TL;DR
Apify is the best all-in-one platform for most users. If you need massive proxy infrastructure, try Bright Data. If you want simple API-based scraping, try ScrapingBee. Most alternatives lack Apify's actor marketplace.
Why Look for Apify Alternatives?
Apify is the leading web scraping platform with 2,000+ pre-built scrapers. But it may not fit everyone:
- Price sensitivity: Pay-per-result can add up at scale
- Proxy needs: Some platforms offer better proxy infrastructure
- Simplicity: You may want a simpler API without actor complexity
- Self-hosting: You may prefer to run scrapers on your own servers
Here are the 7 best alternatives, tested and compared.
Quick Comparison Table
| Platform | Best For | Starting Price | Free Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apify | Pre-built scrapers, full platform | $49/mo | $5/mo credits |
| Bright Data | Enterprise proxy infrastructure | $500/mo | Trial available |
| ScrapingBee | Simple API, JavaScript rendering | $49/mo | 1,000 credits |
| ScraperAPI | Rotating proxies, anti-blocking | $49/mo | 5,000 credits |
| Octoparse | No-code visual scraping | $89/mo | 14-day trial |
| ZenRows | Anti-bot bypass | $49/mo | 1,000 credits |
| Oxylabs | Enterprise scraping + proxies | $99/mo | Trial available |
1. Bright Data
Bright Data (formerly Luminati) is the largest proxy provider. They offer over 72 million residential IPs worldwide.
Pros:
- Massive proxy network (72M+ IPs)
- Enterprise-grade infrastructure
- Multiple proxy types (residential, datacenter, mobile)
- Web Unlocker for anti-bot bypass
Cons:
- Expensive ($500/mo minimum for serious use)
- Complex pricing structure
- No actor marketplace like Apify
- Steeper learning curve
Best for: Enterprises needing massive proxy infrastructure and can afford premium pricing.
2. ScrapingBee
ScrapingBee provides a simple API for web scraping with JavaScript rendering. You send a URL, they return the HTML.
Pros:
- Simple REST API
- Handles JavaScript rendering
- Automatic proxy rotation
- Clear per-request pricing
Cons:
- No pre-built scrapers
- You must write parsing logic
- Limited to web scraping (no actors)
Best for: Developers who want simple API access without platform complexity.
3. ScraperAPI
ScraperAPI handles proxies and CAPTCHAs so you can focus on extracting data. Similar to ScrapingBee but with more focus on anti-blocking.
Pros:
- Automatic CAPTCHA solving
- Good anti-blocking technology
- Simple API integration
- Generous free tier (5,000 requests)
Cons:
- No pre-built scrapers
- Must write parsing code yourself
- JavaScript rendering costs extra
Best for: Developers who need reliable anti-blocking without managing proxies.
4. Octoparse
Octoparse is a no-code web scraping tool with a visual interface. Point and click to extract data.
Pros:
- No coding required
- Visual workflow builder
- Cloud and desktop versions
- Good for non-technical users
Cons:
- Limited flexibility vs code-based tools
- Slower than API-based solutions
- Complex sites may require workarounds
Best for: Business users who want to scrape without writing code.
5. ZenRows
ZenRows specializes in bypassing anti-bot protections. They focus on making blocked sites accessible.
Pros:
- Strong anti-bot bypass
- Automatic JavaScript rendering
- Simple API
- Good for protected sites
Cons:
- Higher cost for protected sites
- No pre-built scrapers
- Newer company, smaller community
Best for: Scraping heavily protected websites.
6. Oxylabs
Oxylabs offers both proxy infrastructure and pre-built scraping tools. Enterprise-focused competitor to Bright Data.
Pros:
- Large proxy pool (100M+ IPs)
- Pre-built e-commerce scrapers
- Enterprise support
- SERP scraping tools
Cons:
- Enterprise pricing
- Limited marketplace vs Apify
- Complex setup
Best for: Enterprises needing both proxies and pre-built scrapers.
Why Apify is Still the Best Choice
After testing all alternatives, Apify remains the top choice for most users:
- Actor Marketplace: 2,000+ pre-built scrapers. No other platform matches this.
- Developer Experience: Write in JavaScript or Python, deploy instantly.
- Flexible Pricing: Pay-per-result or compute-based, your choice.
- Free Tier: $5/month free credits. Test before you commit.
- Community: Active Discord, detailed docs, responsive support.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Apify | Alternatives Average |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | $5/month credit | Limited trials or 1,000-5,000 credits |
| Pay-per-result | Yes | Varies (most use per-request) |
| Pre-built Scrapers | 2,000+ actors | None to limited templates |
| Custom Development | Yes (JavaScript/Python) | API-only or visual builders |
| Proxy Included | Yes | Yes (all platforms) |
Our Recommendation
Start with Apify's free tier. Browse the actor marketplace for your use case. Only consider alternatives if you have specific needs Apify cannot meet.
Try Apify FreeCommon Questions
Q: Which is cheapest for small projects?
A: Apify's free tier ($5/mo) or ScraperAPI's free tier (5,000 requests) are best for testing. For small production use, all three major platforms start around $49/mo.
Q: Which is best for enterprise?
A: Bright Data or Oxylabs for proxy infrastructure. Apify Enterprise for the full platform experience with dedicated support.
Q: Can I switch between platforms easily?
A: Switching has costs. Each platform has different APIs and concepts. Budget time for migration if you switch.