Octoparse alternatives: where to go and how to move your tasks
Seven destinations, one per reason to leave, and a seven-step exit plan.
Short answer: Apify if you want cloud runs and an API, Browse AI to stay no-code with less setup, ParseHub to keep the exact same visual method, Web Scraper or Listly for occasional pulls from your browser, Bright Data if sites keep blocking you, Scrapy if you have a Python developer. Two things to know first: no competitor imports Octoparse tasks, so you rebuild them; and canceling doesn't refund anything, you need to turn off renewal at least 24 hours before it hits. We compared these seven tools and re-read their pricing in 2026.
Rankings are editorial: a sponsored spot is always labeled on its card, and no affiliate link changes a score.
Why people actually leave Octoparse
Day-to-day users rate Octoparse well: 4.7 out of 5 on one major review site. On another, though, nearly one review in three is one star, and almost always for the same reason: billing. Here are six reasons to leave, all checked in 2026.
Cloud runs are paid only
The free plan runs on your own computer: 10 tasks, one device, two concurrent local runs, and 10,000 rows max per export. Close the laptop and the job stops. Scheduled cloud runs start with Standard at $69 a month billed yearly, and more month to month.
Pricing that doesn't match across pages
The pricing page shows Standard at $69 a month billed yearly and claims 16% off for annual. The company blog says $83 monthly, while its own help center still lists $119 for the same plan. Before paying monthly, check the figure on the checkout screen, not in an article.
Charges after the trial, no automatic refund
Canceling stops renewal but refunds nothing. A refund is a separate request, and the first paid month after a trial isn't refundable. Paying with PayPal? Canceling inside Octoparse isn't enough: cancel the billing agreement in PayPal too. As one reviewer put it: "They charged me $119 even though I only tried it once and it DIDNT work."
A learning curve and fragile tasks
Loops, pagination and subpages take real effort to learn, and they top user complaints along with slow performance. Another reviewer: "It is way to 'sensitive' and error-prone and I rarely get all the data I need." A task that worked yesterday breaks when the site changes its layout.
JavaScript-heavy sites push back
On pages built in JavaScript (infinite scroll, content loaded on click), Octoparse misses data. IP rotation and CAPTCHA solving aren't on the free plan, and residential proxies cost extra at $3/GB.
Task caps that force an upgrade
Standard stops at 100 tasks and 3 concurrent cloud processes; Professional ($249 a month billed yearly) goes to 250 tasks and 20 processes. Direct export to Google Sheets, Drive, Dropbox or S3 is Professional only. An agency tracking 120 competitor sites ends up on the $249 tier.
You're leaving because… go to…
The right Octoparse alternative depends on what's pushing you out. Usually only one row applies. Each card links to the full profile below.
$5 of free usage a month, Starter at $19, ready-made scrapers for big sites.
You want to stay no-code with less setupBrowse AIRecord in your browser, a robot repeats it in the cloud.
You want the exact same methodParseHubVisual desktop app, same loop logic.
You scrape now and then, on zero budgetWeb ScraperFree Chrome extension, no account.
Sites keep blocking youBright DataProxies and scraping APIs for protected sites.
You have a Python developerScrapyOpen source, free, no task cap.
Octoparse alternatives, tool by tool
For each tool: why switch, who it's for, the catch, how to rebuild your Octoparse tasks there, and what it costs. Prices are what vendors list in 2026, in USD. Two names also show up in most lists: PhantomBuster, built for LinkedIn and social platforms more than the open web, and Thunderbit, an AI scraping extension. We left them unranked because we couldn't re-read their official pricing.
Apify: move to the cloud without rebuilding everything by hand
Most completeWhy switch to Apify. Octoparse locks cloud runs behind a paid plan; its free tier only runs on your own machine. Apify runs everything in the cloud from day one, and the free plan gives you $5 of usage every month with no credit card. The bigger win: you often don't need to build a scraper at all. Apify Store lists thousands of ready-made scrapers (called Actors) for Google Maps, Amazon, LinkedIn or Instagram. Fill in a form, hit run, download the dataset.
Who it's for. Teams that want scheduled cloud runs, a clean API, and connectors to Make, n8n or Zapier. Technical users get the most out of it, but a non-coder can go far with Store Actors.
Who it's not for. Anyone who wants Octoparse's point-and-click builder. Apify has no visual mode: if no Actor covers your site, someone has to write JavaScript or Python.
The catch. The bill is hard to predict. Your plan is a usage credit: $19 a month on Starter ($17 billed yearly), spent on compute units at $0.20 each, plus paid Actors, proxies and storage. A scraper that spins up a full browser for every page burns through that credit fast.
How to migrate. For each Octoparse task, look for a Store Actor that already covers the site. If there is one, paste your start URLs and filters into its input form, then check ten rows against your last Octoparse export. If not, your field list and pagination rules become the spec for a developer. Our Apify review breaks down the pricing.
- Labs score
- 4.2/5
- Free
- $5 of usage a month
- Paid
- Starter $19/mo ($17 yearly)
- Catch
- no visual builder
Browse AI: stay no-code, with less setup
EasiestWhy switch to Browse AI. It keeps the no-code spirit of Octoparse without a desktop app. You record what you want inside your browser, and a robot repeats it in the cloud on a schedule. It also monitors pages and alerts you when a price or stock level changes, something that takes more fiddling in Octoparse.
Who it's for. Marketing, ecommerce and sales teams tracking a few dozen pages (competitor prices, listings, product pages) who want results in Google Sheets without touching a pagination loop.
Who it's not for. High volume. Browse AI runs on credits, and tens of thousands of rows a month quickly cost more than Octoparse Standard.
The catch. Free gives you 50 credits a month. Personal is $19 a month billed yearly but $48 month to month; Professional is $69 yearly or $87 monthly. That gap is much wider than Octoparse's, so price it monthly before you lock in a year.
How to migrate. Rebuild your Octoparse tasks one by one, starting with the one that matters most. Record the fields, set pagination, then run both tools side by side for a week and diff the exports. See our Browse AI review and Browse AI pricing breakdown for how credits get used.
- Labs score
- 3.8/5
- Free
- 50 credits a month
- Paid
- Personal $19/mo yearly ($48 monthly)
- Catch
- pricey at volume
ParseHub: Octoparse's visual twin
Closest matchWhy switch to ParseHub. It's the tool that feels most like Octoparse: a desktop app, click to select elements, loops for pagination and subpages. If your team already thinks in Octoparse tasks, this is the switch with the least relearning.
Who it's for. Non-technical users who want to keep a visual workflow and a usable free plan (5 projects, 200 pages per run).
Who it's not for. People leaving Octoparse because of the learning curve or speed. Same logic, same climb. ParseHub quotes roughly 20 pages a minute on free versus about 120 on faster plans.
The catch. Paid plans cost noticeably more than Octoparse. We couldn't re-read the current price list on the official page (it doesn't render outside a browser), so check it before you commit.
How to migrate. There's no Octoparse import. Keep each task open side by side and rebuild it step by step: selection, loop, "next" click, export.
- Free
- 5 projects, 200 pages per run
- Method
- visual desktop app
- Best for
- keeping your habits
- Catch
- slow on free
Web Scraper: a Chrome extension for light jobs
Free extensionWhy switch to Web Scraper. If you used Octoparse for occasional pulls, a desktop app is overkill. Web Scraper (webscraper.io) is a free Chrome extension: you build a sitemap (a map of what to crawl and extract) with selectors, and it runs in your browser. No account, no renewal to watch.
Who it's for. Freelancers, students and small teams grabbing a directory or catalog now and then.
Who it's not for. Anyone who needs scheduling: the extension only runs while your browser is open. Scheduled runs need the paid Cloud.
The catch. Cloud is priced in URL credits: Project at $50 a month billed yearly (5,000 credits), Professional at $100 (20,000), Scale from $200, Enterprise on quote. Selectors take some learning, much like Octoparse loops.
How to migrate. Note each task's start URL, field selectors and next-page rule, then recreate them in a sitemap. Sitemaps export as text, so keep them in a shared folder as documentation.
- Free
- Chrome extension
- Paid
- Project $50/mo yearly
- Best for
- occasional pulls
- Catch
- no free scheduling
Bright Data: when sites keep blocking you
Blocked sitesWhy switch to Bright Data. Plenty of people leave Octoparse because of blocks: CAPTCHAs, banned IPs, missing data on JavaScript-heavy pages. Bright Data is first a proxy network (intermediate IPs that make your requests look like different visitors), plus scraping APIs and ready-made datasets.
Who it's for. Data teams and companies scraping protected sites at scale (marketplaces, search engines, social networks) with a developer on hand.
Who it's not for. A no-code user looking for a cheaper Octoparse. It's neither simple nor cheap.
The catch. Pay-as-you-go starts low (proxies from $0.60/GB), but residential is $8/GB at list price, and there's no tier between pay-as-you-go and $499-a-month subscriptions, per product. For reference, Octoparse sells residential proxies at $3/GB as an add-on.
How to migrate. Either keep your scraper (Scrapy, Apify) and plug in Bright Data proxies, or use its scraping APIs for a specific site. Our Bright Data review covers each product.
- Labs score
- 4.2/5
- Pay as you go
- proxies from $0.60/GB
- Subscriptions
- from $499/mo per product
- Catch
- built for technical users
Scrapy: the developer's pick, and it's free
Free, open sourceWhy switch to Scrapy. Scrapy is an open-source Python framework. It's free, with no cap on tasks or rows, and runs wherever you want: your laptop, a cheap server, or Apify's cloud. Directory sites list it first among Octoparse alternatives.
Who it's for. Teams with a Python developer who want control over costs and version their scrapers like code.
Who it's not for. Anyone who picked Octoparse precisely to avoid code.
The catch. Free moves the cost to development and upkeep: a layout change breaks your spider and you fix it. JavaScript-heavy sites need a headless browser and often proxies.
How to migrate. Turn each Octoparse task into a one-page spec: start URL, fields, selectors, pagination, schedule. Start with the simplest one to validate your export pipeline.
- Price
- free
- Language
- Python
- Best for
- teams with a developer
- Catch
- you own maintenance
Listly: turn a page into a spreadsheet, no setup
One-click tablesWhy switch to Listly. Listly is an extension that detects lists and tables on a page and turns them into a spreadsheet in one click. For a simple product list or directory, it's faster than building an Octoparse task.
Who it's for. People pulling well-structured pages with no tricky pagination.
Who it's not for. Jobs that follow links to subpages, fill forms or log in.
The catch. Paid plans run $30 and $90 a month month to month, or $300 and $900 billed yearly. For occasional use, the free Web Scraper extension often does the job.
How to migrate. Nothing to migrate: open the page, run the extension, check the columns, export.
- Paid
- $30/mo monthly
- Yearly
- $300 a year
- Best for
- list-style pages
- Catch
- no subpages
All 7 alternatives side by side
Our default pick: Apify if you can let go of the visual builder, Browse AI if you can't. For scale, Octoparse Standard at $69 a month billed yearly costs the same as Browse AI Professional yearly, and more than three times Apify Starter. One row per tool: method and free tier on the left, first paid plan and migration path on the right.
| Method and free tier | First paid plan and migration | |
|---|---|---|
| OctoparseStarting point | Visual desktop app; free runs locally, 10 tasks | Standard $69/mo yearly; exports Excel, CSV, JSON, HTML, XML |
| ApifyCloud and API | Cloud, ready-made Actors or code; $5 free usage a month | Starter $19/mo ($17 yearly); rebuild via a Store Actor |
| Browse AILight no-code | Browser recording; 50 free credits a month | Personal $19/mo yearly ($48 monthly); re-record tasks |
| ParseHubClosest match | Visual desktop app; 5 projects, 200 pages per run | Paid plans pricier than Octoparse; same logic, rebuild |
| Web ScraperExtension | Free Chrome extension, selector sitemaps | Cloud Project $50/mo yearly; copy selectors |
| Bright DataBlocked sites | Proxies and APIs; pay as you go from $0.60/GB | Subscriptions from $499/mo per product; plugs into your scraper |
| ScrapyDevelopers | Python code, open source | Free; each task becomes a spec |
| ListlySimple tables | Extension that detects lists on a page | $30/mo monthly ($300 a year); nothing to migrate |
Leaving Octoparse step by step
Seven steps, from inventory to cancellation. Plan a day for a handful of simple tasks, one to two weeks for an agency account with dozens of scheduled runs.
Inventory your tasks
Day 1List every task: site, start URL, fields, pagination, schedule, where the data lands (file, Google Sheets, database). Note who uses each export. Many Standard accounts find part of their 100 tasks are dead weight; only migrate what's used.
- Time
- one to two hours
- Output
- one row per task
Export your data and document each task
Day 1Export useful history as CSV or JSON (Octoparse also does Excel, HTML and XML). On free, exports cap at 10,000 rows each and 50,000 a month, so split if needed. Screenshot each important workflow: no competitor can import them.
- Formats
- Excel, CSV, JSON, HTML, XML
- Free
- 10,000 rows per export
Pick the destination using your hardest task
Days 2 to 3Don't judge a tool on an easy site. Take your worst task (pagination, JavaScript, login) and rebuild it during the trial or on the free tier. If it works, the rest will.
- Test
- your hardest task
- Cost
- free or trial
Rebuild tasks in order of value
Week 1Start with the task that feeds a decision or a client. On Apify, look for an existing Actor first; on Browse AI or ParseHub, re-record; with Scrapy, your inventory row is the spec.
- Order
- by business value
- Tip
- ready-made Actor first
Run both tools in parallel
Weeks 1 to 2For a week, keep Octoparse running and diff the exports: row counts, empty fields, duplicates. A 5% gap on a catalog usually means a missed next page.
- Time
- one week
- Check
- rows, blanks, duplicates
Reconnect every data output
Week 2Swap each output: Google Sheets export, API call, webhook to Make or n8n. A sheet still fed by Octoparse freezes the day you cancel.
- Check
- Sheets, API, webhooks
- Risk
- stale data
Cancel on time, and request a refund separately
Before renewalIn the User Center, go to Plan & Subscription, then Cancel, at least 24 hours before renewal. On PayPal, cancel the billing agreement there too. Canceling doesn't refund: if you qualify (5-day guarantee on paid plans, excluding the first month after a trial), file a separate request and keep the confirmation.
- Deadline
- 24h before renewal
- PayPal
- cancel there too
Is your tool missing from this page? Email us: hello@hackceleration.com
What makes an Octoparse exit go wrong
The same mistakes come up in reviews and forums. None are technical. They're oversights, and each one costs more than the time it takes to avoid it.
Canceling the day before renewal
Cancellation has to go in at least 24 hours before renewal. Same day is too late, and the month gets billed with no automatic refund. Set a reminder three days out.
Forgetting PayPal
Canceling in Octoparse doesn't stop a PayPal payment. It's behind many one-star reviews. Cancel the agreement in PayPal the same day.
Mixing up cancel and refund
They're two separate steps. The 5-day guarantee doesn't trigger on its own: you have to contact support, and the first paid month after a trial doesn't qualify.
Choosing on an easy site
Every tool can scrape a static page. The difference shows on your hardest one. Test it before paying anything.
Comparing prices without comparing units
Octoparse bills tasks and processes, Apify usage, Browse AI credits, Web Scraper URLs, Bright Data gigabytes. Run the numbers on your real pages per month. Our Apify vs Browse AI and Apify vs Bright Data comparisons settle two common matchups.
Ignoring personal data
Scraping names, emails or profiles brings privacy law into play (CCPA in California, GDPR for EU residents), whatever the tool. Switching is a good moment to drop fields you don't need. Our best web scraping tools ranking covers more options.
Octoparse alternatives: FAQ
Is Octoparse free?
Yes, locally. Free gives you 10 tasks on one device, two concurrent runs, 50,000 exported rows a month and 10,000 per export, with no cloud or scheduling. For a free cloud option, Apify gives you $5 of usage a month.
What's the best free alternative to Octoparse?
Scrapy if you code in Python: free, no limits. Without code, the Web Scraper extension is free as long as you stay in your browser. For cloud runs, Apify's free tier covers light jobs. Our best scraping tools page ranks them all.
How do I cancel Octoparse and get a refund?
User Center, Plan & Subscription, Cancel, at least 24 hours before renewal. Refunds are a separate request to support, within the 5-day guarantee on paid plans; the first month after a trial isn't refundable. On PayPal, cancel the billing agreement too.
Octoparse or ParseHub?
Same visual logic. Octoparse is cheaper to start (Standard $69 a month billed yearly); ParseHub has a usable free plan (5 projects, 200 pages per run) but pricier paid plans. If the learning curve is why you're leaving, skip both and try Browse AI.
Can I import Octoparse tasks into another tool?
No. No vendor offers an Octoparse task import. Export your data, document each task, rebuild it. On Apify, a ready-made Actor often covers big sites and skips this step.
Is web scraping with these tools legal?
Scraping public data is generally allowed, but the site's terms and privacy laws apply as soon as personal data is involved. The tool doesn't change your responsibility, so keep only the fields you need.
What's a good Octoparse alternative for LinkedIn?
Octoparse, Browse AI and Apify can pull public pages, but LinkedIn polices automation hard. Specialized tools like PhantomBuster exist for it, and Apify Store has LinkedIn Actors. Use either carefully on your own account.
Apify or Browse AI to replace Octoparse?
Browse AI to stay no-code on a few dozen pages; Apify for volume, an API, or a ready-made scraper for a big site. Apify starts at $19 a month; Browse AI's $19 is yearly billing only ($48 month to month). Our Apify vs Browse AI comparison goes deeper.
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