★★★★★Trustpilot · September 2026
Reviewer says upgrades are possible but not downgrades, support is silent and the saved card cannot be removed.
We used Zenserp for 14 days, from October 9 to October 22, 2026, in the same test we run for every tool in our web scraping tools group: 1,000 pages across five test sites, following only the docs. Zenserp scored 2 out of 5 overall and came sixth of the ten tools we tested.
Zenserp is built for search engine results rather than general scraping, and that shaped the results. Reliability and features both scored 3, and it extracted 622 of 1,000 pages. But it took 174 minutes to get a first working result, the docs passed only 5 of 10 checks, and the cheapest paid plan costs $49.99 a month.
Zenserp suits developers building SEO or rank-tracking tools who need structured Google results. If you want to scrape ordinary web pages, a general scraping tool is the better pick.
How we scored it
Zenserp scored 2 out of 5 overall. Features and reliability scored 3, performance 2, and value for money (1.5) and developer experience (1) held it back.
Performance2.0
Developer experience1.0
Features3.0
Reliability3.0
Value for money1.5
Overall score: 2 / 5, the average of the five parts, rounded to the nearest half point.
- Performance (2/5): It extracted 622 of 1,000 pages at 4.58 seconds a page, so more than a third came back without data.
- Developer experience (1/5): A first result took 174 minutes, the docs passed only 5 of 10 checks and only 3 of 5 setup examples worked.
- Features (3/5): It covers many Google result types plus Bing, Yandex and DuckDuckGo, with a batch endpoint and keyword data on bigger plans.
- Reliability (3/5): Its reliability score of 3 was among the best in our lineup, and failed requests aren't charged.
- Value for money (1.5/5): The free plan allows only 50 searches a month, and paid plans start at $49.99, more than most rivals, for a tool that only covers search engines.
Best of 2026
The best web scraping tools
Before you pick Zenserp, see how all 10 tools ranked in the same test.
Zenserp in plain terms
Zenserp is an API that fetches live search engine results and returns them as structured JSON. You send it a keyword, a location and the type of search, and it sends back the results page broken into parts: normal results, ads, maps, news and more. It covers Google, Bing and Yandex, and DuckDuckGo on paid plans.
It's aimed at SEO tools, agencies and developers who need ranking and search data without running their own scrapers. You pay per successful search, from a free plan of 50 searches a month up to 1,000,000 searches a month. Zenserp is a product of APILayer, which is part of Idera, Inc.
That makes it narrower than most tools in our developer tools group. General scraping APIs fetch any page you point them at. Zenserp only handles search engines, but gives you typed, ready-to-use data for each part of the results page.
What happens after you sign up
Using Zenserp takes four steps, all through its API.
1. Get your API key. Sign up and copy your key. The free plan gives you 50 searches a month.
2. Send a search. Make a web request with the keyword, location and search type you want.
3. Read the results. Get back JSON with organic results, ads, maps, news and other parts of the page.
4. Scale up. On bigger plans, use the batch endpoint to send large jobs in one go.
What you get
Zenserp's features are all about search results. The free plan covers Google search, and the rest start on paid plans.
Google result types
Organic, image, maps, news, shopping, trends, video, reverse image and YouTube results. Google search is free, and the others start on Small.
Other search engines
Bing, Yandex and DuckDuckGo results on Small and up, for when you need more than Google.
Travel and jobs results
Hotel, flight and job result types, also from the Small plan.
Batch endpoint
Sends large numbers of searches in the background. The comparison table puts it on Medium and up, though one plan card disagrees.
Keyword volume and CPC
Search volume and cost-per-click data for keywords, on Medium and up.
Code samples
Works with any HTTP client and has samples for Python, JavaScript, PHP, Java, Go and other languages, plus a web playground.
Who gets the most out of Zenserp
Zenserp is a specialist tool. It's a good fit if search results are exactly what you need, and a poor fit for anything else.
A good fit for
- Developers building rank trackers
- Agencies pulling search data in bulk
- Teams that need location-based Google results
- Users who don't want to pay for failed requests
Not a good fit for
- Anyone who wants general web page scraping
- Buyers who need a clear refund policy first
- Users who need more than 50 free searches
- Anyone needing AI answer data today
Zenserp vs ScrapingBee, Apify and scraping Google yourself
ScrapingBee came first with 3 out of 5 and starts at $19 a month. It's a general scraping API that handles proxies and headless browsers, so it covers far more than search results. Apify scored 2.5, above Zenserp, and also starts at $19 a month, running ready-made scrapers in the cloud. Firecrawl scored 2.5 and turns web content into markdown or JSON for AI tools. Our best web scraping list ranks all ten.
You could also scrape Google yourself. That avoids a monthly fee, but you'd need to fetch and parse the pages and deal with blocks. Zenserp does that work and charges per search instead.
| Option | Price | How it compares |
|---|---|---|
| Zenserp | Free, or $49.99 a month | An API that returns live search engine results as JSON. |
| ScrapingBee | $19 a month | A general scraping API that handles proxies and browsers. |
| Apify | Free, or $19 a month | Runs ready-made or custom scrapers in the cloud, billed by usage. |
| Scraping Google yourself | No subscription | You write and maintain your own code to fetch and parse results. |
Our 14-day Zenserp test
We tested Zenserp for 14 days, from October 9 to October 22, 2026. Every tool in this group gets the same job: extract 1,000 pages across five test sites, following only the official docs. Some pages are simple, some need JavaScript to show their content, and some are split across many screens. Our full method is in how we test.
Getting started was the slowest part. It took 174 minutes, nearly three hours, from opening the docs to our first successful result. The docs passed only 5 of our 10 checks, and 3 of the 5 setup examples worked as written. Expect to fill in gaps yourself.
Across the run, Zenserp extracted 622 of the 1,000 pages. That's a little over six in ten, so a bit more than a third still came back without the data we wanted. It averaged 4.58 seconds per page and needed 265 retries. Its reliability score of 3 still put it among the steadier tools in our lineup.
Getting data out was easy. Zenserp passed 4 of our 5 export and open-format checks, and moving our work elsewhere took one manual step. Since you get plain JSON back, you're not tied in.
Our test is built for general scrapers, and Zenserp is a search results tool, so keep that in mind. If search results are all you need, its focus is a plus. If not, it's the wrong tool.
| What we measured | Result | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Time to the first working result, following the docs | 174 min to first successful result | Allow most of an afternoon to get your first request working. |
| Pages extracted out of 1,000 across our five test sites | 622/1000 pages extracted across 5 sites | About six in ten pages came back with data, so expect some gaps. |
| Quality of the docs and setup examples | 5/10 documentation checks; 3/5 setup examples work | The docs leave a lot out, so expect to work some things out yourself. |
| How easy it is to export data and move away | 4/5 export/open-format checks; 1 manual migrations | You get standard JSON, so switching to another tool later takes little work. |
Zenserp was steadier than its other results suggest, with a reliability score of 3 and easy exports. But it was slow to get going, its docs were the weakest part of the experience, and it got a bit over six in ten pages. Combined with a $49.99 starting price, that's why it scored 2. It makes most sense when search engine data is exactly what you need.
Tested October 9, 2026 to October 22, 2026.
The good and the bad from our test
Steady once running
Zenserp scored 3 for reliability, among the best in our lineup. It extracted 622 of 1,000 pages, and you aren't charged for failed requests.
Wide search coverage
It covers many Google result types, from maps and news to shopping and YouTube, plus Bing, Yandex and DuckDuckGo. Features scored 3.
Easy to take your data elsewhere
It passed 4 of our 5 export and open-format checks, with one manual step to move. Your results come as plain JSON.
Slow start and thin docs
It took 174 minutes to get a first result. The docs passed only 5 of 10 checks, which is why developer experience scored 1.
Pricey for small users
The free plan stops at 50 searches a month, and the cheapest paid plan costs $49.99 a month. Several rivals start at $19.
No refund policy and worrying reviews
We found no refund policy. Two of Zenserp's three Trustpilot reviews complain about unresponsive support and billing.
Pros
- Reliability scored 3 in our test
- Many Google result types plus other engines
- Failed requests aren't charged
- Free plan with 50 searches a month
- 4 of 5 export and open-format checks passed
Cons
- 174 minutes to the first working result
- Docs passed only 5 of 10 checks
- Paid plans start at $49.99 a month
- Search engines only, not general scraping
- No refund policy found
How much Zenserp costs
Zenserp has a free plan and five paid plans, priced by successful searches. Small costs $49.99 a month for 25,000 searches, Medium $149.99 a month for 100,000, Large $299.99 a month for 250,000 and Premium $499.99 a month for 500,000. Enterprise costs $899 a month for 1,000,000 searches, though the homepage shows $899.99. Above that, you need a custom quote.
Zenserp lists Small at $2.00 per 1,000 searches and Large at $1.20 per 1,000. Yearly plans are advertised at 20% off. Most developers should test on the free plan, then choose Small, or Medium if they need the batch endpoint or keyword data. Prices were checked on November 3, 2026.
Free
$0
a month
- 50 searches a month
- Google search
Small
$49.99
a month
- 25,000 searches
- $2.00 per 1,000 searches
- Other engines and result types
Medium
$149.99
a month
- 100,000 searches
- Batch endpoint and keyword volume
- SLA
Large
$299.99
a month
- 250,000 searches
- $1.20 per 1,000 searches
The free plan gives you 50 Google searches a month at no cost. There's no separate trial of the paid plans.
Only successful requests count toward your usage. Zenserp emails you at 90% and 100% of your monthly allowance, but doesn't say what happens if you go over.
The pricing page says you can upgrade, downgrade or cancel at any time, but a Trustpilot user in 2026 said downgrading wasn't possible. We found no refund policy on the site or in the linked terms.
Prices checked November 3, 2026. Prices can change, so check before you buy.
Is Zenserp safe to buy and use?
Zenserp's terms are Idera's general site terms, and they don't set out refund or cancellation rules. Its privacy statement is also Idera's, says personal data is mainly stored in the US, and doesn't explain how API request data is stored. We found no security certifications and no reported incidents.
Collecting search engine results may also conflict with those search engines' own terms. We didn't research that further, so check before you build a business on it. Recent user complaints about support and removing saved cards add to the reasons for caution.
Start on the free plan, and ask support in writing about refunds before you pay for a larger plan.
What Zenserp users say
There's almost no public feedback on Zenserp. On Trustpilot, checked November 3, 2026, it has 2.8 out of 5 from just 3 reviews, with 1 in the last 12 months. That's too few to judge.
Two of the three are 1-star. A September 2026 review says upgrades work but downgrades don't, support doesn't answer and a saved card can't be removed. A 2022 review says most credits on a large plan disappeared without notice and a refund was refused. The only positive review, from 2020, found it easy to set up and reliable day to day.
What users praise
- Easy integration and reliable daily SERP results (single 2020 review)
What users complain about
- Support not responding
- Credits drained without notice (2022 review)
- Hard to downgrade plan or remove card
Recent user reviews, in short
Summarised in our own words, not quoted. Reviewer names are left out.
★★★★★Trustpilot · August 2022
Reviewer says most credits on a very large plan vanished without notice, emails were ignored and a refund was later refused.
★★★★★Trustpilot · July 2020
Reviewer found integration easy and daily results reliable.
The positive review matches our reliability result. The complaints are about support and billing, which our test didn't cover, but with no refund policy and generic terms, they're worth taking seriously.
Ratings checked November 3, 2026.
Zenserp alternatives worth a look
Five tools scored higher than Zenserp in our test. Here's how they compared.
ScrapingBee
ScrapingBee came first with 3 out of 5 on every part, beating Zenserp on developer experience and value. Pick it for JavaScript-heavy or blocked sites.
ParseHub
ParseHub came second with 3 out of 5. It's a visual desktop scraper with a free plan, for beginners doing small jobs.
Apify
Apify scored 2.5 out of 5, with a better developer experience and value than Zenserp but weaker reliability. It suits developers who want ready-made scrapers.
Firecrawl
Firecrawl scored 2.5 out of 5, with a value score of 3 against Zenserp's 1.5. It's for developers who want web content as markdown or JSON.
Spider
Spider scored 2.5 out of 5, with a better developer experience than Zenserp. It suits AI developers who need bulk site crawling into markdown.
2/5
Should you use Zenserp?
Zenserp is worth considering only if search engine results are exactly what you need, for example to build a rank tracker. It was steady, with a reliability score of 3, it covers many result types and engines, and you don't pay for failed requests. It scored 2 out of 5 and came sixth of ten.
For everyone else, it's hard to recommend. It took 174 minutes to get going, the docs passed just 5 of 10 checks, and paid plans start at $49.99 a month with no refund policy we could find. Use the 50 free searches to test it first. If you need general scraping, ScrapingBee scored higher and starts at $19 a month.
Zenserp suits developers who need structured search results; anyone wanting general scraping or clear billing terms should look elsewhere.
Still deciding?
See how Zenserp compares
Every tool in our web scraping tools test got the same jobs. Our ranking puts the results side by side.
Disagree with our review?
Make your case
If you use Zenserp, or work there, and think we got something wrong, email us. Tell us what you saw and attach screenshots if you have them. We'll take another look and update the review if it changes our findings.
review.now.team@gmail.com
or open your email app
Frequently asked questions
How much does Zenserp cost?
Zenserp has a free plan with 50 searches a month. Paid plans cost $49.99 a month for Small, $149.99 for Medium, $299.99 for Large, $499.99 for Premium and $899 for Enterprise, billed monthly. Yearly plans are advertised at 20% off. We checked these prices on November 3, 2026.
How did you test Zenserp?
We used Zenserp for 14 days, from October 9 to October 22, 2026. Following only the official docs, we ran our standard test of 1,000 pages across five test sites with simple, JavaScript-heavy and multi-page layouts. We timed the first working result, counted pages extracted, rated the docs and setup examples, and checked how easily data could be exported.
What is Zenserp?
Zenserp is an API that returns live search engine results from Google, Bing and Yandex as structured JSON. You send a keyword, location and search type, and get back organic results, ads, maps, news and more. It's a product of APILayer, part of Idera, and is aimed at SEO tools and developers.
Are failed requests charged?
No. Zenserp says only successful responses count toward your monthly usage. It emails you when you reach 90% and 100% of your allowance, but it doesn't explain what happens if you go over. In our test it needed 265 retries, so not paying for failures is a real advantage.
Does Zenserp support AI search results?
Not clearly yet. The homepage lists AI Overview, answer engines and Google AI Mode as coming soon. The pricing page mentions AI Overview at 3 credits per request on paid plans, so the two pages disagree. If you need AI answer data now, ask Zenserp before you pay.
Does Zenserp offer refunds?
We couldn't find a refund policy on Zenserp's site or in the terms it links to, which are Idera's general site terms. One Trustpilot user says a refund was refused. Start on the free plan, and ask support in writing about refunds before paying for a larger plan.
Written by
Jason Kim
I've never been impressed by software simply because it looks modern. I'm far more interested in what happens when you actually start using the platform.