Web Scraper Alternative
A Web Scraper alternative where you pick a list instead of building a sitemap
The short version
Web Scraper is a free browser extension where you build a sitemap in developer tools, with an AI Sitemap Wizard to help on list pages. Its Cloud offering lists a Scheduler, an API and exports to Dropbox, Google Sheets and S3, and residential proxies are a $2.5/GB add-on. DataLens works differently: it detects the lists on the page you are on, you pick one and check the columns, and there is no sitemap to keep. It gives 100 credits once, then charges per row, and it has none of the cloud extras.
Why people look past Web Scraper
- You would rather pick a list on the page and check the columns than build and maintain a sitemap inside developer tools.
- Your pages have comment threads with nested replies, or numbers drawn in scrambled fonts. DataLens handles both.
- You scrape in one-off bursts and only need a file at the end, so cloud runs, scheduling and an API are more than you need.
Web Scraper vs DataLens at a glance
| What you need | Web Scraper | DataLens |
|---|---|---|
| Where you build the scrape | Listed Open the Web Scraper tab in developer tools, create a sitemap and add selectors with a point-and-click interface. Extraction runs in your browser. Source: Web Scraper on the Chrome Web Store · as of 2026-11-03 | Yes A sidebar on the page you are on. DataLens detects the lists, you pick one and check the columns. There is no sitemap to keep. |
| AI help for building it | Listed The AI Sitemap Wizard detects repeating items on list pages and you confirm them. The Advanced Sitemap Builder gives full manual control. Source: Web Scraper docs: AI Sitemap Wizard · as of 2026-11-03 | Yes Manual mode detects lists for you to pick. DataLens also has an AI scraping mode, which uses more credits than manual mode. |
| Pagination and infinite scroll | Listed Store page lists multiple pages and dynamic pages (JavaScript, AJAX, infinite scroll). The AI Sitemap Wizard docs describe detecting pagination or scrolling. Source: Web Scraper on the Chrome Web Store · as of 2026-11-03 | Yes Scrolls, clicks "load more" and goes to the next page until the list ends. |
| Fields from each detail page | Listed You select the link; the wizard visits five sample pages and generates selectors you can rename, delete and add to. Source: Web Scraper docs: AI Sitemap Wizard · as of 2026-11-03 | Yes Detail-page fields are added to the same row; 2 credits per row. |
| Keeping past scrapes | Listed The browser extension keeps only the latest local scrape job data in browser local storage. Source: Web Scraper docs: Cloud · as of 2026-11-03 | Yes History lists your past scrapes. Re-run repeats one by hand with the same columns. |
| Scheduled and cloud runs | Listed Paid Cloud plans are marked "Automate in cloud", and the pricing page lists a Scheduler. Source: Web Scraper pricing page · as of 2026-11-03 | No No schedules and no cloud runs. Collection runs in your browser. |
| Where the data goes | Listed CSV and XLSX download from the extension. The pricing page lists exports to Dropbox, Google Sheets and Amazon S3, among others. Source: Web Scraper pricing page · as of 2026-11-03 | Partly Downloads Excel, CSV or JSON files. No direct push to Google Sheets, Airtable or Notion. |
| API | Listed An API appears in the pricing page comparison table. Source: Web Scraper pricing page · as of 2026-11-03 | No No public API. |
| Proxies | Listed Residential proxies are a $2.5 per GB add-on. Source: Web Scraper pricing page · as of 2026-11-03 | No No proxies. Requests come from your own browser and your own login. |
Web Scraper details come from its public pages, checked 2026-11-03. "Not listed" means we did not find it on those pages; it does not mean the feature is missing.
Web Scraper pricing next to DataLens
List prices from the official pages, checked 2026-11-03. "Per 1,000 rows" divides the price by the base rows it buys, assuming you use all of it.
| Plan | Price | What you get | Per 1,000 rows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free extension Source: Web Scraper on the Chrome Web Store · as of 2026-11-03 | $0 | Free, runs in your browser, downloads CSV or XLSX. | — |
| Project Source: Web Scraper pricing page · as of 2026-11-03 | $600 per year, paid upfront | $50 a month, billed annually. 5,000 URL credits, 2 concurrent scrapers, 30-day data retention. | — |
| Professional Source: Web Scraper pricing page · as of 2026-11-03 | $1200 per year, paid upfront | $100 a month, billed annually. 20,000 URL credits, 3 concurrent scrapers, 30-day data retention. | — |
| Scale (from) Source: Web Scraper pricing page · as of 2026-11-03 | $2400 per year, paid upfront | From $200 a month, billed annually, 2 or more concurrent scrapers. "Unlimited*" URL credits (we could not read the asterisk footnote), 60-day data retention. | — |
| Plan | Price | What you get | Per 1,000 rows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free credits | $0 | New accounts get 100 credits once. Detecting lists, adjusting columns and previewing are free. | — |
| 10,000-credit pack | $7 one-time | 10,000 credits, one-time, valid 30 days. 1 credit per scraped row; detail-page fields cost 2 credits per row. | $0.70 |
| 30,000-credit pack | $15 one-time | 30,000 credits, one-time, valid 30 days. | $0.50 |
| 100,000-credit pack | $40 one-time | 100,000 credits, one-time, valid 60 days. | $0.40 |
- The Web Scraper extension is free. DataLens gives 100 credits once, then charges per row, so for a large one-off scrape the free extension can cost less.
- The pricing page lists cloud features such as the Scheduler, API and exports without mapping each to a specific plan, so check the plan before you rely on one.
- Web Scraper Cloud bills per page loaded: 1 URL credit per page, however many rows are extracted. That is why the table shows no price per 1,000 rows for it. We do not convert it.
- Cloud plans are billed annually. Residential proxies cost $2.5 per GB on top, and the pricing page lists a 7-day free trial with no credit card needed to start.
- DataLens sells one-time packs that never auto-renew: $7 for 10,000 credits, $15 for 30,000 (both valid 30 days) and $40 for 100,000 (valid 60 days). Credits that expire unused are lost.
- On DataLens, detail-page fields cost 2 credits per row and expanding a row inside a list costs 1. Detecting lists, adjusting columns and previewing cost nothing.
Where Web Scraper is stronger
- A free extension that runs in your browser and downloads CSV or XLSX.
- Full manual control over selectors with the Advanced Sitemap Builder.
- Cloud runs with a Scheduler, listed on the pricing page.
- An API, and residential proxies as an add-on.
- Exports to Dropbox, Google Sheets and Amazon S3, among others, listed on the pricing page.
Where DataLens fits better
- You pick a detected list and check the columns. There is no sitemap to build or maintain.
- DataLens reads an inner list as a sub-list collected with its parent row, and reads scrambled-font numbers from what is on screen.
- One-time credit packs: no plan to pick and nothing that auto-renews.
Switch to DataLens if
- You would rather pick a list on the page than build and maintain a sitemap.
- Your pages have nested replies or scrambled-font numbers.
- A downloaded Excel, CSV or JSON file is all you need, and you scrape in bursts.
Stay with Web Scraper if
- You want full manual control over selectors.
- You need cloud runs, scheduling, an API or proxies.
- You want rows exported to Dropbox, Google Sheets or S3, or you want a free extension.
Frequently asked questions
Is DataLens a Web Scraper alternative?
Both are Chrome extensions that read the page you are on and export CSV or Excel. The working style differs: with Web Scraper you build and maintain a sitemap in developer tools, with or without the AI Sitemap Wizard. With DataLens you pick a detected list on the page and check the columns, so there is no sitemap to keep.
Is DataLens cheaper than Web Scraper?
It depends on your job, and we do not claim it is cheaper. The Web Scraper extension is free. DataLens gives 100 credits once, then charges per row from $0.40 to $0.70 per 1,000 base rows at list price (checked 3 November 2026). Web Scraper Cloud bills per page loaded, not per row, so we do not convert its price. Compare on your own volume.
Does Web Scraper have AI?
Yes. Its AI Sitemap Wizard detects repeating items on list pages for you to confirm and can generate selectors for detail-page fields. The docs say you can rename, delete and add to the selectors it generates, and the Advanced Sitemap Builder gives full manual control.
Can DataLens run scheduled or cloud scrapes like Web Scraper Cloud?
No. DataLens runs in your browser and has no schedules, cloud runs, API or proxies. You can re-run a past scrape by hand from History. If you need scheduling or an API, Web Scraper Cloud is the better fit.
Does DataLens handle detail pages?
Yes. You point DataLens at the link on each row, and it opens each detail page and adds the fields you pick to the same row, at 2 credits per row. Web Scraper handles this with selectors; its wizard generates them from five sample pages.
Can I import my Web Scraper sitemaps into DataLens?
No. DataLens does not import sitemaps, and there is nothing to migrate: you open the page you want, pick the list and check the columns. Past results are Excel, CSV or JSON files, which you can keep as they are. New accounts get 100 credits once, and you sign in when you start your first scrape.
Where does my data go when I use DataLens?
DataLens runs in your own browser with your own login, with no proxies and no data-center requests. To work out the columns it sends a condensed outline of the page structure to our AI service, and finished rows are saved to your DataLens account. The privacy policy has the details.
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Browse AI Alternative
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Competitor details last checked 2026-11-03.
Spotted something out of date? Email support@datalens.uk and we will check it.
Web Scraper and other product names are trademarks of their owners. DataLens is not affiliated with them.