This article reflects information as of April 2026. archive.today's features and availability may change.
- archive.today is one of the fastest web archiving services available
- All saved archives are public — there is no private option
- It does not capture screenshots or generate AI summaries
- Kiroku fills the gaps with screenshots, AI summaries, private saves, and SHA-256 verification
archive.today is a fast, lightweight web archiving service, but it has notable gaps — no screenshots, no AI summaries, no private saves, and no tamper verification. This guide explains how to use it and when to reach for an alternative.
archive.today (also known as archive.is and archive.ph) is a popular web archiving service that saves lightweight HTML snapshots of any public page. It is fast, free, and requires no account.
This guide walks you through saving and searching pages on archive.today, highlights its limitations, and compares it with Kiroku and the Wayback Machine so you can choose the right tool for your needs.
What is archive.today?
archive.today is a free web archiving service that has been operating since around 2012. It runs across several domains — archive.today, archive.is, archive.ph, and archive.li — all serving the same archive. The operator remains anonymous. Its core strength is speed: pages are typically saved in seconds.
- Saves lightweight HTML snapshots in seconds
- Searchable by URL — find snapshots saved by anyone
- Completely free with no account required
- All archives are public and cannot be deleted
- Operator identity is undisclosed
How to save and search pages
Go to archive.today (or any of its mirror domains). Paste a URL into the top field labelled 'My url is alive and I want to archive its content' and click 'save'. The snapshot is usually ready within seconds.
Use the bottom field labelled 'I want to search the archive for saved snapshots'. Enter any URL to see all snapshots saved by any user, sorted by date.
archive.today sometimes shows a CAPTCHA before saving. Complete it to proceed.
Key limitations
archive.today is fast and convenient, but it has several limitations worth knowing before you rely on it.
- No screenshot capture — HTML snapshot only
- No AI summary of the archived content
- No private or non-public saving option
- No tamper verification (e.g., SHA-256 hash)
- Anonymous operator — long-term continuity is uncertain
- CAPTCHAs appear frequently
- Some sites are blocked from being archived
Every archive on archive.today is public. Do not use it for sensitive or private evidence.
archive.today vs. alternatives
| Feature | archive.today | Kiroku | Wayback Machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Save speed | Fastest | Fast | Fast |
| Screenshot | No | Yes | No |
| AI summary | No | Yes | No |
| Private saves | No | Yes | No |
| Tamper verification | No | Yes (SHA-256) | No |
| Search past archives | Yes | Yes | Yes (largest) |
| Operator transparency | Anonymous | Transparent | NPO (Internet Archive) |
Save with both archive.today (for speed) and Kiroku (for screenshots, AI summaries, and verification) to maximise redundancy and evidence quality.
When to use archive.today — and when not to
archive.today excels at quick, lightweight snapshots. But when you need more, choose accordingly.
- Use archive.today when you need a fast public snapshot and screenshots are not required
- Use archive.today when you want to check if someone else has already archived a page
- Use Kiroku when you need screenshots, AI summaries, private saves, or SHA-256 tamper verification
- Use Wayback Machine when you need the largest historical archive coverage
Summary
archive.today is a fast, lightweight web archiving service, but it has notable gaps — no screenshots, no AI summaries, no private saves, and no tamper verification. This guide explains how to use it and when to reach for an alternative.
FAQ
Are archive.today and archive.is the same service?
Yes. archive.today, archive.is, archive.ph, and archive.li are all mirrors of the same service sharing the same archive data.
Can I delete an archive I saved?
Generally no. Archives on archive.today are public and permanent. Think carefully before saving pages with sensitive content.
Is archive.today free?
Yes, it is completely free and does not require an account.
What should I use if archive.today is down or slow?
Kiroku and the Wayback Machine are reliable alternatives. Kiroku also provides screenshots, AI summaries, and tamper verification.
Sources
- archive.today official sitehttps://archive.today/
- Wayback Machine (Internet Archive)https://web.archive.org/
- Kiroku — Web Archive Servicehttps://kiroku.today/en
Fill archive.today's gaps with Kiroku
archive.today does not offer screenshots, AI summaries, private saves, or tamper verification. Kiroku covers all of these — just paste a URL and get a complete, evidence-grade archive in seconds.