can i fork it?

Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to ScrapingBee · 📝 forms

ScrapingBee vs Maxun

Turn any website into structured data using a visual recorder, natural language prompts, or API. Includes proxy rotation, scheduling, and webhook integrations. Here is how Maxun ($0/mo open source) stacks up against ScrapingBee ($15/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.

⚡ Quick Verdict · 2027 Comparison

Maxun is a verified Open Source-licensed open-source replacement for ScrapingBee. Switching from ScrapingBee ($15/mo) saves $180/yr per solo seat, or $900/yr for a 5-person team. Deployment: Runs on Self-host.

The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed ScrapingBee.

Open-Source Alternative

Maxun

$0.00/mo · Open Source

ScrapingBee vs Maxun Specifications

facts verified 2026-11-07

DimensionScrapingBee (Paid)Maxun (Replacement)
Monthly Price$15 / mo$0 / mo
1-Year Cost (1 seat)$180 / yr$0 / yr (Save $180)
1-Year Cost (5 seats)$900 / yr$0 / yr (Save $900)
1-Year Cost (10 seats)$1,800 / yr$0 / yr (Save $1,800)
Source & LicenseProprietary SaaSopen source Open Source
Where It RunsVendor CloudSelf-host (your server)
PlatformsWeb / Cloud
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
GitHub Stars—★ 18.2k (active nov 2026)

Deep Dive: Switching from ScrapingBee to Maxun

Trade-offs, installation & data architecture

The Catch vs ScrapingBee

What you trade away

Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed ScrapingBee.

Installation

How to deploy Maxun

Clone https://github.com/getmaxun/maxun or deploy with Docker Compose

Day-2 Operations & Setup

What it takes to run

Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.

Data Ownership

Where your data lives

All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

Build vs Fork Verdict: NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens)

Why fork Maxun instead of vibe-coding a ScrapingBee clone?

Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for ScrapingBee or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Firecrawl.

ScrapingBee vs Maxun FAQ

Is Maxun a good free alternative to ScrapingBee?+

Yes. Maxun is a verified open-source (Open Source) replacement for ScrapingBee. Turn any website into structured data using a visual recorder, natural language prompts, or API. Includes proxy rotation, scheduling, and webhook integrations.

What is the catch when switching from ScrapingBee to Maxun?+

Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed ScrapingBee.

How much do you save switching from ScrapingBee to Maxun?+

ScrapingBee costs $15/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas Maxun is $0/mo. Switching saves $180/yr for a solo user, $900/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,800/yr for a 10-person team.

How do I install or self-host Maxun instead of ScrapingBee?+

Install: Clone https://github.com/getmaxun/maxun or deploy with Docker Compose. Setup: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.

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