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It's a split decision.
YepAPI fits apps that need one metered API for SEO/SERP, scraping, social and commerce data, plus AI models, without a monthly plan. ZenRows fits web-data workloads that need fetch, extraction, crawling, batch jobs or browser automation, with Python, Node.js or Go SDKs and a monthly credit pool. Choose by workload: YepAPI spans more data categories; ZenRows offers more explicit crawling and browser controls and published concurrency tiers.
01Side by side
| YepAPI | ZenRows | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Pay per call or metered use; no monthly minimums | Monthly credit plans; paid top-ups available |
| Free tier | $5 signup credit; no subscription | 5,000 credits monthly; no card or rollover |
| API and SDKs | Shared API key; consistent JSON responses | API plus Python, Node.js and Go SDKs |
| CLI and docs | API docs and llms.txt for agent use | CLI, docs and MCP server |
| Integrations | Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, MCP and agent skills | Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Windsurf, Gemini CLI and MCP |
| Deployment model | Hosted API | Hosted web-data platform |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Limits and scaling | No rate limits; failed calls are not charged | Published concurrency tiers; plan-based monthly credits |
YepAPI Choose YepAPI if
- Choose YepAPI if SEO, SERP, social and commerce data share one integration.
- Choose YepAPI if you also need access to its 285 AI models.
- Choose YepAPI if per-call billing suits variable usage better than monthly plans.
ZenRows Choose ZenRows if
- Choose ZenRows if your workflow needs Fetch, Extract, Crawl, Batch or Browser.
- Choose ZenRows if Python, Node.js or Go SDKs fit your stack.
- Choose ZenRows if you want a recurring free credit allowance and published concurrency tiers.
02Pricing at real usage
YepAPI charges per call or other metered use, with no monthly fee or minimum. It gives $5 signup credit; the homepage prices Google SERP at $0.01 per call for 10 results, scraping at $0.01, and keyword overview from $0.03. Failed calls are not charged, and YepAPI says there are no rate limits. Spend follows the endpoints and volume you call.
ZenRows has a free plan with 5,000 credits/month and no rollover. Paid plans start at Build for $16/month with 45,000 credits; Launch is $58 for 250,000, Growth $166 for 1.2 million, and Scale $458 for 5 million. Free includes five concurrent requests; paid concurrency ranges from 20 to 200–400, depending on plan. Paid top-ups are available up to 10 times per billing period, but their price is not published. Residential bandwidth costs 25,000 credits/GB; Browser costs five credits/minute.
03API, SDKs and integration
YepAPI exposes HTTP API endpoints for SEO, SERP, scraping, social and commerce data, and AI models. Its examples use POST requests, a shared API key and JSON responses. The homepage links to API docs and llms.txt, and points users of Claude Code, Cursor and Codex to agent setup. It also lists an MCP server and agent skills. The vendor does not list language-specific SDKs.
ZenRows groups its web-data functions into Fetch, Extract, Crawl, Batch and Browser. Its SDKs are listed for Python, Node.js and Go. The CLI supports fetch, extract and batch commands; the homepage shows installation with npx. For agent workflows, ZenRows provides an MCP server and setup instructions for Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Zed and JetBrains. Gemini CLI and MCP-compatible clients are also listed as integrations. This gives teams more published SDK and CLI options, while YepAPI brings a broader set of data categories behind one API key.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Both are presented as hosted services: YepAPI sells access to its API, while ZenRows offers a web-data platform with API, CLI and agent tooling. Neither vendor publishes an open-source license, a self-hosting option or a specific data-export path. Confirm export, retention and deletion terms with the vendor before storing sensitive or long-lived datasets.
Migration effort depends on what you use. YepAPI's shared key and JSON response pattern can simplify switching among its own endpoints, but it does not make its SEO, social, scraping and model APIs interchangeable with ZenRows. ZenRows workflows map to Fetch, Extract, Crawl, Batch and Browser; replacing them means reworking calls and job handling for another provider. Keep an adapter around provider-specific requests and normalize outputs in your application.
Questions people ask
Is YepAPI or ZenRows cheaper?
It depends on workload. YepAPI bills per call or other metered use, with Google SERP listed at $0.01 per call and scraping at $0.01. ZenRows starts with 5,000 free credits monthly, then paid plans start at $16/month. Compare the calls or credits your workflow consumes before estimating total spend.
Does YepAPI have a free tier?
YepAPI offers $5 in signup credit, with no card required, according to its homepage. It does not list a recurring free plan in its pricing details. ZenRows instead provides a free plan with 5,000 credits per month, five concurrent requests and no credit rollover.
Which product has better SDK and CLI support?
ZenRows lists SDKs for Python, Node.js and Go, plus a CLI for fetch, extract and batch tasks. YepAPI documents API calls and agent setup through llms.txt, and lists an MCP server and agent skills. The vendor does not list language-specific SDKs for YepAPI.
Can I self-host YepAPI or ZenRows?
Neither vendor publishes a self-hosting option or an open-source license. Both are presented as hosted services. If deployment control or data portability is a requirement, ask the vendor about export, retention and deletion terms before building a production dependency.