Microlink vs Screenshot API(2026)
Microlink is better for teams that need multi-purpose (screenshot + scrape + metadata). Screenshot API is the stronger choice if very simple api. Microlink is freemium (from $0) and Screenshot API is freemium (from $0).
Full feature breakdown, pricing details, and pros & cons below.
By Bikram Nath
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Microlink
Microlink provides a browser automation API for screenshots, PDF generation, data scraping, and metadata extraction from any URL — with a generous free tier and developer-friendly design.
Starting at $0
Visit MicrolinkScreenshot API
Screenshot API provides a straightforward REST API for capturing website screenshots with custom dimensions, full-page, thumbnails, and device emulation at low cost.
Starting at $0
Visit Screenshot APIHow Do Microlink and Screenshot API Compare on Features?
| Feature | Microlink | Screenshot API |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |
| URL screenshot | ✓ | ✓ |
| PDF generation | ✓ | — |
| Data scraping | ✓ | — |
| Metadata extraction | ✓ | — |
| Prerender (SSR) | ✓ | — |
| CDN-cached results | ✓ | — |
| SDK + REST API | ✓ | — |
| Full-page capture | — | ✓ |
| Device emulation | — | ✓ |
| Custom CSS injection | — | ✓ |
| Output PNG/JPEG | — | ✓ |
| JavaScript rendering | — | ✓ |
| Free tier | — | ✓ |
Microlink Pros and Cons vs Screenshot API
Microlink
Screenshot API
Should You Use Microlink or Screenshot API?
For most teams, Microlink is the better default: it offers multi-purpose (screenshot + scrape + metadata) and is freemium (from $0). Choose Screenshot API instead if very simple api matters more than generalist (not best-in-class for one thing). There is no universal winner — the right pick depends on your budget, team size, and whether you value multi-purpose (screenshot + scrape + metadata) or very simple api more.
Choose Microlink if…
- •Multi-purpose (screenshot + scrape + metadata)
- •Generous free tier
- •Caching included
Choose Screenshot API if…
- •Very simple API
- •Affordable
- •Device emulation