# 5+ Best screenshot API [2026] > We compare the best screenshot APIs in 2026, including Orshot, ScreenshotOne, URLBox, ScreenshotAPI and Abstract API, with pricing and code. - URL: https://pika.style/blog/best-screenshot-api - Published: 2024-08-02 (updated 2026-10-02) - Author: Rishi Mohan - Tags: Lists --- Whether you need to track website changes, capture visual data, create thumbnails or build a tool that requires taking screenshots programmatically, a screenshot API is essential. There are several screenshot APIs available in the market, each with its pros and cons. In this blog, we'll dive deep into what a screenshot API is, explore some of the best options available in 2026, and help you decide which one might be the best fit for your needs. ## What is a Screenshot API? A screenshot API allows you to programmatically capture screenshots of web pages. Screenshot API can be useful for various applications, such as generating previews, monitoring website changes, or capturing visual content for reports. By utilizing a screenshot API, you can automate the process and integrate it seamlessly into your workflows. ## Best Screenshot APIs ### Orshot [Orshot](https://orshot.com) is an API for generating images, PDFs and videos from templates, made by the team behind Pika. Pika's screenshot API now lives in Orshot, so if you used it before, the templates and parameters are the same. ![Orshot's Website Screenshot template](https://assets.pika.style/cdn/blog/best-screenshot-api/orshot-website-screenshot.webp) Its [Website Screenshot](https://orshot.com/templates/website-screenshot) template captures any URL as PNG, JPG, WebP or PDF. You can take a full-page capture, wait for slow pages with a delay, set the output size, capture a single element with a CSS selector, and block video for a faster, lighter capture. Orshot works from any language with fetch() or equivalent, and there are official SDKs for Node.js, Python, PHP and Ruby. **Here's a quick example of code for Orshot's screenshot API:** ```javascript const response = await fetch("https://api.orshot.com/v1/generate/images", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", Authorization: "Bearer YOUR_ORSHOT_API_KEY", }, body: JSON.stringify({ templateId: "website-screenshot", response: { type: "base64", format: "png" }, modifications: { websiteUrl: "https://YourWebsite.com", fullCapture: false, delay: 500, width: 1200, height: 1000, }, }), }); const { data } = await response.json(); // data.content is the image, e.g. "data:image/png;base64,..." ``` You can also use Orshot's [beautify screenshot](https://orshot.com/templates/beautify-screenshot) template to add a background, padding, rounded corners and a shadow to a screenshot, the same kind of styling Pika's editor does, but through the API. You need the screenshot's URL (or base64) first, which the code above gives you. **Here's a quick example of code for Orshot's beautify screenshot API:** ```javascript await fetch("https://api.orshot.com/v1/generate/images", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", Authorization: "Bearer YOUR_ORSHOT_API_KEY", }, body: JSON.stringify({ templateId: "beautify-screenshot", response: { type: "url", format: "png" }, modifications: { screenshotImage: "https://assets.pika.style/cdn/api-templates/sample-images/website-screenshot.png", padding: 50, borderRadius: 10, screenshotShadow: "0 0 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)", backgroundColor: "#fff", backgroundPattern: "waves", width: 1200, height: 1000, }, }), }); ``` **Link to official guide/documentation:** - [Render a template via API](https://orshot.com/docs/api-reference/render-from-template) (fetch and cURL) - [Official SDKs](https://orshot.com/docs/sdks) for [Node.js](https://www.npmjs.com/package/orshot), [Python](https://pypi.org/project/orshot/), [PHP](https://packagist.org/packages/rishimohan/orshot) and [Ruby](https://rubygems.org/gems/orshot) - [Website Screenshot template](https://orshot.com/templates/website-screenshot) If you are a non-programmer or someone like me who just hates to code, Orshot also connects to [Zapier, Make and n8n](https://orshot.com/integrations), so you can capture screenshots from a spreadsheet or any other trigger without writing code. And for the odd one-off capture, Pika's free [website screenshot generator](https://pika.style/tool/website-screenshot-generator) runs on the same API. **Pricing:** The free plan includes 100 credits a month with no card required, and a website screenshot uses 1 credit. Paid plans start at $39 a month for 1,500 credits. Do give [Orshot's screenshot API](https://orshot.com/templates/website-screenshot) a try; you can start on the free plan! ### ScreenshotAPI.net ScreenshotAPI provides a straightforward and easy way to capture screenshots. It supports a wide range of customization options, such as viewport dimensions and delay settings, ensuring you get the exact shot you require. ![ScreenshotAPI.net](https://assets.pika.style/cdn/blog/best-screenshot-api/02.webp) It's a good fit if you want a simple, low-cost screenshot API and don't need much beyond the capture itself. **Pricing:** There's no free plan, but there's a 7-day free trial with 100 screenshots. Paid plans start at $9 a month for 1,000 screenshots. ### ScreenshotOne ScreenshotOne is another popular screenshot API made by [Dmytro Krasun](https://x.com/DmytroKrasun) (a fellow Indie-Hacker). ![ScreenshotOne](https://assets.pika.style/cdn/blog/best-screenshot-api/03.webp) It's definitely a great screenshot API focused on performance and reliability. Apart from general features like full-page screenshots and PDF rendering, ScreenshotOne also comes with advanced features like blocking ads and cookie banners, and uploading screenshots straight to S3. **Pricing:** The free plan includes 100 screenshots a month with no card required, and paid plans start at $17 a month for 2,000 screenshots. ### Abstract API Abstract API is an excellent choice for developers looking for a single provider that can do much more than just taking screenshots. ![Abstract API](https://assets.pika.style/cdn/blog/best-screenshot-api/04.webp) Its API catalogue includes various APIs such as IP geolocation, email validation and many more. One downside here is that each API has its own plan, so you pay for each one separately. **Pricing:** The free plan includes 100 screenshots a month, and paid plans for the screenshot API start at $99 a month. ### URLBox URLBox is another popular screenshot API provider. It offers a reliable screenshot API with features such as blocking ads and cookie banners. This is especially a great choice for the EU, as GDPR has introduced numerous banners. ![URLBox](https://assets.pika.style/cdn/blog/best-screenshot-api/05.webp) It also supports retina resolutions up to 5K, URL to PDF and custom JavaScript, giving you full control over your captures. **Pricing:** There's a 7-day free trial with no card required, and paid plans start at $19 a month for 2,000 renders. ### Others There are numerous other screenshot APIs available, each boasting unique features and benefits. Notable mentions include ApiFlash, Screenshot Machine, and screenshotlayer API, each offering distinct capabilities that may be suitable for specific use cases. ![Others](https://assets.pika.style/cdn/blog/best-screenshot-api/06.webp) ## Which one is the best for you? Although there isn't a clear winner, some options do have an edge. If you need an API with more than just screenshot capabilities, Orshot is the best choice. It can also [beautify screenshots](https://orshot.com/templates/beautify-screenshot), create Open Graph images, social posts, PDFs and videos from templates, and much more. If you need fine control over the capture itself, like blocking ads and cookie banners, ScreenshotOne and URLBox are strong picks. If you only need a simple screenshot API, you can choose any option, but I recommend trying each of them to see which best suits your workflow. ## Frequently asked questions ### What happened to Pika's screenshot API? Pika's API moved to Orshot. The `website-screenshot` and `beautify-screenshot` templates take the same parameters, so switching is mostly a matter of changing the endpoint to `https://api.orshot.com/v1/generate/images`, passing the template as `templateId` and using an Orshot API key. ### What additional features does Orshot have? Orshot comes with several features that complement each other. Here's a list of what you can do with it: - Website screenshots and beautified screenshots - Dynamic Open Graph images - Social media posts and banners - PDFs and videos from templates - A design editor to make your own templates - Generating at scale from Google Sheets, Airtable, Zapier, Make or n8n - …. And many more. Here's [the link](https://orshot.com/templates) to see all the templates. ### Can Orshot replace URLBox or ScreenshotAPI? Yes, for most screenshot use cases: full-page and fixed-size captures, single elements and PDFs. If you rely on ad and cookie banner blocking or custom JavaScript, compare those features first. ### Which tool allows using Zapier for screenshot? Both Orshot and ScreenshotOne support Zapier capabilities; however, certain features might differ. Feel free to compare them yourselves and choose the right one.