Head-to-head · SEO Crawler Software
Screaming Frog SEO Spider vs Crab
Screaming Frog SEO Spider leads on 0 checks, Crab on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Free planboth
- Most featuresScreaming Frog SEO Spider · 1 of 6
Screaming Frog SEO Spider and Crab score identically on our rubric (7.9 out of 10) for seo crawler software; Screaming Frog SEO Spider sits at #3 and Crab at #5 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is the better fit for teams needing a mature, full-featured SEO crawler. Crab is the better fit for free users auditing JavaScript-heavy sites.
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider fits best
Teams needing a mature, full-featured SEO crawler
- Crab fits best
Free users auditing JavaScript-heavy sites
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Side by side
| Feature | Screaming Frog SEO Spider 7.9/10 Visit ↗ | Crab 7.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Ranking | #3 in SEO Crawler Software | #5 in SEO Crawler Software |
| Best for | Teams needing a mature, full-featured SEO crawler | Free users auditing JavaScript-heavy sites |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Phone, Docs | Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business |
| Features Screaming Frog SEO Spider 1/6 · Crab 0/6 | ||
| JavaScript rendering | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Scheduled crawls | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Log-file analysis | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Mobile crawling | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Custom data extraction | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| API access | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Crawl limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a desktop website crawler for technical SEO audits. It is designed for SEO professionals, agencies, brands and website owners that need to inspect crawlable site data rather than manage keyword rankings. The… Read the review → |
Crab is a free desktop SEO crawler for technical site audits on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It crawls websites locally and is aimed at SEO professionals, students, solo founders, and others who need occasional or private audits. Its… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Screaming Frog SEO Spider — where it wins
- Broad technical audits cover links, metadata, directives, duplicates and structured data
- JavaScript rendering, custom extraction and crawl comparison support deeper analysis
- Integrates with analytics, search, backlink and AI platforms
Where it doesn't
- The free plan limits each crawl to 500 URLs
- Advanced features require a paid licence
- Desktop software rather than a standalone keyword-rank tracking platform
Crab — where it wins
- Free crawling with no URL limits or subscriptions
- JavaScript rendering, hreflang, structured-data, and accessibility checks
- Recurring crawls, sitemap generation, and hierarchy visualization
Where it doesn't
- Desktop-local workflow may not suit browser-based collaboration
- Focused on technical audits rather than a complete SEO suite
- Keyword research, rank tracking, and backlink analysis are outside its stated focus
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider7.9/10 · Free plan
A mature crawler for deep technical audits, with a capable free tier.
Visit Screaming FrogFull verdict → - Crab7.9/10 · Free plan
A free desktop crawler with unusually broad JavaScript-aware technical audits.
Visit CrabFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update