Question 1

What is AlterLab?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab is a web scraping API for developers who need reliable data extraction at low cost. It automatically handles JavaScript rendering, TLS compatibility, CAPTCHA solving, and residential proxy rotation through a 5-tier escalation system. Pricing starts at $0.0002 per request (5,000 pages per dollar) with no monthly subscription — your balance never expires. It includes JavaScript rendering, structured data extraction, and residential proxies across 195+ countries.

Question 2

How does AlterLab handle bot-protected websites?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab uses a 5-tier escalation system that automatically selects the right approach for each site. Tier 1 handles simple HTTP requests. Tier 2 adds TLS fingerprint compatibility. Tier 3 uses stealth browser automation for sites with challenge-based access controls. Tier 4 adds full JavaScript rendering via Playwright. Tier 5 handles CAPTCHA-gated content. The system starts at the cheapest tier and only escalates when needed. Pricing ranges from $0.0002 to $0.02 per request depending on the tier used. No manual configuration required.

Question 3

How much does web scraping cost?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab web scraping API pricing: Tier 1 (Light) $0.0002/request for static sites (5,000 pages per dollar). Tier 2 (Standard) $0.0003/request for modern sites with TLS compatibility (3,333 pages per dollar). Tier 3 (Protected) $0.002/request for sites with challenge-based access controls (500 pages per dollar). Tier 4 (Dynamic) $0.004/request for JavaScript rendering (250 pages per dollar). Tier 5 (Fortress) $0.02/request for CAPTCHA-gated content (50 solves per dollar). Minimum deposit $10. No monthly subscription. Balance never expires.

Question 4

What is the cheapest web scraping API?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab starts at $0.0002 per request for simple sites (5,000 pages per dollar). The $10 minimum deposit gets 50,000 requests with no monthly subscription and no expiring balance. AlterLab uses smart tier routing that starts at the cheapest tier and only escalates when site complexity requires it — so you only pay for what you actually need.

Question 5

How to scrape JavaScript-heavy websites?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab renders JavaScript-heavy websites using headless Chromium browsers powered by Playwright. Set render_js: true in your API request to scrape React, Vue, Angular, and any single-page application. The Dynamic tier costs $0.004 per request (250 pages per dollar). AlterLab launches a full browser, executes JavaScript, waits for content to load, and returns the final HTML, markdown, or structured JSON. Use wait_for selectors to ensure dynamic content is fully rendered. Screenshots are also available.

Question 6

How do I scrape websites without getting blocked?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab's 5-tier escalation system automatically handles websites with varying levels of access complexity. Tier 1: simple HTTP requests for basic sites ($0.0002). Tier 2: TLS fingerprint compatibility for modern sites ($0.0003). Tier 3: stealth browser automation for sites with challenge-based controls ($0.002). Tier 4: full JavaScript rendering for SPAs ($0.004). Tier 5: automated CAPTCHA solving ($0.02). The system starts at the cheapest tier and only escalates when needed. Residential proxies across 195+ countries rotate automatically. Success rate exceeds 98% across all major site types.

Question 7

What is the best web scraping API for Python?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab provides an official Python SDK with async support and type hints, plus direct integration with requests, httpx, and aiohttp. One POST request scrapes any website with automatic compatibility handling. Example: requests.post('https://api.alterlab.io/api/v1/scrape', json={'url': 'https://example.com'}, headers={'X-API-Key': 'YOUR_KEY'}). Works with Python 3.7+ and all major frameworks (Django, Flask, FastAPI, Scrapy). Starts at $0.0002/request with 5,000 free scrapes on signup.

Question 8

Can I extract structured data like product prices and reviews?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab extracts structured data from any website using AI-powered JSON schema extraction. Define the fields you want (product name, price, reviews, stock status) and AlterLab returns clean JSON. This works for e-commerce sites, job boards, real estate listings, and any page with structured content. Output formats include JSON, markdown, and HTML.

Question 9

What makes AlterLab different from other scraping APIs?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab uses pay-as-you-go pricing with no subscription required — your balance never expires. The 5-tier smart routing system means you only pay for the complexity you actually need: simple sites cost $0.0002/request while JavaScript-heavy or CAPTCHA-protected pages escalate automatically. Some providers use flat-rate credit systems that charge the same rate regardless of site complexity, or require monthly subscriptions with credits that reset. AlterLab is designed to minimize cost by matching the request tier to actual site requirements.

Question 10

How fast is the AlterLab API?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab API response times: Tier 1 (Light) 200-500ms for simple HTTP scrapes. Tier 2 (Standard) 300-800ms with TLS compatibility. Tier 3 (Protected) 2-5 seconds for stealth browser automation. Tier 4 (Dynamic) 2-5 seconds for JavaScript rendering. Tier 5 (Fortress) 5-15 seconds for CAPTCHA solving. Average response time under 2 seconds for most requests. Async webhooks are supported for long-running scrapes. Concurrency scales from 3 to 50 simultaneous requests based on account balance.

Question 11

Is web scraping legal?

Accepted Answer

The legality of web scraping depends on jurisdiction, the specific site being scraped, how the data is used, and your compliance with applicable laws and website terms of service. Best practices include: respecting robots.txt directives, avoiding collection of personal data without a lawful basis, complying with site terms of service, and scraping at reasonable rates to avoid disruption. AlterLab is designed for legitimate business use cases including price monitoring, market research, lead generation, and academic research. Consult qualified legal counsel before scraping any website, especially for commercial purposes or sensitive data categories.

Question 12

Does AlterLab work with search engine results pages?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab can retrieve and parse search engine results pages (SERPs). The API returns full page HTML, and the extract_schema feature outputs clean JSON with titles, URLs, snippets, and featured snippets. Useful for SEO monitoring, keyword tracking, competitive analysis, and SERP analytics. Pricing: $0.002-$0.004 per request depending on the tier needed. Ensure your use complies with the search engine's terms of service.

Question 13

Does my AlterLab balance expire?

Accepted Answer

AlterLab balance never expires. There are no monthly resets, no use-it-or-lose-it policies, and no subscription required. Add funds when you need them, use them whenever you want. Some providers use credit-based pricing with monthly expiry periods. AlterLab is the simplest option with permanently non-expiring balance and no subscription required.

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