PagePeeker Free Plan Limits for Website Screenshots
PagePeeker has two free thumbnail options with different call limits and attribution rules. Here is what counts toward quota and when to choose another API.
PagePeeker lists two free options for website thumbnails: Free Branded, with no stated monthly API-call limit but PagePeeker branding on thumbnails, and Free Unbranded, with 100,000 API calls per month but a required link back to PagePeeker. Both are limited to 480×360 thumbnails and list 20-day caching. These are thumbnail plans, not full-page screenshot plans. PagePeeker’s published terms were checked on October 3, 2026; confirm the official free-tier details before relying on them.
Free plan limits at a glance
| Option | Monthly API calls | Branding and attribution | Maximum size | Cache | Typical rendering speed stated by PagePeeker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Branded | No monthly limit listed | Thumbnail carries PagePeeker branding | 480×360 | 20 days | 30–60 seconds |
| Free Unbranded | 100,000 | No thumbnail branding; link back to PagePeeker required | 480×360 | 20 days | 10–20 seconds |
The free-tier comparison does not list full-length screenshots, HTML-to-PDF conversion, a custom loading image, or use on your own domain for either option. PagePeeker says the branded option does not expire. The word “unlimited” applies to the branded option’s listed call limit; it does not remove branding or add paid features. See the free-tier table for the conditions.
What counts as an API call?
PagePeeker distinguishes an API call from a render. A render creates a thumbnail; an API call can be any qualifying interaction with its API. According to its FAQ, each of these adds one call:
- Displaying a thumbnail that has already been created.
- Requesting creation of a thumbnail that is not cached.
- Checking whether a thumbnail is available.
- Calling another API exposed by PagePeeker.
That means your quota estimate should count the application’s API interactions, not just distinct URLs or newly rendered images. Repeatedly displaying a cached thumbnail or polling for availability can use calls too. PagePeeker says the monthly quota is fixed and unused calls do not roll over.
Estimate your monthly usage
- Count thumbnail display requests generated by your pages or users.
- Add requests that create new thumbnails.
- Add availability checks and any other PagePeeker API calls.
- Allow room for traffic spikes and retries; don’t assume one URL equals one call.
PagePeeker’s robot explainer says its service aims to fetch a given site once every 5–7 days to minimize traffic. That describes its robot behavior; it is not a guarantee that your API tally will be one call per site.
Which free option should you choose?
| Choose | When it fits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Free Branded | You need an ongoing free thumbnail service and can show PagePeeker branding. | No listed monthly call cap, but branding remains and the listed typical render time is 30–60 seconds. |
| Free Unbranded | You need unbranded thumbnails and can include a PagePeeker link and stay within the call quota. | 100,000 calls monthly; link-back required; the quota includes more than new renders. |
Neither free option is a match if the requirement is a full-length page image, PDF output, or the other features that the free comparison leaves out. Check the current plan terms rather than inferring that a free thumbnail tier includes every feature of the service.
Paid plans and when to upgrade
On the pricing page reviewed October 3, 2026, PagePeeker listed these paid options. Prices and limits can change; treat these as the page’s published terms on that date, not a price guarantee.
| Plan | Listed price | API calls/month | Other listed details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $5.99/month | 100,000 | Up to 480×360; 7-day caching; typical rendering 10–20 seconds |
| Advanced | $39.99/month | 1,000,000 | Up to 480×360; 5-day caching; typical rendering 5–15 seconds |
| Premium | Custom | No limit listed | Customizable features, including size and cache time |
The pricing page also describes premium capabilities including mobile/tablet and full-length screenshots, and says educational institutions can contact PagePeeker about a free premium package subject to credit/link-back. Verify eligibility and terms directly on the official pricing page.
Upgrade when your interaction count exceeds the free unbranded allowance, when the attribution condition does not fit your product, or when you need features absent from the free comparison. Compare cache duration and image dimensions alongside call quota: the cheapest plan is not necessarily suitable if the output size or freshness is wrong.
Using ScreenshotNeo as an alternative
If your requirement is a website screenshot API rather than a small thumbnail plan, ScreenshotNeo is the first alternative to consider: clean shots remove consent banners, popups and chat widgets, and only clean shots are billed. It returns PNG, JPEG, WebP or PDF and provides an MCP server for AI agents.
One request can capture a page; see the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for the available options and parameters:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpimport requests
r = requests.get(
"https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot",
params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"},
timeout=90,
)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);ScreenshotNeo supports full-page captures, element selectors, device presets and custom viewports, PDF settings, waits, custom CSS and JavaScript, request blocking, headers and cookies, caching, signed image links, async jobs, bulk capture, and a usage API. These may help when thumbnail dimensions or feature limits are the deciding factor; consult the docs for exact parameter names and behavior.
Cookie banners, popups and chat widgets are removed before the shot. Bot checks, blank pages and failed loads are never billed. An MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for ScreenshotNeo free.
Troubleshooting quota and plan questions
“I made fewer screenshots than calls. Why?”
The quota counts qualifying API interactions, not only renders. Thumbnail displays, availability checks and other API calls count too. Review the call-counting FAQ and include those operations in your estimate.
“Does a cached thumbnail avoid a call?”
Not necessarily. PagePeeker says displaying an already-created thumbnail counts as an API call. Caching may avoid creating a new render, but it does not mean every API interaction is free of quota use.
“Do unused calls carry over?”
No. PagePeeker’s FAQ says the monthly quota is fixed and unused calls do not roll over.
“Can I use the unbranded option without a link?”
The published free-tier terms require a link back to PagePeeker for Free Unbranded. If that attribution does not fit, choose a plan whose terms permit your intended use and verify those terms with PagePeeker.
“Why is the result too small or not full-page?”
The free comparison lists a maximum of 480×360 and does not list full-length screenshots. Check the paid plan details or choose a screenshot API that offers the dimensions and capture mode you need.
“Are the listed prices and speeds guaranteed?”
No. They are PagePeeker’s published plan details and typical rendering times captured on October 3, 2026. Check the live pricing page before purchasing; the stated speeds are not independent benchmarks.
FAQ
Does PagePeeker’s free plan add a watermark?
There are two options. Free Branded puts PagePeeker branding on the thumbnail. Free Unbranded has no thumbnail branding but requires a link back to PagePeeker.
Is the free branded option really unlimited?
PagePeeker lists no monthly API-call limit for it, but branding and the other free-tier limits still apply.
Is PagePeeker the same as PagePeek?
No. PagePeeker is at pagepeeker.com. Do not apply these plan limits to similarly named services such as PagePeek at pagepeek.app.
When were these limits checked?
October 3, 2026. Plan terms are changeable, so confirm the official pages before choosing a plan.
