Apify
Effortlessly scrape and automate data extraction from any website, hassle-free.
About Apify
Apify is a powerful web scraping and automation platform designed to help users extract valuable data from websites effortlessly. With a combination of pre-built scrapers and the ability to create custom serverless programs, Apify empowers businesses, developers, and researchers to gather data from virtually any website. Its robust technology stack includes advanced anti-blocking measures, ensuring that users can scrape data without encountering common obstacles like IP bans or CAPTCHAs. By leveraging Apify’s capabilities, users can automate repetitive tasks, monitor changes on websites, and obtain real-time data for analysis and decision-making. The platform is built on the foundation of Actors, which are serverless functions that execute web scraping tasks. Users can either select from a marketplace of over 10,000 pre-built Actors or develop their own using Apify’s comprehensive API and code templates. This flexibility allows for a wide range of applications, from simple data extraction to complex web automation workflows. Additionally, Apify supports integration with various applications and services, making it a versatile tool for data collection and processing. One of the standout features of Apify is its focus on ease of use. The platform provides an intuitive interface that simplifies the process of setting up scrapers, managing data, and monitoring tasks. Users can schedule scraping jobs, export data in various formats, and even connect their scrapers to external tools like Google Sheets and Slack for seamless workflows. Furthermore, Apify’s open-source Crawlee library allows developers to build custom web scrapers using popular technologies like Puppeteer and Selenium, enhancing the platform’s capabilities. The benefits of using Apify extend beyond just data extraction. Organizations can utilize the platform for lead generation, market research, competitive analysis, and even feeding AI models with the latest data. By automating data collection processes, businesses can save time, reduce errors, and gain a competitive edge in their respective industries. Apify’s commitment to data privacy and security, with compliance to GDPR and CCPA, also ensures that users can scrape data responsibly and ethically. In summary, Apify is not just a web scraping tool; it's a comprehensive platform that enables users to harness the power of web data. Its advanced technology, user-friendly interface, and extensive integration capabilities make it an ideal choice for anyone looking to automate data collection and drive insights from the web. Whether you are a startup, enterprise, or academic institution, Apify offers the tools and resources needed to succeed in today’s data-driven landscape.
Apify Key Features
Pre-built Web Scrapers
Apify offers a vast library of pre-built web scrapers, known as Actors, which can be used to extract data from popular websites like Google Maps, Instagram, and Amazon. These scrapers are ready to use and can be customized to fit specific data extraction needs, saving users time and effort in developing their own solutions.
Custom Serverless Programs
Users can create custom serverless programs on Apify's platform to tailor web scraping tasks to their specific requirements. This feature allows for flexibility in data extraction, enabling users to write their own scripts using JavaScript or Python, and leverage Apify's infrastructure for execution.
Anti-blocking Measures
Apify incorporates advanced anti-blocking techniques to ensure successful data extraction. These measures include rotating IP addresses and handling CAPTCHAs, which help prevent common obstacles like IP bans and access restrictions during web scraping.
Integration with Applications
Apify seamlessly integrates with various applications and services such as Zapier, Google Sheets, and Slack. This allows users to automate workflows and directly feed scraped data into their preferred tools for further analysis and action.
Open-source Crawlee Library
The Crawlee library is an open-source web scraping and crawling library that supports popular frameworks like Puppeteer and Playwright. It provides developers with powerful tools to build and deploy reliable web scrapers, enhancing the flexibility and capability of Apify's platform.
Data Export and API Access
Apify allows users to export scraped data in various formats such as JSON, CSV, or Excel, and provides API access for programmatic control over scraping tasks. This feature enables seamless integration of data into existing systems and supports automated data pipelines.
Monitoring and Scheduling
Users can schedule and monitor their scraping tasks through Apify's platform, ensuring timely data collection and minimizing downtime. The scheduling feature supports recurring tasks, while monitoring provides insights into task performance and potential issues.
Professional Services and Support
Apify offers professional services to help users design, implement, and maintain custom web scraping solutions. Their support team provides expert advice and troubleshooting, ensuring users can effectively leverage the platform for their data extraction needs.
Apify Pricing Plans (2026)
Basic
- Access to pre-built Actors
- Custom Actor development
- Basic support
- Limited monthly runs and data storage
Pro
- Increased monthly runs
- Advanced support
- Integration capabilities
- Still limited compared to enterprise plans
Enterprise
- Unlimited runs
- Dedicated support
- Custom solutions
- Higher cost based on usage and requirements
Apify Pros
- + Wide range of pre-built scrapers enables quick setup for users without technical expertise.
- + Custom Actor development allows for flexibility in scraping specific data needs.
- + Advanced anti-blocking measures help ensure reliable data extraction.
- + User-friendly interface simplifies the process of scheduling and monitoring tasks.
- + Integration with various applications enhances workflow automation and data utilization.
- + Open-source components provide developers with the tools to create tailored scraping solutions.
Apify Cons
- − Users may face a learning curve when developing custom Actors if they lack programming experience.
- − Pricing can escalate for high-volume scraping needs, making it less cost-effective for small projects.
- − Some users report occasional issues with the reliability of certain pre-built scrapers.
- − The platform may not support every niche website, limiting scraping capabilities for specialized data.
Apify Use Cases
Lead Generation
Sales teams use Apify to extract contact information and business details from platforms like LinkedIn and Google Maps. This data is crucial for building targeted lead lists and enhancing outreach efforts, resulting in increased sales opportunities.
Market Research
Market analysts utilize Apify to gather competitive intelligence from e-commerce sites, social media platforms, and review aggregators. This data helps businesses understand market trends, consumer preferences, and competitor strategies.
Social Media Monitoring
Brands and marketing agencies use Apify to track social media mentions, hashtags, and engagement metrics. This information is vital for measuring brand sentiment, monitoring campaign performance, and identifying influencers.
AI Model Training
Data scientists employ Apify to collect large datasets from various online sources to train machine learning models. The platform's ability to handle diverse data types and formats makes it ideal for feeding AI applications with high-quality data.
Product Research
Retailers and manufacturers use Apify to scrape product information, reviews, and pricing data from e-commerce platforms. This data aids in product development, pricing strategies, and inventory management.
Academic Research
Researchers in academia leverage Apify to gather data for studies and experiments. The platform's flexibility allows for the extraction of data from a wide range of sources, supporting diverse research topics and methodologies.
What Makes Apify Unique
Comprehensive Actor Marketplace
Apify's marketplace offers over 10,000 Actors, providing users with a wide range of pre-built solutions for various web scraping and automation tasks. This extensive library sets Apify apart from competitors with limited offerings.
Open-source Collaboration
Apify's commitment to open-source development, particularly through the Crawlee library, fosters a collaborative environment for developers. This approach encourages innovation and community-driven improvements.
Scalable Infrastructure
Apify's serverless architecture allows users to scale their scraping operations effortlessly. This scalability is crucial for businesses that require large-scale data extraction without the hassle of managing infrastructure.
Flexible Integration Options
The platform's ability to integrate with a wide range of applications and services, including popular tools like Zapier and Google Sheets, enhances its versatility and appeal to users with diverse needs.
Professional Services
Apify offers professional consulting services to assist users in designing and implementing custom solutions. This level of support and expertise is a significant advantage for users who require tailored data extraction strategies.
Who's Using Apify
Enterprise Teams
Large organizations use Apify to automate data collection processes across departments, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency. The platform's scalability and integration capabilities are particularly valuable for enterprise-level applications.
Freelancers
Independent developers and data analysts use Apify to quickly set up and run web scraping tasks for clients. The platform's ease of use and extensive library of pre-built scrapers enable freelancers to deliver results efficiently.
Startups
Startups leverage Apify to gain insights into market trends and customer behavior, which are critical for developing competitive strategies. The platform's cost-effective solutions and flexibility are ideal for startups with limited resources.
Academic Institutions
Universities and research institutions use Apify to support data-driven research projects. The platform's ability to handle complex data extraction tasks makes it a valuable tool for academic research and analysis.
Nonprofits
Nonprofit organizations use Apify to collect data for advocacy and policy research. The platform's robust features enable nonprofits to gather information efficiently, supporting their missions and initiatives.
How We Rate Apify
Apify vs Competitors
Apify vs Scrapy
While Scrapy is a powerful open-source web scraping framework, it requires more technical expertise to set up and use compared to Apify's user-friendly interface and pre-built Actors.
- + Open-source flexibility for custom solutions
- + Strong community support
- − Requires programming knowledge
- − Less immediate access to pre-built scrapers
Apify vs Octoparse
Octoparse offers a visual interface for scraping, making it easy for non-coders, but may lack the extensive marketplace and serverless capabilities of Apify.
- + User-friendly visual interface
- + No coding required
- − Limited customization options
- − Higher pricing for advanced features
Apify vs ParseHub
ParseHub provides a visual scraping tool similar to Octoparse, but Apify's integration capabilities and anti-blocking measures offer a more robust solution.
- + Visual scraping tool
- + User-friendly
- − Less effective anti-blocking
- − Fewer integration options
Apify vs DataMiner
DataMiner is a browser extension for scraping, which is convenient for quick tasks, but lacks the scalability and automation features of Apify.
- + Easy to use for quick scraping tasks
- + No software installation required
- − Not suitable for large-scale scraping
- − Limited automation capabilities
Apify vs WebHarvy
WebHarvy offers a point-and-click interface for scraping, but Apify's serverless architecture and extensive documentation provide a more comprehensive solution.
- + Point-and-click interface for ease of use
- + Good for beginners
- − Less flexibility for custom scraping
- − Not as scalable as Apify
Apify Frequently Asked Questions (2026)
What is Apify?
Apify is a web scraping and automation platform that enables users to extract data from various websites using pre-built scrapers or by creating custom serverless programs.
How much does Apify cost in 2026?
Apify offers a range of pricing tiers based on usage, with costs starting from $49 per month for basic plans.
Is Apify free?
Apify provides a free tier that allows users to try out the platform with limited features and usage.
Is Apify worth it?
For businesses and developers needing reliable web data, Apify provides significant value through its extensive features and ease of use.
Apify vs alternatives?
Compared to competitors, Apify stands out with its extensive marketplace of pre-built scrapers and strong anti-blocking capabilities.
How does Apify handle data privacy?
Apify complies with GDPR and CCPA regulations, ensuring that users can scrape data responsibly.
Can I build my own scrapers?
Yes, Apify allows users to create custom Actors using its API and code templates.
What types of data can I scrape?
Users can scrape a wide variety of data, including product information, social media posts, and academic publications.
How does Apify ensure reliability?
Apify employs advanced anti-blocking measures to maintain uninterrupted data extraction.
What support resources are available?
Apify provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and a community forum for user support.
Apify on Hacker News
Apify Company
Apify Quick Info
- Pricing
- Freemium
- Upvotes
- 0
- Added
- January 18, 2026
Apify Is Best For
- Small to medium-sized businesses looking for market insights.
- Data scientists and analysts requiring large datasets for analysis.
- Marketing professionals tracking brand sentiment and competition.
- Academic researchers needing automated data collection for studies.
- Developers interested in building custom scraping solutions.
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