ScreenshotAPI Alternative — SnapRender
ScreenshotAPI.net has been in the screenshot API space for a while, and it was recently acquired by XO Capital. At $9/mo for 1,000 screenshots, it sits at a similar price point to SnapRender — but SnapRender gives you double the screenshots at that same price.
Here's a thorough comparison to help you evaluate both options.
Quick Overview
ScreenshotAPI.net is a screenshot API that's been operating for several years. Its acquisition by XO Capital means it's now part of a portfolio of software products. One notable feature is scheduled screenshots, which lets you capture pages on a recurring basis without managing cron jobs yourself. At $9/mo for 1,000 screenshots, it's competitively priced.
SnapRender is a modern screenshot API built on Puppeteer and Chromium with Cloudflare R2 caching. At $9/mo for 2,000 screenshots, we offer double the volume at the same price point. We focus on developer experience with official SDKs, smart caching, and a free tier that never requires a credit card.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SnapRender | ScreenshotAPI.net |
|---|---|---|
| PNG output | Yes | Yes |
| JPEG output | Yes | Yes |
| WebP output | Yes | Yes |
| PDF output | Yes | Yes |
| Device emulation | Yes | Basic |
| Dark mode capture | Yes | No |
| Ad blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Cookie banner removal | Yes | No |
| Smart caching (R2) | Yes | Basic |
| SSRF protection | Yes | Yes |
| Node.js SDK | Yes | Yes |
| Python SDK | Yes | No |
| Scheduled screenshots | No | Yes |
| Lazy-load handling | Yes | Yes |
| Free tier | 500/mo, no card | 100/mo |
Pricing Comparison
| Volume | SnapRender | ScreenshotAPI.net |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | $0 — 500/mo, no card | $0 — 100/mo |
| Entry paid plan | $9/mo — 2,000/mo | $9/mo — 1,000/mo |
| ~10,000 screenshots | $29/mo (Growth) | ~$49/mo |
| ~50,000 screenshots | $79/mo (Business) | Custom |
| ~200,000 screenshots | $199/mo (Scale) | Custom |
Cost Per Screenshot
| Tier | SnapRender | ScreenshotAPI.net |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | $0.0045/screenshot | $0.009/screenshot |
| Mid-tier | $0.0029/screenshot | ~$0.005/screenshot |
| High volume | $0.00158/screenshot | Custom |
At the same $9/mo price, SnapRender's cost per screenshot is exactly half of ScreenshotAPI.net's.
Where SnapRender Wins
2x Screenshots at the Same Price
Both services charge $9/mo for their entry plan. SnapRender gives you 2,000 screenshots at that price; ScreenshotAPI.net gives you 1,000. That's a straightforward 2x advantage in value.
Modern Tech Stack
SnapRender is built on current technology: Puppeteer with Chromium, Fastify for the API layer, and Cloudflare R2 for smart caching. This means better rendering of modern web pages, faster performance, and more reliable results. ScreenshotAPI.net's stack, while functional, hasn't seen the same level of modernization.
Better Free Tier (No Credit Card)
Our free tier requires no credit card — sign up, get your API key, and start capturing. While ScreenshotAPI.net offers fewer free screenshots (100 vs 500), the no-card-required approach removes friction for developers who want to evaluate the service.
Dark Mode and Cookie Banner Removal
SnapRender captures pages in dark mode and automatically removes cookie consent banners. These are increasingly important features as more sites adopt dark themes and cookie banners become ubiquitous. ScreenshotAPI.net doesn't offer these capabilities.
Official Python SDK
We ship a maintained Python SDK alongside our Node.js SDK. ScreenshotAPI.net provides a JavaScript SDK but lacks official Python support. Python developers get first-class treatment with SnapRender.
Where ScreenshotAPI Wins
Scheduled Screenshots
ScreenshotAPI.net offers built-in screenshot scheduling, where you can set up recurring captures without managing your own cron jobs or task queues. If you need automated, periodic captures of specific pages, this is a genuinely useful feature that SnapRender doesn't currently offer.
Longer in Market
ScreenshotAPI.net has been around longer and has an established presence. Some developers and teams prefer working with services that have a longer operational history, and that's a fair consideration.
Higher Free Tier Volume
SnapRender offers 500 free screenshots per month versus ScreenshotAPI.net's 100. Combined with the no-credit-card requirement, SnapRender's free tier is more generous.
Who Should Choose SnapRender?
SnapRender is the better fit if you:
- Want the most screenshots for your money at every price point
- Need dark mode capture or cookie banner removal
- Build with Python (or both Python and Node.js)
- Want a free tier without credit card requirements
- Prefer a service built on a modern, actively maintained tech stack
Who Should Stay with ScreenshotAPI?
ScreenshotAPI.net might work for you if you:
- Need built-in scheduled screenshots
- Are already integrated and don't have a compelling reason to switch
- Prefer a service with a longer track record
- Need built-in scheduling for recurring captures
Getting Started with SnapRender
Switching is simple. Sign up for free, grab your API key, and update your integration.
curl "https://api.snap-render.com/v1/screenshot?url=https://example.com&format=png" \
-H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
-o screenshot.png
Our SDKs handle authentication, error handling, and response parsing for you:
import { SnapRender } from 'snaprender';
const client = new SnapRender('YOUR_API_KEY');
const screenshot = await client.capture('https://example.com');
Bottom Line
ScreenshotAPI.net is a serviceable product, and the scheduled screenshots feature is a genuine differentiator. But at the same $9/mo price, SnapRender delivers twice the volume, a more modern feature set, and a better developer experience. If scheduled captures aren't a must-have for you, SnapRender is the stronger choice.