Scrapfly vs Apify: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Scrapfly 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 Scrapfly 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:
Scrapfly
Effortlessly collect web data with battle-tested APIs for scraping, extraction, and screenshots.
Best for you if:
- • You want high success rate for web scraping due to advanced anti-bot bypass
Apify
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
Best for you if:
- • You want good web scraping platform
| At a Glance | Apify | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free Free plan |
Category | Developer Tools API Tools | Developer Tools Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.8/5 Capterra 4.9 · G2 4.6 332 reviews | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.8 1,201 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Overage fees can add up quickly if not monitored. | Platform credits are consumed by compute (Actor runs), storage (datasets, key-value stores), and proxy bandwidth, all three meters run simultaneously |
Choose Scrapfly or Apify?
Choose Scrapfly if
- You want high success rate for web scraping due to advanced anti-bot bypass
- You want comprehensive suite of APIs for scraping, extraction, and screenshots
Choose Apify if
- You want good web scraping platform
- You want actor marketplace
In-Depth Analysis
Scrapfly
Effortlessly collect web data with battle-tested APIs for scraping, extraction, and screenshots.
Scrapfly offers a fair pricing structure, especially for users with predictable usage.
Watch out
Overage fees can add up quickly if not monitored.
Strengths
- Pro: High success rate for web scraping due to advanced anti-bot bypass.
- Pro: Comprehensive suite of APIs for scraping, extraction, and screenshots.
- Pro: AI and LLM integration simplifies complex data extraction tasks.
- Pro: Extensive proxy network with global coverage.
- Pro: Ability to render JavaScript and control real web browsers for dynamic content.
Weaknesses
- Con: Reliance on API calls might incur costs for high-volume usage.
- Con: Requires developer knowledge to integrate and utilize the APIs effectively.
- Con: Customizable extraction rules might require initial setup and fine-tuning.
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
- 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
Pricing: Scrapfly vs Apify
| Plan | Scrapfly | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $30/mo Discovery | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | $100/mo Pro | 39 Starter |
| Tier 3 | $250/mo Startup | 199 Team |
| Tier 4 | $500/mo Enterprise | 999 Business |
| Tier 5 | Contact us Custom | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Scrapfly pricing and Apify pricing.
Key Takeaways
Apify
- Larger review base (1,201 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Scrapfly
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.7/5
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 Scrapfly or Apify better in 2026?
Apify wins this matchup. Porkbun is our overall Developer Tools pick. Jotai is our free Developer Tools pick. Pick Scrapfly for developer tools workflows (main strength: high success rate for web scraping due to advanced anti-bot bypass). Pick Apify for developer tools workflows (main strength: good web scraping platform).
What are Scrapfly and Apify used for?
Scrapfly: Effortlessly collect web data with battle-tested APIs for scraping, extraction, and screenshots. Apify: Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows.
What does Scrapfly cost vs Apify?
Scrapfly's paid plans start at Free (Discovery). Apify pricing is on their site.
What's the main difference between Scrapfly and Apify?
Scrapfly's main strength: high success rate for web scraping due to advanced anti-bot bypass. Apify's main strength: good web scraping platform.