AlterLab vs Crawlbase: Which Scraping API Is Better in 2026?

See our detailed comparison page here for a quick reference.

TL;DR

Choose AlterLab if you want a simple, pay-as-you-go API with no subscriptions, instant sign-up, and smart tier routing that handles JavaScript automatically. Choose Crawlbase if you need a large dedicated proxy pool, enterprise‑level SLAs, or prefer purchasing token packs in advance.

Pricing comparison

AlterLab’s pricing is straightforward: you pay only for what you use. Crawlbase sells token‑based packs where JavaScript‑enabled requests cost more than basic HTML requests, and packs often include a monthly minimum.

AlterLab’s public pricing shows a starting rate of $0.0002 per request for basic scraping, with automatic escalation to higher tiers only when needed. There are no hidden fees and your balance does not expire.
View AlterLab pricing

Crawlbase’s public pricing page (as of 2026) lists token packs where a typical non‑JS request might cost around 1 token and a JS request around 5 tokens, with pack prices that imply a per‑request cost in the $0.001–$0.005 range. Packs often require a minimum purchase and have expiration dates.

Pricing data based on public information as of 2026. Always verify current pricing on the vendor's website.

Feature comparison

Both platforms handle proxy rotation, automatic retries, and basic HTML retrieval. Differences appear in how they approach JavaScript rendering, anti‑bot bypass, and additional data extraction features.

AlterLab

• Five‑tier smart routing: the API detects whether a request needs JavaScript and routes it to the appropriate processing tier automatically—no separate endpoints or manual tier selection.
• Built‑in anti‑bot bypass that rotates user agents, headers, and IP addresses without user configuration.
• Optional structured extraction via Cortex AI: add extract: true to get JSON‑ready data without writing CSS selectors.
• Output formats: raw HTML, JSON, Markdown, or plain text via the formats parameter.
• Webhook push for real‑time delivery; scheduling with cron expressions for recurring scrapes.
• Teams support: shared API keys, role‑based access, and unified billing.

Crawlbase

• Large proprietary proxy pool with data‑center and residential IPs.
• Separate endpoints for normal and JavaScript scraping (or a token multiplier for JS).
• Basic anti‑bot measures; users may need to adjust headers or handle CAPTCHAs manually for tough sites.
• No native AI‑powered data extraction; you receive raw HTML and parse it yourself.
• Offers webhooks and scheduling, though setup may involve more configuration steps.
• Enterprise focus: dedicated account managers, custom SLAs, and invoice‑based billing for large volumes.

Both provide REST APIs, Python and Node.js SDKs, and detailed documentation. AlterLab’s single endpoint reduces the chance of calling the wrong URL for a JS‑heavy site, while Crawlbase’s split approach can be clearer for users who want explicit control over resource usage.

When to choose Crawlbase

• Your organization prefers purchasing token packs up front and wants predictable monthly costs backed by an enterprise contract.
• You need a guaranteed proxy pool size (e.g., tens of millions of IPs) for geo‑targeted scraping at scale.
• You already have workflows built around Crawlbase’s separate JS/non‑JS endpoints and do not want to change request logic.
• You require dedicated support channels or custom feature development as part of an enterprise agreement.

When to choose AlterLab

• You want to start scraping immediately with a free trial and no credit card required.
• Your usage is variable; you like paying only for the successful requests you make, with no minimums or expirations.
• You prefer an API that figures out whether JavaScript is needed and routes the request accordingly, simplifying client code.
• You value built‑in data extraction and multiple output formats to reduce post‑processing steps.
• You are a solo developer, startup, or small team that values self‑serve simplicity over enterprise‑grade contract negotiations.

Migration guide

Switching from Crawlbase to AlterLab is straightforward because both expose a similar JSON‑over‑HTTP API. Below are minimal examples in Python and cURL that show how to replace a Crawlbase scrape call with an AlterLab call.

# Before: Crawlbase
# crawlbase_client.scrape(url, ...)

# After: AlterLab
import alterlab
client = alterlab.Client("YOUR_API_KEY")
response = client.scrape("https://example.com")
print(response.text") # After example
```bash title="Terminal — Quick start"
curl -X POST https://api.alterlab.io/v1/scrape \
  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_KEY" \
  -d '{"url": "https://example.com"}'

For a full walkthrough, see the Getting started guide. The SDKs accept largely the same parameters (URL, optional headers, output format), so you can often migrate by updating the import and base URL.

Key takeaways

• AlterLab’s pay‑as‑you‑go model with no minimums or expiring balances lowers the barrier to entry for developers and small teams.
• Crawlbase’s large proxy pools and enterprise‑grade contracts suit organizations that need guaranteed throughput and prefer upfront purchasing.
• Both platforms provide reliable scraping, but AlterLab’s automatic tier routing and built‑in data extraction reduce integration effort for most users.

Compare other alternatives

• AlterLab vs ScraperAPI
• AlterLab vs Bright Data
• AlterLab vs Firecrawl

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