation |
Why Choose Webshrinker?
Webshrinker is ideal for developers who want both screenshot and domain analysis capabilities. The free plan is suitable for light usage and prototyping.
Why Document and Test Your Screenshot APIs with Apidog?
While these screenshot APIs offer powerful features, integrating them into your workflow is only half the battle. Proper documentation, testing, and sharing are crucial for long-term success—especially in collaborative or production environments.
Apidog is the all-in-one API development platform that makes it easy to:
- Design and document your screenshot API integrations visually.
- Test endpoints with real requests and see responses instantly.
- Mock APIs for frontend-backend collaboration.
- Publish interactive documentation for your team or clients.
- Manage versions and collaborate with your team in real time.
Why Apidog?
- Visual Dashboard: Drag-and-drop interface for API design and documentation.
- Instant Docs: Generate beautiful, interactive docs with a single click.
- Collaboration: Assign roles, track changes, and manage feedback.
- Free Plan: Get started at no cost and scale as your needs grow.
Conclusion: Choose the Right Screenshot API and Empower Your Workflow
In the rapidly changing landscape of web automation, free screenshot APIs are invaluable tools for developers, testers, and businesses. Whether you need pixel-perfect captures, advanced customization, or domain intelligence, the six APIs featured here offer robust free plans and powerful features.
But don’t stop at integration—document, test, and share your API workflows with Apidog. By combining the right screenshot API with a comprehensive API development platform, you’ll save time, reduce errors, and deliver better results for your team and users.
Ready to take your API development to the next level?
Sign up for Apidog and experience seamless API design, documentation, and testing—no matter which screenshot API you choose.
