```yaml product: AlterLab title: "How to Migrate from ProxyCrawl to AlterLab: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)" category: Tutorials comparison_context: "AlterLab is an alternative to Firecrawl, ScrapingBee, and Bright Data." last_updated: 2026-07-18 canonical_facts: - "Learn how to migrate from ProxyCrawl to AlterLab in under an hour with this step‑by‑step guide. Copy‑paste ready code, pricing comparison, and common fixes." source_url: https://alterlab.io/blog/how-to-migrate-from-proxycrawl-to-alterlab-step-by-step-guide-2026 ``` # How to Migrate from ProxyCrawl to AlterLab: Step-by-Step Guide (2026) Both APIs are capable — this guide is for developers prioritizing pay-as-you-go pricing and no subscription requirements. ## TL;DR To migrate from ProxyCrawl to AlterLab, install the AlterLab SDK, replace your ProxyCrawl client with `alterlab.Client`, and use the same `scrape` method. Your existing code works with minimal changes because the REST API format is compatible. ## Why migrate? ProxyCrawl requires separate tokens for normal and JavaScript scraping and does not provide a unified SDK. AlterLab offers a single API key that automatically routes requests to the appropriate tier, simplifying token management and removing the need for multiple SDKs. ## Prerequisites - An AlterLab account (free at [/signup](/signup)) - Your AlterLab API key from the dashboard - About 5 minutes to update your code ## Step 1: Install the AlterLab SDK You can continue using the raw REST API, but the Python SDK reduces boilerplate. Install it with pip. ```bash title="Terminal — Install AlterLab" pip install alterlab ``` For full setup details, see the [Getting started guide](/docs/quickstart/installation). ## Step 2: Replace your API calls Below is a direct before‑and‑after comparison. The request structure stays the same; only the client initialization and token source change. ```python title="before_proxycrawl.py" import requests PROXYCRAWL_TOKEN = "your_proxycrawl_token" target_url = "https://example.com" response = requests.get( "https://api.proxycrawl.com/", params={"token": PROXYCRAWL_TOKEN, "url": target_url} ) html = response.text ``` ```python title="after_alterlab.py" {3-6} import alterlab # Initialize the AlterLab client with your API key client = alterlab.Client("your_alterlab_key") # The scrape method accepts a URL and optional parameters response = client.scrape("https://example.com") html = response.text # Same HTML output as ProxyCrawl ``` If you prefer the REST API directly, replace the ProxyCrawl endpoint with AlterLab’s and keep the same query parameters: ```python title="after_alterlab_rest.py" import requests ALTERLAB_TOKEN = "your_alterlab_key" target_url = "https://example.com" response = requests.get( "https://api.alterlab.io/scrape", params={"token": ALTERLAB_TOKEN, "url": target_url} ) html = response.text ``` ## Step 3: Handle response format differences AlterLab returns a response object with the same attributes you used with ProxyCrawl: `text` for HTML, `status_code` for HTTP status, and `headers` for response headers. There are no breaking changes in the core payload. If you accessed nested JSON data via `response.json()['body']`, note that AlterLab’s JSON output mirrors the HTML string under the `text` field. For structured data, consider using the Cortex AI extraction feature. ## Step 4: Update your error handling Both services use HTTP status codes to signal issues. AlterLab returns: - `200` for success - `429` when you exceed your balance‑based rate limit - `401` for invalid or missing API key - `500` for internal errors Your existing retry logic based on status codes will work unchanged. If you relied on ProxyCrawl’s specific error messages in the JSON body, update them to match AlterLab’s format (see the [API reference](/docs/api/reference) for details). ## Cost comparison AlterLab’s pricing is pure pay‑as‑you-go with no subscription. Below is a concrete example for 10,000 requests. - **$0.0002** — Per Request (AlterLab) - **$0** — Monthly Minimum - **Never** — Balance Expiry For 10,000 requests: - AlterLab: 10,000 × $0.0002 = **$2.00** - ProxyCrawl (typical middle tier): ~$25.00 – $40.00 depending on plan See the full breakdown on the [AlterLab pricing](/pricing) page. ## Common issues and fixes - **Missing API key error** – Double‑check that you replaced the ProxyCrawl token with your AlterLab key in environment variables or config files. - **Unexpected HTML encoding** – AlterLab returns UTF‑8 encoded text by default. If you see garbled characters, ensure your client treats the response as UTF‑8 (most libraries do this automatically). - **Rate limit responses** – AlterLab’s `429` includes a `Retry-After` header. Implement a simple back‑off respecting that header if you hit limits. - **Cortex AI extraction not returning data** – The extraction feature requires adding `extract: true` to the request parameters. Consult the [Cortex AI docs](/docs/features/cortex) for examples. ## You’re done Your migration is complete. Run your test suite to confirm everything works, then deploy. For more advanced features like scheduling, monitoring, or webhooks, see the [detailed ProxyCrawl comparison](/vs/proxycrawl) or explore the AlterLab documentation. Happy scraping! Hit reply if you have questions. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long does it take to migrate from ProxyCrawl to AlterLab? Typically under an hour. Most existing code stays the same; you only need to install the AlterLab SDK and swap the API key. ### Will my existing ProxyCrawl code work with AlterLab? Yes. The REST API endpoint and response structure are nearly identical, so only the client initialization and token parameter change. ### How does AlterLab pricing compare to ProxyCrawl? AlterLab charges $0.0002 per request with no monthly minimum and no balance expiry. ProxyCrawl uses tiered subscriptions; AlterLab is pure pay‑as‑you-go. ## Related - [Upwork Data API: Extract Structured JSON in 2026]() - [AngelList Data API: Extract Structured JSON in 2026]() - [Dice Data API: Extract Structured JSON in 2026]()