ApiFlash vs Snipping Tool

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.

Snipping Tool is a free Windows utility for capturing screen images and video, then editing, saving, and sharing them. Image captures can use freeform, rectangular, window, or full-screen modes; video snips use a separate overlay. Windows+Shift+S opens image capture, while Windows+Shift+R opens video capture. A delay control provides a one-to-five-second countdown. Image snips support pen, highlighter, shapes, emojis, erasing, and cropping. Text actions use OCR to extract selected or all text and can redact email addresses or phone numbers. Microsoft says recognition runs locally on the device. Captures save automatically to the Screenshots folder, with settings to change saving behavior or the default folder. Recorded video can open in Clipchamp for editing, including captions or audio. The app ships with Windows 10 and Windows 11 and can be obtained from the Microsoft Store if missing. Scrolling capture is not supported.