Steel vs Apify: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Steel 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. Our overall Automation pick is NinjaOne. Our free Automation pick is Jira MCP Server. Pick Steel if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Steel
Open-source headless browser API for controlling cloud-based browser fleets.
Best for you if:
- • You want simplifies complex browser automation tasks
- • You want high performance with fast session start times
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 | Steel | Apify |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
Rating | - | 4.7/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Steel or Apify?
Choose Steel if
Open-source headless browser API for controlling cloud-based browser fleets.
- You want simplifies complex browser automation tasks
- You want high performance with fast session start times
Choose Apify if
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
- You want good web scraping platform
- You want actor marketplace
| Feature | Steel | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.7/5 1,201 reviews |
| Categories | Developer ToolsAutomation | Developer ToolsData & Databases |
In-Depth Analysis
Steel
Open-source headless browser API for controlling cloud-based browser fleets.
Steel's pricing structure appears fair, especially with a generous free Hobby tier offering $10 in credits and 100 browser hours.
Watch out
Overage fees if credits/hours are exceeded.
Strengths
- +Simplifies complex browser automation tasks
- +High performance with fast session start times
- +Built-in features like CAPTCHA solving and bot detection avoidance
- +Flexible session duration for various use cases
- +Ability to maintain and reuse browser state
Weaknesses
- -Requires development knowledge to implement
- -Reliance on cloud infrastructure for browser fleets
- -Specific pricing details are not explicitly listed on the main page, only a 'Start For Free' button
Key features
Apify
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
Apify Free tier gives you $5/month in platform credits, enough to run small scraping jobs and test Actors.
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: Steel vs Apify
| Plan | Steel | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Hobby | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | $29 Starter | 39 Starter |
| Tier 3 | $99 Developers | 199 Team |
| Tier 4 | $499 Startups | 999 Business |
| Tier 5 | Custom Pricing Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Steel pricing and Apify pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Steel
Want the highest-rated option?
Apify is rated 4.7/5. Steel has no ratings yet.
Go with: Apify
Value user reviews?
Steel: 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?
Both are developer tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Apify is rated 4.7/5; Steel has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Apify
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Steel
- Choose if you want open-source headless browser API for controlling cloud-based browser fleets
The Bottom Line
Apify wins this matchup. Our overall Automation pick is NinjaOne. Our free Automation pick is Jira MCP Server.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Steel or Apify better?
Apify is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Steel and Apify used for?
Steel: Open-source headless browser API for controlling cloud-based browser fleets.. Apify: Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows.
What does Steel cost vs Apify?
Steel is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Apify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.