Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteShort answer: choose Apify when you want an Actor run that can accept a list of URLs and return results through Apify’s run-and-dataset workflow; choose Browserless when you want a direct REST request for a screenshot with documented capture controls. Neither is established here as faster, more reliable, or better at bypassing bot defenses. The Apify example below is the community-maintained i-scraper/website-screenshot Actor—not a universal Apify screenshot service. If you want a direct screenshot API with clean-shot handling and explicit no-charge outcomes for failed or blocked pages, try ScreenshotNeo first.
What is being compared?
Apify is a platform for running Actors, and its Store has multiple screenshot Actors with different maintainers, input schemas, outputs, and pricing. This comparison uses the community-maintained i-scraper/website-screenshot listing. Verify its current input and output schema before building against it. Apify Actor listing
Browserless’s current Screenshot API is a direct REST endpoint that accepts a URL or raw HTML and returns image data. Its documented options cover capture dimensions, format, selectors, and waits. Browserless Screenshot API
These are different integration shapes, not evidence of a performance winner. No comparative benchmark establishes latency, reliability, screenshot fidelity, or bot-evasion success.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How do the workflows differ?
| Question | Apify: i-scraper/website-screenshot |
Browserless Screenshot API |
|---|---|---|
| How a request runs | Start an Actor run, monitor its status, then retrieve output items from the run’s default dataset. Apify also documents other output storage, including a key-value store. Apify API | Send an HTTP request for a screenshot task and handle the returned image data. Browserless describes its REST APIs as single-action calls. Browserless REST overview |
| Inputs shown in the cited documentation | The listing’s example shows a urls array and a format value. Confirm the Actor’s current schema before relying on those fields. |
A URL or raw HTML, with documented Puppeteer-style screenshot options. |
| Documented image formats | The listing describes PNG and JPG. | PNG, JPEG, or WebP. |
| Batch shape | The example accepts a URL list. Check the current Actor input and output schema for limits and result mapping. | The cited documentation describes a screenshot task per REST request; it does not establish a matching batch interface. |
| State between captures | Depends on the chosen Actor and how its run is configured; the cited listing does not establish a persistent browser session contract. | REST requests are stateless: cookies and state are discarded after each response. Browserless points users who need persisted state toward Sessions or BrowserQL. Browserless REST overview |
| Listed price evidence | The Apify Store listing displayed pricing from $6.00 per 1,000 results when accessed in 2026. It is a volatile listing price, not a verified cost per successful capture. | A comparable price is not stated in the cited documentation; no price winner can be determined from these sources. |
What capture controls are documented?
Apify Actor
The cited Store page identifies PNG and JPG and demonstrates URL-list input plus a format field. The listing exposes run and run-sync-get-dataset-items API paths, and says completed run data can be read from the default dataset. The exact behavior of other controls, output fields, and limits must be checked against the Actor’s current schema rather than inferred from Apify generally. Actor listing and API details
Browserless
The Screenshot API documents full-page capture, image format and quality, clipping, viewport size, device scale factor, element selectors, and waiting/navigation configuration. Its documentation also describes request filtering. To capture lazy-loaded material, its FAQ recommends enabling scrolling before the full-page screenshot. Screenshot API options
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How to choose for your integration
Choose the Apify Actor when
- Your existing pipeline already uses Apify runs, status monitoring, and dataset retrieval.
- You want to submit a URL list in the Actor’s demonstrated input shape, after confirming current schema and limits.
- You are comfortable treating this specific community-maintained Actor as a dependency whose input, output, and pricing can change independently of Apify’s general API.
Choose Browserless when
- You want a direct REST call that returns screenshot bytes for one task.
- You need documented options such as clipping, selector capture, viewport and device scale factor, or a configurable wait.
- Your captures do not depend on cookies or other browser state persisting between REST responses.
Check site requirements before committing
- JavaScript and timing: decide what must finish before capture, then configure a wait or navigation behavior supported by the selected API. A screenshot can be blank or incomplete if the page has not rendered its useful content.
- Lazy loading: for Browserless full-page capture, scrolling can trigger lazy-loaded content; include it when that content matters.
- Authentication and consent: determine whether the target requires cookies, headers, or a logged-in session. Browserless REST calls discard state after each response, so a workflow that needs persistent state may require its documented session-oriented alternatives.
- Bot defenses: a CAPTCHA, 403, access-denied response, or blank capture can indicate blocking rather than a screenshot-option error. Browserless says its basic
/unblockendpoint may not overcome advanced fingerprinting or interactive CAPTCHAs; its BrowserQL material describes more advanced capabilities, but neither statement guarantees access to a particular site. Do not assume this Actor or another service will bypass a destination’s defenses. - Result handling: with Apify, plan for run status and dataset retrieval; with Browserless, plan to consume image data from the HTTP response. For the Actor, inspect the current output schema before deciding how to associate each result with an input URL.
How to compare cost fairly
The Apify Store listing displayed a price from $6.00 per 1,000 results when accessed in 2026. That is the listing’s observed price, not a normalized price per successful screenshot. The cited Browserless documentation does not state a comparable price, so the available figures do not support a cost winner.
For a useful quote comparison, use current official pricing pages and match the same number of URLs, page lengths, formats, retries, and required capture settings. Also check what each provider counts as a billable run or result: one Actor result is not automatically equivalent to one successful image response.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Authentication and legacy documentation
Apify’s API reference recommends sending the token in an Authorization: Bearer header rather than embedding it in the URL, which may be retained in browser history or logs. Its documented general flow is to run the Actor or task, monitor the run, and fetch items from the default dataset. Apify API reference
Browserless’s REST overview requires an API token and shows it as a query parameter in its examples. Treat that token as a secret: avoid exposing it in client-side code, public URLs, or logs. Browserless’s older BaaS v1 /screenshot page is explicitly no longer actively supported and points new users to current BaaS v2 or BrowserQL material; use the current REST Screenshot API documentation for a new integration. Legacy Browserless screenshot page
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo is the alternative to try first when you want a one-call screenshot API: it accepts a URL and can return PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF. Before capture it accepts cookie/consent banners like a visitor and removes 60+ known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each cleanup step can be turned off. Bot checks/CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and responses identify the page verdict and billing outcome. Its MCP server offers take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf for AI agents using Claude, Cursor, or another MCP client. Plans include 1,000 screenshots per month free with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000.
Example using cURL (the parameter names used by other screenshot APIs also work, which makes switching easier):
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webp
See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. Sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month with no card.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Troubleshooting common failures
Apify run does not produce the expected screenshot records
- Check the run status before trying to read its dataset; a run must finish before you can treat output as final.
- Compare your input with the selected Actor’s current schema, including the URL-list and format field names.
- Inspect the default dataset’s actual items and map them to input URLs using fields the Actor currently documents; do not assume an output schema based on another Actor.
Browserless returns an unexpected or blank image
- Confirm the target URL or HTML input and the selected viewport/clip dimensions.
- If page content is late, adjust the documented wait or navigation configuration.
- For lazy-loaded content in full-page captures, enable scrolling before capture as described in the API FAQ.
- If the result shows a CAPTCHA, 403, or access-denied page, treat it as site blocking; screenshot settings alone may not resolve it.
A later Browserless request lacks login or cookie state
This is expected for the stateless REST workflow: cookies and state are discarded after each response. Use a supported session-persistence approach described by Browserless if the integration requires state across actions.
Token appears in logs or request history
For Apify, use the recommended Bearer authorization header instead of putting the token in the URL. For Browserless, follow its documented token mechanism while preventing query strings from being exposed in client code or logs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Apify Actor support JPG or JPEG?
The cited Apify Store listing describes PNG and JPG; check its current schema for the exact accepted format values.
Can Browserless capture a full-page screenshot?
Yes. The current Screenshot API documents full-page capture; its FAQ recommends scrolling first when lazy-loaded content needs to appear.
Is Browserless’s older BaaS v1 screenshot endpoint the right one for a new integration?
No. Its legacy page says that endpoint is no longer actively supported and directs new users to current BaaS v2 or BrowserQL material.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

