The Top 7 Chrome Add-ons for Web Data Scraping

These days, web scraping with Chrome is easier than ever. After all, there are so many different tools readily available!

Are you curious about which Chrome add-on (or add-ons) are right for you? This blog explores seven of the most popular options to help you decide.

What Is Web Scraping?

Web scraping is the process of automatically extracting data from websites. It’s like using a copy-and-paste function, but on a much larger scale and done by software.

Web scraping uses software tools called web scrapers to collect data from websites automatically. This option is an alternative to manually copying and pasting information, which can be time-consuming and inefficient for large amounts of data.

The data scraped from websites is often unstructured, like the HTML code of a web page. Web scrapers can process this data and convert it into a more organized format, such as a spreadsheet or database, for more straightforward analysis and use.

Web scraping has a wide range of applications, including market research, price comparison, news aggregation, and lead generation.

What Is a Web Scraping Extension?

A web scraping extension is a software add-on for your web browser — in this case, we’re talking about Chrome — that allows you to extract and collect data from websites in a simplified manner. These extensions essentially act as mini web scraping tools, offering a user-friendly interface compared to the complex programming required for traditional scraping methods.

Web scraping extensions typically work like this:

• Point-and-click interface: Extensions often use a visual interface, unlike coding-heavy web scraping tools. You point and click on the data you want to extract, like product prices on an e-commerce website, and the extension does the rest.
• Selecting data: Extensions typically provide options to choose the specific data elements you want to extract, such as text, links, or images.
• Exporting data: Once you’ve selected the data, the extension allows you to export it in a structured format like a CSV file, making it easy to use in other applications like spreadsheets or data analysis tools.

There are many reasons why you might want to use a web scraping extension, including the following:

• Easy to use: They require minimal technical knowledge compared to coding-based scraping methods.
• Convenient: They can be installed and used directly within your web browser, eliminating the need for separate software installation.
• Time-saving: They automate the data extraction process, saving you significant time compared to manual copying and pasting.

It’s important to note, though, that extensions might not be as powerful as dedicated web scraping tools. They may have limitations in handling complex websites or large-scale data extraction.

What to Look for in a Web Scraper Extension

Choosing a web scraper extension depends on your specific needs and the complexity of the data you want to extract. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Usability: Look for extensions with a user-friendly interface that allows you to select data elements visually rather than writing code.
• Intuitive instructions: The extension should provide clear guidance and tutorials on how to use its features effectively.
• Supported data types: Choose an extension that can extract the specific data types you need, such as text, links, images, or tables.
• Data filtering and manipulation: Some extensions offer options to filter the extracted data based on specific criteria or perform fundamental transformations before exporting.
• Supported formats: Ensure the extension allows you to export the extracted data in a format compatible with your needs, such as CSV, Excel, or JSON.
• Customization options: Some extensions offer options to customize the exported data format, such as including specific headers or delimiters.
• Handling dynamic content: If you’re dealing with websites that use JavaScript or other dynamic content, consider extensions that can handle these elements for accurate scraping.
• Pagination handling: If the data you need is spread across multiple pages, choose an extension that can automatically navigate and scrape data from each page.
• Scheduling and automation: Some extensions allow you to schedule scraping tasks to run automatically at specific intervals.
• Security and privacy: Choose extensions from reputable developers and ensure they have proper security measures in place to protect your data.

Top 7 Extensions for Web Scraping with Chrome

Now, let’s get into the best web scraping extensions to use with Chrome. Here are seven of the most helpful and popular options to consider:

1. Web Scraper

Web Scraper is a free web data extraction tool known for its easy-to-use point-and-click interface. It allows users to extract thousands of records from a website in just a few minutes.

Web Scraper is unique because it utilizes a modular structure made of selectors. These selectors instruct the scraper on navigating a target site, as well as the specific data to extract.

The data extraction process runs on your browser and doesn’t require installing anything on your computer. You also don’t need Python, PHP, or JavaScript coding experience to start scraping, and you can completely automate data extraction in Web Scraper Cloud.

Once you’ve scraped data using Web Scraper, you can download it as a CSV or XLSX file. You can then further import that file into Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and other platforms.

Features

Web Scraper boasts the following features:

• Scrape data from multiple pages
• Extract multiple data types (text, images, URLs, etc.)
• Scrape data from dynamic pages (JavaScript + AJAX, infinite scroll)
• Browse scraped data

Average rating

Web Scraper has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on the Chrome Web Store.

Those who like it say that it is easy to use and appreciate that it’s free. However, some users have also complained about its lack of documentation, which makes it difficult to navigate challenges and troubleshoot problems as they arise.

2. Scraper

Scraper is a free and simple data mining extension. It has limited functionalities compared to some of the other tools on this list. However, it can still be a worthwhile add-on, especially for intermediate and advanced users who are comfortable using the XPath programming language.

Features

Web scraper does not offer many features, but users can still rely on it for basic data extraction tasks. Here are some of its primary features:

• Quick data collection
• Transfers data to spreadsheets
• Uses XPath for increased precision
• Automates the process of collecting and structuring data

Average rating

Scraper has a lower average rating — 3.9 out of 5 stars — than many of the other tools featured here, likely because it is more difficult to use.

It’s important to note, though, that Scraper doesn’t pretend to be an easy-to-use tool for the average user. It is described as a solution for intermediate-to-advanced individuals with some previous coding knowledge.

Those who like Scraper are typically those who have XPath experience and are comfortable using programming languages for web scraping. Fans of the tool also like that it is free to download and use.

As for those who are less satisfied with Scraper, many have complained about the lack of instructions. Some even left reviews on the Chrome Web Store saying that they couldn’t even figure out how to open the tool, let alone start using it.

3. Agenty

Agenty is a web scraping solution that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to extract data from websites. It uses an easy-to-use point-and-click extension to collect data. Users can also download data into various formats, including CSV, JSON, and TSV.

Agenty touts itself as a tool built by developers for developers. It allows users to build web scraper scripts in as little as 30 seconds, making it an efficient and reliable source. As a bonus, users can also rely on it to build change detection agents and web crawling agents.

This tool comes with a 14-day free trial. After that trial ends, the price jumps up to $29 per month.

Features

Agenty offers a variety of features, including the following:

• Built-in CAPTCHA handling
• IP block and rate limiting
• Anonymous web scraping
• Batch URL scraping
• Built-in scheduler
• 12+ integrations

Average rating

The average rating for Agenty is 4.2 out of 5 stars.

The people who like this tool appreciate how quickly it works and how easy it is to use, even if you don’t have any previous coding experience. Some have also commented that the pricing for Agenty is more affordable than many other paid scraping tools.

Of course, there are also some who are less than satisfied with Agenty.

Many people have complained that it is a paid service that requires a login before you can use it. Some have also noted that the tutorial videos are outdated and difficult to understand, which makes it hard for them to use the tool as needed.

4. Data Miner

Data Miner touts itself as the most powerful web scraping tool designed for professional data miners. This tool extracts data from HTML web pages and exports it into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and Google Sheets. You can also export data in a variety of formats, including XLS, XLSX, TSV, and CSV files.

Data Miner comes with a free version that offers 500 page credits per month. You can also upgrade to paid plans that start at $19.99.

Features

Users gain access to a variety of features, even when they stick to the free version of Data Miner. Here are some of the most noteworthy features offered:

• Automated paginated website crawling
• Option for scraping single and multi-page websites
• Automatic navigation to the next page
• Option to extract emails with regular expressions (RegEx)
• Option for downloading completed pages (including images)
• Form filling using XLS
• Free “office hours” for customer support four days per week

Average rating

The average rating for Data Miner is 4 out of 5 stars.

Those who like the tool appreciate how easy it is to use and say that it is beginner-friendly. They also like Data Miner’s customer service and have found that when they run into challenges, they can rectify them quickly.

As for users who weren’t satisfied, some people expressed frustration with the lack of access to certain features with the free version. It seems that, for most users, though, the free option works perfectly fine.

5. Instant Data Scraper

The Instant Data Scraper Chrome extension is designed to extract data from various web pages and then export that data as Excel or CSV files (XLS, XLSX, CSV). This is a free, automated tool that uses AI to predict the most relevant data on an HTML page.

The Instant Data Scraper extension is unique because it does not require website-specific scripts. Instead, it relies on heuristic AI analysis to identify data for extractions. Users can also customize selections for more accuracy if they’re not satisfied with the tool’s prediction.

Features

Those who use Instant Data Scraper for Google Chrome gain access to a variety of features, including these:

• AI detection
• Ability to detect when dynamic data has loaded
• Option to delay and customize wait times for the desired crawling speed
• Support for pagination on websites
• Automatic navigation to the next page via buttons or links
• Support for infinite scrolling
• Data export to Excel spreadsheet or CSV file

Average rating

Instant Data Scraper has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, making it the highest-rated tool on this list.

This solution is popular because of how easy it is to use and its advanced features — which are available for free. Many users describe it as helpful and valuable.

Some of the only complaints have to do with users wanting more customization options. A few have also expressed a desire for other features, such as the option to scrape emails.

6. Simplescraper

Simplescraper is an online service that allows users to extract content quickly and easily from a variety of websites and then turn that content into structured data.

The tool comes with a smart Chrome extension that makes it simple to select content, make it immediately available as an API endpoint, and download it in CSV or JSON format directly to any of your preferred web apps. You can easily manage all scrape recipes from the Simplescraper dashboard as well.

Features

Simplescraper comes with many useful features, including the following:

• Simple point-and-click tool
• Smart selection to capture table columns and URLs from links and images
• Option to download in CSV or JSON format
• Option to scrape directly into Google Sheets, Airtable, Zapier, Integromat, and many other platforms
• Unlimited free local scraping
• Pagination
• Option to save scrape jobs

Average rating

Simplescraper has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Many users praise Simplescraper because of its speed and ease of use. They also like that it integrates with so many different tools, allowing them to work more efficiently and be more productive.

One of the biggest problems people report facing with this tool is the fact that it doesn’t work very well for more complicated scraping tasks. Users note that it is fine for simple projects but can’t keep up with more complex requests.

7. Listly

Listly is a free and easy-to-use web scraping tool that promises users the ability to extract web data in just a few clicks.

This tool is designed to help users convert website data to Excel format, speeding up their data collection and giving them more time to focus on other important tasks.

So far, Listly has been installed more than 180,000 times. It seems to be especially popular among marketers and real estate agents.

Features

The following are some of Listly’s most popular features:

• Export data to Excel, CSV, or JSON
• Integrates with Google Sheets
• Option to schedule daily extractions
• Option to automate repetitive mouse or keyboard clicks
• Option to add a custom proxy server
• Option to adjust the scraping speed

Average rating

The average rating for Listly is 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Many users like that Listly is free, reliable, and easy to use. They also praise it for making the scraping process simpler and more efficient.

Some of the complaints about this tool have to do with the limitations of the free version (it only includes 100 URLs, which may not be enough for some users).

Bonus Web Scraping Tools

You can use several tools in place of or in addition to Chrome add-ons for web data scraping. Here are some examples of solutions you might incorporate for a better web scraping experience:

Web scraping software

Web scraping software functions similarly to web scraping browser extensions — but on a larger scale. You can choose from a few different types of software solutions, including the following:

• Coding-based tools: These require programming knowledge to write scripts that interact with websites and extract data.
• Visual scraping tools: These offer user-friendly interfaces with point-and-click options to select data points without needing to write code.
• Web scraping APIs: These provide programmatic access to pre-extracted data from various websites, eliminating the need for scraping in some cases.

Cloud-based tools

Cloud-based web scraping tools are web scraping software solutions that run on remote servers over the internet, eliminating the need for installation and setup on your local device. This makes them accessible from any computer with an internet connection and eliminates the need to manage hardware or software resources.

Proxies

A proxy server acts as a buffer, separating your device’s direct connection to the website.

When you use a proxy, your device’s IP address is masked, and the website only sees the IP address of the proxy server. This anonymizes your connection to some extent.

The proxy server receives your request to access a website, forwards it to the website on your behalf, and then delivers the website’s response back to you.

How to Use Proxies with Web Scraping Tools

If you want to use proxies alongside your web scraping add-on, these guidelines can help. Follow these steps to get the most out of both tools:

Choose the correct proxies

Start by selecting proxies that cater to your specific needs. Here are some common options:

• Rotating proxies: These frequently switch IP addresses, making it harder for websites to detect scraping activity.
• Datacenter proxies: Originating from data centers, they offer affordability but might be easily blocked by websites.
• Residential proxies: Mimic real user traffic by originating from individual devices, offering the highest level of anonymity but often coming at a premium.
• Source: You can acquire proxies from various providers offering free and paid plans. Paid options generally provide better reliability, speed, and support.

Configure proxies in your tool

Many scraping tools allow you to add proxies manually by specifying the IP address, port, and authentication details within the tool’s settings.

Some tools also offer integrations with proxy management services. These simplify the process and can enable features like automatic rotation and error handling.

Follow best practices for using proxies

There are several steps you can take when using proxies to experience all the benefits they have to offer. Here are some essential best practices to keep in mind:

• Rotate proxies frequently: This helps evade detection by websites that employ anti-scraping measures.
• Manage user agents: Switch between different user agents to mimic natural browser behavior and avoid raising suspicion.
• Implement delays and throttling: Introduce random delays between requests to appear like a human user and prevent overwhelming the website.

Final Thoughts

These site scraper chrome tools are some of the best ones to consider adding to your arsenal. Keep the information shared above as you begin your web scraping journey to maximize your results and achieve your unique scraping goals.

If you want to use proxies of any kind alongside other web scraping tools, Rayobyte is here to help. We are the United States’ largest proxy provider that specializes in ethical and reliable proxies.

Contact us today to learn more about our services or to set up a free trial.

The information contained within this article, including information posted by official staff, guest-submitted material, message board postings, or other third-party material is presented solely for the purposes of education and furtherance of the knowledge of the reader. All trademarks used in this publication are hereby acknowledged as the property of their respective owners.