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Web Scraping & Automation

Apify

Apify is a web scraping and automation platform that runs 59,750+ ready-to-use Actors in the cloud and exposes them through a REST API, JavaScript and Python SDKs, and an MCP server for AI agents. Instead of maintaining your own scraper infrastructure, you pick an Actor (Google Maps, LinkedIn, Instagram, website crawlers), configure it, and get structured JSON back — billed per compute unit with verified plans from $0 to $999/month.

The platform is built around three pieces: the Actor marketplace of pre-built scrapers, a cloud runtime with scheduled runs and managed proxies, and an API-first workflow (docs.apify.com/api/v2) that makes it a natural data layer for automation and AI pipelines. Apify positions itself as "data for AI agents" and is used for lead generation, market research, and feeding LLMs fresh web content.

At a glance

CategoryStarts atPricing (verified 2026-08-14)Best for
Web scraping & automationFree ($0)Free $0 / Starter $29/mo / Scale $199/mo / Business $999/moDevelopers, data teams, AI agents

Key features

  • Actor marketplace: 59,750+ ready-to-run scrapers for Google Maps, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, and websites (verified on apify.com, 2026-08-14).
  • Cloud runtime: scheduled runs, webhooks, and managed proxies with anti-blocking, so scrapes survive bot detection.
  • API-first: REST API v2 (docs.apify.com/api/v2) with GET /v2/users/{userId} public data and /v2/users/me private data; JavaScript and Python SDKs.
  • MCP integration: AI agents (Claude, Codex, ChatGPT) can describe a data need and the agent picks and runs an Actor.
  • Pay-as-you-go: compute units (1 GB RAM/hour) at $0.20 on Free/Starter, $0.16 on Scale, $0.13 on Business; no long-term lock-in.

How does Apify compare to Scrapy and Octoparse?

Apify vs Scrapy: Scrapy is a free, open-source Python scraping framework that runs on your own servers. Apify is a hosted platform: you pick an Actor from a marketplace of 59,750+ ready-to-run scrapers, run it in the cloud, and get results via API or webhook. Apify's verified entry pricing is free ($5 of included usage) and $29/month for Starter; Scrapy itself is free but you pay for the servers, proxies, and maintenance. Apify wins on speed-to-results and managed proxies; Scrapy wins on total cost for high-volume custom pipelines.

Apify vs Octoparse: Octoparse is a point-and-click visual scraper aimed at non-technical users, with paid plans roughly in the $99-$249/month range. Apify targets developers and AI agents with code-first Actors, SDKs, and an API; its verified plans run $0 to $999/month depending on included compute. Apify wins on programmability and AI-agent integration; Octoparse wins on no-code simplicity.

Who should use Apify?

AI and automation developers use Apify to feed live web data into agents and LLM pipelines: the MCP integration lets an agent pick an Actor and run it with a natural-language description, and the REST API returns structured JSON. If you are building a scraper, a data pipeline, or an AI agent that needs current web data, Apify is a fit because Actors run in the cloud with no server setup and billing is pay-as-you-go on included monthly credits.

Data analysts and researchers use Apify Store Actors for Google Maps, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and website crawling without writing code: you configure inputs, schedule runs, and export to JSON, CSV, or your database. If you need recurring data collection from sites that block naive scrapers, the managed proxy and anti-blocking features make Apify a fit.

Where Apify is not ideal: if you only need a tiny one-off scrape, the $5 free allowance may not cover it and a free open-source tool is cheaper. If you need on-premise data processing for compliance, Apify's cloud-first model requires you to manage data residency yourself.

Pricing

PlanPrice (verified)Included usageCompute unit price
Free$0$5 in Apify Store or your own Actors$0.20 / CU
Starter$29 / month$29 in Apify Store or your own Actors$0.20 / CU
Scale$199 / month$199 in Apify Store or your own Actors$0.16 / CU
Business$999 / month$999 in Apify Store or your own Actors$0.13 / CU

All prices verified on apify.com/pricing on 2026-08-14. Monthly billing; annual billing saves 10% per the same page. Start with Apify's free plan — no credit card required.

Alternatives

  • Semrush — all-in-one SEO suite with its own data collection (position tracking, backlink data).
  • Ahrefs — SEO toolset with a large crawled index; different use case (SEO data vs raw scraping).
  • Best web hosting — if you just need a server to run your own open-source scrapers.

FAQ

Is Apify free?

Yes. Apify's Free plan costs $0 per month and includes $5 of usage on Apify Store Actors or your own Actors, charged at $0.20 per compute unit (1 GB of RAM per hour). No credit card is required to start, per the verified pricing page on 2026-08-14.

How much does Apify cost per month?

Apify's verified plans (apify.com/pricing, 2026-08-14) are: Free at $0 with $5 included, Starter at $29/month with $29 included usage, Scale at $199/month with $199 included, and Business at $999/month with $999 included. Compute units cost $0.20 (Free/Starter), $0.16 (Scale), or $0.13 (Business).

Apify vs Scrapy, which is better?

Scrapy is an open-source Python framework you host and maintain yourself; Apify is a hosted platform with 59,750+ ready-to-run Actors, built-in proxies, scheduling, and an API. Apify suits teams that want scraping without managing infrastructure, while Scrapy suits developers who want full control and free software.

Does Apify have an API?

Yes. Apify exposes a REST API (docs.apify.com/api/v2) with endpoints such as GET /v2/users/{userId} for public user data and GET /v2/users/me for private account data, plus JavaScript and Python SDKs and an MCP integration for AI agents.

Sources