15 Best Data Collection Services in 2025

Back in the day, I used to think “data collection” meant spending hours copying and pasting rows from a website into a spreadsheet, only to realize I’d missed half the phone numbers and accidentally pasted a cat meme into the price column. Fast forward to 2025, and the world of data collection has become a whole different animal—think less “intern with a sore wrist,” more “AI-powered assistant that never sleeps, never complains, and never asks for a coffee break.”

Businesses today are swimming in a sea of data, and the stakes have never been higher. Whether you’re in sales, ecommerce, market research, or building the next big AI model, reliable data collection services are now as essential as Wi-Fi and coffee. The market is booming——and nearly . But with so many options out there, how do you know which data collection company is right for your business? That’s exactly what I’m here to help you figure out.

Why Businesses Need Data Collection Services in 2025

Let’s be honest: manual data collection is about as fun as watching paint dry, and about as scalable as a lemonade stand in a snowstorm. In 2025, every business function—sales, marketing, operations, R&D—is under pressure to be data-driven. But teams still struggle with the basics: scraping websites by hand, updating spreadsheets, and trying to keep up with competitors who seem to have a crystal ball for market trends.

Here’s where data collection services come in. They transform the grunt work into a streamlined, automated process. Instead of your sales team spending hours hunting for leads, a good data collection company can scrape directories or LinkedIn for company names, emails, and phone numbers in seconds. Operations teams can monitor competitor prices or inventory levels without breaking a sweat. And market research teams? They can access real-time consumer trends, reviews, and even social sentiment—no more waiting for last quarter’s data to roll in.

The impact is real: . And with AI web scrapers, you’re looking at on even the messiest websites.

But it’s not just about speed and accuracy. As AI and machine learning become the backbone of business strategy, the need for massive, high-quality datasets is exploding. Whether you’re training a chatbot, analyzing global hiring trends, or just trying to keep your CRM up to date, data collection services are now the bridge between “what you know” and “what you need to know—right now.”

How We Selected the Best Data Collection Services

There’s no shortage of data collection companies out there, but not all are created equal. When I put together this list, I focused on a few key criteria:

• Features & Capabilities: Does the service handle web pages, images, PDFs, APIs, and more? Can it tackle dynamic sites, pagination, and subpages? Does it offer AI-powered automation, built-in proxies, or scheduling?
• Ease of Use: Is it truly no-code, or do you need a PhD in Python to get started? Can a business user set it up, or does it require developer resources?
• Scalability & Performance: Can it handle everything from a quick lead scrape to millions of pages per day? What about reliability and uptime?
• Pricing & Trials: Are there free tiers or trials? Is the pricing transparent and fair for the features offered?
• Customer Reviews & Reputation: What do real users say? Is the company known for support and reliability?
• AI Capabilities: Is there an AI web scraper or smart automation, or is it all old-school rule-based scraping?

I’ve included a mix of traditional and AI-powered solutions, from browser extensions to enterprise APIs, and even crowdsourced platforms for those times when only human judgment will do.

Quick Comparison Table: Top 15 Data Collection Companies

Before we dive into the details, here’s a side-by-side look at the 15 best data collection services in 2025. (Spoiler: Thunderbit is my top pick for business users who want AI-powered scraping without the headache.)

Thunderbit: The Easiest AI Web Scraper for Business Users

Let’s start with my favorite (and yes, I’m a little biased, but for good reason): . As someone who’s spent years building SaaS and automation products, I wanted to create a tool that makes web data collection as easy as ordering pizza online. Thunderbit is a Chrome extension that turns any website into a structured spreadsheet in just two clicks—no code, no drama, no “why did my scraper break again?” headaches.

What makes Thunderbit stand out? It’s all about the AI. With our AI Suggest Fields feature, you just land on a page, click a button, and Thunderbit’s AI figures out what data to extract—think “Company Name,” “Phone,” “Email,” or whatever else is relevant. You can tweak the fields if you want, but most of the time, the AI nails it. I’ve seen users go from “I’ve never scraped a website before” to “I just exported 500 leads to Google Sheets” in under five minutes.

But it’s not just about scraping a single page. Thunderbit handles subpage and pagination scraping—so you can grab every product, listing, or review across an entire site, not just what’s visible on page one. And if you need to schedule recurring scrapes (say, daily price monitoring), Thunderbit’s got you covered there too.

Thunderbit Key Features

• AI-Powered Data Extraction: Click “AI Suggest Fields” and let Thunderbit’s AI scan the page and recommend the best columns to extract. It even adapts to layout changes, so you’re not constantly fixing broken scrapers.
• 2-Click Operation: Review the suggested fields, click “Scrape,” and you’re done. It’s that simple.
• Subpage & Pagination Scraping: Scrape lists, then have Thunderbit automatically visit each item’s detail page to grab more info—perfect for e-commerce, directories, or real estate listings.
• Inline Data Cleaning & Enrichment: Use custom AI instructions per field to translate, categorize, or format data as it’s scraped.
• Free Extractors & Export: Instantly extract all emails, phone numbers, or images from a page. Export to Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion, CSV, or JSON—no paywall.
• Cloud and Local Modes: Scrape via Thunderbit’s cloud servers (fast, parallel scraping) or your own browser (great for logged-in sites).
• Scheduling: Automate scrapes to run daily, weekly, or on your own schedule.
• Multilingual Support: Thunderbit supports 34 languages, making it a global solution.
• Free Tier: Scrape up to 6–10 pages for free; paid plans start at just $9/month.

Thunderbit is ideal for sales, ecommerce, and operations teams who want to spend less time copying and pasting, and more time closing deals or optimizing their business. And yes, you can and try it for free.

Want to see Thunderbit in action? Check out our or our .

Bright Data: Enterprise-Grade Data Collection and Proxy Solutions

If Thunderbit is the “easy button” for business users, Bright Data is the Swiss Army knife for enterprise data teams. With over 150 million proxy IPs and a powerful Web Scraper IDE, Bright Data is built for scale. It’s the go-to for companies that need to scrape millions of pages per day, bypass anti-bot measures, and stay compliant with privacy laws.

Bright Data’s platform includes a Web Scraper IDE (for building custom scrapers), ready-made datasets, and advanced compliance features. Their Web Unlocker handles CAPTCHAs and blocks automatically, and their proxy network lets you target data by country or city. If you’re in ad tech, price intelligence, or investment research, Bright Data is a powerhouse—just be ready for a steeper learning curve and enterprise-level pricing (plans often start around $500/month).

Oxylabs: Powerful APIs and Datasets for Data Scraping

Oxylabs is another heavyweight in the enterprise data collection world. With 102 million IPs and a suite of specialized Scraper APIs (for e-commerce, SERPs, travel, and more), Oxylabs is all about reliability and scale. Their APIs handle everything from JavaScript rendering to parsing, so you get structured data with minimal fuss.

Oxylabs also offers ready-to-use datasets (think company profiles, job postings, and more) and is known for top-notch customer support. If you’re running large-scale, mission-critical data pipelines—and you have the budget—Oxylabs is a safe bet.

Octoparse: No-Code Data Scraping for Everyone

If you love the idea of point-and-click data extraction, Octoparse is worth a look. It’s a visual, no-code web scraper that lets you build scraping workflows by clicking on page elements. With 500+ pre-built templates for popular sites and cloud scheduling, Octoparse is great for analysts and marketers who want control without coding.

Octoparse’s free plan is generous for small projects, but paid plans (with cloud features) start at $119/month. It’s not as AI-driven as Thunderbit, but it’s a solid choice for those who prefer a visual approach.

Zyte: AI-Driven Web Data Collection

Zyte, formerly Scrapinghub, brings AI to the world of web scraping. Their patented AI-powered extraction API can turn any URL into structured data, and their Smart Proxy Manager handles bans and CAPTCHAs behind the scenes. Zyte is also a leader in legal compliance, making it a favorite for companies in regulated industries.

If you want a one-stop, worry-free web data solution—with the latest AI tech and compliance baked in—Zyte is a strong contender.

NetNut: Reliable Proxy and Data Collection Services

NetNut specializes in high-performance proxies and B2B data APIs. Their B2B Data Scraper API is tailored for extracting professional and company data (think LinkedIn profiles, firmographics, and more). With a focus on speed, geo-targeting, and success-based pricing, NetNut is a great fit for sales intelligence and market research teams.

Smartproxy: Scalable Web Scraping and Proxy Tools

Smartproxy, now rebranded as Deco.do, is all about making scalable web scraping affordable. Their Site Unblocker API handles anti-bot challenges, and they offer specialized APIs for social media, SERPs, and e-commerce. With 65M+ proxies and flexible pricing (starting at $50/month), Smartproxy is perfect for startups and small businesses that need reliable data without breaking the bank.

Infatica: Custom Data Retrieval and Scraping APIs

Infatica combines a robust proxy network with a Web Scraper API that handles JavaScript-heavy sites, geo-targeting, and more. They offer both self-serve APIs and fully managed scraping-as-a-service, making them a good choice for technical teams that need custom solutions and strong support.

DataHen: Tailored Web Data Collection for Enterprises

DataHen takes a “done-for-you” approach to web scraping. Instead of giving you a tool, they build and maintain custom scrapers for your specific needs, handle data cleaning, and deliver structured outputs in any format you want. If you’d rather outsource the whole process and focus on using the data, DataHen is your partner.

HabileData: End-to-End Data Processing and Enrichment

HabileData is a BPO-style data services provider with over 25 years of experience. They handle everything from data enrichment and annotation to document processing and real estate data collection. If you need human-validated data processing at scale—like cleaning a massive CRM or labeling images for AI—HabileData brings the human touch.

Coresignal: Workforce and Company Data at Scale

Coresignal is your go-to for massive, continuously updated datasets on professionals, companies, and job postings. With APIs and bulk downloads, Coresignal is ideal for investment firms, HR analytics, and anyone needing ready-to-use business intelligence data.

LXT: Human-Generated Data for AI Training

LXT is a global crowdsourcing platform for AI data collection and annotation. With a network spanning 1,000+ languages and expertise in RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback), LXT is perfect for AI teams needing diverse, high-quality training data—especially for speech, image, and text projects.

Appen: Managed AI Data Collection and Annotation

Appen has long been a leader in managed AI data projects, offering everything from data collection and annotation to validation and RLHF. With a massive global workforce, Appen is trusted by Fortune 500s for large-scale, complex AI data needs—though recent shifts mean it’s worth checking current reviews and pilot results.

Prolific: Crowdsourced Data for Research and AI

Prolific is the academic and UX researcher’s favorite for high-quality, crowdsourced survey and study data. With detailed prescreening and a focus on participant quality, Prolific is ideal for collecting human judgments, survey responses, or user feedback—especially when data quality matters more than sheer scale.

Amazon Mechanical Turk: Flexible Crowdsourcing Marketplace

Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) is the original crowdsourcing platform for microtasks. With a global workforce and flexible APIs, MTurk is unbeatable for cost-effective, on-demand human data collection—just be prepared to invest in quality control and task design.

Which Data Collection Service Is Right for Your Business?

So, how do you pick the right data collection partner? Here’s my cheat sheet:

• Non-technical users or small teams: Try an AI web scraper like for fast, no-code web data extraction.
• Enterprise-scale, technical projects: Bright Data or Oxylabs for robust APIs, proxies, and compliance.
• No-code, moderate-scale scraping: Octoparse is great if you want visual control.
• Custom or fully managed projects: DataHen or Infatica will build and maintain scrapers for you.
• Company/professional data: Coresignal or NetNut are your best bets.
• AI/ML training data: LXT or Appen for managed, human-annotated datasets.
• Surveys and human feedback: Prolific for quality, MTurk for scale and flexibility.
• Budget-conscious scraping: Smartproxy or Infatica offer affordable, scalable APIs.

And remember, you don’t have to pick just one—many businesses use a mix of tools for different needs. Start with a free trial where you can, and don’t be afraid to reach out to support teams for advice (they’re usually friendlier than you’d expect—especially if you bring cookies).

Conclusion: Unlocking Business Value with the Right Data Collection Partner

In 2025, data isn’t just a competitive advantage—it’s the foundation for growth, innovation, and survival. The right data collection service can save you hundreds of hours, cut costs, and unlock insights that drive real business results. Whether you’re scraping leads, monitoring prices, training AI, or running global surveys, there’s a solution that fits your needs and your budget.

If you’re ready to ditch the copy-paste grind and see what AI-powered data collection can do, —you might just find yourself with more time for the important stuff (like finally learning to make that perfect cup of coffee). And if you want to keep exploring, check out our for deep dives, tutorials, and more data-driven wisdom.

Here’s to smarter, faster, and (dare I say) more enjoyable data collection in 2025. If you have questions, stories, or just want to share your favorite data horror story, drop me a note—I love hearing how people are using these tools to make their work (and lives) a little bit easier.

FAQs

1. What are data collection services and why do businesses need them in 2025?

Data collection services automate the process of gathering structured information from websites, platforms, and documents—saving businesses hours of manual work. In 2025, nearly every function from sales to AI development relies on timely, accurate data. These services offer scalable, cost-efficient, and AI-enhanced alternatives to outdated copy-paste methods, helping teams stay competitive and data-driven.

2. How does Thunderbit differ from other data collection tools?

Thunderbit is designed for non-technical users who want fast, no-code web scraping. Its AI-powered Chrome extension can automatically detect and extract key fields (like emails or product details) with just two clicks. It supports subpage/pagination scraping, inline data cleaning, scheduling, and multilingual support—all starting at just $9/month.

3. What should I consider when choosing a data collection service?

Look at:

• Features: Does it handle the types of data you need?
• Ease of use: Is it no-code or developer-focused?
• Scalability: Can it grow with your data volume?
• Pricing: Are there free trials or transparent plans?
• AI & automation: Does it use AI to improve accuracy and reduce maintenance?
• Reputation: What do real users say about support and reliability?

4. Which data collection tools are best for enterprise-scale projects?

For enterprise-grade scraping with features like millions of proxy IPs, compliance, and custom APIs, Bright Data and Oxylabs are top contenders. They cater to technical teams and large-scale operations, with support for complex, high-volume data workflows.

5. Can I use multiple data collection tools for different business needs?

Absolutely. Many businesses combine tools: Thunderbit for easy lead scraping, DataHen for fully managed projects, Coresignal for professional datasets, and Prolific or MTurk for human-sourced research data. Choose the right tool(s) based on your specific goals, team skills, and data sources.

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