Side by side
Ferrum vs ScrapingBee
Both stand on browser automation tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Linux
Ferrum provides a direct Ruby interface to Chrome automation with broad navigation, input, capture, and JavaScript controls. Its Linux focus and requirement for Ruby plus a browser should guide setup decisions.
Visit Ferrum
Free plan APIWeb
ScrapingBee combines browser rendering, extraction methods, proxy handling, and dedicated APIs in a cloud service. Free credits provide a starting point, while paid usage scales through monthly credit and concurrency plans.
Visit ScrapingBeeThe facts
| Ferrum | ScrapingBee | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux | API, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Hobby: $19 a month |
| Plans published | None | 5 |
| Maker | Not published | VostokInc SAS |
| Website | ferrum.rubycdp.com | scrapingbee.com |
| On browser automation tools | #47 of 62 | #43 of 62 |
Ferrum: what it does well
- Open-source under the MIT License
- No Selenium, WebDriver, or ChromeDriver dependency
- Supports CSS and XPath element finding
- Captures screenshots, PDFs, and MHTML
- Described as fully thread-safe
What to know first
- Linux platform listed
- Requires Ruby 3.1 or later
- Requires Chrome or Chromium installed
- One browser engine listed
ScrapingBee: what it does well
- Headless Chrome rendering
- AI and CSS/XPath extraction
- Automatic proxy rotation
- 1,000 free credits without card
- SOC 2 Type II and GDPR stated
What to know first
- Paid plans exclude VAT
- Advanced features consume more credits
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