Add your file from your device.
01Video & Streaming toolVideo or media file
Frame Grabber
Pull a still frame out for a thumbnail.
100% FreeBrowser-basedNo watermark
- 1UploadAdd your file from your device.
- 2Choose optionsPick the output settings you need.
- 3ProcessRun the tool in your browser.
Private by designProcessed on your device where possible.
Works on any deviceDesktop, tablet and mobile browsers.
No installationOpen the page and start working.
Always free coreUse the free plan for everyday tasks.
How to use Frame Grabber
Pick the output settings you need.
02Run the tool in your browser.
03Save the finished result.
04Your files stay private
Your work is processed locally in your browser where possible and is never added to a Vootkit upload library.
Learn more about privacyA thumbnail is usually already somewhere inside your video — the frame where the subject looks right, the moment before the cut. Taking a still out of it needs no encoder at all: the browser can already decode video, so it decodes one frame and paints it to a canvas.
What Frame Grabber does
Seeks to the second you specify, draws that frame to a canvas and saves it as a PNG. This is the only video tool here that does not use ffmpeg — it uses the browser’s own decoder, so it runs instantly and downloads nothing.
PNG rather than JPEG on purpose: the frame is going to be a thumbnail, and a thumbnail is usually edited afterwards. Starting from a lossless still means text and edges stay sharp through whatever you do next.
What it produces
| Output format | PNG, lossless |
|---|---|
| Resolution | The video’s native frame size |
| Time control | Seconds, in 0.1 s steps |
| Engine | Browser decoder + canvas — no ffmpeg download |
| Speed | Instant |
| Codec support | Whatever your browser can play — MP4/H.264 is safest |
| Privacy | The file never leaves your device |
Detailed steps
- Add the video.
- Set Time to the moment you want, in seconds. Decimals work, so 12.4 is a valid answer.
- Grab the frame, check the preview, and adjust the time if you were slightly early or late.
- Download the PNG.
Worth knowing
Motion blur is what usually ruins a grabbed thumbnail. Try a few tenths either side of your first guess — during fast movement, 0.2 s can be the difference between a sharp face and a smear. The preview shows you the result before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my video not load here when the other tools accept it?
This tool uses your browser’s decoder rather than ffmpeg, so it is limited to formats the browser can play. MKV and some MOV files are decoded by ffmpeg but not by browsers. Run it through the Video Converter to MP4 first and it will work.
Can I get JPEG instead?
The output is PNG so nothing is lost at this stage. If you need JPEG, convert afterwards with the Image Converter — that way any compression happens once, after your edits, rather than before them.
How exact is the time?
It seeks to the nearest available frame, so at 30 fps you land within about a thirtieth of a second. Precise seeking also depends on keyframes, so on a heavily compressed clip the actual frame can be marginally off your requested time.
Why is this instant when other video tools take minutes?
It decodes one frame. The others decode, process and re-encode every frame in the clip — thousands of them.
Is Frame Grabber free?
Yes. The Vootkit free plan includes 5 tool runs a day. Upgrade to Vootkit Pro for unlimited daily use, an ad-free workspace and saved workflows.
Are my files uploaded?
No. Frame Grabber runs entirely in your browser — your file is processed on your own device and never sent to a server. There is nothing for us to store or delete.
Do I need to install anything?
No. Frame Grabber works in any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone. Open the page and start.
How often can I use it? Is there a daily limit?
On the free plan you get 5 tool runs a day. When you reach the limit you'll see a prompt to upgrade, and it resets the next day. Vootkit Pro removes the cap entirely for unlimited daily use.
Recently viewed
Your video is processed entirely in your browser. The video engine downloads once from a CDN the first time you run a tool, then works from cache. Large files are memory-bound, so keep clips reasonable.