Not so long ago, scraping was exclusive to companies with in-house tech professionals or personal passion projects of scraping enthusiasts. However, the market has seen the emergence of something more accessible: low- and no-code scraping tools. This solutions doesn't require coding skills to tap into the potential of web intelligence – only a bit of determination.
In this article, we'll explore low- and no-code web scrapers in-depth and give a rundown of the best tools to try.
1. Apify
Apify homepage
Apify is a well-established platform with tons of features for web scraping and web automation tasks. While it primarily focuses on supporting developers, it also caters to people with little to no coding knowledge.
Their Apify Store boasts hundreds of ready-made web scraping and automation templates, called actors, that can be easily implemented without coding required. What's more, it's super easy to integrate them with proxies. However, if you want to target a website with a complex layout, some technical skills may be necessary.
Pros
Numerous ready-made templates for no-code web scraping
Provides a cloud-based platform for processing and storing scraped data
Can be integrated with Google Drive, Gmail, and more
Cons
More complex targets require coding experience
Apify leaves data control and accuracy to you, which may require additional experience
Pricing: Starts at $49/month with add-ons.
Free trial: Yes.
Data delivery: JSON, XML, CSV, or Excel.
Other: Auto-generated user interface, active Discord community.
2. Parsehub
Parsehub homepage
Designed with non-developers in mind, Parsehub is a good no-code web scraper that is available as a desktop app. It’s also accessible free of charge with limited features, making it much more appealing to web data enthusiasts eager to dip their toes into web scraping without fully committing. Enterprise-level clients, however, might need a subscription plan if they want more sophisticated features.
Pros
Web scraping scheduling
Offers free web scraping courses
Cons
Steep learning curve
Tiered support availability
Pricing: Starts at $189/month.
Free trial: Offers a free subscription with basic features.
Data delivery: CSV and JSON.
Other: Infinite scroll scraping, supports redirects and cookies.
3. Octoparse
Octoparse homepage
Just like Parsehub, Octoparse also offers an accessible point-and-click interface eliminating the need for coding. Moreover, its AI-powered auto-detect feature allows it to extract data without relying on classical methods such as HTML selectors.
Pros
Scrape data from dropdown menus
You can choose between running the tasks on the cloud or on your device
Cons
Steep learning curve
Limited customer support
Pricing: Starts at $75/month.
Free trial: Offers a free subscription with basic features.
Data delivery: Excel, CSV, HTML, JSON, XML, or directly to a database.
Other: API integration, templates (for standard subscription and above), ad blocking.
4. Dexi
Dexi homepage
Dexi is similar to Parsehub in terms of usability and has a bit of a learning curve. However, it also offers plans for people who just want to extract data online without a hassle. Dexi offers three types of robots to execute web scraping tasks, such as Extractor, Crawler, and Pipes.
Pros
Can take screenshots for fail analysis
Visualization tools
Cons
Lacks advanced functionality for lower-tier subscriptions
Pricing: Starts at around $119/month, depending on the project.
Free trial: Yes.
Data delivery: CSV, JSON, XML.
Other: Image web scraping, research management.
5. Web Scraper
Web Scraper homepage
Unlike other options in this list, Web Scraper also offers a browser extension that is completely free of charge to use locally. However, for bigger web data needs, you're better off taking advantage of some of its paid subscriptions with additional features. It's worth noting that this tool does have a learning curve, so newcomers who are not familiar with sitemaps or web page structure may initially find it challenging.
Pros
Can be integrated with custom proxies
Browser extension free to use
Cons
Can be complex to master
Pricing: Starts at $50/month.
Free trial: Free browser extension to be used locally.
Data delivery: CSV, XLSX, JSON, or access it via API.
Other: Dropbox export, Google Sheets export, Google Drive export, Amazon S3 export.
6. Import.io
Import.io homepage
Import.io started out as an open-source web data extraction tool and has grown into a company offering premium web scraping solutions. With its user-friendly interface and appealing design, Import.io is a great no-code web scraper solution that simplifies data extraction. Its ability to facilitate multi-URL training and enable downloading of images and files makes it an incredibly convenient choice.
Pros
Easy to use
PII masking
Cons
Tiered support
Pricing: Starts at $199/month.
Free trial: 14-day free trial.
Data Delivery: JSON, CSV, or to a Google Sheet.
Other: Multi-URL training, extractor auto-optimization, website screenshots.
7. ScrapeHero
ScrapeHero homepage
ScrapeHero specializes in custom-built solutions for their customers, as well as providing retail store location datasets. With their bespoke solutions, they do all the heavy lifting, and naturally, these services start at $199 per month per website. However, they also offer Crawlers that can be used through self-service at a much cheaper rate.
Pros
Very easy to use
Affordable
Cons
Can’t customize a web scraper through a point-and-click system
Lacks extended geo-location customization
Pricing: $5/month.
Free trial: Yes for self-service, no for custom-built solutions.
Data delivery: JSON, CSV, or Excel.
Other: Supports Amazon S3, Dropbox, and API Integration (based on subscription).
8. WebAutomation
WebAutomation Homepage
Web Automation specializes in no-code web data extraction by providing templates for over 500 websites. If that’s not enough, you can also build new extractors using a point-and-click interface or ask them to build a solution for you.
Pros
Can be integrated with third-party tools
Cons
Interface could be improved
Confusing credit system
Pricing: Starts at $74/month.
Free trial: 14-day trial.
Data delivery: CSV, Excel, JSON, or XML.
Other: Data transfer to Shopify, Dropbox, Google Sheets, and more.
9. DataGrab
DataGrab Homepage
DataGrab is a no-code web scraping platform that offers a Chrome extension to set up scraping using a point-and-click interface and a cloud service to run them at scale. It handles concurrency and proxy rotation automatically. It is designed to be easy for non-technical people to use.
Pros:
Intuitive point-and-click interface
Scrapers can be run in the user's browser via the Chrome extension
Can be integrated with Google Sheets
Cons:
Currently, it's more suitable for tabular listings, but there are improvements under development to handle sites with any structure
Pricing: Starts at $25/month, with options to buy credits in bulk.
Free trial: Yes.
Data delivery: JSON, CSV, Google Sheet.
Other: Also offers pre-scraped datasets and custom solutions if needed.
10. Simplescraper
Simplescraper homepage
With Simplescraper, it’s all in the name. This tool offers a no-fuss approach to web data collection that will support a wide range of customers. Want to quickly fetch the data you see from a single web page? Get their free extension and perform local web scraping. However, if you need to launch a more extensive project with multiple pages, scheduling, and dynamic elements – go for cloud scraping.
The tool is easy to use, no matter the approach. It’s a simple point-and-click interface that automatically chooses selectors, although you can also type them yourself as well. Plus, their recently released AI enhancer will make uncovering insights even easier.
Pros
Offers proxy rotation, reCAPTCHA solving, and auto-retries
No concurrency limits
Detailed, easy-to-follow documentation
Cons
Limited customer support options (chat and email)
Could struggle with complex websites
Pricing: Starts at $35/month.
Free trial: Freemium version that includes 100 scraping credits.
Data delivery: Google Sheets, Airtable, Zapier, Webhooks.
Other: JavaScript-based websites, infinite scroll, workflows, crawling, API.
Price and features comparison table
| Tool | Starts from | Free trial/Freemium | Platform | Interaction Method |
| Apify | $49/mo | Freemium, no credit card. | Web | Mainly URL-based, but you can create your own templates with code |
| Parsehub | $189/mo | Freemium, no credit card. | App (Mac, Linux, Windows) | Point-and-click |
| Octoparse | $75/mo | Freemium, no credit card. Also offers a 14-day trial. | App (Mac, Windows) | Point-and-click |
| Dexi | $119/month | Free trial, no credit card. | Web | Point-and-click |
| Web Scraper | $50/mo | Free browser extension. Free trial, no credit card. | Browser extension and web. | Point-and-click |
| Import | $199/mo | Free 14-day trial. | Web | Point-and-click |
| Scrape Hero | $5/mo | Freemium, no credit card. | Web | URL-based |
| Web Automation | $74/mo | Free 14-day trial. | Web | Point-and-click |
| DataGrab | $25/mo | Free trial | Web/Cloud | Point-and-click (Chrome extension) |
| Simplescraper | $35/mo/td> | Freemium | Local/web/cloud | Point-and-click (web extension) |
How do I scrape data from websites without coding?
In general, there are two approaches you can take to do web scraping without coding. You can either find a company that will build you a web scraping tool from start to finish or acquire a no-code tool.
With a bespoke web scraper solution, you only need to tell a company what you need, and their team will design and maintain the solution for you. While it’s likely to fit your project needs like a glove, it’s also going to be pricey.
Using a no-code web scraper, on the other hand, is going to be much cheaper. You will have to manage some of the processes yourself, but it should be a fairly manageable task. Indeed, these tools usually allow you to extract data online by simply inputting a URL or through a point-and-click interface.
URL-first vs. point-and-click
A point-and-click interface renders the website you want to scrape and asks you to specify the elements of the website that interest you. In other words, you click through a website as you would in a regular browser and “train” the no-code web scraper. You can usually set additional rules such as scheduling, batch URL scraping, country-specific web scraping, and more. After you’ve trained the web scraper and it finishes fetching the data, you can get the extracted data delivered in JSON, CSV, or Excel.
The URL method is much simpler. Usually, you give the platform a specific URL, maybe a few other requirements, and get scraped data delivered instantly. While this option is much more straightforward, a point-and-click system is more customizable.
Overall, you should always consider your project needs to determine which approach suits you best. For now, let’s look at some of the best no-code web scrapers out there.
Factors to consider for no-code web scrapers
One of the primary considerations is ease of use; the tool should have an intuitive interface that allows users with no programming background to set up and run scrapes effortlessly. Please refer to the functionality section above. Additionally, the ability to handle complex web pages with dynamic content, such as those built using JavaScript, is crucial for comprehensive data extraction.
Another vital factor is the tool's scalability and performance. Ensure that the no-code web scraper can handle large volumes of data without compromising speed or accuracy. Look for features like parallel web scraping that improve efficiency. Data export options are also worth considering; the tool should offer multiple formats such as CSV, JSON, or XML to facilitate seamless integration with your existing systems. Finally, robust customer support and regular updates are indispensable, as they ensure that the tool adapts to changing web technologies and can promptly address any user issues.
Conclusion
Navigating public web data collection can be a tricky task. However, with excellent web scraping tools like the ones mentioned above, non-programmers can now harness web scraping hassle-free. All that is left to do is to choose the tool that matches your project's requirements.
If you liked this blog post, be sure to read up on anti-detect browsers, website testing tools, or five main web scraping challenges & solutions.
About the author
Enrika Pavlovskytė
Former Copywriter
Enrika Pavlovskytė was a Copywriter at Oxylabs. With a background in digital heritage research, she became increasingly fascinated with innovative technologies and started transitioning into the tech world. On her days off, you might find her camping in the wilderness and, perhaps, trying to befriend a fox! Even so, she would never pass up a chance to binge-watch old horror movies on the couch.
All information on Oxylabs Blog is provided on an "as is" basis and for informational purposes only. We make no representation and disclaim all liability with respect to your use of any information contained on Oxylabs Blog or any third-party websites that may be linked therein. Before engaging in scraping activities of any kind you should consult your legal advisors and carefully read the particular website's terms of service or receive a scraping license.
People also ask
What is the best free no-code web scraper?
When it comes to completely free no-code scarpers, we’d highly recommend approaching them with caution. There are a number of risks associated with the use of free tools, such as data ownership, data reliability, stability, uptime, privacy, and security.
However, there are some reliable free web scrapers on the market, which we cover in our blog.
Does web scraping need coding?
Not necessarily. If we're talking about well-established targets, you'll certainly be able to find a no-code scraping tool to extract data. For more complex targets, you'll either have to get some managed data services or build your own web scraper, although many modern no-code web scrapers are catching up to date with the latest website developments.
Are no-code scrapers worth it?
Whether or not a no-code scraper performs well depends entirely on the provider and the needs of your project. No-code scrapers will have no problem extracting data from uncomplex popular websites.
However, if you want to scrape a website with a particularly challenging layout, the default settings on a no-code scraper might not be enough – you might need to customize them. Good providers will consider this and offer features to overcome these issues.
In short, no-code scrapers are a great web scraping tool for anybody looking for a quick and easy way to scrape the web. However, it is crucial to recognize that each project's particular conditions might have an impact on how effective these tools are.
How to scrape a website without coding?
The simplest way to scrape a website is to get a no-code scraper, which operates through an intuitive interface, allowing you to choose elements through a point-and-click system.
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