Quick answer
Web Scraping API - Web Scraping API wins for most builders because its free tier is larger, clearly no-card, and easier to grow into, while Scraper's Proxy is mainly the better choice if you want a tiny test tier with a lower first paid price.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve the same scraping problem, but they sit at different points on the spectrum. Scraper's Proxy gives you a very small monthly allowance, 100 requests, and then jumps to a much cheaper first paid tier at $40/month. That makes it a lightweight test bed if you only need occasional scraping and want to keep spend low after the free tier. Web Scraping API gives you 1,000 requests on the free account, a 1 request/second limit, and no credit card requirement shown, so it is easier to try and more practical for real development work. Its first paid tier is $99/month, so it is costlier once you outgrow free. For teams, the difference is mostly about runway versus entry price.
Scraper's Proxy vs Web Scraping API free tier, side by side
| Scraper's ProxyFTV 35 | Web Scraping APIFTV 42 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requestsB gives 10x the free request allowance. | 100 requests/month | 1,000 requests/free account |
| Rate limit on free tierOnly B lists a free-tier throughput cap. | Not stated | 1 request/second |
| Credit card required to startOnly B explicitly states no card is required. | Not stated | No |
| Feature parity on free tierA's free tier is much more limited relative to paid plans. | 20% | 100% |
After you outgrow the free tier
Scraper's Proxy uses flat pricing, with the first meaningful paid tier at PRO for $40/month. Web Scraping API also uses flat pricing at its first paid step, Standard for $99/month, then moves to a custom Enterprise plan. The main cost gap is that A is cheaper to start paying, while B gives you a larger free tier but asks for more once you cross it. No usage-based rates are provided, so there are no request-by-request cost scenarios to calculate.
When to pick each one
Pick Scraper's Proxy when…
- You only need a small monthly allowance for ad hoc scraping tests or a proof of concept.
- Keeping the first paid bill as low as possible matters more than free-tier size.
- You expect to outgrow the free tier slowly and want a cheaper jump to paid at $40/month.
- You are comfortable with a tighter quota and do not need the larger free-request buffer.
Pick Web Scraping API when…
- You want the larger free allowance to build and test before paying anything.
- You want a free tier with an explicit no credit card requirement.
- You need a free account that can support regular development work, not just a tiny trial.
- You expect to evaluate browser, CAPTCHA, geo-targeting, or other advanced scraping workflows before committing to paid.
- You care more about a smoother free-to-paid ramp than the lowest entry price.
Bottom line
For most builders, Web Scraping API is the better free-tier pick because it gives you far more room to test and build before paying, and it does so without a credit card requirement. Scraper's Proxy is the better choice if your main goal is to spend as little as possible once you leave free, since its first paid tier is much cheaper. In practice, B wins on free-tier usefulness, while A wins on first-step affordability.
Read the full listings: Scraper's Proxy and Web Scraping API. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.