Apify

Apify is a web scraping and automation platform that helps developers and businesses collect data from websites and automate repetitive web tasks. The platform provides a comprehensive set of tools for building scrapers (called “actors”), managing proxies to avoid blocking, and storing extracted data efficiently. Whether you need to monitor competitor prices, gather market research data, or extract information for machine learning models, Apify handles the technical complexity of web scraping at scale.

Technical teams and developers particularly benefit from Apify’s extensive API capabilities, pre-built scraping tools, and the ability to create custom solutions using JavaScript. Business analysts and researchers can use Apify’s no-code solutions to extract data without programming knowledge. The platform’s infrastructure manages common challenges like proxy rotation, browser automation, and data storage, allowing users to focus on their specific data extraction needs rather than technical implementation details.

The service stands out for its robust cloud infrastructure, which can run multiple scraping tasks simultaneously while handling anti-bot measures through its proxy management system. With features like scheduled runs, real-time monitoring, and integrated storage solutions, Apify provides a reliable foundation for both small-scale data collection projects and enterprise-level web scraping operations.

🎥 Video Review for Apify

💰 Pricing for Apify

Apify offers several pricing tiers to accommodate different needs and usage levels. The platform provides both individual and business plans with monthly and annual billing options, with annual plans offering cost savings. Each tier includes specific compute units, proxy traffic allowances, and platform features that scale up with higher tiers.

  • Free Plan – $0/month with 5 compute units, 100 MB proxy traffic, and basic platform access
  • Individual Plan – $49/month with 50 compute units, 5 GB proxy traffic, and standard features
  • Team Plan – $499/month with 500 compute units, 50 GB proxy traffic, and advanced team collaboration tools
  • Business Plan – Custom pricing with unlimited compute units, custom proxy traffic, and enterprise-grade support
  • Compute Unit Overage – $0.25 per additional compute unit
  • Proxy Traffic Overage – $12.50 per additional GB
  • Platform Storage – First 5GB free, then $0.10 per additional GB
  • Residential Proxy – $12.50 per GB of traffic
  • Datacenter Proxy – Included in monthly platform fees
  • Google SERP Proxy – $40.00 per 1000 requests
  • Annual Discount – 20% savings on yearly billing for all paid plans
  • Custom Enterprise Solutions – Tailored pricing based on specific requirements and volume needs

✅ Apify Features & Capabilities

  • Web Scraping Tools – Extract structured data from any website using pre-built or custom solutions
  • Automation Framework – Create and run automated tasks for data collection and web interactions
  • Cloud Infrastructure – Run scrapers and automation tasks on scalable cloud servers
  • Actor System – Build, publish, and share reusable scraping and automation components
  • Proxy Management – Access to residential and datacenter proxies with automatic rotation
  • Storage Solutions – Store and manage scraped data using datasets, key-value stores, and request queues
  • API Integration – Connect with external services through RESTful APIs and webhooks
  • Scheduling – Set up automated runs of tasks at specific times or intervals
  • Monitoring Tools – Track performance, success rates, and resource usage of running tasks
  • Collaboration Features – Share projects, manage team access, and control permissions
  • Custom Development – Create specialized scrapers using JavaScript, Python, or other languages
  • Data Export – Download results in multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and Excel
  • Version Control – Track changes and maintain different versions of scraping projects
  • Resource Management – Control compute resources, memory allocation, and concurrent runs
  • Error Handling – Automatic retry mechanisms and detailed error reporting
  • Security Features – Encrypted data storage and secure API access controls
  • Performance Analytics – Detailed statistics and insights about scraping operations
  • Browser Automation – Control headless browsers for JavaScript-heavy websites
  • Input Management – Configure and modify scraping parameters through user interfaces
  • Quality Assurance – Validate extracted data and maintain data quality standards

Web Scraper Automation That Actually Works

Apify’s web scraper tools bring a refreshing clarity to data collection projects. The platform’s actors – their term for ready-made scrapers – handle the heavy lifting of gathering information from websites large and small. These scrapers run smoothly through their cloud system, pulling in everything from product details to social media content without getting tangled in website blocks or timeouts.

What makes their scraping approach practical is how it manages the common frustrations of data collection. Their proxy system rotates IP addresses automatically, their browsers behave like real users, and the scraped data flows directly into organized storage. This means less time fixing broken scrapers and more time using the collected information.

The scrapers adapt well to different website structures, even when sites update their layouts. They can extract text, images, prices, and other content types while respecting website rules and rate limits. For developers, the JavaScript-based scraping tools offer enough flexibility to build custom solutions. For business users, the visual interface makes it simple to start collecting data without writing code.

Their storage system keeps the scraped data clean and accessible, ready for export to spreadsheets or databases. The platform monitors scraping jobs and alerts users about any issues, making it easier to maintain reliable data collection over time. This attention to the practical aspects of web scraping helps teams focus on using the data rather than constantly fixing collection problems.

Powerful Web Scraper API Built for Scale

Apify’s scraper API combines smart data collection with straightforward implementation. Their system processes millions of web requests daily through a stable infrastructure that maintains consistent uptime. The API connects directly to their actor system, where pre-built scrapers handle specific website patterns and data formats efficiently.

The API responds quickly to requests while managing browser instances, proxy rotations, and data storage automatically. Users receive structured JSON outputs that map cleanly to their target databases or applications. This removes the usual technical barriers of web scraping, like managing headers, cookies, and session states.

Their API documentation provides clear examples for common scenarios, showing how to extract pricing data, product information, or social media content. The system scales from small projects to enterprise needs, with usage-based pricing that matches actual consumption. Response formats stay consistent across different websites, making it simple to build reliable data pipelines.

The platform includes built-in error handling and automatic retries for failed requests. It manages rate limiting intelligently, spreading requests across their proxy network to avoid overwhelming target websites. This balanced approach helps maintain steady data collection while respecting website resources and terms of service.

ADded RECENTLY

Deepnote

A screenshot of deepnote.com

Deepnote: AI-powered data workspace for collaborative analytics and data science, supporting Python, SQL, R, and no-code solutions.

Metabase

A screenshot of metabase.com

Metabase offers self-service Business Intelligence, enabling user-friendly data exploration and visualization through interactive dashboards and analytics.

Bito

A screenshot of bito.co

Bito delivers AI-driven solutions for enhanced server management and seamless website operations.

GalileoAI

A screenshot of rungalileo.io

Galileo AI offers tools for evaluating and improving generative AI applications, supporting enterprise-scale monitoring and protection.

FAST FOUNDATIONS AI WEEKLY

You’ll receive an email every Tuesday of Jim’s top three trending AI topics, tools, and strategies you NEED to know to stay on top of your game.