Url2png Pricing in India: Plans, Costs & Payment Options
Url2png pricing in India follows the same USD-based plans as the global pricing, with costs starting at $9.99 per month for the Starter plan, and payment options including credit/debit cards and PayPal. This article breaks down the current plans, what each tier includes, how billing works for Indian users, and answers common questions about GST, currency conversion, and free trials.
Background: What Is Url2png?
Url2png is a screenshot-as-a-service API that lets developers and businesses capture full-page or custom-sized screenshots of websites programmatically. Instead of building and maintaining their own headless browser infrastructure, companies send a simple HTTP request with the target URL, and Url2png returns a PNG image. It is widely used for generating website previews, social media cards, email thumbnails, and archiving web pages. The service has been operating since around 2012 and is known for being simple—no complicated setup, just an API key and an HTTP call.
Current Pricing Plans (Global, USD)
Url2png offers four main paid tiers, plus a free trial that gives 10 screenshots. All prices are listed in US dollars and are billed either monthly or annually (annual billing typically gives a discount). The plans as of 2024 are:
- Starter – $9.99/month (or $8.33/month billed annually): 1,000 screenshots per month, 5 concurrent requests, 1 user, email support.
- Business – $29.99/month (or $24.99/month billed annually): 5,000 screenshots per month, 20 concurrent requests, 5 users, priority support.
- Enterprise – $99.99/month (or $83.33/month billed annually): 25,000 screenshots per month, 100 concurrent requests, unlimited users, dedicated support.
- Custom/Volume – For more than 25,000 screenshots per month, you contact sales for a tailored quote.
Each plan includes full-page screenshots, custom viewport sizes, JPEG/PNG/WebP output, and the ability to set a delay for JavaScript rendering. The free trial requires a valid email and gives you 10 screenshots with no credit card.
How Billing Works for Indian Users
When you subscribe from India, you pay in USD, but your bank or card issuer will convert the charge to Indian Rupees (INR) using the prevailing exchange rate. This means the final amount in INR will fluctuate slightly depending on the day’s forex rate and your bank’s markup (typically 1-3% for international transactions). For example, if the exchange rate is ₹83 per USD, the Starter plan would cost roughly ₹830 per month before any bank fees.
Url2png does not charge GST or Indian taxes directly—it is a US-based company, and you are responsible for any applicable taxes under Indian law. However, if you are a registered business, you can claim input tax credit on the GST portion of the import of services, but you’ll need to self-assess and pay GST under the reverse charge mechanism (RCM) if you are not a regular importer. Many Indian freelancers and small startups simply treat it as a business expense without worrying about RCM, but larger companies should consult a tax advisor.
Payment Options and Currency
Url2png accepts the following payment methods:
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
- Debit cards (if they are enabled for international online transactions)
- PayPal (linked to an Indian bank account or card)
There is no option to pay via UPI, net banking, or Indian payment gateways like Razorpay or Paytm. You also cannot pay in INR directly. If you have a PayPal India account, you can use your balance or link a local bank account, but PayPal will convert USD to INR at their own exchange rate, which may be slightly less favorable than your bank’s rate.
One common misconception is that you can avoid the USD conversion fee by using a USD-denominated card (like some forex cards). That works, but you still pay the conversion fee when you load the card. The simplest approach is to use a credit card that offers zero foreign transaction fees—many premium Indian cards do, but most standard cards charge 3.5% on international transactions.
Comparing Plans: Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing the right plan depends on your monthly screenshot volume. If you are just testing or have a small side project, the Starter plan is sufficient. For a production app that generates thumbnails for user-submitted links, the Business plan is usually a safe bet. The Enterprise plan is for high-traffic services or agencies that handle multiple clients.
A useful rule of thumb: estimate the number of screenshots you’ll need per day and multiply by 30. If that number is under 1,000, start with Starter. If you exceed 1,000, upgrade to Business. You can change plans anytime, and Url2png prorates the difference, so you only pay for the upgrade from the day you switch. Downgrades take effect at the next billing cycle.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Indian users often face a few specific issues:
- Payment declined: Many Indian banks block international online transactions by default. You need to enable “international usage� on your card via your bank’s app or net banking before subscribing.
- Currency conversion surprises: The amount you see on your bank statement may be higher than the listed price due to forex markup. Always check your bank’s exchange rate and fees before committing.
- Free trial not working: The trial requires a valid email and sometimes a CAPTCHA. If you don’t receive the API key, check your spam folder. The trial gives 10 screenshots, not 10 days.
- Exceeding monthly quota: If you exceed your plan’s screenshot limit, the API returns an error. You can either wait for the next billing cycle or upgrade immediately. There is no automatic overage billing—the service simply stops processing until you upgrade.
Alternatives to Url2png
If Url2png’s pricing doesn’t fit your budget, or you need more control, there are several alternatives:
- Thum.io – Similar pricing, but offers a free tier with 100 screenshots per month.
- ApiFlash – Based on headless Chrome, with a free plan of 100 screenshots per month.
- ScreenshotOne – Offers a free tier of 100 screenshots per month, and paid plans start at $29/month for 5,000 screenshots.
- Browserless – More of a headless browser service, but you can use it for screenshots. Pricing is per hour of browser time.
- Self-hosted with Puppeteer – If you have a server, you can use Puppeteer (a Node.js library) to take screenshots for free, but you’ll need to manage scaling and uptime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free plan for Url2png?
No, Url2png does not have a permanent free plan. They offer a one-time free trial of 10 screenshots, which is enough to test the API. After that, you must choose a paid plan.
Can I pay with a UPI or Indian credit card?
UPI is not accepted. Indian credit cards are accepted as long as they are enabled for international online transactions. Debit cards with international access may also work, but some banks restrict debit card usage for recurring international payments, so credit cards are more reliable.
Does Url2png charge GST for Indian customers?
No, Url2png does not charge GST. As an Indian customer, you are liable to self-assess GST under the reverse charge mechanism if you are a business. For individuals, there is no additional tax, but you may still pay a foreign transaction fee from your bank.
What happens if I exceed my monthly screenshot limit?
Your API requests will fail with an error until the next billing cycle or until you upgrade your plan. There is no automatic overage fee. You can monitor your usage in the dashboard.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes, you can cancel anytime from your account settings. The service remains active until the end of the current billing period. You will not receive a refund for the unused portion.
Does the price in INR change every month?
Yes, because you pay in USD, the INR amount will vary with the exchange rate. If the rupee weakens against the dollar, your cost in INR will increase. There is no way to lock in a fixed INR rate.
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