Best Ray.so Alternatives (2026)
Ray.so by Raycast is clean and well-designed, but limited to 17 themes, PNG-only export, no API, and no AI integration.
Comparison
| Feature | Ray by Tinte | ray.so | Carbon | Snappify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themes | 500+ | 17 | ~29 | ~50 |
| Languages | 16 | 50+ | ~75 | 90+ |
| Export | PNG, SVG, Clipboard | PNG | PNG, SVG | PNG, SVG, PDF, GIF |
| API | Free (60 req/min) | No | No | Paid only |
| AI skill | Claude, Cursor | No | No | No |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | $0-32/mo |
| Open source | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Status | Active | Active | Dormant | Active |
1. Ray by Tinte
500+ themes, free REST API (60 req/min, no auth), native AI assistant support for Claude Code and Cursor. Open source and actively maintained.
Honest weakness: 16 languages vs ray.so's 50+. If you need a niche language, ray.so may be better.
Try Ray by Tinte →2. Snappify
Most feature-rich option. Animations, VS Code plugin, PNG/SVG/PDF/GIF/MP4 export. API and team features on paid plans ($10+/mo).
Visit Snappify →3. Carbon.now.sh
Pioneer of the space. 35.9K GitHub stars, open source, ~75 languages. Dormant since December 2024.
Visit Carbon →4. chalk.ist
Different approach — Markdown-based code screenshots. Free, minimal. No API.
Visit chalk.ist →FAQ
How many themes does ray.so have?
17 built-in themes. Ray by Tinte has 500+.
Does ray.so have an API?
No. Ray by Tinte has a free REST API at /api/v1/screenshot with 60 req/min, no auth.
Can ray.so export to SVG?
No, PNG only. Ray by Tinte supports PNG, SVG, and clipboard.
Is ray.so open source?
No. Open-source alternatives: Ray by Tinte and Carbon.now.sh.