Screenshotlayer is a lighweight REST API built to deliver high quality PNG, JPEG & GIF website screenshots at unparalleled speeds and through a simple interface. Its architecture is focused on ease of use and integration, making for a high level of compatibility with any application, framework and programming language.

The screenshotlayer API is a product built and maintained by apilayer, a technology company aiming to build a variety of reliable and essential data interfaces (APIs) and make them affordable for both startups and larger companies. apilayer GmbH is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

In order to ensure the highest possible level of image resolution, our API relies on a powerful rendering engine capable of processing, storing and returning all sorts of website content within just a few seconds. Each screenshot is assigned to a separate and unique server entity, allowing us to provide an unparalleled level of image quality and speed for each API request, even when capturing the full height and width of a website.

Yes, our rendering engine is capable of processing all of the above. You can simply try it out by capturing a screenshot of a website using webfonts, a site using CSS3, and so on.

Pricing is based on a subscription plan's monthly screenshot request volume, supported features and the number of "dedicated workers" provided. A "dedicated worker" refers to a unique server entity being assigned the task of capturing one screenshot only. Subsequently, if your subscription plan features 10 dedicated workers, our API enables you to capture, process and store 10 concurrent website snapshots at the same time.

Each of the mentioned server entities works independently, allowing us to provide you with the highest possible processing speed for each API request you make.

Every registered user is assigned a personal Access Key, a unique "password" that can be used to access and query the screenshotlayer API. If you are logged in, you can find it in your Account Dashboard and in all interactive links contained in the API's Documentation.

In your Account Dashboard you can reset your Access Key at any given time.

In order to make an API Request, you are required to attach your Access Key to the API's base URL, e.g: http://api.screenshotlayer.com/api/capture?access_key=YOUR_ACCESS_KEY

Users will be automatically notified via e-mail and on their Account Dashboard once at least 75%, 90%, and 100% of their monthly API Request allowance has been reached. After reaching 100% of the allowance, API access will be disabled.

The screenshotlayer API's system status is being closely monitored around the clock. Since every effort is made to ensure the highest possible level of consistency, we are happy to announce that our API's uptime is at around 99.9%. At the current stage we are not offering any public statistics, but we will be happy to provide you with recent uptime reports - ask us »

Using the API's format parameter, you may request the screenshotlayer API to output your snapshot in three different file formats: PNG (default), JPEG or GIF.

See the API's Documentation for details.

Yes. You may request both HTTP User-Agent and Accept-Language headers.

Yes. You may request the API to pass your snapshots on to an AWS S3 Bucket or to a custom FTP path of your choice.

See the API's Documentation for details.

Yes. Using the API's width parameter, you may generate a thumbnail of the target URL using a custom width (in pixels).

See the API's Documentation for details.

Yes. By default, website screenshots are cached for 2,592,000 seconds (30 days). Using the API's ttl parameter, you may specify a custom TTL (time-to-live) lower than 2,592,000 seconds.

See the API's Documentation for details.

Yes. Using the API's delay parameter, you may request the API to wait for a specified of seconds before capturing your screenshot.

See the API's Documentation for details.

The Free Plan is set out to be a "trial version" without a time limit, offering a volume of 100 monthly snapshots and a limited set of features.

Paid Subscription Plans feature significantly higher API Request volumes, ensure secure datastreams via 256-bit HTTPS Encryption, include unlimited and prioritised technical support, and offer a variety of must-have API functionalities.

In order to test the API and to get an idea of the product, you can simply sign up for the Free Plan.

As soon as you or your application requires more than 100 snapshots per month and more professional API functionality, you would be well-advised to sign up for one of the paid Subscription Plans, starting at only USD 19.99 per month, or at up to 20% Discount - if you decide to pay anually.

Payments can be made via Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diner's Club). You can change your payment method at any given time in the Payment section of your Account Dashboard.

Yes. If you choose annual billing, the total price of your subscription plan will be up to 20% lower than the total amount you would pay with a monthly payment frequency.

There are two ways to change your payment frequency:

Change it manually
1. Downgrade your subscription to the Free Plan. (don't worry, your current Subscription Plan will remain active until the end of the current billing period)
2. Once the current billing period has ended, hence, once you are subscribed to the Free Plan, upgrade back to your preferred Subscription Plan - you will be asked to choose a new payment frequency.

Have us do it for you
Contact the screenshotlayer customer support at [email protected].

No additional fees will apply.