Apify vs Zyte: complete 2026 comparison

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Apify and Zyte (formerly Scrapinghub) are both serious, developer-oriented web data platforms. Apify centers on a cloud runtime, the Apify Store (30,000+ pre-built scrapers called Actors), and the open-source Crawlee stack in JavaScript and Python. Zyte’s heritage is Scrapy: Scrapy Cloud for hosting spiders, plus Zyte API for extraction and browser rendering with strong anti-bot tooling.

Quick Answer

Apify is best for developers who want a marketplace of pre-built scrapers (30,000+ Actors) and full pipeline automation. Zyte (formerly Scrapy Cloud/ScrapingHub) is best for teams already using Scrapy or needing enterprise-grade anti-bot rendering (for example Zyte API Smart Browser and managed proxy products).

This page compares features, pricing, typical use cases, and trade-offs, then gives a single master comparison table and a who should use which section. Pricing and product names were checked against official pages in May 2026. Always confirm on apify.com/pricing and zyte.com/pricing before you budget.

Feature comparison (what you actually get)

Dimension	Apify	Zyte
Core developer stack	Crawlee + Apify SDK (Node.js & Python), deploy as Actors	Scrapy ecosystem; Scrapy Cloud for hosted spiders
Pre-built scraping catalog	Apify Store: 30,000+ Actors for popular sites and workflows	No comparable public marketplace; focus on APIs and custom/enterprise services
Languages	JavaScript/TypeScript and Python	Python-first (Scrapy); Zyte API is language-agnostic via HTTP
Browser automation	Playwright/Puppeteer via Crawlee and Actors	Zyte API Smart Browser and related rendering options
Anti-bot / CAPTCHA	Proxies, sessions, fingerprint-aware patterns, community Actors	Zyte API features (including automated handling in product tiers), Smart Proxy Manager
Data storage	Datasets, key-value stores, request queues, built-in export	Scrapy Cloud job storage; items/logs per project
Scheduling & ops	Cron schedules, webhooks, monitoring, alerts	Periodic jobs on Scrapy Cloud; enterprise ops for larger contracts
Integrations	Broad built-ins (Make, n8n, Zapier, Sheets, AI/MCP ecosystem, etc.)	Integrations exist; fewer “one-click” platform integrations vs Apify
No-code / business users	Strong: pick an Actor, fill inputs, export CSV/JSON	Limited; primarily developer- and API-driven
Typical buyer	Startups, product teams, agencies, mixed JS/Python shops	Python data teams, Scrapy-heavy orgs, enterprise extraction

Pricing comparison (entry vs scale)

Both vendors blend subscription / commitment and metered usage. Exact numbers change, so verify before purchase.

Apify (indicative)

Plan	Monthly (typical)	Notes
Free	$0	Includes $5/month platform usage credit on the free tier model
Starter	$29/mo	Prepaid usage aligned to plan; common entry for individuals
Scale	$199/mo	Teams and production workloads
Business	$999/mo	Higher volume and features

Compute is billed in compute units (CUs) (memory × time). Annual billing usually saves about 10% vs monthly on paid plans. Unused prepaid usage on standard plans typically does not roll over. See Apify pricing.

Zyte (indicative)

Product	Starting cost (typical)	Model
Scrapy Cloud (free tier)	$0	Very limited unit; short retention; capped job length
Scrapy Cloud (Pro)	Per-unit (verify on the vendor's pricing page)	Per-unit concurrency and resources
Zyte API	Pay-as-you-go from ~$0.13 per 1,000 requests (HTTP, simple tier), no minimum; $5 free trial credit	Per-request pricing scaling by site difficulty and browser rendering; optional $100/$200/$500/mo commitment tiers unlock discounted rates
Smart Proxy Manager	Usage-based	Residential/datacenter/mobile proxy traffic

How to read this: Apify’s Starter bundles a full platform (Store, scheduling, datasets) at a predictable SMB price. Zyte can look inexpensive at one Scrapy Cloud unit but production concurrency and retention scale with units and SKUs. Zyte API shines for managed extraction and now bills pay-as-you-go with no minimum; teams that commit to a monthly minimum ($100/$200/$500) earn discounted per-request rates. Model your real request volume and browser-render rate before comparing the two.

For standalone enterprise proxy needs (very large pools, compliance-heavy use cases), teams sometimes pair tools with providers such as Bright Data, distinct from both Apify and Zyte’s bundled platform play.

Use cases: where each platform wins

Use case	Favor Apify	Favor Zyte
“I need a Maps / LinkedIn / Amazon scraper today”	Pick a Store Actor, run, export	Usually custom build or API integration
Greenfield automation in Node or Python	Crawlee + Apify deployment	Scrapy + Scrapy Cloud if you standardize on Scrapy
Productized internal tools for non-developers	Store + Console UI	Harder without engineering
Long-lived Scrapy codebase migration	Rewrite or wrap (possible, not automatic)	Native Scrapy Cloud path
Heaviest anti-bot browser extraction as a service	Strong, but you configure Actors/proxies	Zyte API Smart Browser positioning
AI/RAG + workflow tools (Make, n8n, MCP)	Strong first-party and community patterns	Depends on custom glue code

Pros and cons

Apify: pros

• Huge catalog of maintained Actors for common sites and workflows.
• JavaScript and Python in one platform; good fit for full-stack and AI teams.
• Integrated storage, scheduling, webhooks, and exports without bolting on extras.
• Accessible entry pricing and a permanent free tier with monthly credits for experiments.

Apify: cons

• Not the default host for legacy Scrapy projects (you would migrate or integrate).
• Mobile proxy positioning is not the headline vs some Zyte proxy SKUs.
• Heavy reliance on Actors means you must read each Actor’s pricing model (per result, rental, usage).

Zyte: pros

• Scrapy is industry-standard Python crawling; Scrapy Cloud is the natural deployment target.
• Zyte API packages extraction + anti-bot for teams that want API-first consumption.
• Mature proxy story (including mobile/geo options on relevant products).

Zyte: cons

• Weaker no-code story vs Apify Store for business users.
• Less polished “all-in-one console” experience for mixed JS/Python shops.
• Pricing for Zyte API and scale tiers can ramp quickly vs Apify for SMB-style workloads.

Master comparison table (key dimensions)

Dimension	Apify	Zyte
Best headline strength	Store + dual-language Crawlee platform	Scrapy Cloud + Zyte API anti-bot
Pre-built scrapers	30,000+ Actors	No public Store equivalent
Primary languages	JS/TS + Python	Python (Scrapy); API any language
Free entry	$5/mo credit (free tier)	Scrapy Cloud free unit + $5 Zyte API trial credit
Typical paid floor	$29/mo Starter	Per-unit Scrapy Cloud; Zyte API pay-as-you-go from ~$0.13/1k requests, no minimum (commitment tiers from $100/mo for discounts)
Browser rendering	Crawlee browsers, Actor configs	Smart Browser / Zyte API
Proxies	Platform + Apify Proxy	Smart Proxy Manager + API-linked pools
Data platform	Datasets, KV, queues	Scrapy items, logs, job storage
Integrations	Many native	Fewer vs Apify
Ideal team profile	Builders + operators + mixed stacks	Scrapy/Python + API consumers

Who should use which?

Choose Apify if you…

• Want ready-made scrapers and fast time-to-value from the Apify Store.
• Use JavaScript/TypeScript or want one platform for JS and Python.
• Need scheduling, datasets, webhooks, and no-code access for colleagues.
• Are a startup/SMB optimizing for transparent platform pricing and a strong free tier.

Choose Zyte if you…

• Already run production Scrapy spiders and want hosted Scrapy Cloud operations.
• Prefer Zyte API for managed extraction with heavy anti-bot emphasis.
• Need mobile or fine-grained geo proxy capabilities tied to Zyte’s proxy products.
• Are budgeting for enterprise-tier API commitments and services.

Consider both (or proxies elsewhere) if you…

• Keep Scrapy for some sources but want Store Actors for long-tail sites: wire outputs with shared IDs in your warehouse.
• Need dedicated proxy volume beyond bundled limits: evaluate Bright Data alongside either platform.

Bottom line

• Apify wins on breadth: marketplace Actors, JS + Python, integrated product experience, and SMB-friendly pricing.
• Zyte wins on depth for Scrapy teams and API-centric extraction with a long track record in proxies and anti-bot.

Try Apify with the free tier and Store Actors →

Frequently Asked Questions

Apify is a full cloud platform with thousands of pre-built Actors, Crawlee in JavaScript and Python, datasets, and integrations. Zyte is rooted in Scrapy (Scrapy Cloud) and Zyte API for managed extraction and anti-bot browser rendering. Apify optimizes for breadth and accessibility; Zyte optimizes for Scrapy-native teams and API-first extraction.

Yes. Zyte is the company formerly known as Scrapinghub. Scrapy Cloud remains the hosted Scrapy product; Zyte API is the scraping/extraction API line.

Apify’s Starter plan is a common SMB entry point with prepaid usage on the platform. Zyte’s Scrapy Cloud can start with a low per-unit price but scales with units and retention. Zyte API now bills pay-as-you-go with no minimum (from around $0.13 per 1,000 requests on the simple HTTP tier), and optional $100/$200/$500 monthly commitments unlock discounted rates. Always model your expected concurrency, render rate, and retention on each vendor’s calculator.

Apify. The Apify Store lets non-developers run configured Actors and export results. Zyte is primarily aimed at developers and API integration.

Apify’s primary first-class path is Crawlee and Actors in JavaScript/Python. Scrapy users typically stay on Scrapy Cloud or migrate spiders over time. For hybrid stacks, some teams run Scrapy elsewhere and use Apify for specific Store Actors, joining data downstream.

Both handle hard sites with proxies and browser automation. Zyte markets Zyte API Smart Browser and long-standing proxy infrastructure. Apify combines Crawlee/browser tooling, Apify Proxy, and community Actors. The best fit depends on your target sites, language stack, and whether you want API-managed extraction vs configurable Actors.

Yes. The free tier includes monthly platform credits (commonly quoted as $5/month) so you can test Actors and small workloads. Zyte offers limited free Scrapy Cloud capacity and API trial credits. Check Zyte’s site for current limits.