Developer tools
Firecrawl: review, pricing, data and alternatives
Firecrawl lets developers extract web page content and crawl websites. It converts pages to Markdown, extracts structured JSON data, and retrieves pages found through web searches. A free tier exists; the first paid plan costs $16 per month. Access and transparency score: 83/100, #1 of 31 in its category.
What is Firecrawl?
Firecrawl lets developers extract web page content and crawl websites. It converts pages to Markdown, extracts structured JSON data, and retrieves pages found through web searches.
According to its documentation, Firecrawl lets you:
- extract the content of a web page
- crawl the pages of a website
- convert pages to Markdown
- extract structured data in JSON
- search the web and retrieve the pages found
We file it under Developer tools, the category of tools to test, document and ship software, and it also overlaps with vector databases and RAG and workflow automation. The category lists 31 verified tools on this site.
The publisher is SideGuide Technologies, Inc., based in United States. The service launched in 2024.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: developers, data analysts, and researchers. The need it covers is simple to state: test, document and ship software.
Firecrawl is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
- you plan to connect it to your tools or automations through its API
- you want to read the code or host it yourself
Before deciding, run a trial on a real task and measure the time saved: it is the only criterion that really counts.
How much does Firecrawl cost?
Pricing model: open source (public code). A free plan is offered, usually limited in volume or features.
The first paid plan costs $16 per month (Hobby, billed annually, with 5,000 credits per month; USD 19 per month with monthly billing), according to the pricing page, checked on October 24, 2026.
Per month, that is close to the category median ($16.99 per month, based on tools with a published price).
To estimate what the same work would cost done directly with an AI model, use our API price calculator. Prices change often: always check the official site before subscribing.
Data and privacy
According to its privacy policy, data is processed in the United States.
For professional use, check that a data processing agreement (DPA) is offered, and do not send customers' personal data or confidential documents without one.
Exporting your content: Markdown, JSON. Being able to get your data back makes switching tools easier later.
Three habits apply to every AI tool:
- turn off the use of your content for training if the option exists
- use a work account separate from your personal account
- review everything the tool produces before publishing or sending it
Platforms, languages and API
Firecrawl runs on: web browser and API.
Interface languages: English.
A public API lets you call it from your own programs or an automation tool, and plug it into an AI agent.
The source code is public: firecrawlfirecrawl/firecrawl.
How we scored it
Our 83/100 score does not judge output quality: it measures what can be publicly verified about access to the tool, its openness and how far the publisher can be trusted.
| Criterion | Points | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 25/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 30/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 28/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
Firecrawl against other tools in the developer tools category:
Verdict
Firecrawl is among the most accessible and transparent tools in its category.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Public API
- Public source code
Avoid if…
- You handle sensitive personal data without a processing agreement
Alternatives
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is Firecrawl free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits. The first paid plan costs $16 per month.
Where is Firecrawl data stored?
According to the publisher, in the United States.
Does Firecrawl have an API?
Yes, a public API is documented.
What are the alternatives to Firecrawl?
In the same category: LMQL, Keploy, Jina Reader, and Metorial.
Firecrawl or LMQL: which one to choose?
Our score is 83/100 for Firecrawl and 81/100 for LMQL. Try both on the same task before paying.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score