ZenRows vs Apify: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between ZenRows 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 ZenRows if you need API tools.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
ZenRows
Web scraping API for bypassing anti-bot measures and extracting data reliably.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly reduces complexity of web scraping
- • You want high success rate against anti-bot measures
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 | ZenRows | Apify |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | API Tools | Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose ZenRows or Apify?
Choose ZenRows if
Web scraping API for bypassing anti-bot measures and extracting data reliably.
- You want significantly reduces complexity of web scraping
- You want high success rate against anti-bot measures
- Your work is API tools-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 API tools-shaped
| Feature | ZenRows | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 188 reviews | ★4.7/5 1,201 reviews |
| Categories | API ToolsDeveloper Tools | Developer ToolsData & Databases |
In-Depth Analysis
ZenRows
Web scraping API for bypassing anti-bot measures and extracting data reliably.
Strengths
- +Significantly reduces complexity of web scraping
- +High success rate against anti-bot measures
- +Offers a free tier for testing and small projects
- +Good documentation and support
Weaknesses
- -Can become costly for very high volume scraping
- -Requires some coding knowledge to integrate the API
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: ZenRows vs Apify
| Plan | ZenRows | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | 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 ZenRows pricing and Apify pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: ZenRows
Want the highest-rated option?
ZenRows: 4.6/5 (188 reviews). Apify: 4.7/5 (1,201 reviews).
Go with: Apify
Value user reviews?
ZenRows: 188 reviews (4.6/5). 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?
ZenRows is a API tools tool. Apify is in developer tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Apify is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5.
Key Takeaways
Apify
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5
- Larger review base (1,201 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
ZenRows
- Better fit for API tools
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 ZenRows or Apify better?
Apify is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are ZenRows and Apify used for?
ZenRows: Web scraping API for bypassing anti-bot measures and extracting data reliably.. Apify: Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows.
What does ZenRows cost vs Apify?
ZenRows is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Apify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.