Top 10 Data Parsing Tools For 2024 (Paid and Free)

Data obtained from various sources are usually raw, unstructured, and unactionable. This is why data parsing converts raw data and leverages it for business insights and decisions.

Manual data entry and collection are extremely time-consuming. With today’s technology, lots of tools to automate data parsing are on the market to help businesses with their information needs.

In this article, you will discover the best data parsing tools. Continue reading to explore the key features, pricing, and benefits of each tool. 

Let’s dive in. 

Popular Data Parsing Tools 

Data parsing means converting unstructured and unreadable data to structured and readable formats. This is the second step of the ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) data integration process. 

Prior to converting, data is first collected. Data extraction involves gathering unstructured, semi-structured, and structured data. 

Some of the best data extraction software can complete the entire ETL process since they can be integrated into CRMs, ERPs, or data warehouses. Data extraction tools can also take any of these forms:

1. Web scrapers – used for extracting data from websites
2. Browser extensions – extracts data for sites in the form of browser plugins 
3. Open-source libraries – free tools that require programming skills
4. SaaS – software solutions for data parsing, like text extraction tools and email parsers

With the versatility of most data extraction tools, they can also be used for parsing. Below are ten of the best tools that can help you with your parsing (and extraction) tasks. 

1. Import.io

Pricing:

• Starter – $199/month
• Standard – $599/month
• Advanced – $1099/month

Key Features:

• Multi-URL training
• Point-and-click
• Data behind login
• Auto-optimize extractors
• URL generator

Import.io is a powerful web scraping service with an easy-to-use UI. It uses the point-and-click system and machine learning to suggest the next action automatically. 

Their "data behind login" feature makes web data extraction for all site types possible.

Its machine-learning feature optimizes extractors. Import.io does it whenever the user saves their extractors to run it in the shortest possible time. Records of action sequences are saved for each website for an easier workflow.

There is no need to be afraid of testing things, as Import.io provides support for its users. You can try the 14-day trial with no credit card required.

2. Parsehub

Pricing:

• Free – 5 public projects with 200 pages per project
• Standard – $189/month
• Professional – $599/month

Key Features:

• Point-and-click system
• Automatic IP rotation.
• Scheduled runs
• Data behind login
• API and Web hooks

ParseHub is another point-and-click web scraping tool. It requires no programming expertise and has a set of easy-to-understand tutorial videos.

It is a cloud-based service, but you must install their software on your device. The software currently supports Windows, Linux, and MacOS.

The good thing about ParseHub is that you can get a feel for how the software works through the free plan. Getting in five projects with 200 pages each is enough to familiarize oneself with the tool.

They also offer a guaranteed refund if you decide to upgrade your subscription but do not like the service.

3. Nanonets

Pricing:

• Starter – Pay as you go (free for first 500 pages, then $0.3/page)
• Pro – $499/month
• Enterprise – need to contact sales

Key Features:

• Workflow integration
• Email parser
• OCR for documents
• Free customer support and demos
• Easy-to-understand knowledge base

Nanonets is a data extraction service that uses AI and machine learning that works in the process of extracting relevant data. The service utilizes text recognition for parsing various types of documents.

A completely automated data pipeline can be created with Nanonet's AI-powered tools. It also keeps getting more accurate as more documents are processed. 

The site offers a 7-day free trial, or you can book a call for a demo.

4. MailParser

Pricing:

• Free – 30 email/month for 10 inboxes
• Professional – $33.95/month
• Business – $83.95/month
• Premium – $249.95/month

Key Features:

• Compatible with major email providers
• App integration
• Recurring free plan
• Scheduled parsing

MailParser allows you to parse unstructured information from your recurring emails. You can set up the parsing rules beforehand, and the tool will do the rest.

You can integrate MailParser into any app you choose using webhooks or download the structured data in JSON, XML, CSV, or Excel.

To get accustomed to how the system works, you have the option to sign up for its free plan, which is 30 emails a month for 10 inboxes.

5. Docparser

Pricing:

• Starter – $32.50/month
• Professional – $61.50/month
• Business – $133/month

Key Features:

• Zonal OCR
• Advanced pattern recognition
• QR and Barcode recognition
• Multiple app integrations

Docparser is a document parsing tool that lets you extract structured information from PDFs, MS Word files, and images. It uses zonal OCR to create presets for the specific data you want to extract.

You can directly connect Docparser to primary cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. It can also be integrated into thousands of workplace apps like Workato, Zapier, and MS Power Automate.

You can start Docparser’s 21-day free trial with no credit card required. 

6. Octoparse

Pricing:

• Free – 10K data rows per export
• Standard – $75/month
• Professional – $208/month

Key Features:

• Point-and-click
• Automatic proxy rotation
• Scheduled scraping
• Customizable workflow

Octoparse is a point-and-click data parser tool that can scrape data from online sources. It is a no-code tool with no steep learning curve. Additionally, its powerful AI suggestions can help you customize your workflow.

It can be used for scraping highly sophisticated websites with its automatic IP rotation, which automatically retries requests if needed. Scheduled scraping is also possible, and you can get back your data anytime in JSON, CSV, or Excel.

The free plan includes a generous 10,000 data rows per export, so you can study how the tool performs before committing to a regular plan.

7. Hevo Data

Pricing:

• Free – 50+ selected connectors
• Starter – $239/month

Key Features:

• Auto-mapping
• Zero data loss
• End-to-end encryption
• 150+ connectors

Hevo Data promises a maintenance-free pipeline of data. It is best for moving data from hundreds of sources into your data warehouse. It is a no-code platform that is good for anyone who does not want the hassle of maintaining a pipeline.

Data transfer is also encrypted, so there is no worry about it being intercepted. A helpful dashboard is also available to help you track any delays in data transfer.

A 14-day free trial is available, which is enough to learn about the system.

8. Web Scraper (Chrome Extension)

Pricing:

• Free – no time limit
• Project – $50/month
• Professional – $100/month
• Business – $200/month
• Scale – $300/month

Key Features:

• Point-and-click
• Easy UI that is integrated into the browser
• Proxy support for paid plans
• Integration to cloud storage services

Web Scraper is a web scraper tool that works as a Chrome extension. It is a surprisingly powerful tool that can scrape online sources through a point-and-click system.

The UI is based on your Chrome browser, making it more intuitive. You can set up presets of “selector sitemaps” for real-time or scheduled scraping. It is a cloud-based service that utilizes a Chrome extension on the user’s end.

Parsed data can be exported to CSV, JSON, and XLSX. You can also directly integrate your exported data into Google Sheets, DropBox, or Amazon S3.

The Chrome extension is forever free, but it does not have proxy support. You can use it to study how the tool works.

9. Scrapy

Pricing:

• FREE

Key Features:

• Less memory and CPU usage
• Community support
• Not code intensive

Scrapy is an open-source web crawling tool for scraping websites. It runs on major operating systems like Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

You can build crawlers by customizing selectors and deploying your “spiders” to Zyte Scrapy Cloud. Though open-source, Scrapy does not need extensive coding. Everyone with a fair amount of tech knowledge can follow Scapy’s usage tutorials.

Data extracted can also be exported to JSON, XML, and CSV.

10. Puppeteer

Pricing:

• FREE

Key Features:

• Highly customizable
• Developer support
• Suitable for running website tests

Puppeteer is also an open-source library for web crawling. This tool works mainly by controlling a headless (no interface) Google Chrome, but it can also be configured to run “headful.”

You can take screenshots and PDF files of pages, automate form submission and keyboard inputs, and more.

Unlike Scrapy, Puppeteer is more code-intensive and requires workable Javascript knowledge.

Why Are Data Parsing Tools Important?

The significance of data parsing tools can only be stressed by pointing out their real-life benefits for professionals and modern businesses. 

These are the reasons why parsing tools are important:

1. Saves time: Collecting data from thousands of sources in a short time is not humanly possible. Data parsing tools automate this task and save you valuable time.
2. Reduced human errors: Human errors can be greatly reduced with the right tools, which means higher data quality.
3. Re-utilization of old data: Legacy data (or old data) are not entirely obsolete. With data parsing techniques, these data can be usable again.

There are many more things to mention, but these are the most obvious. Today, data parsing has become so indispensable that a whole industry is behind it.

Conclusion

You have many great options for a data parser tool. You must choose the one that best fits your needs. A competitive offer is also a plus.

Trying out open-source solutions can also be rewarding in the long run. You can pay for convenience by choosing the paid options, so better take advantage of the free plans and trials to gauge the tool’s performance.