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https://github.com/luminati-io/python-scraping-libraries
The top Python web scraping libraries, comparing their features, categories, and use cases to find the best fit for your data extraction needs.
https://github.com/luminati-io/python-scraping-libraries
beautifulsoup curl playwright python python-requests requests scrapy selenium seleniumbase web-scraping
Last synced: about 5 hours ago
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The top Python web scraping libraries, comparing their features, categories, and use cases to find the best fit for your data extraction needs.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/luminati-io/python-scraping-libraries
- Owner: luminati-io
- Created: 2025-01-20T11:53:48.000Z (about 11 hours ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-01-20T12:17:15.000Z (about 11 hours ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-01-20T13:21:36.782Z (about 10 hours ago)
- Topics: beautifulsoup, curl, playwright, python, python-requests, requests, scrapy, selenium, seleniumbase, web-scraping
- Homepage: https://brightdata.com/blog/web-data/python-web-scraping-libraries
- Size: 10.7 KB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
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README
# Best Python Web Scraping Libraries
[](https://brightdata.com/)
Learn about the top Python web scraping libraries, their key features, and how they compare in this comprehensive guide.
## What Is a Python Web Scraping Library?
A Python web scraping library helps extract data from web pages, supporting steps like sending HTTP requests, [parsing HTML](https://brightdata.com/blog/web-data/best-python-html-parsers), and executing JavaScript. Categories include [HTTP clients](https://brightdata.com/blog/web-data/best-python-http-clients), all-in-one frameworks, and [headless browser tools](https://brightdata.com/blog/web-data/best-headless-browsers).
## Elements to Consider
- **Goal:** Intended use of the library.
- **Features:** Core functionalities.
- **Category:** Type of library.
- **GitHub stars:** Community interest.
- **Weekly downloads:** Popularity.
- **Release frequency:** Update regularity.
- **Pros/Cons:** Strengths and limitations.
## Top 7 Python Libraries for Web Scraping
### 1. [Selenium](https://www.selenium.dev/)
A browser automation library ideal for dynamic content.
- **Features:** Supports multiple browsers, headless mode, JavaScript execution.
- **Category:** Browser automation
- **GitHub stars:** ~31.2k
- **Weekly downloads:** ~4.7M
> 💡 Learn more about [**web scraping with Selenium**](https://brightdata.com/blog/how-tos/using-selenium-for-web-scraping).
### 2. [Requests](https://pypi.org/project/requests/)
An HTTP client for sending requests and handling responses.
- **Features:** Supports all HTTP methods, cookies, headers.
- **Category:** HTTP client
- **GitHub stars:** ~52.3k
- **Weekly downloads:** ~128.3M
> 💡 Learn more about [**web scraping with Requests**](https://brightdata.com/blog/web-data/python-requests-guide).
### 3. [Beautiful Soup](https://pypi.org/project/beautifulsoup4/)
Parses HTML and XML documents.
- **Features:** Supports various parsers, can handle malformed HTML.
- **Category:** HTML parser
- **Weekly downloads:** ~29M
> 💡 Learn more about [**web scraping with Beautiful Soup**](https://brightdata.com/blog/how-tos/beautiful-soup-web-scraping).
### 4. [SeleniumBase](https://seleniumbase.com/)
An enhanced Selenium version for advanced automation.
- **Features:** Smart-waiting, proxy support, CAPTCHA-bypass.
- **Category:** Browser automation
- **GitHub stars:** ~8.8k
- **Weekly downloads:** ~200k
> 💡 Learn more about [**web scraping with SeleniumBase**](https://brightdata.com/blog/web-data/web-scraping-with-seleniumbase).
### 5. [curl_cffi](https://github.com/lexiforest/curl_cffi)
An HTTP client mimicking browser behavior.
- **Features:** TLS fingerprint impersonation, HTTP/2 support.
- **Category:** HTTP client
- **GitHub stars:** ~2.8k
- **Weekly downloads:** ~310k
### 6. [Playwright](https://playwright.dev/)
A versatile headless browser library.
- **Features:** Cross-browser support, automatic waiting, stealth mode.
- **Category:** Browser automation
- **GitHub stars:** ~12.2k
- **Weekly downloads:** ~1.2M
> 💡 Learn more about [**web scraping with Playwright**](https://brightdata.com/blog/how-tos/playwright-web-scraping).
### 7. [Scrapy](https://scrapy.org/)
An all-in-one framework for web crawling and scraping.
- **Features:** HTTP requests, HTML parsing, data storage.
- **Category:** Scraping framework
- **GitHub stars:** ~53.7k
- **Weekly downloads:** ~304k
> 💡 Learn more about [**web scraping with Scrapy**](https://brightdata.com/blog/how-tos/web-scraping-with-scrapy).
## Summary Table
| Library | Type | HTTP Requesting | HTML Parsing | JavaScript Rendering | Anti-detection | Learning Curve | GitHub Stars | Downloads |
|---------------|---------------------|-----------------|--------------|----------------------|----------------|----------------|--------------|------------|
| Selenium | Browser automation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | Medium | ~31.2k | ~4.7M |
| Requests | HTTP client | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Low | ~52.3k | ~128.3M |
| Beautiful Soup| HTML parser | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | Low | — | ~29M |
| SeleniumBase | Browser automation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | High | ~8.8k | ~200k |
| curl_cffi | HTTP client | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | Medium | ~2.8k | ~310k |
| Playwright | Browser automation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | High | ~12.2k | ~1.2M |
| Scrapy | Scraping framework | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | High | ~53.7k | ~304k |
## Conclusion
These libraries are great for web scraping but face challenges like IP bans and CAPTCHAs. Consider using [Bright Data solutions](https://brightdata.com/) for enhanced capabilities. You can also learn how to scrape specific websites:
- [**Amazon**](https://github.com/luminati-io/LinkedIn-Scraper)
- [**LinkedIn**](https://github.com/luminati-io/LinkedIn-Scraper)
- [**Google Maps**](https://github.com/luminati-io/Google-Maps-Scraper)
- [**Google News**](https://github.com/luminati-io/Google-News-Scraper)