The best Instagram scraper tools fall into three groups: ready-made scrapers you can run without code, developer APIs that return public Instagram data as JSON, and general web scraping APIs that handle blocks and proxies. Eleven options follow, but before you choose, read Instagram's own terms on automated collection, because they decide what's sensible to do at all.
Marketers and analysts want Instagram data for good reasons: tracking competitors, finding creators and measuring campaigns. The tricky part is that Instagram restricts automated collection, so the tool is only half the decision.
The eleven tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the company's own website, read this week. If you mainly want numbers on your own account, my comparison of Instagram analytics tools may be all you need.
Instagram scraper tools compared
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or an open source version. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start for free, so check the provider's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apify | Web scraping platform | Ready-made Instagram scraper actors | Not stated |
| Bright Data | Web data platform | Enterprise-scale data collection | Yes |
| Data365 | Social media data API | Public data with a clear disclaimer | Trial only |
| Ensemble Data | Social media data scraper APIs | Several social networks from one API | Not stated |
| HikerAPI | Instagram data API | Developers wanting simple JSON | Not stated |
| lobstr.io | Ready-made scrapers | No-code scraping with a free plan | Yes |
| Octoparse | No-code web scraping platform | Non-coders building scrapers | Not stated |
| ScrapeCreators | Social media scraping API | Creator and ad library data | Not stated |
| ScrapingBee | Web scraping API | Handling blocks and CAPTCHAs | Not stated |
| Scrapingdog | Web scraping API | General scraping for developers | Trial only |
| SociaVault | Public social media scraping API | Many platforms with credits that don't expire | Trial only |
Eleven Instagram data tools
Apify
Best for: Engineers who want a ready-made Instagram scraper on a wider web scraping platform with proxies and an open source crawling library.
Bright Data
Best for: Larger teams who want an Instagram scraper API with a free monthly allowance on an enterprise-grade data platform.
Data365
Best for: Analysts who want an API for publicly available social data and a 14-day free trial before committing.
Ensemble Data
Best for: Developers who need TikTok, Instagram, Twitch and other platforms covered by one set of social media data APIs.
HikerAPI
Best for: Coders who want public profiles, posts, reels and followers as fast JSON responses from an Instagram-only API.
lobstr.io
Best for: Marketers who want point-and-click scrapers for dozens of sites, Instagram included, with a free monthly plan.
Octoparse
Best for: Non-developers who want ready-to-run scrapers or their own, built without code and run on a managed cloud.
ScrapeCreators
Best for: Growth teams who want profiles, posts, comments and ad libraries from social platforms through one scraping API.
ScrapingBee
Best for: Technical teams who want a scraping API that rotates a large IP pool and handles CAPTCHAs so they can integrate in minutes.
Scrapingdog
Best for: Builders of data pipelines who want a general web scraping API with dedicated endpoints and a 7-day free trial.
SociaVault
Best for: Small teams who want real-time public data from Instagram, TikTok and 25+ platforms, with a free trial first.
Which type fits your project
- No-code scraping: lobstr.io or Octoparse.
- Ready-made Instagram scrapers on a platform: Apify or Bright Data.
- Instagram-only developer APIs: HikerAPI or Data365.
- Several social networks from one API: Ensemble Data, ScrapeCreators or SociaVault.
- General scraping APIs: ScrapingBee or Scrapingdog.
Read Instagram's terms first
Instagram's Terms of Use, published in the Instagram Help Center, say you can't access or collect information in unauthorized ways, including collecting information in an automated way without Instagram's express permission, whether or not you're logged in.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
So read each provider's terms and get advice on your own legal position before you scrape. Where you can, prefer official APIs, your own account data or data people have chosen to share with you.
Public data still needs care
Public profiles can include personal information, and privacy laws can still apply to it. Collect only what you need, store it securely and delete it when the project ends.
Be wary of anything that asks for your Instagram password. Tools that log in as you can put your own account at risk.
It's also worth asking whether you need the data at all. Many campaign questions can be answered from your own analytics or from creators sharing their insights directly.
Questions before you collect anything
- What do I need the data for, exactly?
- Is there an official route that would work instead?
- Does the tool need my Instagram login?
- Where will the data be stored, and for how long?
- Does the provider explain its own terms clearly?
- Have I checked my legal position for my country?
Signs you don't need a scraper
- You only want your own stats. Use Instagram's insights.
- You're vetting a creator. Ask for their insights directly.
- You need a handful of profiles. Check them by hand.
- The tool wants your password. Walk away.
Do you make social media data tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on Instagram scraping
Start with the data you're entitled to. Your own account insights and data creators share with you directly answer most marketing questions without scraping anyone.
If you do use a tool, keep the scope small and the purpose clear, and never hand over your own login. My guide to stopping AI bots scraping your website shows the other side of the same issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is scraping Instagram allowed?
Instagram's Terms of Use say you can't collect information in an automated way without its express permission, so read the terms and check your legal position first.
What is an Instagram scraper?
It's a tool or API that collects public data such as profiles, posts and comments from Instagram in a structured format.
Do Instagram scrapers need my login?
Some do and some don't. Be wary of tools that ask for your password, as that can put your account at risk.
Is public Instagram data free to use?
Not automatically. Public profiles can include personal information, and privacy laws can still apply.
Are there free Instagram scraper tools?
Some providers offer a free plan, free credits or a free trial. Check each provider's page for limits.
What's the alternative to scraping?
Use your own account insights, official APIs where available, or data that creators share with you directly.
