CurlShot

CurlShot provides an HTTP API that renders a web page, HTML, or Markdown into PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF, by loading the page in a real browser on CurlShot servers. The page is opened as a visitor would see it, and the result is delivered as an image, PDF, or video file. Users can access the service directly on a page or integrate it into their own applications via the API. It is used to show link previews, generate social sharing images, keep visual page records, and convert reports into PDFs. The service emphasizes a simple request model: one request yields one screenshot, with or without a full page capture.

When describing its approach, CurlShot notes that the docs are part of the product and that users pay for screenshots rather than attempts. It highlights limits and usage counters shared across servers, and that background jobs exist for scale. The platform also explains that it refuses private addresses and requires access keys for signed requests.

CurlShot lists core capabilities such as full-page captures, PDF rendering, and image outputs across PNG, JPEG, and WebP, plus video captures in MP4/WebM/GIF. It also mentions blocking ads and cookie banners, providing signed links, and supporting async renders and webhooks. The documentation includes a variety of code samples and language libraries to help integration and automation with the API.

CurlShot outlines plans, platform reach, integrations, and limits across its pricing page and about page. It describes plans with monthly screenshot allowances and fixed prices, mentions that the API works without installation, and states that the service can be accessed from a browser page or integrated into applications via the API.

Use cases

• Keep a record of a page, including prices, terms, or competitor offers
• See how a site looks on a phone or tablet
• Turn pages into tidy PDFs for printing or sharing
• Generate social previews for links