Scrape.do vs Apify : The Ultimate Platform Comparison
Discover which web scraping platform suits your needs best. Compare features, pricing, performance metrics, and real user experiences between scrape.do and Apify in our comprehensive analysis.
When choosing between scrape.do vs Apify for your web scraping needs, the decision impacts everything from your budget to project success rates. Both platforms have established themselves as leaders in the web scraping industry, but they serve different market segments and use cases. This comprehensive comparison examines every aspect of both platforms to help you make an informed decision.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of web data extraction, scrape.do positions itself as a streamlined API service focused on simplicity and reliability, while Apify offers a comprehensive ecosystem with over 6,000 pre-built actors and extensive automation capabilities. Our analysis covers pricing structures, performance benchmarks, feature sets, and real-world applications to determine which platform delivers the best value for different user profiles.
Key Comparison Highlights:
- Scrape.do focuses on API-first approach with 99%+ success rates
- Apify provides comprehensive platform with 6,000+ ready-made tools
- Significant pricing differences across similar feature sets
- Different target audiences and complexity levels
Platform Overview
Scrape.do
Advanced web scraping API service that bypasses anti-bot protection through residential, mobile, and datacenter proxies with sophisticated fingerprint manipulation.
- 95+ million residential/mobile proxies
- JavaScript rendering capabilities
- Pay-for-success model
- Global geo-targeting
Apify
Comprehensive web scraping and browser automation platform with extensive marketplace of pre-built actors and serverless computing infrastructure.
- 6,000+ ready-made actors
- 40+ million monthly runs
- Full-stack platform approach
- Developer-centric tools
Market Positioning Comparison
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Scrape.do Pricing
Free Trial
$0/month
1,000 successful API credits
Hobby Plan
$29/month
250,000 credits, 5 concurrent requests
Pro Plan
$99/month
1,250,000 credits, 15 concurrent requests
Business Plan
Most Popular$249/month
3,500,000 credits, 40 concurrent requests
Apify Pricing
Free Plan
$0/month
$5 platform credits monthly
Starter Plan
$39/month
$39 credits + pay-as-you-go
Scale Plan
$199/month
$199 credits + pay-as-you-go
Business Plan
$999/month
$999 credits + pay-as-you-go
Cost Per Million Requests Comparison
Pricing Model Differences
Scrape.do Model:
- • Pay-for-success only
- • Fixed monthly allocations
- • No overage fees
- • Transparent credit system
Apify Model:
- • Prepaid credits + overage
- • Usage-based pricing
- • Multiple service charges
- • Complex pricing structure
Comprehensive Feature Analysis
| Feature | Scrape.do | Apify |
|---|---|---|
| Proxy Network | 95M+ Residential/Mobile | Datacenter + Residential |
| JavaScript Rendering | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-built Tools | API-only | 6,000+ Actors |
| Custom Development | Limited | Full SDK Support |
| Geo-targeting | Worldwide | Available |
| Success Rate | 99%+ | 95%+ |
| Learning Curve | Low | Moderate to High |
Anti-Bot Protection
Both platforms excel at bypassing sophisticated anti-bot measures, but with different approaches.
Developer Experience
Different philosophies toward developer engagement and platform complexity.
Performance
Speed and reliability metrics vary based on use case and configuration.
Performance Metrics & Benchmarks
Success Rate Comparison
Average Response Time
Platform Usage Statistics
Scrape.do Stats:
- Success Rate: 99.9%
- Average Response: 800-900ms
- Proxy Pool: 95M+ IPs
- Global Coverage: 190+ Countries
Apify Stats:
- Monthly Runs: 40M+
- Platform Uptime: 99.5%
- Actor Store: 6,000+ Tools
- API Calls (2024): 6.8B
Performance Insights
Based on user reports and platform statistics, scrape.do shows consistently higher success rates for challenging websites, while Apify excels in processing volume and scalability for complex workflows.
- Scrape.do's specialized anti-bot technology achieves 99%+ success on protected sites
- Apify's distributed architecture handles massive scale with 40M+ monthly runs
- Response times vary significantly based on target website complexity
- Both platforms maintain excellent uptime records above 99%
Use Cases & Industry Applications
Best for Scrape.do
E-commerce Price Monitoring
High success rates on protected retail sites with advanced anti-bot systems.
Financial Data Collection
Reliable extraction from heavily protected financial platforms and exchanges.
Social Media Monitoring
Efficient data gathering from social platforms with rotating residential proxies.
Quick API Integration
Rapid deployment for teams needing immediate scraping capabilities.
Best for Apify
Enterprise Data Pipelines
Complex workflows requiring custom logic and extensive data processing.
Market Research Projects
Comprehensive data collection across multiple sources with pre-built actors.
Lead Generation
Automated prospect discovery using specialized actors for different platforms.
AI Training Data
Large-scale data collection for machine learning model training datasets.
Industry Usage Distribution
User Experience & Reviews Analysis
Scrape.do User Feedback
"We were using Scrape.do for our competitor tracking feature. Thanks to scrape.do's friendly support and custom approach, we have reached the speed average like 800ms-900ms per each request and 99%+ success rate which is amazing."
- Yigit K., Product Manager
"The average response times of their API credits are far away better than the Scraper API. And they have top-notch customer service."
- Hasan T., Co-Founder
Key Strengths:
- • Exceptional customer support responsiveness
- • Consistent 99%+ success rates
- • Simple API integration process
- • Transparent pricing model
Apify User Feedback
"Between the awesome platform, the fantastic scrapers and the epic customer service, Apify is an absolute force. Customer service is excellent as well."
- Conor P., Founder & CEO
"If you're in data, automation, scraping, or market research it's hands down one of the most powerful platforms out there. Tons of ready-made actors, customizable flows and solid support."
- Navid B., Founder & CEO
Key Strengths:
- • Extensive marketplace of pre-built tools
- • Powerful platform capabilities
- • Strong developer community
- • Comprehensive documentation
User Satisfaction Metrics
Detailed Pros & Cons Analysis
Scrape.do
Pros
- Industry-leading 99%+ success rate on protected websites
- Pay-for-success model eliminates waste from failed requests
- Simple API integration with minimal learning curve
- Massive residential/mobile proxy network (95M+ IPs)
- Exceptional customer support responsiveness
- Advanced fingerprint manipulation and TLS simulation
- Transparent pricing with no hidden overage fees
Cons
- Limited to API-only approach, no pre-built scrapers
- Fewer customization options for complex workflows
- Higher cost for residential proxies (10x credit consumption)
- No built-in data processing or storage solutions
- Limited SDK options compared to full platforms
Apify
Pros
- Extensive marketplace with 6,000+ pre-built actors
- Comprehensive platform with full SDK support
- Massive scale capability (40M+ monthly runs)
- Built-in data storage and processing capabilities
- Strong developer community and extensive documentation
- Flexible serverless computing architecture
- Advanced workflow automation capabilities
Cons
- Complex pricing structure with multiple cost components
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Potential overage charges beyond prepaid credits
- Variable performance depending on actor quality
- Higher baseline costs for enterprise features
Final Recommendation & Decision Framework
Choose Based on Your Needs
Choose Scrape.do If:
- You need maximum success rates on protected websites
- You prefer simple, predictable pricing
- You want rapid deployment without complexity
- Your team lacks extensive technical expertise
- You prioritize excellent customer support
Choose Apify If:
- You need pre-built solutions for common tasks
- You require complex data processing workflows
- You have development resources available
- You need enterprise-scale automation
- You want comprehensive platform integration
Expert Recommendation
For most businesses starting with web scraping or needing reliable data extraction from challenging websites, scrape.do offers the best balance of simplicity and performance. Its 99%+ success rate and pay-for-success model make it ideal for cost-conscious operations.
However, enterprises with complex automation needs, existing development teams, and requirements for extensive data processing should consider Apify's comprehensive platform approach, despite its higher complexity and cost structure.
Related: Octoparse vs Scrape.do
Frequently Asked Questions
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