StartupArchive

What is StartupArchive?

StartupArchive is a web archiving service that captures an interactive, visual snapshot of a site before it shuts down. Instead of keeping a product online just to preserve its “last state,” it creates a replayable archive that can be embedded in a portfolio or shared as a before/after reference.

The core output is a set of full-page captures rendered for different viewing conditions (device and color scheme). Users submit one or more URLs, and StartupArchive produces an archive that can be viewed in its viewer and embedded on other pages.

Key Features

• Snapshot capture from URLs: Submit one or more website URLs; StartupArchive captures full-page images of those pages for preservation.
• Configurable viewing variants per route: Each saved route is captured in desktop and mobile, and in light and dark mode, so the archived appearance matches different user contexts.
• Multiple routes per snapshot: A single snapshot can include up to 5 routes from the same domain, enabling richer preservation than one-page captures.
• Interactive snapshot viewer: The archived project can be replayed in a viewer, with controls such as route selection and toggles for theme/motion as described on the site.
• Embeddable archives: An archived project can be embedded so it remains visible as a portfolio piece or launch-page replacement rather than linking to a dead site.

How to Use StartupArchive

1. Start archiving by submitting the URL(s) you want to preserve.
2. Choose routes for the snapshot: Include up to five routes from the same domain if you want a broader snapshot bundle.
3. Wait for the capture: StartupArchive generates the archived viewer with the saved routes and their desktop/mobile + light/dark variants.
4. Embed or share: Use the archive embed to add the captured project to your portfolio or a site page, keeping it accessible after shutdown.

Use Cases

• Preserve a shutdown moment for a product portfolio: When you remove a live product, embed its archived snapshot so visitors can still explore the site experience.
• Create a visual changelog across releases: Capture versions over time and compare “before/after” changes in the same viewer experience.
• Replace a dead launch page: If a product’s original landing page is taken offline, embed the archived project as a substitute so the launch story stays available.
• Document UI changes for a team or community: Share archived snapshots to communicate what changed between two points in time, including differences across device and color scheme.

FAQ

How does it work?

You submit one or more URLs and StartupArchive captures full-page images of those pages. The service does not store the site’s markup, scripts, videos, or other media assets; the result is a clean, shareable archive replayed in their viewer and embeddable on your site.

What exactly is a snapshot?

A snapshot captures up to 5 routes from the same domain. Each route is saved in 4 variants: desktop + mobile and light + dark mode (e.g., 2 routes results in 8 screenshots in total).

Can I archive private content (logins, dashboards, internal tools)?

It depends on the product and what you want to preserve. In general, you should only submit content you have the rights to archive. If the site requires login, you may need a public demo version or a temporary access path during capture.

Can the archive be embedded on my own site?

Yes. The archived project can be embedded so it lives on as a portfolio piece, a launch-page replacement, or a showcase of what you built.

How long will an archive stay available?

The intent is long-term access, but availability depends on the sustainability of the service. The site states that StartupArchive is built around keeping captures accessible over time.

Alternatives

• Wayback Machine / archive.ph: Web archiving services that can preserve pages for general access. The source notes they’re free and suitable for many cases, but they may not provide the same portfolio-oriented, high-visual-fidelity snapshot and embeddable viewer experience.
• Manual screenshots or video capture: Creating static screenshots or screen recordings before shutdown. This can work for documenting a site, but it won’t provide a route-aware, device- and theme-variant interactive replay experience.
• Other static-site snapshots: Tools that generate rendered page snapshots for sharing. These may vary in fidelity and embed quality, and may not support the same route bundling and multi-variant capture described for StartupArchive.