E2B vs Apify: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between E2B and Apify 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 E2B if you need AI agents.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
E2B
The open-source, secure cloud environment for enterprise-grade AI agents and LLM training.
Best for you if:
- • You want open-source and secure environment
- • You want flexible and scalable compute resources for AI agents
Apify
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
Best for you if:
- • You want good web scraping platform
- • You want actor marketplace
| At a Glance | E2B | Apify |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | AI Agents | Developer Tools |
Rating | - | 4.7/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose E2B or Apify?
Choose E2B if
The open-source, secure cloud environment for enterprise-grade AI agents and LLM training.
- You want open-source and secure environment
- You want flexible and scalable compute resources for AI agents
- Your work is AI agents-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
Choose Apify if
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
- You want good web scraping platform
- You want actor marketplace
- Your work is developer tools-shaped, not AI agents-shaped
| Feature | E2B | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.7/5 1,201 reviews |
| Categories | AI AgentsCloud & Infrastructure | Developer ToolsData & Databases |
In-Depth Analysis
E2B
The open-source, secure cloud environment for enterprise-grade AI agents and LLM training.
The jump to Pro at $150/month is reasonable for increased flexibility and capacity.
Strengths
- +Open-source and secure environment
- +Flexible and scalable compute resources for AI agents
- +Supports various AI agent types and LLM training
- +Free hobby tier available with no credit card required
- +Used by major AI companies like Perplexity and Hugging Face
Weaknesses
- -Usage costs are separate from monthly fees and can add up
- -Ultimate/Enterprise pricing requires direct contact, lacking transparency
Key features
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
Pricing: E2B vs Apify
| Plan | E2B | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free + Usage Costs Hobby | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | $150/mo + Usage Costs Pro | 39 Starter |
| Tier 3 | Contact us Enterprise | 199 Team |
| Tier 4 | N/A | 999 Business |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on E2B pricing and Apify pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: E2B
Want the highest-rated option?
Apify is rated 4.7/5. E2B has no ratings yet.
Go with: Apify
Value user reviews?
E2B: no ratings yet. Apify: 1,201 reviews (4.7/5).
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?
E2B is a AI agents tool. Apify is in developer tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Apify is rated 4.7/5; E2B has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Apify
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
E2B
- Better fit for AI agents
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 E2B or Apify better?
Apify is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are E2B and Apify used for?
E2B: The open-source, secure cloud environment for enterprise-grade AI agents and LLM training.. Apify: Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows.
What does E2B cost vs Apify?
E2B is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Apify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.