ComparisonUpdated February 26, 2026

Apify vs Octoparse

Developer Platform vs No-Code Scraper — Which Is Right for You?

A

Developer-focused web scraping and automation platform

$49/mo

Starting at

Yes

Free tier

3

Plans

Best for

Developers and technical teams who need programmable, scalable web scraping

O

Octoparse

octoparse.com

No-code visual web scraping tool for non-technical users

$99/mo

Starting at

Yes

Free tier

3

Plans

Best for

Non-technical users who need point-and-click web scraping without coding

Overview

Apify and Octoparse are two of the most popular web scraping tools, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Apify is a developer-first platform with a marketplace of 1,500+ pre-built scrapers ("Actors") and a powerful SDK for building custom solutions. Octoparse, on the other hand, offers a visual point-and-click interface designed for non-technical users who want to extract data without writing code.

The choice between them often comes down to your technical background and budget. Apify starts at $49/mo with a credit-based system that scales with usage, while Octoparse starts at $99/mo for cloud extraction features. Both have free tiers, though with significant limitations.

For teams who work primarily in spreadsheets, there is a third option: Unlimited Sheets brings web scraping directly into Google Sheets with simple formulas like =SCRAPE() and =AI_SCRAPE(), starting at just EUR 9/mo — no separate platform, no learning curve, no context switching.

Strengths & Weaknesses

An honest look at what each tool does well and where it falls short

A

Apify

Strengths

  • 1,500+ pre-built scraping Actors in the marketplace
  • Powerful SDK for custom scrapers (Node.js, Python)
  • SOC 2 Type II compliant for enterprise security
  • Built-in proxy management and rotation
  • Integrations with Zapier, Make, LangChain, and APIs

Weaknesses

  • Credit-based pricing can get expensive at scale
  • Steep learning curve for custom Actors
  • No visual/no-code builder for non-developers
  • Complex pricing model with multiple usage dimensions
O

Octoparse

Strengths

  • Visual point-and-click scraper — no coding required
  • Desktop app for local extraction (Windows & Mac)
  • Built-in IP rotation and anti-blocking
  • Pre-built templates for popular websites
  • Scheduled cloud extraction

Weaknesses

  • Expensive starting at $99/mo for cloud features
  • Desktop app can be slow for large-scale scraping
  • Limited API and integration options compared to Apify
  • Steeper learning curve than expected for a visual tool

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

How Apify and Octoparse stack up against each other — and against Unlimited Sheets

Feature
Apify
Octoparse
Unlimited Sheets
No-code scraping
Visual point-and-click builder
Formula-based extraction
Works inside Google Sheets
Custom code support
Node.js & Python SDK
Limited (XPath)
XPath & CSS selectors

Swipe tabs to see all categories

Alternative

Consider Unlimited Sheets: Scraping Built Into Your Spreadsheet

Unlimited Sheets is a Google Sheets add-on that provides web scraping, SEO analysis, and AI tools starting at EUR 9/mo. Unlike Apify ($49/mo) or Octoparse ($99/mo), Unlimited Sheets works natively inside Google Sheets with spreadsheet formulas — no separate platform, no exports, no context switching.

Data lands directly in your spreadsheet

No exporting, no CSV imports. Use formulas like =SCRAPE_BY_CSS_PATH(url, selector) or =AI_SCRAPE(url, "extract product prices") and results appear in your cells instantly.

AI + SEO + Scraping in one tool

Apify and Octoparse focus only on scraping. Unlimited Sheets also includes AI functions (ChatGPT & Claude), keyword research, SERP analysis, rank tracking, and 50+ other tools — all from the same add-on.

Fraction of the cost

Unlimited Sheets Pro starts at EUR 9/mo with unlimited tool usage. Apify starts at $49/mo and Octoparse at $99/mo — and neither includes AI or SEO tools.

No learning curve

If you know how to use Google Sheets formulas, you already know how to use Unlimited Sheets. No SDK to learn, no desktop app to install, no visual builder to navigate.

Pricing at a glance

Apify starts at $49/mo (credit-based), Octoparse starts at $99/mo (fixed plans). Unlimited Sheets starts at EUR 9/mo with unlimited scraping, AI, and SEO tools included.

Try Unlimited Sheets FreeView pricing

The Verdict

Both Apify and Octoparse are capable scraping tools, but they serve different audiences. Your choice depends on your technical skills, budget, and workflow.

A

Choose

Apify

Choose Apify if you are a developer or technical team that needs programmable, scalable web scraping. The marketplace of 1,500+ Actors and powerful SDK make it ideal for complex, custom scraping projects. It is the best choice when you need full control over your scraping infrastructure.

O

Choose

Octoparse

Choose Octoparse if you are a non-technical user who wants visual, point-and-click web scraping. The desktop app and cloud extraction make it accessible without coding. It is the best choice when you need a standalone scraping tool with a visual interface.

US

Choose

Unlimited Sheets

Choose Unlimited Sheets if your data ends up in spreadsheets anyway. Instead of scraping data in a separate tool and then exporting it, Unlimited Sheets lets you extract data directly inside Google Sheets with simple formulas. At EUR 9/mo, it also includes AI tools (ChatGPT & Claude) and SEO features that Apify and Octoparse charge extra for or do not offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apify vs Octoparse

Is Apify better than Octoparse?
It depends on your needs. Apify is better for developers who want programmable scraping with a powerful SDK and 1,500+ pre-built Actors. Octoparse is better for non-technical users who prefer a visual, point-and-click interface. For spreadsheet users, Unlimited Sheets offers a simpler alternative that works directly in Google Sheets.
Can I use Apify without coding?
Partially. Apify has pre-built Actors you can configure without code, but advanced use cases require JavaScript or Python. If you want truly no-code scraping, Octoparse or Unlimited Sheets are better options.
Is Octoparse free?
Octoparse has a free plan with limited features: 10 tasks, 10,000 records per export, and local extraction only. Cloud extraction, IP rotation, and scheduled scraping require a paid plan starting at $99/mo.
What is cheaper: Apify, Octoparse, or Unlimited Sheets?
Unlimited Sheets is the most affordable option starting at EUR 9/mo. Apify starts at $49/mo with credit-based pricing, and Octoparse starts at $99/mo. Unlimited Sheets also includes AI and SEO tools at no extra cost.
Can I export scraped data to Google Sheets?
Apify can export to Google Sheets via integrations. Octoparse supports CSV export that you can import into Sheets. Unlimited Sheets works natively inside Google Sheets — data is extracted directly into your cells, no export step needed.
Which tool is best for scraping at scale?
For large-scale scraping (millions of pages), Apify is the strongest choice with its cloud infrastructure, proxy management, and developer SDK. Octoparse handles medium-scale scraping well. Unlimited Sheets is ideal for regular scraping tasks that feed into spreadsheet workflows.
Do these tools support JavaScript-rendered pages?
Yes, all three tools support scraping JavaScript-rendered pages. Apify uses headless browsers via Puppeteer/Playwright. Octoparse has a built-in browser engine. Unlimited Sheets renders pages server-side before extraction.

Related Pages

Web Scraping FunctionsAI Scraping with AI_SCRAPE()SEO ToolsPricing

Skip the complexity. Scrape data right in your spreadsheet.

Web scraping, AI tools, and SEO analysis — all inside Google Sheets. One add-on, one formula.

Install Free Add-onView Pricing