Yes. PDFShift offers a free account with 50 credits per month and says you do not need a credit card. You can also try its Playground without an account, but API testing requires a registered account and an API key. The main catch is that credits are based on the generated PDF’s size, not simply one credit per conversion.
Two ways to try PDFShift
Use the Playground without an account
PDFShift’s FAQ says the Playground lets you explore conversion customization without creating an account. It is useful for trying options and code samples, but it is distinct from making authenticated API calls.
Test the API with a free account
To exercise the API, create an account and log in. PDFShift advertises 50 free credits per month with no charge and no credit card required. Include your API key in the X-API-Key request header. PDFShift’s watermark guidance says authenticated free users can make 50 conversions without a watermark; an unauthenticated request can receive one even when its sandbox setting is false.
How the free allowance is counted
A credit covers up to 5 MB of generated PDF output. PDFShift divides the output size by 5 MB and rounds up, so one large PDF can use several credits. For example, PDFShift’s credit explanation says a 23 MB output uses five credits. The 50-credit monthly allowance therefore is not necessarily 50 large documents. See its credit-counting explanation.
#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.
The current pricing page lists a 15 MB maximum file size and a 30-second timeout for the free plan. It also lists features such as CSS and JavaScript injection, advanced headers and footers, encryption, and watermark among basic features; the free-plan listing excludes no file-size limit, AWS S3 delivery, and parallel or asynchronous responses. Pricing and plan limits can change, so confirm them on that page before relying on a quota or feature.
Practical API testing steps
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Create a free PDFShift account and sign in. The free API allowance is account-based; the Playground is the option for trying customization without signing up.
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Copy the API key associated with your account and send it as the
X-API-Keyheader. Check the header name and value if a conversion unexpectedly has a watermark.Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter- 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.
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Submit a representative HTML conversion and inspect the resulting PDF’s size. Estimate credit use by dividing megabytes by five and rounding upward; a result up to 5 MB uses one credit, while a result above 5 MB uses at least two.
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Keep each test within the free plan’s listed 15 MB maximum file size and 30-second timeout, and check the pricing page for current terms.
When you already have the HTML
For tests where the HTML is available in your application, PDFShift’s Python guide for raw HTML recommends sending the HTML as the source value when practical. It says this avoids a network request to fetch the HTML page and can reduce network requests and conversion time.
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.
Common testing problems
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A watermark appears: verify that the request is authenticated and the
X-API-Keyheader is actually being sent. A sandbox setting by itself may not prevent a watermark on an unauthenticated request. -
The allowance runs out sooner than the number of requests suggests: check generated PDF sizes. Credits scale in 5 MB increments, rounded up, so larger outputs consume multiple credits.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
A conversion fails against the free plan: check the listed file-size maximum and timeout, then inspect the current pricing page for plan limitations. The free tier does not list unlimited file size or parallel/asynchronous responses.
Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray- 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
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You only need to experiment with customization: use the Playground rather than creating an account just to explore its samples. It does not replace authenticated API testing.
Or skip the browser setup:
PDFShift converts HTML to PDF; ScreenshotNeo is a separate service for taking website screenshots, not a replacement for PDFShift’s HTML-to-PDF API. If the task is to capture a webpage as an image, one GET request can return a screenshot. For example, using cURL:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webp
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.
See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. Before capture it accepts consent banners and removes 60+ known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; those steps can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and response headers say which verdict applied. Its MCP server provides screenshot and page-information tools for AI agents. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000.
Sign up for ScreenshotNeo’s free plan if you need website screenshots rather than HTML-to-PDF conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test PDFShift without creating an account?
Yes. Use the Playground to explore conversion customization; API calls require a registered, logged-in account.
Does one PDFShift credit always equal one PDF?
No. Credit use depends on generated output size: one credit covers up to 5 MB, with larger files rounded up to additional credits.
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