Apify vs Scrapy: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Apify and Scrapy 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. NinjaOne is our overall Automation pick. Calendly is our free Automation pick. Pick Scrapy if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, 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
Scrapy
The world's most-used open-source framework for fast and powerful web data extraction.
Best for you if:
- • You want open-source and free to use
| At a Glance | Apify | Scrapy |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free Free plan |
Category | Developer Tools Data & Databases | Developer Tools Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.8 1,201 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Platform credits are consumed by compute (Actor runs), storage (datasets, key-value stores), and proxy bandwidth, all three meters run simultaneously | n/a |
Choose Apify or Scrapy?
Choose Apify if
- You want good web scraping platform
- You want actor marketplace
Choose Scrapy if
- You want open-source and free to use
- You want fast and powerful data extraction
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
- Pro: Good web scraping platform
- Pro: Actor marketplace
- Pro: Proxy management
- Pro: Scheduled runs
- Pro: Good documentation
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive at scale
- Con: Compute pricing complex
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Rate limits
- Con: Some actors low quality
Key features
Scrapy
The world's most-used open-source framework for fast and powerful web data extraction.
The pricing for Scrapy is exceptionally fair and generous, as both the core framework and the Web Scraping Copilot are offered completely free of charge.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source and free to use
- Pro: Fast and powerful data extraction
- Pro: Highly customizable with Python
- Pro: Strong community support and extensive documentation
- Pro: Simplifies complex scraping tasks
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires Python knowledge
- Con: Initial setup might have a learning curve for beginners
Key features
Pricing: Apify vs Scrapy
| Plan | Apify | Scrapy |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 Free | Free Scrapy |
| Tier 2 | 39 Starter | Free to use - No account required Web Scraping Copilot |
| Tier 3 | 199 Team | N/A |
| Tier 4 | 999 Business | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Apify pricing and Scrapy pricing.
Key Takeaways
Apify
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Scrapy
- Choose if you want the world's most-used open-source framework for fast and powerful web data extraction
The Bottom Line
Apify wins this matchup. NinjaOne is our overall Automation pick. Calendly is our free Automation pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apify or Scrapy better in 2026?
Apify wins this matchup. NinjaOne is our overall Automation pick. Calendly is our free Automation pick. Pick Apify for developer tools workflows (main strength: good web scraping platform). Pick Scrapy for developer tools workflows (main strength: open-source and free to use).
What are Apify and Scrapy used for?
Apify: Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows. Scrapy: The world's most-used open-source framework for fast and powerful web data extraction.
What does Apify cost vs Scrapy?
Apify pricing is on their site. Scrapy pricing is on their site.
What's the main difference between Apify and Scrapy?
Apify's main strength: good web scraping platform. Scrapy's main strength: open-source and free to use.