Apify

Website

apify.com

Pricing URL

Official Apify Pricing

Categories

#Web Scraping #Data Extraction #Web Crawling #Data

Startup details

Country

Czech Republic

City

Prague

Employees

10 - 19

Google Compute Engine

Website

cloud.google.com

Pricing URL

-

Categories

#Cloud Computing #Cloud Infrastructure #VPS #Cloud Hosting

Apify features and specs

• Ease of Use
  Apify provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users of all technical levels to create and manage web scraping tasks.
• Scalability
  Apify is built to handle tasks of various sizes, from small-scale projects to enterprise-level operations, making it a scalable solution.
• Integration and API Support
  It offers extensive API support, allowing for seamless integration with other tools and systems to enhance automated workflows.
• Customizability
  Users can customize their scraping bots (actors) with different settings and scripts to fit specific needs and requirements.
• Cloud-based
  Being a cloud-based platform, Apify allows users to run their scraping tasks without needing local resources, which is convenient and efficient.
• Comprehensive Documentation
  Apify provides thorough documentation and tutorials, which help users get started quickly and solve issues efficiently.
• Community and Support
  Apify has an active community and solid customer support to assist users with their needs and enhance their overall experience.

Possible disadvantages of Apify

• Learning Curve
  While the interface is user-friendly, there may still be a learning curve for those new to web scraping and automation.
• Cost
  Apify can be expensive compared to other web scraping tools, particularly for extensive use cases that require high volumes of data.
• Dependency on External Factors
  Web scraping often depends on the stability of the target websites. Changes in website structures can break scripts, requiring ongoing maintenance.
• Performance Limitations
  The performance of cloud-based scraping tasks can be affected by network latency and other external factors beyond user control.
• Potential Legal Issues
  Web scraping can raise legal concerns, particularly when scraping data from websites that restrict such activities in their terms of service.
• Resource Intensity
  Complex scraping tasks can be resource-intensive, potentially requiring higher-tier subscriptions and more computing resources, driving up costs.

Google Compute Engine features and specs

• Scalability
  Google Compute Engine offers robust scalability, allowing users to easily increase or decrease resources to match the workload demands. This ensures that businesses can handle growing traffic and data without unnecessary delays.
• Performance
  GCE provides high-performance virtual machines with the ability to customize CPU, memory, and persistent disk configurations. The underlying infrastructure is optimized for high-speed operations.
• Global Reach
  With data centers located around the world, GCE provides global reach and redundancy. This ensures low-latency access and high availability for applications and services.
• Integration
  GCE integrates seamlessly with other Google Cloud services, such as Google Kubernetes Engine, BigQuery, and Cloud Storage. This ecosystem facilitates streamlined workflows and enhanced functionality.
• Security
  GCE features multiple layers of security including encryption, identity management, and regular compliance audits. These measures ensure that data and applications are well-protected.
• Cost-Effective
  With per-second billing and various pricing plans, GCE offers cost-effective solutions. Users only pay for what they use, which can lead to significant savings.

Possible disadvantages of Google Compute Engine

• Complexity
  For new users, the wide range of services and options within GCE can be overwhelming. It may require a steep learning curve to fully understand and leverage all available features.
• Support Costs
  While GCE offers various support plans, premium support options can be expensive. Smaller businesses might find the cost prohibitive compared to their budget.
• Vendor Lock-In
  Once services are deeply integrated with GCE, it may be difficult to migrate to another cloud provider. This could result in vendor lock-in and reduced flexibility for organizations.
• Regional Availability
  Even though GCE has a broad global presence, not all services are available in every region. This can be a limitation for businesses that require specific features in certain geographic locations.
• Network Egress Charges
  GCE charges for outbound data transfer, which can add up for applications serving large amounts of data across regions or the internet. Users need to monitor and manage egress costs carefully.

Apify product news - 2019/01/30

Getting Started with Google Compute Engine