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Short answer: ScrapingBee fits when you want a screenshot as part of an HTML-scraping request; Browserless fits when you want a dedicated screenshot endpoint with browser-style capture controls. Neither has a documented, evidence-based advantage in screenshot accuracy, success rate or overall cost for every workload. For a screenshot-first API, try ScreenshotNeo first: it removes common consent banners and popups before capture, and charges only for clean shots.
How the screenshot APIs differ
The main difference is where screenshot capture sits in each service. ScrapingBee adds screenshot parameters to its HTML API, while Browserless offers a dedicated POST /screenshot route. That distinction matters if your workflow also scrapes page content or, instead, needs direct control over screenshot output. See the ScrapingBee HTML API documentation and Browserless Screenshot API documentation.
| Decision point | ScrapingBee | Browserless |
|---|---|---|
| API shape | Screenshot parameters on the HTML API request. | Dedicated POST /screenshot endpoint. |
| Input | URL in a rendered HTML API request. | A URL or inline HTML. |
| Documented capture controls | Viewport or full-page capture, CSS selector, viewport size, and render wait controls. | Full-page, viewport, selector, clipping, output type, quality, device scale factor, and image-wait options. |
| Pricing unit | API credits per request; cost depends on rendering and proxy configuration. | Browser-time units, plus proxy traffic and successful CAPTCHA solves where applicable. |
These are documented product differences, not proof that one service renders more faithfully or succeeds more often. The available vendor sources do not provide a controlled comparison on representative websites.
What ScrapingBee requires for screenshots
ScrapingBee screenshots require JavaScript rendering: its documentation says screenshots are available only with render_js=True. Set screenshot=True to request a screenshot. The default capture is the current viewport; use screenshot_full_page=True for the full page or screenshot_selector to capture an element selected with CSS. Set window_width and window_height to control the viewport. Screenshot mode turns resource blocking off so images and CSS can load. These details are in the ScrapingBee HTML API documentation.
Example: request a full-page screenshot
Use the API key supplied by ScrapingBee and URL-encode the target URL. The following cURL pattern requests JavaScript rendering and a full-page screenshot; choose an output filename and target page appropriate to your use case.
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curl -G "https://app.scrapingbee.com/api/v1/" --data-urlencode "api_key=YOUR_API_KEY" --data-urlencode "url=https://example.com" --data-urlencode "render_js=true" --data-urlencode "screenshot=true" --data-urlencode "screenshot_full_page=true" -o screenshot.png
For an element capture, use screenshot_selector with a CSS selector. For a page that needs time to render, the API documents wait, wait_for and wait_browser. Its JavaScript scenarios can perform interactions such as clicking or scrolling; proxy and geolocation settings are additional scraping-API options, not screenshot-only controls.
Credit costs to account for
ScrapingBee’s 2026 documentation lists 5 credits for a classic-proxy request with JavaScript rendering, 25 with a premium proxy and JavaScript rendering, and 75 with a stealth proxy and JavaScript rendering. Screenshot requests need JavaScript rendering, so the documented 1-credit classic-proxy path without rendering does not produce a screenshot. Auto-Mode charges according to the configuration that succeeds and supports a maximum-cost cap; AI extraction adds 5 credits if used. Check the current API documentation when estimating a workload because request settings affect credit use.
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What Browserless offers for screenshot capture
Browserless accepts a URL and optional capture options at its dedicated screenshot endpoint; it can also receive inline HTML instead of a URL. The documented image formats are PNG, JPEG and WebP. Its controls include full-page capture, viewport dimensions, image quality, clipping, device scale factor and selector-based capture using an element’s bounding box. The Screenshot API guide describes the endpoint and options. The Browserless BAP guide also describes waitForImages and notes that responsive layout depends on setting the viewport before capture.
Example request shape
Browserless’s endpoint takes a URL and an options object. Use the endpoint URL and authentication method for your Browserless account, then add documented options for the capture you need. This abbreviated JSON shows the shape rather than claiming a complete, account-ready request:
{"url":"https://example.com","options":{"fullPage":true,"type":"png"}}
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
For production, follow Browserless’s current authentication and request examples for your account and deployment. Its REST overview groups screenshots with separate content, scraping, PDF, download and custom-function endpoints. Browserless notes that REST APIs do not provide real-time interaction or branching while a page is running; if a page must be manipulated conditionally during execution, check whether its other browser-task surfaces fit that workflow.
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Choose by capture needs, not headline price
ScrapingBee is a natural fit when
- You already use its HTML API and want the screenshot alongside a scraping workflow.
- You need JavaScript rendering, a full-page image or a CSS-selected capture, with documented render waits.
- You want proxy and geolocation settings within the same request surface.
Browserless is a natural fit when
- You prefer a dedicated screenshot endpoint rather than screenshot parameters on a scraping API.
- You need its documented selector, clipping, format, quality or device-scale controls.
- Your work may also use Browserless’s other hosted browser-task endpoints.
Compare your actual request pattern
Do not compare ScrapingBee credits and Browserless units as if they were equivalent. ScrapingBee bills requests in credits whose costs vary by rendering and proxy configuration. Browserless defines one unit as up to 30 seconds of browser connection time per browser connection; its pricing page separately lists proxy-traffic charges and successful CAPTCHA-solve units. Estimate the settings, time, volume, concurrency and overages for your pages before choosing. Neither vendor’s published quotas settle which will cost less for your workload.
| Vendor-published plan figures (2026) | ScrapingBee | Browserless |
|---|---|---|
| Entry offer | Hobby: $19/month, 15,000 API credits, 25 concurrent requests; also advertises 1,000 free API credits without a card. | Free: $0/month, 1,000 units/month, 2 concurrent browsers. |
| Next listed plans | Freelance: $49/month, 50,000 credits, 50 concurrent requests. Startup: $99/month, 200,000 credits, 100 concurrent requests. | Prototyping: $25/month billed annually, 20,000 units, 10 concurrent browsers. Starter: $140/month billed annually, 180,000 units, 40 concurrent browsers. |
| Higher listed plans | Business: $249/month, 600,000 credits, 200 concurrent requests. Business+: $599/month, 1,600,000 credits, 400 concurrent requests. | Scale: $350/month billed annually, 500,000 units, 100 concurrent browsers. Custom enterprise pricing is listed. |
| Other pricing conditions | Published prices exclude VAT. | Paid tiers list overage rates; residential proxy traffic is 6 units/MB, datacenter proxy traffic is 2 units/MB, and a successful CAPTCHA solve is 10 units. |
Figures are from the vendors’ published pricing pages and are not normalized for screenshot workload. ScrapingBee figures are on its pricing page; Browserless figures and unit definitions are on its pricing page. Verify current terms before purchasing, particularly Browserless’s annual-billing conditions and any overage rates.
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When screenshots are blocked or incomplete
A successful HTTP response does not guarantee a useful image. Browserless identifies blank or white images, CAPTCHA pages, 403 or access-denied pages, and missing or broken elements as possible signs that a site is blocking automation. Its documentation describes an /unblock API and residential proxies as possible mitigation paths, not guarantees that every site’s defenses will be bypassed. See Browserless’s troubleshooting guidance.
- Blank or blocked output: inspect the captured page for CAPTCHA, 403 or access-denied content; then evaluate whether the provider’s documented unblocking or proxy options suit the target and its terms.
- Lazy-loaded content is missing: Browserless advises scrolling before capture; its
scrollPage: trueoption can trigger lazy loading and can be combined with full-page capture. ScrapingBee offers waits and JavaScript interaction scenarios, including scrolling. - Images, fonts or layout differ: check the capture viewport and responsive breakpoint, allow time for the relevant content to load, and use image-wait controls where supported. A different viewport can change responsive layout.
- Selected element is absent: confirm the selector matches the rendered page, wait for the element to appear, and check whether a consent prompt, delayed content or site behavior changes the DOM.
Capture timing, viewport, assets and site defenses can all affect the result. The vendor documentation does not establish pixel-perfect fidelity, comparative speed or a higher success rate for either service.
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Alternative to try first: ScreenshotNeo
For a screenshot-first API, ScreenshotNeo is the first alternative to try: it removes known consent banners, newsletter popups and chat widgets before capture, and only clean shots are billed. Its API accepts one GET request with a URL and can return PNG, JPEG, WebP or PDF. The available options include full-page capture, CSS-selector capture, device and viewport settings, waits, custom CSS or JavaScript, and bulk capture. See ScreenshotNeo for the service details.
Or skip the browser setup
Make one request with a URL; see the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for options and response details.
Best Value
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- 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.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.webp
- Cookie banners, popups and chat widgets are removed before the shot.
- Bot checks, blank pages and failed loads are never billed; response headers identify the page verdict and billing status.
- An MCP server lets AI agents, including Claude and Cursor, take screenshots.
- The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000.
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Can either service guarantee that a screenshot will match what a person sees?
No. The published documentation describes controls and known failure cases, but does not establish pixel-perfect output or universal success against site defenses.
Which service is cheaper for a given number of screenshots?
There is no apples-to-apples answer from plan quotas alone: ScrapingBee charges credits per request configuration, while Browserless measures browser connection time in units and separately accounts for some proxy traffic and CAPTCHA solves.
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.
