Apify
Web scraping and automation platform
Quick verdict
4.7/5 — Lead generation
Free / $49/mo Starter
Overview
Apify is the leading web scraping and automation platform, built around "Actors" — 1,000+ pre-built scrapers for Google Maps, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, and virtually every platform marketers care about.
The marketing use cases are immediate: scrape competitor pricing, collect reviews at scale, build lead lists from directories and maps, monitor social mentions, track ad libraries. Anything publicly visible on the web can become a structured dataset in JSON or CSV.
What separates Apify from DIY scraping is the managed infrastructure — proxy rotation, headless browsers, scheduling and storage are all handled. You configure an Actor, click run, and get clean data. The free tier includes $5 of monthly credit, enough to test real workflows before spending anything.
Key Features
Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $5 monthly credit, free Actors |
| Starter | $49/mo | $49 credit, proxies, scheduling |
| Scale | $499/mo | $499 credit, priority support |
Pros
- 1,000+ pre-built scrapers (Actors) for every platform
- No infrastructure to manage — proxies and browsers included
- Full API access for pipeline integration
- Free tier with $5 monthly credit actually works
Cons
- Learning curve for building custom Actors
- Proxy costs can add up at large scale
How to use Apify for marketing
- 1
Choose an Actor
Pick from 1,000+ pre-built scrapers — Google Maps Scraper for local leads, TikTok Scraper for trend research, and more.
- 2
Configure your parameters
Set keywords, locations, and result limits. Most Actors need zero code.
- 3
Run and export
Launch the scrape and download structured data as JSON or CSV — or pull it via API.
- 4
Feed your pipeline
Push the data into your CRM, outreach tool or spreadsheet for analysis and action.
Alternatives to Apify
Ready?
Try Apify — Free / $49/mo Starter
Best for: Lead generation, competitor analysis, data scraping at scale
Try ApifyFAQ
Is Apify legal to use?
Scraping publicly available data is legal in most jurisdictions. Always respect each site's terms of service and privacy regulations like GDPR.
How much does Apify cost?
Free with $5 monthly credit included. Paid plans start at $49/mo and scale with usage.
Apify vs Bright Data?
Apify is simpler and developer-friendly with pre-built Actors; Bright Data targets enterprise proxy infrastructure.
Can you scrape LinkedIn with Apify?
Yes, dedicated LinkedIn Actors exist for profiles, jobs and company data.