Zyte vs Apify: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Zyte 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 Zyte if you need API tools.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Zyte
Access the web's data, clean, ready, and at scale, with an all-in-one web scraping API.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive solution for both self-service API and fully managed data extraction
- • You want strong emphasis on legal compliance and ethical scraping practices
Apify
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want good web scraping platform
- • You want actor marketplace
| At a Glance | Zyte | Apify |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.06/mo$500 Minimum Commitment (HTTP response body) | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | API Tools | Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.7/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Zyte or Apify?
Choose Zyte if
Access the web's data, clean, ready, and at scale, with an all-in-one web scraping API.
- You want comprehensive solution for both self-service API and fully managed data extraction
- You want strong emphasis on legal compliance and ethical scraping practices
- Your work is API tools-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
Choose Apify if
Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want good web scraping platform
- You want actor marketplace
- Your work is developer tools-shaped, not API tools-shaped
| Feature | Zyte | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 165 reviews | ★4.7/5 1,201 reviews |
| Categories | API ToolsData & Databases | Developer ToolsData & Databases |
In-Depth Analysis
Zyte
Access the web's data, clean, ready, and at scale, with an all-in-one web scraping API.
Zyte's pricing model is complex but offers significant value for high-volume users, especially with the minimum commitment tiers.
Watch out
Minimum commitment tiers require upfront spend.
Strengths
- +Comprehensive solution for both self-service API and fully managed data extraction.
- +Strong emphasis on legal compliance and ethical scraping practices.
- +Utilizes advanced AI and automation for efficiency and quality.
- +Supports a wide variety of data types and use cases.
- +Offers advanced features like IP rotation, Captcha solving, and JS rendering.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing can be complex with tiered structures and minimum commitments.
- -Some advanced features may incur additional usage-based costs.
- -Managed data services start at a higher price point.
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: Zyte vs Apify
| Plan | Zyte | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | From $0.13 to $1.27 per 1,000 responses Pay as you go (HTTP response body) | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | From $1.01 to $16.08 per 1,000 responses Pay as you go (Browser rendered) | 39 Starter |
| Tier 3 | From $0.10 to $0.95 per 1,000 responses $100 Minimum Commitment (HTTP response body) | 199 Team |
| Tier 4 | From $0.75 to $12.00 per 1,000 responses $100 Minimum Commitment (Browser rendered) | 999 Business |
| Tier 5 | From $0.08 to $0.76 per 1,000 responses $200 Minimum Commitment (HTTP response body) | N/A |
| Tier 6 | From $0.60 to $9.60 per 1,000 responses $200 Minimum Commitment (Browser rendered) | N/A |
| Tier 7 | From $0.06 to $0.61 per 1,000 responses $500 Minimum Commitment (HTTP response body) | N/A |
| Tier 8 | From $0.48 to $7.68 per 1,000 responses $500 Minimum Commitment (Browser rendered) | N/A |
| Tier 9 | Contact us Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Zyte pricing and Apify pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Apify has a free tier. Zyte is paid only.
Go with: Apify
Want the highest-rated option?
Zyte: 4.4/5 (165 reviews). Apify: 4.7/5 (1,201 reviews).
Go with: Apify
Value user reviews?
Zyte: 165 reviews (4.4/5). Apify: 1,201 reviews (4.7/5).
Go with: Apify
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Zyte is paid. Apify is freemium. Apify lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Zyte 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 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Apify
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (1,201 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Zyte
- 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 Zyte or Apify better?
Apify is rated in our evaluation. Zyte is paid and Apify is freemium.
What are Zyte and Apify used for?
Zyte: Access the web's data, clean, ready, and at scale, with an all-in-one web scraping API.. Apify: Build, run, and scale web scraping and automation workflows.
What does Zyte cost vs Apify?
Zyte is a paid tool. Apify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.