CRW Web Scraper vs Brightdata MCP

A side-by-side look at the CRW Web Scraper and Brightdata MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

CRW Web Scraper logoCRW Web ScraperSearch & Data Extraction · Local subprocess (stdio)Open-source web scraper for AI agents with scrape, crawl, and map tools51GoodAuth: not declaredBrightdata MCP logoBrightdata MCPSearch & Data Extraction · Local subprocess (stdio)Discover, extract, and interact with the web - one interface powering automated access across the public internet.69GreatAuth: api key required

Verdict: choose CRW Web Scraper for search & data extraction work as a local process; choose Brightdata MCP for search & data extraction as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

CRW Web Scraper logoChoose CRW Web Scraper when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
Explore CRW Web Scraper

Brightdata MCP logoChoose Brightdata MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: API key required.
  • You have the keys it needs: API_TOKEN.
  • You want tools like GROUPS, TOOLS, search_engine.
Explore Brightdata MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecCRW Web Scraper logoCRW Web ScraperBrightdata MCP logoBrightdata MCP
CategorySearch & Data ExtractionSearch & Data Extraction
Quality signal51/100 · Good69/100 · Great
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNot declaredAPI key required
PricingNot declaredFreemium
Required env varsNone listedAPI_TOKEN
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars1,1612,684
Directory activity 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
ToolsNot listed6

Tools & capabilities

CRW Web Scraper tools

No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.

Brightdata MCP tools 6

  • GROUPS
  • TOOLS
  • search_engine
  • scrape_as_markdown
  • ask_brightdata_assistant
  • custom

Ready-to-paste client configs

Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.

CRW Web Scraper

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "crw-web-scraper": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "crw-mcp@latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Brightdata MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "luminati-io-brightdata-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@brightdata/mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "API_TOKEN": "YOUR_API_TOKEN_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

CRW Web Scraper is categorized under Search & Data Extraction and uses a local stdio subprocess. Brightdata MCP belongs to Search & Data Extraction and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick CRW Web Scraper for search & data extraction work and Brightdata MCP for search & data extraction.

Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.

CRW Web Scraper has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Brightdata MCP is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. Auth: api key required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.

Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add crw-web-scraper and luminati-io-brightdata-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, CRW Web Scraper has a quality signal of 51/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 1,161 GitHub stars. Brightdata MCP has 69/100 (Great) with 4 views, 0 installs and 2,684 GitHub stars.