Not Sure About Octoparse? See How ScrapeTheMap Stacks Up
A comprehensive, design-rich breakdown comparing ScrapeTheMap and Octoparse across pricing, capabilities, personas, and total cost of ownership.
Compare with a popular alternative
ScrapeTheMap
5.0 (1,371 Reviews)
Octoparse
4.9 (2,370 Reviews)
$99.00
$69.00
One-Time License
per month
The Web Scraping Showdown
A rigorous, impartial analysis highlighting the trade-offs between ScrapeTheMap’s local-first control and Octoparse's cloud convenience.
At a Glance: Core Differences
These tools operate on fundamentally different business models. ScrapeTheMap is an asset you own, prioritizing privacy and predictable costs. Octoparse is a service you rent, prioritizing cloud features and team collaboration.
| Feature | ScrapeTheMap | Octoparse |
|---|---|---|
| Model & Licensing | Desktop, One-Time License | Cloud, Subscription |
| Data Privacy & Control | ★ | Cloud Processing |
| Cost Predictability | ★ | Scales with Usage |
| Team Collaboration | Offline Only | ⚙️ |
| Cloud Scheduling | ✗ | ⚙️ |
| Use BYO Proxies/API | ★ | Tier Dependent |
Who is it for? Finding Your Fit
Your ideal tool depends on whether you prioritize Sovereignty & Cost or Convenience & Collaboration. Choose the persona that best describes your operational needs.
The Sovereign Operator
Freelancers, researchers, and data analysts who demand local-first data processing and absolute cost predictability. You are comfortable running tasks locally and value full control over your proxies and APIs. You view web scrapers as tools you own, not services you rent.
- Data never leaves your machine.
- Fixed, predictable one-time license fee.
- Specialized, modular tools (e.g., Google Maps).
The Managed Enterprise Team
Agencies or internal data teams needing shared workflows, cloud scheduling, and centralized task management. You need built-in audit logs, SSO (Enterprise), and accept recurring costs in exchange for managed infrastructure and convenience.
- Built-in team roles and audit logs.
- Tasks run 24/7 in the cloud.
- Large template library and visual builder.
Deep Dive: Critical Functionality
Local-First Control vs. Cloud Dependency
- ScrapeTheMap: Local-First. Data remains on your hard drive, fulfilling strict privacy mandates. You can use your own proxies, retaining full control and avoiding shared server throttles.
- Octoparse: Cloud-Processed. Tasks and data are stored and run on Octoparse's infrastructure. While convenient, this requires trusting their data residency and security policies. Scaling performance is often linked to subscription tier.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Calculator
The most compelling case for ScrapeTheMap is long-term cost. Use this interactive chart to visualize the financial impact of a one-time license versus a recurring subscription over multiple years.
1 Year TCO Comparison
Assumptions: ScrapeTheMap cost fixed at $99 (one-time license). Octoparse Solo tier estimated at $69/mo (updated), Team tier (3 users) estimated at $249/mo. Costs do not include proxy or external API usage.
Conclusion: The Strategic Choice
The decision boils down to a fundamental choice: control and cost ownership versus convenience and managed infrastructure.
ScrapeTheMap Wins For:
Fixed budgets, high data privacy requirements, and dedicated operators using modular, powerful local tools for specific tasks like Google Maps and AI enrichment.
Octoparse Wins For:
Large-scale, continuous, automated cloud scheduling, and organizations where shared accounts, audit logs, and pre-built templates are mission-critical.
For the majority of solo and small-to-mid-size operators, the predictable TCO and enhanced data control offered by ScrapeTheMap provide superior long-term value.