What are the best Apify alternatives in 2026?
Quick Answer: The top Apify alternatives in 2026 are Bardeen (browser-based scraping with automation), n8n with HTTP nodes (self-hosted scraping workflows), Scrapy (Python scraping framework), and Bright Data (proxy-first data collection). Bardeen is the easiest for non-developers; Scrapy offers the most flexibility for engineers.
Best Apify Alternatives in 2026
Apify is a web scraping and automation platform that runs JavaScript/Python actors in the cloud. As of April 2026, Apify's free tier provides $5/month in platform credits, with paid plans starting at $49/month. Teams evaluating alternatives typically need lower cost, self-hosted scraping, or simpler setup for basic scraping tasks.
Bardeen — Browser-Based Scraping
Bardeen runs as a Chrome extension that can scrape web pages and feed data into automated workflows. It is the easiest option for non-developers who need to extract data from websites without writing code.
- Chrome extension with point-and-click scraping
- Workflow automation with scraped data
- AI-powered data extraction suggestions
- Professional: $10/month per user
n8n with HTTP Request Nodes — Self-Hosted Scraping
n8n can perform web scraping through its HTTP Request node combined with HTML extraction and JavaScript processing. Self-hosting means no per-scrape costs and full control over request patterns.
- HTTP Request + HTML Extract + Code nodes for scraping
- Self-hosted with unlimited executions
- Combine scraping with 400+ integration destinations
- Free (self-hosted)
Scrapy — Python Scraping Framework
Scrapy is the most popular open-source web scraping framework for Python. It provides the most control over crawling behavior, request scheduling, and data processing pipelines.
- Full control over crawling logic and request scheduling
- Middleware system for proxies, user agents, and retries
- Built-in data export to JSON, CSV, and databases
- Free and open-source (BSD license)
Bright Data — Proxy-First Data Collection
Bright Data provides web scraping infrastructure focused on proxy management: residential proxies, datacenter proxies, and pre-built scraping APIs for common sites (Amazon, Google, LinkedIn).
- 72 million+ residential IP addresses
- Pre-built scraping APIs for major websites
- Web Unlocker for anti-bot bypass
- Pay-per-result pricing from $0.001/request
Comparison Table
| Tool | Best For | Code Required | Self-Hosted | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bardeen | No-code scraping | No | No | $10/month |
| n8n | Self-hosted workflows | Minimal | Yes | Free |
| Scrapy | Full control (Python) | Yes | Yes | Free |
| Bright Data | Anti-bot proxy infrastructure | Optional | No | Pay-per-result |
Related Questions
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Apify
Web scraping and browser automation platform with 2,000+ pre-built scrapers
ETL & Data PipelinesBardeen
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Workflow Automationn8n
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Workflow AutomationActivepieces
No-code workflow automation with self-hosting and AI-powered features
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