How to Use Distill.io on Microsoft Edge to Watch Webpage Changes
Install Distill in Edge, choose what to monitor, set a check schedule and alerts, and decide whether local or cloud checks fit your needs.
To watch a webpage with Distill.io in Microsoft Edge, install the Distill Web Monitor extension from Microsoft Edge Add-ons, open the page, and choose whether to monitor the whole page or a selected part. Set the device and check schedule, add alert actions if needed, and save the monitor. Extension monitors run locally by default, so Edge and the device need to remain available for checks. Choose a cloud monitor if checks must continue while your computer is off.
Install Distill in Microsoft Edge
- Open Distill’s Web Monitor page and follow its Add To Edge link to the Microsoft Edge Add-ons listing.
- Install the extension and approve the browser’s prompt.
- In Edge, open the Extensions control and pin Distill if you want its droplet icon visible in the toolbar.
- Open the webpage you want to watch.
Distill lists Edge as a supported platform. Its extension instructions say the documented Chrome-extension setup also applies to Edge. See Distill’s supported platforms and extension setup guide.
Create a monitor
- Click the Distill icon in Edge’s extensions toolbar while the target page is open.
- Choose Monitor full page to watch the whole page, or Monitor parts of page to select a region or element.
- For a partial monitor, use the visual selector to choose the content, inspect the preview, and save the selection. A changing price is one example of a specific page detail you might want to track.
- In the monitor options, choose a device, give the monitor a useful name, and set its checking schedule.
- Add alert actions if you need them, then save. The monitor appears in your Watchlist.
Test that the chosen area contains the changing content you care about. A selector that is too broad can alert on unrelated page changes; one that is too narrow can miss changes. Review the check log after setup to confirm what Distill detects. The interface and available controls may change over time.
Choose what to monitor
| Choice | Use it when | Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Full page | Any change anywhere on the page matters. | Dynamic timestamps, rotating content, or unrelated sections may create noisy alerts. |
| Selected part | You only care about one section, value, or element. | Check the selection preview and logs; page redesigns can change how a region is identified. |
If a site renders content dynamically, the way the page is checked matters. Distill says background checking is best suited to static pages and does not work for pages with dynamic content. Its guide describes using a tab, window, or sticky window as alternatives; it also points to the Distill Desktop App for pages that do not show content in an inactive tab. Distill labels its desktop apps public beta, so treat that as a beta alternative rather than a guaranteed Edge feature. Recheck the selected region and check log for the specific page.
Set a schedule and notifications
Choose an interval that matches how quickly you need to know about a change. Distill lists a five-second minimum interval for browser add-on monitoring. For its Web App on the Flexi plan, it lists a two-minute minimum. These are vendor-stated limits and may change; check the current platform details before depending on a particular interval.
You can add alert actions when creating or editing a monitor. Distill’s setup guide says email and SMS require signing in and adding account details, and that available alert methods depend on the subscription plan. Distill also documents other notification methods; review the choices shown in your account and the current plan details rather than assuming every method is included.
Plan limits are separate from the extension’s local checks. Distill says extension checks are unlimited while cloud checks count against plan resources. Its pricing page, reviewed October 3, 2026, listed 1,000 cloud checks per month and two devices on the free tier, along with 30 email alerts per month (email only) and 100 browser push notifications per month. Plan limits can change, so verify the current Distill pricing page before choosing a plan.
Local Edge checks or cloud monitoring?
| Local Edge extension | Cloud monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Where checks run | In the browser on your device | On Distill’s servers |
| Must your computer and browser be available? | Yes. Keep Edge running for local checks. | No. Checks can continue while the computer is off or the browser is closed. |
| Published minimum interval | Five seconds for browser add-on monitoring | Two minutes for the Web App on the Flexi plan |
| Useful when | You want browser-based monitoring or a fast local check. | You need monitoring while away or when your device is off. |
| Resource consideration | Depends on the device remaining available. | Cloud checks use plan resources and are limited by plan. |
These distinctions are described in Distill’s local versus cloud monitor documentation. The right mode depends on whether your device can stay available and how much cloud usage your plan includes.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Checks stop when the computer is off or Edge is closed. | The monitor is local and runs on your device. | Keep Edge and the device available, or create a cloud monitor for checks that should continue while they are off. |
| A background check misses content or reports no change. | The page may render content dynamically, or may not display correctly in an inactive tab. | Distill says background checks suit static pages. Try its documented tab, window, or sticky-window modes; for pages that do not render in an inactive tab, consult its Desktop App option, which is labeled public beta. |
| Alerts fire too often. | The monitor may include frequently changing or irrelevant content. | Select a narrower page region, review the preview, and inspect the check log. Adjust the schedule if the current cadence creates unnecessary alerts. |
| A change is missed. | The selected region may not contain the changing element, the local device may not have been available, or the page may not have rendered during the check. | Revisit the selection and preview, inspect the check log, ensure Edge is available for local monitoring, and try a documented alternative checking mode for dynamic pages. |
| Email or SMS is unavailable. | The account may not be signed in or configured, or the alert method may not be included in the plan. | Sign in, add the required account details, and confirm the method and limits on the current plan page. |
| Cloud monitoring stops or cannot be scheduled as expected. | The plan’s cloud-check resources or minimum interval may apply. | Check current plan resources and interval limits in Distill’s pricing and platform documentation. |
Or skip the browser setup
If your goal is to capture a webpage as an image or PDF rather than receive alerts when it changes, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. A single GET request can return a PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF. For example, this cURL request saves a WebP screenshot:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. ScreenshotNeo removes cookie and consent banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before the shot; bot checks, blank pages, failed loads, timeouts, and cache hits are not billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents use the take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf tools. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 screenshots. Sign up for free and get 1,000 screenshots a month with no card.
FAQ
Does Distill work with Microsoft Edge?
Yes. Distill lists Edge as supported and links to its Edge Add-ons listing from its product page.
Can I watch only one price or section?
Yes. Choose Monitor parts of page, select the relevant area, review the preview, and save it.
Will Edge notify me if I close the browser?
A local extension monitor requires the browser and device to remain available. A cloud monitor can continue while your browser is closed and your computer is off.
Is the Edge extension the same as a screenshot API?
No. Distill monitors page changes on a schedule and can send alerts. A screenshot API captures a page on request and returns an image or PDF; it does not by itself replace a change-monitoring schedule and alert workflow.
