ApiFlash vs Lightscreen

ApiFlash is a cloud API for generating website screenshots, including full-page and mobile captures. Requests go through a unique HTTPS endpoint using an access key and GET or POST methods. Google Chrome instances render pages, with controls for viewport, CSS-element capture, JavaScript injection, headers, cookies and time zones. Images can be returned as PNG, JPEG or WebP, or exported to Amazon S3 and compatible storage. The API runs on AWS Lambda and applies a leaky-bucket limit of 20 requests per second, with bursts up to 400. Each capture uses a separate Chrome instance that is discarded with its temporary data. Plans include 100 screenshots free; paid plans start at $7 a month for 1,000 screenshots, with higher-volume plans available. Strict bot protections can block captures, and ApiFlash recommends supplying a proxy in that case. Custom enterprise plans include managed proxies and IP geolocation. Support is available by email and live chat.

Lightscreen automates screenshot capture and saves and catalogs images on disk according to user preferences. It can run as a hidden background process and respond to global hotkeys, with six configurable capture actions. Users can resize or adjust the capture area, then review an image in a preview window with an integrated viewer. Captures can be named sequentially or with customizable date and time formats. For sharing, Lightscreen uploads to Imgur and compatible pomf clones; users can also add other compatible hosts manually. Imgur uploads are anonymous, and the help page describes account uploads as planned for a later version. Portable mode stores preferences in config.ini so settings can move with the installation. Lightscreen supports Windows and Linux, and the site lists version 2.5 with improvements to area capture and fixes for cursor capture, crashes, and SSL issues. Uploads may require OpenSSL support on either platform. The code is licensed under GNU General Public License version 2, and the listed Free plan costs nothing.