Web crawling is the process of visiting and indexing web pages. It is a common method for diverse purposes. Although manual web crawling is feasible, the substantial data volume makes it time-consuming. This is why users use different tools to avoid the tedious process.
Discover the top 21 web crawling tools for efficient data extraction. Keep reading to learn more about the tools and their unique features that can help with your crawling projects.
Web Crawling: What It Is and How It Works
Web crawling is an automated method using a script or program. It involves extracting structured data from web pages using internet bots. The bots are programs or scripts called spiders, spider bots, web crawlers, or site crawlers.
The process works by getting the HTML code and the data from a site’s database. First, the bots will download the robot.txt file from the target website. This file includes sitemaps listing all the URLs that search engines can crawl.
As the bots crawl a page, they discover new pages through its hyperlinks. The bots include the discovered URLs in the crawling queue. This way, every web page crawler can index every page interlinked to others.
Check out this video to get a better grasp of how web crawling works:
Best Web Crawling Tools To Extract Data
Web crawling can be time-consuming and complex, especially as a manual process. Many issues and problems can occur in this activity, like the following:
- IP bans or blocks
- Inaccurate source parsing
- Incompatible data generation
- Poor data cleaning
| ✅ Pro Tip Issues with IP bans or blocks are common when crawling websites. The best way to bypass this issue is to use rotating residential proxies from the best providers. Residential proxies provide IP addresses from actual devices. This helps you avoid getting blocked when sending several requests while crawling. |
Besides these issues, most targets have so much data that manual crawling will take a long time. That is why most web crawling projects usually rely on tools to make the process easier, simpler, and faster.
Picking the best web crawlers is crucial to the accuracy and effectiveness of your task. Here are some of the top data scraping tools to ensure efficient and successful crawling:
1. Nimble: Easy-to-use and Efficient Crawling Tool
Key Features:
- Lightweight browser for data collection
- Efficient and versatile APIs for beginners
- Easy and simple integration with other apps
- Reliable security measures
- Premium proxy infrastructure for seamless data access
Nimble (also known as Nimbleway) is an excellent data-gathering, collection, and analysis tool. It has a dedicated API, browser, and IP that make data gathering quick, accurate, and efficient.
This tool uses a reliable IP infrastructure and a proxy program for data-gathering tasks. It also boasts a 99.99% uptime, state and urban location targeting, and more features. Nimble is the first company to use AI’s power to enhance results and set new standards for the industry.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy-to-use API interface | The essential plan only uses 10 pipes |
| Automated and managed data collection solution | Expensive Pricing |
| Offers a browser for bypassing restricted data for collection | |
| S3 and GCP storage for data transmission | |
| Offers advanced data analytics with performance KPIs |
2. Bright Data: For Users with Web Development Experience
Key Features:
- Ready-to-use crawling script templates
- Interactive preview for better monitoring
- Integrated debugging tools
- JavaScript browser scripting
- Pre-made crawling functions
- Seamless parser-making
- Infrastructure with auto-scaling capability
- Integrated proxy service for unblocking
- Seamless API integration
The Bright Data Web Scraper IDE has features that maximize your crawling efficiency. It is one of the top choices for developers for large-scale crawling.
This tool’s main selling point is the included ready-to-use crawling scripts. It helps users reduce work time and scale projects with no worries.
Bright Data’s flexibility works well with experienced developers. Beginners may take some time to understand the tool, but there are ready-to-use templates that they can also work with.
| Pros | Cons |
| Efficient, reliable, and ethical data collection | The flexibility can be overwhelming for beginners |
| Excellent 24/7 customer support from experienced data specialists | Pay-as-you-go pricing is a bit expensive for large tasks |
| Easy-to-use interface | |
| Cloud-based service | |
| Has a personalized data collection service option | |
| Offers flexible pricing |
3. Parsehub: Free Tool for Light Tasks
Key Features:
- Cloud-based data collection and storage
- IP rotation for efficient crawling
- Web crawling activity scheduling
- HTML and text cleaning
- API for seamless integration to any apps or software
- Data format in JSON and Excel
Parsehub is a web scraper and crawler with a free plan. Its crawling or scraping process takes longer on a free plan, making Parsehub more suitable for light projects. The paid plans have advanced features that are easy to understand, even for beginners.
| Pros | Cons |
| The free plan has enough inclusions for light tasks | Crawling and collecting take a while in the free plan |
| Easy-to-use browser-based graphic interface | |
| Efficient web crawling, even for dynamic content | |
| Scalable to collect millions of data within minutes | |
| Cloud-based data collection and storage |
4. Helium Scraper: Best for One-Time Projects
Key Features:
- Quick data collection through off-screen web browsers
- Simple workflow with its clean and minimalist interface
- Provides scalability with increasing parallel browsers
- Collect complex data using JavaScript
- One-time payment
- Compatible with Windows
Helium Scraper is an excellent tool for users that need regular web crawling. The main selling point of this tool is its one-time payment, meaning you only pay once and get its benefits for life. It is ideal for startups or users who constantly handle data crawling tasks.
| Pros | Cons |
| One-time payments for the software | Limited operating system compatibility |
| Stores up to 140 TB of data | |
| Offers rotating proxies for efficient crawling | |
| Flexible formats for exporting | |
| Offers scheduling for crawling activities |
5. 80legs: Best for Users Who Need Specific Data
Key Features:
- Products for fast and custom data gathering
- Quick data fetching
- Fast cloud-based platform for storing crawled data
- Simple and easy-to-use tools for crawling
- Offers API for creating crawlers, managing data, and more
- JavaScript-based app for customization
- Includes IP servers for efficient crawling
80legs is an efficient web crawling tool for users who need specific data from target sites or the web. This tool lets you set the data that you need through customized requirements.
Moreover, it supports gathering enormous amounts of data with instant extraction and downloading. The tool’s selling point is its free plan, wherein users can crawl one target at a time. It offers unlimited use and can get up to 10,000 URLs for every crawl.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers a free plan with unlimited one-at-a-time crawling | Running several web crawling processes requires higher plans |
| Customization of data collection for more efficient crawling | |
| Has other products with better data gathering than light crawls |
6. Scrapingbee: For Crawling Projects with Headless Browsers
Key Features:
- JavaScript rendering for efficient and customized data crawling
- Uses rotating proxies to bypass restrictions and avoid IP blocks
- Efficient scraping for tasks like price monitoring, real estate, reviews, and more
- SERP scraping for various purposes
- Growth hacking for lead generation, contact information, or social media
Scraping Bee offers a web scraping API that you can use to deal with headless browser scraping. It also provides proxy rotation for higher success rates.
With its headless browsing feature, you can render a web page like an actual browser. This lets you deal with thousands of headless cases using Chrome
| Pros | Cons |
| Ideal for dealing with headless issues or cases | Can be a bit complex for beginners |
| Offers rotating proxies for bypassing geo-restrictions | Expensive starter plans |
| Screenshot feature for taking screenshots of web pages | |
| JavaScript-compatible for JS cases |
7. Zyte: Best for Beginners with Zero Programming Experience
Key Features:
- Compatible with Python, Scrapy, Node.js, PHP, and cURL
- Automated proxy rotations and retries
- Smart banning detection
- Geolocation accessibility through proxies
- Built-in scriptable browser for customization
- Cookie jar feature for better efficiency and saving settings
- Screenshot features for taking screenshots of target pages
Zyte, formerly known as Scrapinghub, is a cloud-based tool for web crawling valuable data. It is an open-source tool ideal for users who are unfamiliar with programming.
It uses Crawlera for crawling, which is a proxy rotator used to access geo-restricted and bot-secured targets. This feature lets users crawl targets using several IPs without proxy management.
With Zyte, you can convert full web pages into an organized data set. Moreover, the company has a team of experts to help you manage your projects in case of problems.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers an API for better target reachability | Automated but expensive extraction |
| Provides a simple solution for IP blocking and banning | |
| Reliable for scraping data for developers | |
| Offers per request pricing for budget-conscious users |
8. Octoparse: For Non-Coders Who Must Organize Crawled Data
Key Features:
- Visual workflow design
- Web automation for faster crawling
- Spreadsheet automation for data gathering
- A failsafe method suitable even for non-coders
- Capture and manage screenshots
- Task scheduling for organizing crawling activities
Octoparse is a website crawler that is ideal for users who need to collect and organize data in spreadsheets. The software offers a user-friendly interface that suits even non-coders.
The tool boasts an AI web scraping assistant and point-and-click software for beginners. It lets users crawl sites and organize data into sheets. Moreover, it can automate the process for faster and more efficient results.
| Pros | Cons |
| Supports real-time dynamic data extraction | The free plan only includes 10 tasks |
| Uses Regex and XPath for automated data cleaning | |
| Bypass restrictions using cloud and proxy servers | |
| Has 100+ scraper templates for beginners |
9. Visual Web Scraper: Web Crawler in Browsers
Key Features:
- A browser extension for extracting data from specific web pages
- Mark-and-click process for easy data gathering
- Intuitive with its element selection and data gathering algorithm
- Tested with sites like TripAdvisor, YellowPages, Amazon, and Twitter
Visual Web Scraper is a Chrome extension web scraping tool. If you only need specific data from a page, this is the right tool for you. However, it is not an efficient web crawler for most projects because it will only crawl part of the site.
Users can enjoy an intuitive tool for light data scraping with Visual Web Scraper. It works by extracting data that users mark. Once the crawling is done, you can even export the data into CSV or JSON formats.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free to download and use | Limited to one page per crawl |
| Simple interface that works even for beginners | Only works in Chrome since it’s an extension |
10. UiPath: Best for Users Who Want Automated Crawling
Key Features:
- Robots for remote and on-demand crawling execution
- 24×7 available customer support from UiPath experts
- Uptime guarantee
- Supports several clients hosted in any of the covered regions
UiPath is a web crawling tool that helps users extract data as if it were from an actual browser. It offers more features than simple scraping methods. For instance, it can automate logging in to sites and extract data from several web pages. This tool also lets you filter and transform the collected data into the preferred format.
| Pros | Cons |
| Automate data extraction for less time spent on web crawling | Pricing and plans can be confusing |
| Simple configuration of settings to get specific data | |
| Supports several formats for exporting collected data |
11. Webz.io: Best for Crawled Data Conversion and Filtering
Key Features:
- Offers high-res data structuring
- Provides ready-made repositories
- Creates machine-readable data using its grab-and-go API
Webz.io is more than a simple web data crawling tool. With this software, you can structure crawled data in JSON or XML formats. Its main selling point is its various packages that suit every need or preference. You can get a particular crawling API and extra data structuring solutions.
| Pros | Cons |
| Ideal for crawling unstructured data from several web pages | Pricing is vague and confusing |
| Supports dark web monitoring for protection against data breaches | It can be complex for beginners and non-coders |
| Crawls all types of data and converts them into a usable dataset |
12. HTTrack: Best for Users Who Need Offline Viewing
Key Features:
- A free and open-source tool
- Supports basic JavaScript, Applets, or Flash
HTTrack is a free offline browser tool that works as a website crawler. This tool lets users download websites to a local computer. This way, you can view every page of that website offline as if you’re browsing online.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free web crawling tool for simple projects | It can be unstable and buggy when crawling large websites |
| Download the entire website for offline viewing | Limited features than other web crawlers |
| Allows offline data collection | Designed mainly for copying websites |
13. OutWit Hub: Best for Getting Structured Content
Key Features:
- A custom scraper for efficient and accessible web scraping
- Ad Hoc Tool Development for specific power scraper
- Extraction Services for users who want to pay for data extraction
OutWit Hub is an excellent web crawling tool with built-in features for every user. This tool offers scraping functions and data structure identification.
It allows users to crawl and scrape data even with no coding experience. It has a free version for simple data-gathering and enterprise plans for power users.
| Pros | Cons |
| Has a light version that is forever free | Free version only has a few inclusions |
| Extracted contents come visually | No proxy rotation |
| Allows accessible data scraping with no coding knowledge required | |
| Exports can be in CSV, HTML, Excel, JSON, and XML | |
| Images and files can be saved on the user’s hard disk |
14. DataStreamer: Best for Crawling Unstructured Data
Key Features:
- Offers a catalog of natively integrated data sources
- Automates time-consuming processes for quicker data extraction and structuring
- Provides a pool of data sources for high-quality data
- Works with external data sources and organizes them into workable structures
DataStreamer is an excellent tool for users dealing with unstructured and semi-structured data. This tool can automate data crawling, extraction, and transformation.
With a simple API tool, users can crawl and extract web pages’ data and make them usable. It’s an easy tool that will work for beginners with little to no coding experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers a pay-as-you-go option and discount for volume use | Plans without volume commitment are expensive |
| Enhances data through sentiment analysis and PII redaction | |
| Specializes in unstructured and semi-structured data sources | |
| Uses a simple API for data structuring | |
| Offers external sources for better data quality |
15. Scraper API: Offers Complete Web Crawling Features
Key Features:
- JavaScript-rendering for simpler data structuring
- IP geo-targeting for avoiding geo-restrictions
- Residential Proxies for avoiding IP Bans
- JSON auto parsing for structured data exports
Scraper API offers complete web crawling and scraping features. With this tool, you can crawl and get HTML from web pages.
Moreover, it supports proxy, browser, and CAPTCHA management. It even comes with an API for more efficient data crawling and scraping.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to understand even for users with no coding experience | No forever-free plan, only API credits |
| Offers full customization for specific data extraction | No pay-as-you-go option |
| Handles proxies, browsers, and CAPTCHAs for easier web scraping | |
| The API has built-in anti-bot detection to avoid blocks. | |
| Offers unlimited bandwidth for speed and reliability | |
| Compatible with scaling tasks |
16. WebHarvy: Known for its Crawling and Structuring Features
Key Features:
- Point-and-click interface for easy web scraping
- Intelligent pattern detection for efficient data structuring
- Supports Excel, XML, CSV, JSON, and TSV formats for data exporting
- Pagination feature for data with several pages
- Keyword-based data scraping
- Use of proxy or VPN for secure searches
- Compatible with JavaScript for running personal code
- Automates browser tasks
WebHarvy is an interactive web crawling tool that can work with any content from any site. It can scrape texts, HTML, URLs, emails, and images. You can even save the data in several formats.
This tool allows users to enjoy data crawling functions with a point-and-click interface. It also offers complete customization for experienced users.
| Pros | Cons |
| Complete web crawling features and functions | Expensive pricing plans |
| Supports data structuring and exporting in several formats | Limited free trial versions |
| Beginner-friendly but still customizable for experts | Lacks support for MacOS |
| Plans include plenty of features for more efficient data gathering | |
| Automates browser for lesser efforts on scraping |
17. Cyotek Webcopy: Allows Full Website Crawls and Downloads
Key Features:
- Automated link mapping for offline usage
- Advanced settings for customizing download options
- HMTL mapping and downloading
Cyotek WebCopy is a free and open-source tool for downloading a website’s content on your device. It is an effective way to view the website’s content offline. This crawler allows users to scour an entire website and download specific data.
One downside of Cyotek WebCopy is its lack of JavaScript support. It can’t replicate dynamic content or any JavaScript-powered element.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free to download and use | No JavaScript parsing support |
| Works for HTML pages | Limited copying (esp. with dynamic content) |
| Easy and simple interface | Does not download the source code |
18. Dexi.io: Provides Advanced Solutions
Key Features:
- Automated data intelligence environment for data structuring
- Quick and accurate insights from data intelligence
- Advanced data scraping and processing technology solutions
- Image and IP address extraction
- Data processing, monitoring, and extraction
- Web crawling, data mining, and content aggregation
- Research management
- Sales and data intelligence
Dexi.io is an excellent tool for professional and large-scale crawling projects. It is an efficient web extraction tool for users who work with data from complex targets.
The tool provides its users with an automated data intelligence environment. This allows them to get quick and accurate insights from crawled targets. It also offers advanced extraction and processing solutions to get the best results.
| Pros | Cons |
| Provides validation and quality control to obtain high-quality data | Can be complex for beginners |
| Uses proprietary knowledge for building and scaling projects | Too expensive for light crawling projects |
| Offers flexibility and customization to meet the needs of users |
19. Puppeteer: Best for Crawl Testings
Key Features:
- High-level API for crawling and other processes
- DevTools Protocol for controlling Chrome or Chromium
- Allows Headless or Headful mode for Chrome or Chromium
Puppeteer is a Node.js library you can use to crawl a website. It offers an API that controls browsers using the DevTools Protocol.
With this tool, you can do several processes related to data crawling. For instance, you can generate screenshots and PDFs of crawled pages. You can also create a testing environment using JavaScript and browser features.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free to use | Too complex for beginners |
| Total flexibility on web crawling and scraping functions | Requires high expertise in Node.js and coding |
20. Import.io : Offers Premium Features and Functions
Key Features:
- Point-and-click and beginner-friendly UI
- AI-powered API for efficient extraction of complex sites
- Intuitive web platform complete with web crawling features
- Service team for data access
- Managed data gathering for scaled projects
Import.io is a simple yet efficient scraping tool for beginners and experts. This tool provides features that allow even non-coders to scrape and crawl targets. It also offers premium functions for experts who want customized data extraction.
The tool uses intuitive apps, efficient APIs, and expert services. Thus, it can deliver your preferred data without exerting effort.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can avoid CAPTCHAs, logins, and other restrictions | Expensive pricing plans |
| AI and interactive mode for crawling modern sites | Starter plan only covers extraction from basic and light websites |
| Only takes a few minutes to build and run a data extractor | |
| Can import files in JSON, CSV, or Google Sheets for further analysis |
21. ScrapeHero Cloud: For Users Who Want Ready-Made Crawlers
Key Features:
- A pool of crawler APIs for every possible use case
- Offers custom crawlers and APIs based on user preference
ScrapeHero Cloud is one of the best tools for web crawling needs. With this tool, users can access a ton of ready-to-use web crawler APIs.
This lets users download and export data into spreadsheets with only a few clicks. For instance, you can use this tool to scrape Google’s SERP for SEO purposes.
| Pros | Cons |
| Ready-to-use crawlers and APIs for data gathering | Custom APIs and crawlers can be expensive |
| Simple interface that even beginners can use | Pricing plans are expensive |
| Get real-time data from the tools | On-demand plans are too expensive |
The table below shows a quick sum-up of all the tools discussed above. It presents the starting plan’s prices and user experience. It also highlights if they rotate IPs and crawl or scrape JavaScript websites.
| Web Crawling Tool | Starter Plan Pricing | IP Rotation | JavaScript Rendering | User Experience |
| Nimble | $300 per month | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners and Experts |
| Bright Data | Pay-as-you-go $4 per CPM | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners and Experts |
| ParseHub | Free Starting Plan | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners |
| Helium Scraper | $99 one-time payment | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners and Experts |
| 80legs | Free Starting Plan | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners and Experts |
| Scrapingbee | $49 per month | ✔ | ✔ | Experts |
| Zyte | $450 per month | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners and Experts |
| Octoparse | Free Starting Plan | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners |
| Visual Web Scraper | Free | ❌ | ❌ | Beginners |
| UiPath | Free Starting Plan | ❌ | ✔ | Beginners and Experts |
| Webz.io | Not Stated | ❌ | ❌ | Experts |
| HTTrack | Free | ❌ | ❌ | Beginners |
| OutWit Hub | Free | ❌ | ❌ | Experts |
| DataStreamer | $150 per month | ❌ | ❌ | Experts |
| Scraper API | $49 per month | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners |
| WebHarvy | $129 one-time payment | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners and Experts |
| Cyotek WebCopy | Free | ❌ | ❌ | Beginners |
| Dexi.io | $199 per month | ✔ | ✔ | Experts |
| Puppeteer | Free | ❌ | ✔ | Experts |
| Import.io | $199 per month | ✔ | ❌ | Beginners and Experts |
| ScrapeHero Cloud | $199 per month | ✔ | ✔ | Beginners |
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Web Crawling Tool
Choosing the right web crawling tool for data gathering involves several factors. Since every project has specific preferences, you must consider the following before choosing:
1. Pricing
Pricing is a crucial aspect of choosing the right web crawling tool. The best tools should offer transparent pricing in their plans. This includes a detailed view of what you get from their asking price.
While it’s easy to pick low-priced tools, they usually have limited features. Moreover, you have to consider your budget for web crawling tools. This will help you narrow down the options.
| ✅ Pro Tip Before purchasing a subscription or plan, test the tool first. Most paid options have a free trial that you can use to determine if the tool will meet your needs or not. |
2. User Experience
A web crawling tool will only be efficient and worth using if you know how to use it. Thus, user experience should also be considered.
If you’re unfamiliar with coding, you should get a web crawler with accessible functions. A beginner-friendly tool can allow you to scrape data without using any programming language.
However, if you’re an expert scraper, you can do well with a tool that provides premium functions for more efficiency. It will also help you customize your settings for more precise and better data collection.
| ✅ Pro Tip Look for features like point-and-click interfaces if you’re unfamiliar with coding. This feature offers an easier way to collect data without any coding knowledge. |
3. Scalability
Some projects need scaling because they need a higher data volume to analyze. While most tools work well for light tasks, it may become an issue if you scale in the future.
It is easy to find tools for small and large projects. However, as you switch web crawlers that fit the scale of your projects, you might come across a site crawler that works well for both. Always keep an eye out for such a tool.
4. Data Accuracy and Quality
A web crawling tool will only be valid if it can provide accurate and high-quality data. If it’s not, then it’s not worth choosing.
Consider the way a web crawling tool cleans and structures the data. Change your web crawling software if you still need to clean and organize the data after crawling.
5. Customer Support
While most of the tools are self-served, customer support is still crucial. Your preferred web crawling software must have a responsive, helpful, and knowledgeable staff. This way, you have someone reliable to help you when encountering issues with the tool.
| ✅ Pro Tip If you’re new to web crawling and data gathering, use tools with account managers. This way, you can have a knowledgeable assistant if you encounter issues. |
Conclusion
Web crawling tools are valuable tools for data-gathering tasks and projects. They offer functions that work well for gathering and organizing data.
Each of the mentioned tools serves the specific preferences of every data-gathering project. Thus, it’s up to you to consider the functions you need to find the best web crawling tool to use.
FAQs
Is web crawling easy?
Web crawling is easy, as long as you have the right tools and know how to use them. Doing it manually seems tedious and almost impossible. However, with tools, you can automate the process to make it easier and more efficient.
Can I crawl data from a website without coding?
Yes. Tools like ParseHub, Zyte, Octoparse, and Scraper API are best for non-coders who want to try crawling. ScrapeHero Cloud, Import.io, and WebHarvy are other tools that also offer accessible functions that are best for beginners.
Can you use a VPN for web crawling?
Yes. When crawling, you will need many IP addresses to prevent IP bans and other website safety measures. A VPN will make it look like you’re sending requests from different locations or IPs.
Darko founded WhatToBecome.com, a comprehensive career guidance platform for beginners in various popular fields. With a focus on remote working scenarios, workplace technology, emerging trends, and common challenges, Darko shares his valuable experiences and insights with our readers here on Techjury. Through his informative articles, Darko equips readers with the necessary knowledge and wisdom to thrive in their professional endeavors.