What is a screenshot API?

A screenshot API is a REST API that lets you capture any website as an image (PNG, JPEG, WebP), PDF, or video (MP4, GIF) with a single HTTP request. Instead of running your own headless browser infrastructure with Puppeteer or Playwright, you call our API endpoint and receive the rendered output instantly.

How does your screenshot API work?

Send a GET or POST request to our /capture endpoint with your target URL and desired parameters (format, viewport, full-page, etc.). Our cloud browser renders the page, applies any filters you specified, and returns the screenshot directly in the response, or uploads it to your S3 bucket if async mode is enabled.

Which output formats does the screenshot API support?

We support PNG, JPEG, WebP, PDF, MP4, GIF, and WebM. Switch formats by changing the format parameter in your API call. No separate endpoints or SDKs needed.

Can the API capture full-page screenshots?

Yes. Pass full_page=true and our browser will auto-scroll the entire page before capturing, so nothing is cut off, regardless of how long the page is.

Do failed screenshots count against my limit?

No. Only successfully rendered screenshots that are not served from cache count toward your quota. If a request fails due to a network or browser error, it does not count.

What happens when I exceed my screenshot limit?

Captures continue uninterrupted. Overage screenshots are billed at the per-extra rate shown on your plan. Videos are blocked when the monthly video limit is reached.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. You can cancel at any time from the billing page. You will retain access until the end of your paid period with no further charges.

Pricing Docs Blog

99.99% uptime · One API, no headaches

The screenshot API
built for production.

Our screenshot API renders any URL as a PNG, PDF, or video. We handle the browser infrastructure so you can focus on your product.

No browser infrastructure

Async captures with webhooks

Screenshots, video & PDF capture

Get your free API key →Read the docs

No credit card required•7-day free trial

Rated 4.8/5 on SourceForge

screenshotcore.com/api/v1/screenshot

~/app$

► Capture successful!

{
  "status": 200,
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "url": "https://www.paypal.com",
    "dimension": "1280x800"
  }
}

paypal.com

Live Capture

Clean Engine

Clean, accurate screenshots, every time

Our screenshot API strips ads, GDPR banners, and chat widgets before every capture. Clean output by default, configurable per request.

block_ads=true· blocks all ad requestsblock_cookie_banners=true· dismisses GDPR bannersblock_chats=true· strips Intercom & Drift

theguardian.com

The Guardian — raw with ads and cookie banner

theguardian.com · block_ads=true · block_cookie_banners=true

BEFORE

AFTER

tailwindcss.com· dark_mode=false

prefers-color-scheme: light

dark_modecustom_cssmedia_type

click to toggle

Custom Rendering

Full control over every capture

Force dark mode, inject CSS, or wait for content to load before the screenshot API fires. All controlled via API parameters. We handle the complexity.

Force dark mode

We apply prefers-color-scheme: dark before the page renders. True browser-level dark mode, no overrides, no post-processing.

Click, hover, wait for content

Hover, click, or wait for a CSS selector before capturing. We wait until the page is in the exact state you need.

Inject JavaScript & CSS before capture

Run JavaScript or inject CSS before the screenshot fires. Hide elements, modify layout, or populate data, without changing the site itself.

Device Emulation

Screenshot on any device. At any resolution.

Use our screenshot API to capture mobile, tablet, or 4K desktop without running a local browser. Set the viewport, user-agent, and pixel density via API.

Any viewport, any resolution

Pass viewport_width=390 for mobile or viewport_width=1920 for full HD. Pixel-accurate output, every time.

Named device presets

Pass viewport_device=iPhone 14 and we automatically set the right dimensions, user-agent, and touch support.

Resolution presets

Use resolution=4k or resolution=1080p and dimensions are set automatically, no calculations needed.

https://shopify.com

Desktop 1440p

deviceScaleFactor: 2

isMobile: false

Touch Enabled

Viewport: 390px

format=gif&video_scroll=true

GIF · LIVE

GIF · loop ∞

Looping GIF, shareable anywhere. No player needed.

Beyond Images

One API. Screenshots, PDFs, and video.

The same screenshot API handles PNG, PDF, MP4, and GIF. Switch output formats instantly with no extra services or separate integrations.

PDF generation, ready for production

Control paper size, margins, and orientation via API. Consistent output for invoices, reports, and archival workflows.

Video and GIF recordings

Record scrolling videos with configurable duration and frame rate. Export as MP4, WebM, or animated GIF.

HTML & Markdown input

Send HTML or Markdown directly, no public URL needed. Ideal for reports, templates, and server-side screenshot workflows.

Developer Experience

Ready-to-use examples. Deploy with confidence.

Code examples for Node.js, Python, PHP, and cURL. Copy, paste, and integrate the screenshot API into your app with no browser infrastructure to manage.

1// No SDK needed — plain fetch
2const response = await fetch(
3  'https://screenshotcore.com/api/v1/screenshot?url=https://example.com',
4  { headers: { Authorization: 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' } }
5);
6 
7const fs = require('fs');
8fs.writeFileSync('screenshot.png', Buffer.from(await response.arrayBuffer()));

Simple & Transparent

Transparent pricing.
No infrastructure costs.

No feature gating. No hidden fees.
Every plan includes the full API: PDFs, video, webhooks, and stealth mode.

MonthlyYearlySave 20%

Starter

Full API access. No infrastructure to manage.

$12

$1/first mo

then $12/mo

5,000

Screenshots

per month

150

Videos

per month

Pay only for successful requests
Block ads & cookie banners
PDF Generation
PNG, WebP, JPEG support
HTML & Markdown rendering
Full page & scrolling capture
Generate MP4 & GIF Videos
Upload directly to S3
Zapier, Make & Integrations
Async Capture & Webhooks
Advanced CDN Caching
Geolocation spoofing
Signed links & Stealth mode
GPU Rendering for WebGL

Start free, no card needed

No credit card required

Start free. Scale when you're ready.

7-day free trial. 300 screenshots + 50 videos. No credit card required. Full API access to validate your integration before you commit.

Get your free API key →

No credit card required. Prices don't include VAT.

Value Proposition

More screenshots. More features.
Lower price.

We stacked our Starter plan against the closest competitor at the same price tier. The numbers speak for themselves.

Core Capabilities	ScreenshotCore (Starter)Best Value	screenshotOne (Basic)
Starting Price	$12/mo30% cheaper	$17/mo
Screenshots /mo	4,5002.2x more	2,000
Videos /mo	Included
Success-only Billing	Standard	Standard
Ad & GDPR Blocking	Included	Standard
PDF Generation	Included	Standard
Scrolling screenshots	Unlimited
Geolocation spoofing	All regions
GPU (WebGL) Render	Native

* Comparison based on entry-level paid plans as of early 2026: ScreenshotCore Starter ($12/mo) vs screenshotOne Basic ($17/mo).

"Same features, lower price — the numbers in this table are real."

Verified as of May 2025

Common questions, honest answers.

How the API works, what's included, and how billing works. No marketing fluff.

Replace your screenshot infrastructure with one API

Capture websites as PNG, PDF, or video with a single API call. No browser setup required.

Start free. 300 screenshots + 50 videos included. No credit card required.