# SAM.gov scrapers vs an API Scrapers can pull SAM.gov pages without a key, but output changes when the site does and bulk harvesting of some data (such as D&B-derived fields) is prohibited by SAM.gov's terms. The official bulk files are free and keyless; an API built on them avoids both the scraping and the 10-a-day limit. Output formats vary by actor and break when SAM.gov changes.Checked on 2026-11-12.Official source: [Apify Store](https://apify.com/store) | SAM.gov scrapers (Apify actors and similar) | Pay per run or per result | | --- | --- | | SAM.gov API (official) | Free | | SAM Gov API | Free $0, Developer $49/mo, Pro $149/mo, Scale $499/mo | ## Should you scrape SAM.gov or use an API? Scrapers can pull SAM.gov pages without a key, but output changes when the site does and bulk harvesting of some data (such as D&B-derived fields) is prohibited by SAM.gov's terms. The official bulk files are free and keyless; an API built on them avoids both the scraping and the 10-a-day limit. ## Side by side | Option | Price (checked 12 Nov 2026) | API access | Public pages | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | SAM.gov scrapers (Apify actors and similar) | Pay per run or per result | Run-based; output varies by actor | None | One-off pulls when you accept the scraping and terms risk | | SAM.gov API (official) | Free | 10 requests a day without a role; 1,000 with a role or system account | SAM.gov search (single-page app) | Low-volume checks and anyone who needs the official record itself | | SAM Gov API | Free $0, Developer $49/mo, Pro $149/mo, Scale $499/mo | REST and MCP on every plan; 100 free credits a month | Free lookup tools plus NAICS, glossary and comparison reference pages | Developers, AI agents and small contractors who want the public data as an API | ## About SAM.gov scrapers (Apify actors and similar) Scraper actors on marketplaces such as Apify pull SAM.gov pages or call its APIs on your behalf and charge per run or per result. Output formats vary by actor and break when SAM.gov changes. SAM.gov's terms forbid sharing personal API keys and bulk use of D&B-derived data, which a scraper does not check for you. ## About SAM.gov API (official) The official SAM.gov APIs on api.sam.gov cover entity registrations, opportunities, exclusions, contract awards, extracts, the federal hierarchy and subawards. Entity search returns 10 records per page and only the first 10,000 are reachable; the Opportunities API needs postedFrom and postedTo dates within one year; keys and system account passwords must be rotated every 90 days, and system accounts only accept calls from allowlisted IP addresses. ## How we compared Prices, limits and page counts are as published by each vendor or measured from their public sitemaps on 2026-11-12. We do not use private quotes. Where a number is reported by a third party, it says so. Corrections: support@samgovapi.io. ## Related - [Comparisons](https://samgovapi.io/compare) - [Pricing](https://samgovapi.io/pricing) - [SAM.gov API](https://samgovapi.io/sam-gov-api)Updated 2026-11-12. Sources checked 2026-11-12.Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

---

HTML version: https://samgovapi.io/compare/sam-gov-scrapers-vs-api . Markdown: https://samgovapi.io/compare/sam-gov-scrapers-vs-api.md

Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

Get a free API key: https://samgovapi.io/sign-up?ref=ai-claudebot