Apify Review Insights

Score8.8 out of 10

327 Reviews and Ratings

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Insights from Apify Reviewers

Based on 81 verified reviews published in the last 18 months

What other products like Apify have you used or evaluated?

81 answered

Reviewers frequently evaluate or utilize a variety of tools that offer capabilities similar to or complementary to Apify, primarily in the areas of data extraction, lead generation, and automation. Among these, PhantomBuster was mentioned by 4% of reviewers, often in conjunction with other data-related services. Other tools, including Bright Data, Apollo.io, and Clay, were each cited by 2% of reviewers. These products appear to be considered as alternatives or supplementary platforms for tasks such as web scraping, data enrichment, and sales intelligence, indicating a diverse ecosystem of tools that users explore to meet their specific data acquisition and automation needs.

PhantomBuster

3 mentions

PhantomBuster is noted by a small number of reviewers as a tool used alongside or in evaluation with Apify. Reviewers o…

PhantomBuster is noted by a small number of reviewers as a tool used alongside or in evaluation with Apify. Reviewers often pair it with other data-focused platforms, suggesting its utility in a broader data collection or lead generation workflow.

Bright Data

2 mentions

A few reviewers have identified Bright Data as another product they have used or considered in the same space. Its ment…

A few reviewers have identified Bright Data as another product they have used or considered in the same space. Its mention alongside other data-centric tools implies its role in data acquisition strategies.

Apollo.io

2 mentions

Apollo.io is mentioned by some reviewers as a tool evaluated alongside Apify, often in combination with other sales and…

Apollo.io is mentioned by some reviewers as a tool evaluated alongside Apify, often in combination with other sales and lead generation platforms. This suggests its perceived value in sales intelligence and contact data enrichment.

Clay

2 mentions

Reviewers occasionally cite Clay as a product they have experience with, often in conjunction with other data and sales…

Reviewers occasionally cite Clay as a product they have experience with, often in conjunction with other data and sales tools. This indicates its use within a broader ecosystem for data aggregation or lead management.

What positive or negative impact (i.e. Return on Investment or ROI) has Apify had on your overall business objectives?

81 answered

Apify has significantly impacted users' overall business objectives, primarily by enabling substantial time savings and generating a positive return on investment. A majority of reviewers, 51%, reported considerable reductions in manual effort and accelerated project timelines, often automating tasks that previously consumed hours of work. This efficiency gain directly contributes to cost savings and a strong ROI, a benefit highlighted by 26% of reviewers who noted reduced operational expenses and increased profitability. Furthermore, Apify has proven instrumental in enhancing lead generation and data collection capabilities, cited by 14% of the reviews, leading to increased qualified leads and improved data accessibility. The platform also supports the enablement of new products or services and contributes to increased business performance, each noted by 4% of reviewers, by providing the infrastructure for new offerings and improving conversion rates.

Time Savings

35 mentions

Apify is widely recognized for its ability to dramatically reduce the time spent on data-related tasks, with 51% of rev…

Apify is widely recognized for its ability to dramatically reduce the time spent on data-related tasks, with 51% of reviewers reporting significant time savings. Users frequently noted that the platform transforms multi-hour manual processes, such as data gathering and lead sourcing, into automated operations completed in minutes or hours. This efficiency allows teams to reallocate labor from repetitive tasks to more strategic activities.

Cost Savings

13 mentions

Cost Savings and ROI

8 mentions

Lead Generation and Data Collection

6 mentions

Time and Labor Savings

6 mentions

Besides Apify, what other software do you regularly use? How likely would you be to recommend it to a friend or colleague?

81 answered

An analysis of 81 product reviews indicates that users frequently integrate a diverse set of software tools into their workflows alongside Apify, primarily focusing on automation, artificial intelligence, and data management. The most frequently cited tool is n8n, mentioned by 19% of reviewers, often used for workflow automation and integrations with various APIs and data sources. Artificial intelligence platforms are also prominent, with Anthropic Claude cited by 12% of reviewers and OpenAI API Platform by 10%, highlighting a strong trend towards leveraging AI capabilities in user operations. While these tools are regularly used, the sentiment surrounding them is generally mixed, suggesting their utility is often context-dependent or that reviews did not provide explicit positive or negative feedback on individual performance. Emerging patterns also show usage of sales intelligence platforms like Apollo.io and backend development tools such as Supabase, each mentioned by 4% of reviewers, indicating their role in specific business processes or development stacks. These findings suggest that Apify users often operate within complex technical ecosystems, requiring a diverse set of complementary tools to achieve their objectives.

n8n

15 mentions

Reviewers frequently incorporate n8n into their technology stacks, often using it for workflow automation and integrati…

Reviewers frequently incorporate n8n into their technology stacks, often using it for workflow automation and integration with other APIs and data platforms. The tool is seen as a versatile component in complex data processing and automation workflows, frequently appearing alongside various AI platforms, data tools, and cloud services. Its mixed sentiment likely reflects its role as an integration layer whose overall value is tied to the broader ecosystem it connects.

Anthropic Claude

10 mentions

Anthropic Claude is a notable AI platform regularly used by 12% of reviewers, often in conjunction with other large lan…

Anthropic Claude is a notable AI platform regularly used by 12% of reviewers, often in conjunction with other large language models and development tools. Its inclusion in various tech stacks indicates a reliance on advanced AI for tasks such as content generation or data analysis. The mixed sentiment suggests that while it's a valued component, its application might be specialized or its performance evaluated in comparison to other AI offerings.

OpenAI API Platform

8 mentions

The OpenAI API Platform is a commonly used tool, cited by 10% of reviewers, indicating its role in integrating AI capab…

The OpenAI API Platform is a commonly used tool, cited by 10% of reviewers, indicating its role in integrating AI capabilities into custom applications and workflows. It is frequently paired with other cloud platforms, automation tools, and data services, suggesting its use in developing AI-driven solutions. The mixed sentiment implies that while it is a powerful resource, its implementation or specific use cases might present varying degrees of satisfaction.

Apollo.io

3 mentions

Apollo.io is utilized by 4% of reviewers, primarily in conjunction with other sales and automation tools, suggesting it…

Apollo.io is utilized by 4% of reviewers, primarily in conjunction with other sales and automation tools, suggesting its role in lead generation, sales engagement, or data enrichment processes. Its appearance alongside tools like n8n and LinkedIn Sales Navigator points to its integration into broader sales and marketing automation workflows. The mixed sentiment could reflect the specific use cases or the perceived value within a larger sales tech stack.

Supabase

3 mentions

Supabase is mentioned by 4% of reviewers, often alongside development platforms and other integration tools, indicating…

Supabase is mentioned by 4% of reviewers, often alongside development platforms and other integration tools, indicating its use as a backend service for building applications. Its presence in these lists suggests its utility for database management, authentication, or real-time functionalities. The mixed sentiment may stem from its specific application within development projects or comparison with alternative backend solutions.

Describe how you use Apify in your organization. What are the business problems the product addresses and what is the scope of your use case?

81 answered

Apify is primarily utilized by organizations for web scraping and data extraction, a use case cited by 44% of reviewers. Many integrate the platform into their existing automation workflows, also noted by 44% of reviewers, to streamline data collection and processing. A significant application of Apify's capabilities is in lead generation and sales, with 14% of reviewers detailing how the tool helps them identify, qualify, and enrich leads. Reviewers frequently highlight the platform's role in solving business problems related to acquiring structured data from various online sources, especially when direct APIs are unavailable. This enables organizations to automate tasks that would otherwise require manual effort or custom development, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings across various operational areas.

Data Extraction and Scraping

36 mentions

Reviewers extensively use Apify for extracting and scraping data from websites, social media, and other online platform…

Reviewers extensively use Apify for extracting and scraping data from websites, social media, and other online platforms. This capability is crucial for building data pipelines, enriching leads, and gathering competitive intelligence, particularly when official APIs are not available for certain sources. The platform is valued for making the process of obtaining structured data smooth and efficient.

Automation and Workflow Integration

36 mentions

Organizations leverage Apify to automate various tasks and seamlessly integrate data into their existing workflows, oft…

Organizations leverage Apify to automate various tasks and seamlessly integrate data into their existing workflows, often using tools like Make.com or n8n. This integration capability allows teams to build complex automations for lead generation, content creation, and data analysis, significantly reducing manual effort. Reviewers appreciate how Apify's APIs and actors simplify the process of connecting data collection with other business processes.

Web Scraping

18 mentions

Apify is frequently cited as a go-to solution for web scraping, enabling users to collect data from diverse online sour…

Apify is frequently cited as a go-to solution for web scraping, enabling users to collect data from diverse online sources efficiently. Reviewers find it particularly valuable for overcoming challenges posed by changing website layouts and for gathering information for lead generation and research. The platform is seen as an easy and powerful tool for obtaining structured data without the need for extensive in-house development.

Lead Generation and Sales

11 mentions

Apify plays a significant role in lead generation and sales processes for many organizations, helping them acquire and…

Apify plays a significant role in lead generation and sales processes for many organizations, helping them acquire and qualify leads. By scraping data from platforms like LinkedIn and various directories, users can build targeted lead lists and enrich existing customer profiles. This capability allows sales and marketing teams to focus more on engagement rather than manual data collection and research.

Lead Generation and Enrichment

10 mentions

Reviewers frequently utilize Apify to power their lead generation engines and enrich existing lead data, which is a cor…

Reviewers frequently utilize Apify to power their lead generation engines and enrich existing lead data, which is a core component of their tech stacks. The platform helps in extracting specific information such as contact details, company insights, and property listings to create intelligent, targeted lead bases. This allows businesses to validate and enhance their leads, improving the effectiveness of outreach campaigns.

Please provide some detailed examples of areas where Apify has room for improvement.

81 answered

Reviewers frequently identify several areas where Apify could enhance its service, primarily concerning pricing clarity and the quality of its actors. A significant portion of feedback, 35% of reviewers, points to challenges with pricing models, describing them as complex and difficult to predict, especially due to credit-based systems and varying costs across different actors. This often leads to budgeting difficulties and concerns about scalability. Another notable area for improvement, cited by 21% of reviewers, relates to the inconsistent quality and functionality of the available actors, with some users finding certain actors unhelpful or lacking specific features. Additionally, 9% of reviewers suggest that Apify's documentation and learning resources could be more comprehensive and easier to navigate, indicating a steep learning curve for new users. The user interface and overall ease of use also present challenges for 9% of the user base, particularly for those without a technical background, making actor discovery and platform navigation less intuitive. Finally, 6% of reviewers express concerns about the reliability of some actors, noting instances where they break or return irrelevant data, which impacts overall trust and efficiency.

Pricing and Cost Predictability

28 mentions

A substantial 35% of reviewers express dissatisfaction with Apify's pricing structure, citing its complexity and unpred…

A substantial 35% of reviewers express dissatisfaction with Apify's pricing structure, citing its complexity and unpredictability as major drawbacks. Users find it challenging to budget due to varying costs for different actors, credit-based systems that don't roll over, and charges based on execution time, memory, and bandwidth. There is a clear call for more transparent, unified, and understandable pricing models, with some suggesting cheaper tiers or custom plans for lower usage.

Actor Quality and Functionality

17 mentions

Concerns regarding the quality and functionality of actors are raised by 21% of reviewers. Users report issues such as…

Concerns regarding the quality and functionality of actors are raised by 21% of reviewers. Users report issues such as some actors being ineffective, failing to provide accurate data, or lacking specific controls like crawl depth or duplicate result avoidance. There's also a desire for a wider range of high-quality actors, particularly in areas like lead generation, and better guidance on selecting the most appropriate actors for specific use cases.

Documentation and Learning Resources

7 mentions

Approximately 9% of reviewers highlight the need for improved documentation and more accessible learning resources. Use…

Approximately 9% of reviewers highlight the need for improved documentation and more accessible learning resources. Users indicate that setting up schemas and understanding API endpoints can be difficult, contributing to a steep learning curve for customization. There is a call for better guides, step-by-step explanations, and more educational content to help users effectively test and evaluate actors.

User Interface and Ease of Use

7 mentions

The user interface and overall ease of use are areas for improvement for 9% of the reviewers. While some find it simple…

The user interface and overall ease of use are areas for improvement for 9% of the reviewers. While some find it simple, others, particularly those without a technical background, experience a learning curve with advanced features. Reviewers suggest that the platform's marketplace could improve actor discoverability and that the interface could be more user-friendly and less daunting for newcomers.

Actor Reliability and Quality

5 mentions

About 6% of reviewers point to issues with the reliability and consistency of actors. Users report that some actors fre…

About 6% of reviewers point to issues with the reliability and consistency of actors. Users report that some actors frequently break or return irrelevant and voluminous data, necessitating a search for alternatives. This is particularly noted for community-maintained actors, where response times for problem resolution can be slow, affecting the overall efficiency of data extraction.

Please provide some detailed examples of things that Apify does particularly well.

81 answered

Apify is frequently recognized for its robust web scraping capabilities, with 33% of reviewers specifically highlighting its effectiveness in this area. Reviewers particularly value the platform's ability to handle challenging sites and extract data from various social media platforms, providing near real-time information. Beyond general scraping, 23% of users also commend its diverse web scraping functionalities, including the extraction of emails, LinkedIn job postings, and Google reviews, often without the need for traditional APIs. The platform's ease of use is another significant strength, cited by 22% of reviewers who appreciate its intuitive interface and the ability to set up workflows quickly, even without extensive coding knowledge. This is further supported by observations that it is easy to get started and test "actors" (pre-built scraping tools) within the dashboard. Furthermore, Apify's strong integration capabilities are noted by 12% of reviewers for its APIs and by another 10% for its seamless connections with automation platforms like n8n and Make, facilitating efficient data flow into existing workflows.

Web Scraping

27 mentions

Reviewers consistently praise Apify's core web scraping functionality, noting its effectiveness in extracting data from…

Reviewers consistently praise Apify's core web scraping functionality, noting its effectiveness in extracting data from complex sources, including those designed to resist scrapers. Its ability to perform social media scraping for platforms like LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) is frequently highlighted as a key strength, enabling users to gather large volumes of data quickly.

Web Scraping Capabilities

19 mentions

Users appreciate the breadth of Apify's web scraping capabilities, which extend to various specific data types and plat…

Users appreciate the breadth of Apify's web scraping capabilities, which extend to various specific data types and platforms. The platform offers a wide catalog of scrapers for diverse purposes, allowing users to extract information such as emails, LinkedIn jobs, YouTube content, and Google reviews with speed and efficiency.

Ease of Use

18 mentions

A significant number of reviewers, 22%, commend Apify for its user-friendly design and intuitive interface. They find t…

A significant number of reviewers, 22%, commend Apify for its user-friendly design and intuitive interface. They find the platform easy to navigate and implement, often requiring minimal to no coding knowledge to set up and run scraping workflows effectively, contributing to a smooth user experience.

Integrations and APIs

10 mentions

Apify's robust API capabilities and seamless integration options are highly valued by users. Reviewers highlight the ea…

Apify's robust API capabilities and seamless integration options are highly valued by users. Reviewers highlight the ease with which they can connect to the platform's API endpoints, enabling efficient automation and data transfer to other systems.

Integrations

8 mentions

Reviewers specifically emphasize Apify's strong integrations with popular no-code automation platforms. The ability to…

Reviewers specifically emphasize Apify's strong integrations with popular no-code automation platforms. The ability to integrate with tools like Make.com and n8n allows users to streamline their data workflows and automate tasks effectively, enhancing overall productivity.