Apify vs Context.dev: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Apify and Context.dev comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Apify wins this matchup. Porkbun is our overall Developer Tools pick. Jotai is our free Developer Tools pick. Pick Context.dev if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Apify
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
Best for you if:
- • You want good web scraping platform
- • You want actor marketplace
Context.dev
The Web Context API for Developers
Best for you if:
- • You want single API replaces multiple scraping and enrichment tools
- • You want clean markdown output ideal for LLM and AI agent consumption
| At a Glance | Apify | Context.dev |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.7/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Apify or Context.dev?
Choose Apify if
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
- You want good web scraping platform
- You want actor marketplace
Choose Context.dev if
The Web Context API for Developers
- You want single API replaces multiple scraping and enrichment tools
- You want clean markdown output ideal for LLM and AI agent consumption
| Feature | Apify | Context.dev |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 1,201 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Developer ToolsData & Databases | Developer ToolsAPI Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Apify
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
The credit-based model means you pay for what you use (compute, storage, proxy bandwidth), but costs can be unpredictable, a single misconfigured Actor can burn through credits in hours.
Watch out
Platform credits are consumed by compute (Actor runs), storage (datasets, key-value stores), and proxy bandwidth, all three meters run simultaneously
Strengths
- +Good web scraping platform
- +Actor marketplace
- +Proxy management
- +Scheduled runs
- +Good documentation
Weaknesses
- -Expensive at scale
- -Compute pricing complex
- -Learning curve
- -Rate limits
- -Some actors low quality
Key features
Context.dev
The Web Context API for Developers
Context.dev offers a solid free tier with 500 API credits to evaluate the product.
Strengths
- +Single API replaces multiple scraping and enrichment tools
- +Clean markdown output ideal for LLM and AI agent consumption
- +Generous free tier with 500 API credits to test
- +Typed SDKs for three major languages reduce integration effort
- +Brand intelligence features (logos, colors, fonts) are unique differentiators
Weaknesses
- -Rate limits on free and lower tiers can be restrictive (1-2 calls/sec)
- -Credits deplete quickly for high-volume scraping use cases
- -Relatively new product (rebranded from Brand.dev), smaller community than alternatives like Firecrawl
- -No one-time lookup option, requires a subscription plan
Key features
Pricing: Apify vs Context.dev
| Plan | Apify | Context.dev |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | 39 Starter | Starter plan Starter |
| Tier 3 | 199 Team | Pro plan Pro |
| Tier 4 | 999 Business | Scale plan Scale |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Apify pricing and Context.dev pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Apify
Want the highest-rated option?
Apify is rated 4.7/5. Context.dev has no ratings yet.
Go with: Apify
Value user reviews?
Apify: 1,201 reviews (4.7/5). Context.dev: no ratings yet.
Go with: Apify
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are developer tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Apify is rated 4.7/5; Context.dev has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Apify
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Context.dev
- Choose if you want the Web Context API for Developers
The Bottom Line
Apify wins this matchup. Porkbun is our overall Developer Tools pick. Jotai is our free Developer Tools pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apify or Context.dev better?
Apify is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Apify and Context.dev used for?
Apify: Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows. Context.dev: The Web Context API for Developers.
What does Apify cost vs Context.dev?
Apify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Context.dev is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.