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IE NetRenderer

netrenderer.com

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxBrowser extension
Visit netrenderer.com
Spec score 8.6 #6 of 25 in Cross-Browser Testing Software

What it is

IE NetRenderer is a free web service and extension for checking how pages render in Internet Explorer 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5.5. It runs capture jobs in parallel and in real time, using a separate virtual Windows environment for each browser version. Mixed Overlay and Difference Mode compare screenshots between versions. Screenshots remain at their original size, with a ruler showing usable widths for 800x600 and 1024x768 displays. You can set a vertical pixel offset to capture a lower page section and optionally allow extra loading time for scripts and page objects. Java and ActiveX are blocked, while JavaScript is enabled. The Firefox extension sends the current page from browser menus or toolbar icons. The maker says images and URLs are private, images are deleted after viewing, and visited sites do not receive identifying browser details. The rendering server is in Germany.

Spec sheet

What it does
IE NetRenderer renders a submitted webpage as screenshots in Internet Explorer versions 5.5 through 11.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Purpose
Checks how a website renders in Internet Explorer versions 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5.5.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Intended users
The maker describes the tool as suited to web designers using Apple Mac and Linux workstations.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Privacy
The maker says rendered URLs and images are private, and images are deleted after the user views them.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Support
The maker invites comments, suggestions and error reports at [email protected].Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Headquarters
Berlin, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · netrenderer.com
Bandwidth
The IE engines are stated to have 200 Mbit/s upload and download bandwidth.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Blocked technologies
Java and ActiveX are blocked for security while JavaScript remains enabled.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Browser maintenance
The virtual machines automatically receive Microsoft updates.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Browser restrictions
Java and ActiveX are blocked for security, while JavaScript is enabled.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Cache clearing
Internet Explorer caches are cleared before each rendering job so recent development changes can be checked.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Company origin
GEOTEK says IE NetRenderer began as a technology demonstration for its Hosted Virtual Server offering and was later released publicly after positive feedback.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Comparison modes
Mixed Overlay and Difference Mode compare screenshots from different Internet Explorer versions to expose positioning differences.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Comparison tools
Mixed Overlay and Difference Mode compares screenshots from different Internet Explorer versions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Delayed rendering
An optional extra-wait setting gives JavaScript and third-party page objects more time to load before capture.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Firefox extension
A Firefox extension can send the currently displayed page to NetRenderer from context menus, the Extras menu or toolbar icons.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Free service
The maker says the tool is completely free and asks users to donate because advertising barely covers hosting costs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
German rendering location
Pages are fetched from a high-speed datacenter in Germany rather than from the user's computer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Image fidelity
Screenshots are delivered at 100% original size and described as pixel accurate.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Implementation
The backend is described as a proprietary C# application with frontend software for preprocessing, error handling, overlays and SQL job statistics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Independent comparison feature
PuntoGeek reported that the tool could superimpose two IE captures to show differences.Read 15 Oct 2026 · puntogeek.com
Independent description
PuntoGeek described the service as a way to submit a URL, select IE 5.5, 6 or 7, and receive a screenshot.Read 15 Oct 2026 · puntogeek.com
Independent legacy coverage
A JavaScript testing book identifies IE NetRenderer as a no-price tool covering IE versions 5.5 through 11.Read 15 Oct 2026 · digitalbreakdown.net
Independent research classification
A cross-browser testing survey lists IE NetRenderer among services that screenshot a specified URL under selected browser and platform combinations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · dspace.ut.ee
Limit: manual process
The survey characterizes this class of tools as requiring human checking and making the quality process ad hoc.Read 15 Oct 2026 · dspace.ut.ee
Limit: narrow scope
The survey places IE NetRenderer among tools focused on screenshot-based checking rather than broad behavioral cross-browser testing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · dspace.ut.ee
Limit: no automated comparison
The same survey says screenshot services including IE NetRenderer do not provide automatic comparison, leaving substantial manual work for testers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · dspace.ut.ee
Limit: no interactive inspection
The Stack Overflow discussion distinguishes NetRenderer's screenshots from interactive IE testing with inspector or source-editing tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stackoverflow.com
Mac and Linux support
The maker describes the tool as especially suitable for designers using Apple Mac and Linux workstations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Maker founded
GEOTEK Datentechnik GmbH says it was founded in 1980 as a research company cooperating with the Berlin government.Read 15 Oct 2026 · geotek.de
Maker headquarters
The company lists Fehrbelliner Strasse 50, 10119 Berlin, Germany as its registered address.Read 15 Oct 2026 · geotek.de
Native browsers
It uses a dedicated virtual Windows environment for each Internet Explorer version.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Native IE engines
Each Internet Explorer version runs in a dedicated virtual Windows environment rather than through a compatibility trick.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Page offset
Users can enter a vertical pixel offset to capture content below the top of a webpage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Page position
Users can enter a vertical pixel offset to capture a lower section of a page.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Parallel rendering
The service processes many capture jobs in parallel and in real time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Praise: avoids local Windows setup
A Stack Overflow answer recommends IE NetRenderer as an online option and notes that it produces a screenshot without requiring a local IE installation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stackoverflow.com
Praise: works from Mac
A Stack Overflow commenter reports using the website on a Mac because it creates a screenshot of IE appearance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stackoverflow.com
Rendering
The service processes capture jobs in parallel and in real time.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Request logging
Requests are logged for abuse prevention, with a stated zero-tolerance policy for vandalism.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Screenshot detail
Screenshots are shown at original size, and a ruler marks usable widths for 800x600 and 1024x768 displays.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Security and privacy
The maker says rendered images and URLs are private and images are deleted from its servers after users see them, while requests are logged to prevent abuse.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Service location
The maker says the rendering server is physically located in Germany.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Usage count
The homepage displays more than 30.9 million screenshots rendered to date.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Viewport ruler
A ruler marks usable widths for 800×600 and 1024×768 displays after scrollbar space is considered.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Visitor anonymity
The maker says visited servers do not receive the user's IP address, operating system, browser version, plugins or cookies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
Visitor privacy
The maker says visited websites do not receive the user's IP address, operating system, browser version, plugins, or cookies.Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com

Plans and prices

Free Free No charge; donations invited IE 5.5–11 screenshots · URL submission · remote rendering from Germany Read 15 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com
IE NetRenderer Free Free service; donations welcome Read 7 Oct 2026 · netrenderer.com

Every IE NetRenderer plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Covers Internet Explorer 11 through 5.5
  • Parallel, real-time capture jobs
  • Overlay and difference screenshot comparison
  • Original-size screenshots with width ruler
  • Free plan at free

Limits

  • Java and ActiveX are blocked
  • Coverage is limited to desktop Internet Explorer
  • Requests are logged to prevent abuse

Who it suits

It suits web designers using Apple Mac or Linux workstations who need Internet Explorer rendering checks. It is also useful for workflows requiring screenshot comparison and local testing through a browser or extension.

Verdict

IE NetRenderer focuses on historical Internet Explorer rendering with parallel captures and visual comparison modes. Its free web and extension access makes the listed inspection features available without a paid plan.

Where Specifiction places it

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