Puppeteer Alternatives: Top 5 Web Scraping Tools for 2024

As a business owner, researcher, or data analyst, up-to-date information is critical, which is why you likely engage in web scraping. How you do so, though, depends on your preferences and the tools you like to use. For many people, Puppeteer web scraping is the logical choice. It does have a few outstanding features and can provide good functionality in many situations. Yet, it also has a number of limitations that can be very costly in the long run for your project’s success. That is why you may want to consider a few puppeteer alternatives.

There are numerous options available if you are already looking for a Puppeteer alternative (and we will break down the five best options to use in 2024 based on the overall functionality they offer). Yet, before we do that, you may want to consider what it is about Puppeteer that is working for you and where the key gaps in its functionality could be limiting your success.

What You Should Know About a Puppeteer Scraper

Puppeteer is an excellent web scraping tool for some projects. This is due to its overall robust features and specific features that make it a good choice, such as cross-browser compatibility.

You likely know that Puppeteer is a Node.js library that offers a high-level API to control Chrome and Chromium. In some ways, it can also handle Firefox using the DevTools Protocol. This makes it a good option for many organizations looking for a robust tool. There are some great features about Puppeteer that really make it a stand-out option, including headless browser automation and its full-page screenshot capture option. It works well for web scraping, web testing, and page interaction.

Many users like that it can automate many of the tasks necessary, including rendering through a headless browser. Other features include emulation, performance monitoring, and PDF generation. That certainly sounds like a robust tool that does it all.

It offers many of the features that many organizations need. Puppeteer web scraping is rather commonly used as a result.

While it offers all of those benefits, there are some key drawbacks to think about as well. These limitations sometimes force users to look for Puppeteer alternatives that can resolve the underlying concern and offer a better long-term option.

From our standpoint, there are two big factors to consider. The first is Cross-Brower compatibility. As noted, it works best with Chrome and Chromium and sometimes can be a good choice for Firefox. However, that may not be enough for all types of web scraping tasks and processes you are engaging in – you may need to use other browsers that just are not acceptable. That’s one reason to look for a Puppeteer alternative.

The second significant concern relates to JavaScript dependency. In order to handle web scraping actions, Puppeteer requires Node.js. That makes it very dependent on JavaScript. In some situations, that may not be the ideal environment. In some cases, integrating JavaScript is undesirable, but in others, it is quite time-consuming and not worth the work. In fact, the only level of support available is for PHP or Python, which really makes this a problem for those who may not be ready to commit fully to JavaScript for web scraping.

Considering all of that insight, if you are ready to look for something else instead of Puppeteer scraping, there are several key steps to take. First, understand what your needs and goals are. Then, check out these five Puppeteer alternatives we have selected based on the functionality they offer for web scraping. Remember, a Puppeteer scraper is not your only option.

#1: Scraping Robot

Though it is a bit different than other types of tools and certainly different from the functionality of Puppeteer, there are some outstanding reasons to use Scraping Robot for your web scraping needs over other solutions. First, know that Scraping Robot is designed to be both affordable and robust, and that allows it to meet most needs more effectively. If you are struggling with limitations on proxy access or your team needs a more robust feature, this tool offers some nice features.

What Is Scraping Robot?

Scraping Robot is an API that operates a bit differently than others. It is designed to provide custom scraping solutions for any user. It does not matter how large or small the project is, either. Rather, it is quite robust in its ability to meet objectives, and it does not lead to a very expensive, hard-to-navigate budget.

Custom scraping is really where Scraping Robot does better than any of the other Puppeteer alternatives. Yes, it may not be the same type of conversion from one product to the next, but with Scraping Robot, you eliminate the need for more complex and limiting systems. When you need data that is not available through the tool’s pre-built modules, a custom module is built for you to fit your specific situation.

Some of the key benefits to using Scraping Robot include:

• Excellent solution for those who need very specific web scraping solutions and do not want to have to build them on their own.
• It is built for developers, which means it provides users with the comprehensive support they need.
• It offers a plug-and-play solution for API needs, and the APIs provide structured JSON output of parsed website metadata.
• It provides solutions that navigate around some of the most challenging of situations, such as CAPTCHA solving, browser scalability, server management, proxy management, and rotation, which are some of the most important complications of web scraping today.
• It provides JavaScript rendering as well.
• It also provides guaranteed successful results, which is something most programs do not offer.
• Users get a solution that is designed for them, and there is no monthly commitment to worry about throughout this process.

There are a few disadvantages to Scraping Robot:

• Most organizations will be able to use the 5000 free scrapes with all features that cost absolutely nothing. However, some may need to pay a bit more for custom API requests, though costs are still under budget.

#2: Katalon

One of the best Puppeteer alternatives is Katalon. It is noted for several key factors, including its interface, which is very easy to use and manage. It provides a way to manage object reports, test data, and manage web scraping tasks with ease. If you are a larger organization or doing a lot of heavy lifting with your web scraping tasks, you’ll benefit from Katalon over other products.

What Is Katalon?

Katalon operates as an all-in-one solution. It supports API, mobile, web, and desktop automation features. Most people use it because it is very simple to use (no one wants to spend a lot of time with complex tasks that do not produce benefits). There is also a built-in recording and scraping module that helps make it a good overall choice.

If you are a beginner at web scraping, you’ll find Katalon to be one of the best options because it does not require a lot of experience to make it work effectively. At the same time, experienced developers will find it to be a robust enough tool for virtually all of their needs.

There are several key benefits to expect:

• It makes automation simpler because it provides a platform that integrates with various tools and frameworks.
• It is easy to set up and get started with, and you do not have to spend days learning how to use it.
• It offers cross-browser testing and more flexibility than Puppeteer in this area.
• Katalon is also an excellent overall choice because it manages complex testing scenarios without a lot of difficulty.
• The built-in recording feature is a nice benefit for most needs.
• It does a great job with scraping modes and giving you the options necessary.

Overall, the ease of setting up and using Katalon makes it a solid choice. Yet, it also has a lot of community support and can be an excellent choice for those looking for reporting features.

A few disadvantages of Katalon:

• You really do not get a lot of support or features in the free version. That means you may need to pay a bit more to get the flexibility that this tool promises to offer.
• If you are engaging in simpler tasks, you really will not find it to be any better or different overall than other products, and it will be even more complex to navigate over free web scraping tools.

#3: Selenium

You may have heard of this tool, and that is because it is one of the best resources available for a variety of tasks. Selenium is a framework designed for web testing tasks and works well for various platform and browser options. In short, it is robust enough for anything that Puppeteer cannot do. There are various advantages of Selenium as a Puppeteer alternative.

What is Selenium?

One of the most notable benefits of this tool is that it is a better option for more complicated tasks. For example, during various web scraping tasks, there is often a need to click buttons or to fill out a form. That makes tasks more challenging for some tools. Selenium for web scraping, though, can handle these tasks and create a more realistic experience overall. That also helps with mimicking more human-like behavior – and ultimately, that is what you need in order to fully engage with web scraping today. Note that it is not necessarily a web scraping tool itself but rather a web testing tool. It is a bit more challenging to learn, but it can provide robust features that make it easier for you to create the results you desire.

There are several key benefits to using Selenium as a Puppeteer alternative:

• Selenium is recognized as one of the most widely used testing frameworks available today. That is generally because it supports so many programming languages. No matter what you want to use, it tends to work well in that area.
• It offers a suite of tools and libraries to use. This allows for the ease of automating browser interactions.
• Another of the key benefits is that it is an open-source tool. With that comes a strong community of support, which really makes it an excellent choice for those looking for better performance overall.
• It offers cross-browser support that can be critical for various web scraping tools.
• The extensive language support backed up by the system’s excellent community really makes it an easy option to use, even if you are newer to the process.
• With wide adoption, it is easy enough to find solutions to any needs.
• It is free to use, which really makes it a great choice for those with the skills to use it and the need for a budget-friendly solution.

There are a few disadvantages to Selenium:

• It is not built specifically as a web scraping tool. As a result of that, it takes a bit more to really learn and apply it unless you already know how to use it.
• There are significant configuration steps involved in getting it to operate as a web scraper for some projects. While its flexibility often makes it worthwhile, it is also a consideration for most people.

#4: Playwright

Another big name in the industry is Playwright. There are several key reasons why this tool is one of the overall best choices for web scraping alternatives to Puppeteer. Playwright web scraping is ideal in situations where you already have Node.js experience, which is common for those who are using Puppeteer. It offers good browser automation features to create a more human-like interaction with websites. It does a good job of extracting data from websites because it can interact with them well enough. It is also reliable at getting around anti-bot devices on sites that could otherwise limit your web scraping success.

What Is Playwright?

When it comes to Playwright web scraping, you’ll find it to be a versatile tool that is efficient and easy to learn overall. It does not require a significant amount of coding, which makes it solid for those who are just getting started. It is not just designed for web scraping like other tools are, but it is an open-source automation library that can work with most web browsers and acts like a human to get around various tasks and obstacles. There are a few benefits to using this tool over others, especially if you are looking for a way to get around some of the more challenging websites for web scraping. It is also a solid choice for its website testing features.

There are several key benefits to Playwright web scraping:

• It offers cross-browser support that is ideally suited for any application or need.
• Auto-waiting for UI elements is also a nice benefit of this feature.
• It offers detailed tracing that can aid in testing processes over other solutions because it reduces the overall flakiness. Moreover, it provides debugging information that can help anyone navigate the process a bit easier.
• Playwright is a more modern solution when it comes to selecting browser automation features. For those who want something universal, this is one of the best Puppeteer alternatives you will find.
• Detailed traces are another nice benefit of this solution over others available.
• Use it across multiple browsers without much risk.
• Overall, it is easy to use, though you will need some insight and skill to use it for web scraping activities.

There are several drawbacks to using Playwright for these applications as well.

• Though it is a newer product out there, that actually hinders it a bit in that there are not a lot of support resources available. For those who rely on support tools and community groups, this can be a limiting factor in the overall accessibility of this tool.
• It is free but does not offer as many features as other tools to use. For low-level projects that you may not want to spend a lot of money on right now, it works well.

#5: Testim

Another Puppeteer alternative to consider is Testim. It uses machine learning to automate various tasks during the web testing process. That includes authoring and extraction tests. In many ways, this tool works well because it is so streamlined and efficient and works well using modern technology.

What Is Testim?

Testim is an automated testing platform that is built using AI technology. It provides stable testing environments and tools. It offers excellent browser automation, which makes it an option for those who are using web scraping. The automation tools are efficient and highly effective, and though they are not specifically built for web scraping, they can do the job, as well as some of the others on this list.

Some of the core benefits of Testim include:

• Self-healing capabilities make it a good option for those who want an efficient process even as the application they are working on evolves over time.
• If you do not want to have to worry much about testing maintenance tasks and you want to improve accuracy, this tool will work well for that need.
• It creates reliable tests by using artificial intelligence to identify and then handle application changes.

Some of the drawbacks of this tool include:

• There is a steep learning curve when using it. For those who may be beginners, it may not be the right choice right out of the gate.
• It is more expensive than other products. Depending on how important AI is to your tasks, it may not be worth the added cost to some users.

What to Consider About Puppeteer Alternatives?

As you take into consideration all of the options available to you today to use as Puppeteer alternatives, there are a few key factors you should keep in mind throughout this process.

First, know what problem you are hoping to overcome by using a Puppeteer alternative. Some of the most common concerns include:

• Puppeteer’s slow functionality can make it hard for organizations to achieve their goals. It loads web pages with JavaScript, which can slow down various tasks.
• It is easily blocked during web scraping. This is a growing problem for many organizations, and one of the key reasons for using a solution that incorporates proxies into the process is
• It can be expensive to scale Puppeteer up, which limits its benefits to companies looking to expand and extend their web scraping tasks.
• There is not a lot of mobile support available for it, and that means it may not provide you with the overall functionality you desire in some testing environments.
• Puppeteer also has limited language support, so it is critical to consider it before using it for those who need help. Puppeteer only officially supports NodeJS.

Next, consider how you are using a Puppeteer scraper. If you are building one from the ground up, it may be more cost-efficient and overall time-efficient to use a solution that is custom-built for you or one that is ready to go. You also have to think about your long-term objectives in this process, including the goals you have for modernizing your system.

Finally, always think about costs. Puppetter scraping can become expensive over time especially as your business continues to grow. That can make it less beneficial for those who do not want to spend that much of their budget on web scraping.

How Rayobyte Can Help You

As you check out all of the options in Puppeteer alternatives available to you, do not overlook the importance of proxy management. At Rayobyte, we offer solutions to help you master web scraping by incorporating better performance thanks to the use of proxies. Contact us to learn more about what we can do for you.

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