Scrapy vs Apify: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Scrapy 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Scrapy
The world's most-used open-source framework for fast and powerful web data extraction.
Best for you if:
- • Open-source Python framework for web data extraction.
- • Fast, powerful, and highly customizable for building web spiders.
Apify
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
Best for you if:
- • Web scraping platform
- • Scale data extraction
| At a Glance |  Scrapy |  Apify |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free to use - No account required/moWeb Scraping Copilot | 39/moStarter |
Best For | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Scrapy or Apify?
Choose Scrapy if
The world's most-used open-source framework for fast and powerful web data extraction.
- Open-source and free to use
- Fast and powerful data extraction
- Highly customizable with Python
Choose Apify if
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
- Good web scraping platform
- Actor marketplace
- Proxy management
| Feature | Scrapy | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.7/5 419 reviews |
| Categories | Developer ToolsData & Databases | Developer ToolsData & Databases |
In-Depth Analysis
Scrapy
The world's most-used open-source framework for fast and powerful web data extraction.
Strengths
- +Open-source and free to use
- +Fast and powerful data extraction
- +Highly customizable with Python
- +Strong community support and extensive documentation
- +Simplifies complex scraping tasks
Weaknesses
- -Requires Python knowledge
- -Initial setup might have a learning curve for beginners
Key features
Apify
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
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: Scrapy vs Apify
| Plan | Scrapy | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Scrapy | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | Free to use - No account required Web Scraping Copilot | 39 Starter |
| Tier 3 | N/A | 199 Team |
| Tier 4 | N/A | 999 Business |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Scrapy pricing and Apify pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Scrapy
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Scrapy
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews 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?
Neither has user reviews yet.
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 is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scrapy or Apify better?
Apify is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Scrapy and Apify used for?
Scrapy: The world's most-used open-source framework for fast and powerful web data extraction.. Apify: Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows.
What does Scrapy cost vs Apify?
Scrapy is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Apify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.