Rendershot vs Screenshot Machine
Screenshot Machine is the cheap, image-only option with heavy caching; Rendershot adds PDF, AI cleanup, and modern automation in one API. Here's how they compare.
Heads up: we build Rendershot, so we're biased. We've kept the Screenshot Machine details factual and called out where it's the better fit. Pricing changes — check Screenshot Machine's own site for the latest numbers.
| Attribute | Rendershot | Screenshot Machine |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Screenshot & PDF API | Screenshot API (PDF via separate product) |
| Free tier | 200 renders/mo, no card | 100/mo |
| Paid from | $9/mo (2,000 renders) | €9/mo (2,500) |
| Output formats | PNG, JPEG, PDF | JPG, PNG, GIF |
| PDF in the same API | Yes | No — separate Website-to-PDF API |
| AI cleanup (banners, popups) | Built in | Not offered |
| Caching | On demand | 14-day cache (cached loads free) |
| Also offers | Async, bulk, scheduled, webhooks, Zapier, MCP | Simple API, heavy caching |
Screenshot Machine figures reflect its public pricing at the time of writing and may have changed.
What is Screenshot Machine?
Screenshot Machine is a long-running, budget-friendly screenshot API. It's image-focused — JPG, PNG, and GIF — with PDF handled by a separate Website-to-PDF product rather than the screenshot endpoint. Its standout is caching: screenshots are cached for 14 days and cached loads aren't billed, which lowers cost if you re-fetch the same URLs. The free tier is 100 screenshots/month and paid plans start at €9/month for 2,500. Best if you want simple, cheap screenshots without modern extras.
Choose Screenshot Machine when
- →You only need simple image screenshots and want the lowest price
- →You re-fetch the same URLs and benefit from 14-day caching where cached loads aren't billed
- →You specifically need GIF output
Choose Rendershot when
- ✓You need screenshots and PDFs from one API, not a separate PDF product
- ✓You want AI cleanup to remove cookie banners and popups before capture
- ✓You want modern automation: async, bulk, scheduled captures, webhooks, Zapier, and an MCP server
- ✓You want a bigger free tier to start — 200 renders/month vs 100
Rendershot vs Screenshot Machine FAQ
Is Rendershot a Screenshot Machine alternative?
Yes. Screenshot Machine is a cheap, image-focused screenshot API (JPG, PNG, GIF) with PDF in a separate product. Rendershot does screenshots and PDFs from one API, adds AI cleanup and modern automation features, and offers a larger free tier.
Which is cheaper?
They're very close on paid entry: Screenshot Machine is €9/mo for 2,500 screenshots, Rendershot is $9/mo for 2,000 renders. Screenshot Machine's 14-day caching can lower effective cost if you re-fetch the same URLs often.
Does Screenshot Machine generate PDFs?
Through a separate Website-to-PDF API, not its screenshot endpoint. Rendershot returns both screenshots and PDFs from the same API.
Which has a bigger free tier?
Rendershot, at 200 renders/month versus Screenshot Machine's 100/month.
More Rendershot comparisons
Try Rendershot free
200 renders/month, screenshots and PDFs, no credit card required.