RenderShot vs ApiFlash: Which Screenshot API Should You Choose?
Both are simple, affordable screenshot APIs. The main difference: RenderShot also does HTML → PDF, WebP and dark mode, at a lower entry price.
Summary
ApiFlash is a long-standing, low-cost screenshot service (Chrome on AWS Lambda) with a clear focus on capturing images from URLs. RenderShot is a newer screenshot and PDF API that starts at $5/month and adds WebP output, dark-mode rendering and waitForSelector. If you only need screenshots, both do the job; if you also need PDFs or WebP, RenderShot covers it in one API.
Comparison
| Feature | RenderShot | ApiFlash |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest paid plan | $5/mo (1,000) | $7/mo (1,000) |
| Free tier | 100/mo | 100/mo |
| PNG / JPEG | Yes | Yes |
| WebP | Yes | Not documented |
| HTML / URL → PDF | Yes | No public PDF |
| Dark mode | Yes | Not documented |
| Block ads / cookie banners | Yes | Yes |
| Device emulation | Yes | Yes (mobile) |
| SSRF protection | Documented | Not documented |
| Billing | RapidAPI | Direct + RapidAPI |
Prices and features are public list values as of 2026. Verify current details on each provider's site.
Key differences
- PDF in the same API. RenderShot turns a URL or raw HTML into a PDF; ApiFlash is screenshot-focused.
- More output formats. RenderShot adds WebP and dark-mode rendering.
- Entry price. RenderShot's paid entry is $5 vs $7 for the same 1,000-capture volume.
- Established footprint. ApiFlash has been around longer and is widely listed across marketplaces.
Choose RenderShot if…
- You need screenshots and PDFs from one API
- You want WebP or dark-mode captures
- You want the lowest entry price
- SSRF-safe defaults matter to you
Choose ApiFlash if…
- You only need screenshots
- You're already integrated with it
- You want a long-established screenshot-only service
- You rely on its specific S3 export flow
RenderShot example
curl "https://api.rendershot.dev/v1/screenshot?url=https://example.com&type=webp&fullPage=true" \ -H "x-api-key: YOUR_KEY" --output shot.webp
FAQ
- Is RenderShot or ApiFlash cheaper?
- On 2026 public pricing, RenderShot is $5/mo and ApiFlash $7/mo for 1,000 captures; both have a 100/mo free tier.
- Does ApiFlash generate PDFs?
- Per its public docs, ApiFlash is screenshot-focused. RenderShot does HTML/URL → PDF in the same API.
- Can I migrate easily?
- Yes — both are simple REST APIs; usually you only swap the endpoint and API key.