Apify vs Decodo (formerly Smartproxy): Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Apify and Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) 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 Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) if you need data & databases.
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 a free tier before you commit
- • You want good web scraping platform
- • You want actor marketplace
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
Scale web data collection with diverse proxies and AI-powered scraping
Best for you if:
- • You want large IP pool of 125M+ IPs across 195+ countries ensures broad geo-coverage
- • You want aI-native integrations (AI Parser, MCP server, n8n) reduce setup time for machine learning pipelines
| At a Glance | Apify | Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $0.02/moDatacenter proxies |
Best For | Developer Tools | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Apify or Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)?
Choose Apify if
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want good web scraping platform
- You want actor marketplace
- Your work is developer tools-shaped, not data & databases-shaped
Choose Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) if
Scale web data collection with diverse proxies and AI-powered scraping
- You want large IP pool of 125M+ IPs across 195+ countries ensures broad geo-coverage
- You want aI-native integrations (AI Parser, MCP server, n8n) reduce setup time for machine learning pipelines
- Your work is data & databases-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
| Feature | Apify | Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 1,201 reviews | ★4.6/5 687 reviews |
| Categories | Developer ToolsData & Databases | Data & DatabasesDeveloper 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
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
Scale web data collection with diverse proxies and AI-powered scraping
Decodo's pricing is competitive for usage-based proxy and scraping services, but can add up quickly for high-volume users.
Watch out
Overage fees apply beyond base plan limits
Strengths
- +Large IP pool of 125M+ IPs across 195+ countries ensures broad geo-coverage.
- +AI-native integrations (AI Parser, MCP server, n8n) reduce setup time for machine learning pipelines.
- +High uptime (99.99%) and fast response times for reliable data collection.
Weaknesses
- -Free tier is limited to specific products (AI Parser, MCP server) requiring paid plans for full proxy and API access.
- -Advanced features like city/ASN targeting may require technical knowledge to configure effectively.
Key features
Pricing: Apify vs Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
| Plan | Apify | Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 Free | from $2/GB Residential proxies |
| Tier 2 | 39 Starter | from $0.27/IP Static residential proxies |
| Tier 3 | 199 Team | from $2.25/GB Mobile proxies |
| Tier 4 | 999 Business | from $0.020/IP Datacenter proxies |
| Tier 5 | N/A | from $0.95/1K req Site Unblocker |
| Tier 6 | N/A | from $0.09/1K req Web Scraping API |
| Tier 7 | N/A | from $0.4/1K req Fast Search API |
| Tier 8 | N/A | from $0.08/GB Video Downloader |
| Tier 9 | N/A | free AI Parser |
| Tier 10 | N/A | free MCP server |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Apify pricing and Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Apify has a free tier. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) is paid only.
Go with: Apify
Want the highest-rated option?
Apify: 4.7/5 (1,201 reviews). Decodo (formerly Smartproxy): 4.6/5 (687 reviews).
Go with: Apify
Value user reviews?
Apify: 1,201 reviews (4.7/5). Decodo (formerly Smartproxy): 687 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Apify
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Apify is freemium. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) is paid. Apify lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Apify is a developer tools tool. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) is in data & databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Apify is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5.
Key Takeaways
Apify
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5
- Larger review base (1,201 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
- Better fit for data & databases
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 Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) better?
Apify is rated in our evaluation. Apify is freemium and Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) is paid.
What are Apify and Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) used for?
Apify: Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy): Scale web data collection with diverse proxies and AI-powered scraping.
What does Apify cost vs Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)?
Apify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.