TL;DR
Apify runs web scrapers in the cloud. Pick a pre-built tool, enter your search, get data. 2,000+ tools available. Free tier included. No servers to manage.
The Short Answer
Apify is a cloud platform where you run web scrapers. You do not write code. You do not manage servers. You just pick a tool, enter what you want, and download the results.
Think of it like a vending machine for web data. Insert your request, get structured data back.
Who Uses It
Apify has over 1 million registered users. Most fall into these groups:
- Marketers who need competitor data and lead lists
- Researchers who collect data from social media
- Developers who want scrapers without building them
- Agencies who run data collection for clients
- Startups who need data but lack engineering time
How It Works
| Step | What You Do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pick a Tool | Browse the store. Find a scraper for your target site. | 2 min |
| 2. Configure | Enter your search terms or URLs. | 1 min |
| 3. Run | Click start. Wait for the scraper to finish. | 1-30 min |
| 4. Download | Export to CSV, JSON, or Excel. | 1 min |
What is an Actor?
Apify calls its tools "actors." An actor is a program that runs on their servers. Most actors are web scrapers. Some are automation tools or data processors.
The name comes from computer science. In the "actor model," each program is an independent unit that handles messages. You send an actor input. It sends back output.
There are over 2,000 actors in the Apify Store. Most are free to try. Popular ones include scrapers for Google Maps, Instagram, TikTok, and Amazon.
What Can You Scrape?
Almost any public website. The store has scrapers for:
- Social Media: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, YouTube
- Local Business: Google Maps, Yelp, TripAdvisor
- E-commerce: Amazon, eBay, Shopify stores, AliExpress
- Real Estate: Zillow, Realtor, Redfin
- Jobs: Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, Glassdoor
- Generic: Any website with the Website Content Crawler
Platform Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Registered Users | 1,000,000+ |
| Actors in Store | 2,000+ |
| Founded | 2015 (Prague, Czech Republic) |
| Free Monthly Credits | $5 |
| Paid Plans Start At | $49/month |
Pricing Overview
Apify has two pricing models that work together:
1. Platform Credits
Every account gets $5 in free credits per month. Paid plans start at $49/month. Credits pay for compute time.
2. Pay-Per-Result
Many popular actors charge per data point. Google Maps Scraper costs $0.004 per business. This makes costs predictable.
Most users start with the free tier. Upgrade when you need more volume.
Apify vs Other Tools
| Feature | Apify | Build Your Own | Data Providers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coding Required | No | Yes | No |
| Custom Targets | 2,000+ sites | Any site | Limited |
| Infrastructure | Managed | You manage | Managed |
| Starting Cost | Free ($5 credit) | $50+/month servers | $500+/month |
Common Questions
Q: Do I need to know how to code?
A: No. Most actors have a simple web form. Fill in your search terms, click run, download results.
Q: Is web scraping legal?
A: Scraping public data is generally legal. Avoid personal data without consent. Check each site's terms of service. See our legal guide for details.
Q: How is this different from Octoparse or ParseHub?
A: Those tools require you to build your own scrapers. Apify gives you pre-built tools that work immediately. You can build custom scrapers too if needed.
Q: What if the scraper I need does not exist?
A: Use the Website Content Crawler for generic sites. Or request a custom actor. Developers can also build their own using Apify's SDK.
Q: How reliable is the data?
A: Popular actors have 95-99% success rates. Data accuracy depends on the source website. Always verify critical data points.