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The Verdict
Is Crawly right for you?
Crawly is a completely free macOS SEO crawler that audits unlimited pages, surfaces 19 issue types automatically, and connects directly to Claude Code via MCP. Built to replace Screaming Frog's £259/year licence with a native Mac experience that works with AI assistants.
Crawly is a free SEO crawling tool for Mac that does what Screaming Frog does for £259/year. It audits unlimited pages, finds 19 types of SEO issues automatically, and uniquely integrates with Claude Code through MCP. Perfect for developers and agencies tired of licensing fees.
A genuinely free alternative to expensive crawlers, but only if you're on Mac and willing to work with a newer tool.
Why I'm covering this
Crawly represents a rare combination of professional SEO capabilities at zero cost, plus genuine innovation with AI integration that larger competitors haven't matched. It's proof that modern tools can challenge established players through better architecture and pricing models.
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Who It's For
The right fit (and the wrong one)
✓Best for
- +Mac-Based SEO Professionals Native macOS app with no page limits means you can audit enterprise sites without subscription fees.
- +Technical SEOs Using AI Built-in MCP server lets you query crawl data directly through Claude Code, Cursor, or Windsurf.
- +Agencies Managing Multiple Clients Multi-tab crawling and crawl comparison features help track changes across client sites efficiently.
- +Developers Building SEO Workflows REST API and 16 MCP tools make it easy to integrate crawl data into custom dashboards and automations.
- +Mac-based technical SEO specialists running site audits for clients Native macOS performance with unlimited crawling and professional comparison features for agency work
- +Developers using AI coding assistants who need SEO data in their workflow MCP integration lets Claude Code query crawl data directly, bridging SEO and development workflows
- +Freelance SEO consultants who can't justify Screaming Frog's £259 annual fee Delivers equivalent technical auditing capabilities completely free with no page limits
- +Web agencies doing post-deployment QA on Mac workstations Crawl comparison feature catches regressions quickly, and free pricing works for multiple team members
✗Skip this if
- −Windows or Linux Users macOS only, no plans for other platforms announced.
- −Teams Needing Enterprise Features No team collaboration, user management, or advanced reporting features found in enterprise tools.
- −Those Wanting Established Ecosystem Newer tool means fewer integrations, plugins, and community resources compared to Screaming Frog.
- −Users Requiring Phone Support Community-based support model without dedicated account management or phone assistance.
- −Windows or Linux users needing technical SEO auditing macOS exclusive with no web or cross-platform versionTry Screaming Frog →
- −Large enterprises needing advanced reporting and team collaboration features Basic desktop app without user management, custom reporting, or enterprise integrationsTry Botify →
- −SEO teams focused on keyword research and content optimization Purely technical crawling tool without keyword tracking, content analysis, or SERP featuresTry Semrush →
Consider instead
Semrush
SurferSEO
SE RankingFeatures
What can Crawly do?
The issues dashboard automatically categorizes SEO problems without manual configuration. Crawly detects missing titles, duplicate H1s, broken links, redirect chains, non-indexable pages, mixed content issues, and Open Graph problems. Each issue comes with a clear explanation of what's wrong and why it matters, making it accessible even for less technical users.
Crawl comparison is where Crawly shines for ongoing site maintenance. You can diff any two crawls side-by-side to see added, removed, and changed URLs with field-level changes highlighted. This makes post-deploy QA much faster than manually checking individual pages, especially useful for agencies managing multiple client sites.
The MCP integration is genuinely unique in the crawler space. Once connected to Claude Code, you can ask questions like "Show me all pages with missing meta descriptions" or "Which redirects were added since last week?" The AI assistant queries your crawl data directly and provides structured answers, making data analysis much more conversational.
Technical features include Schema.org validation against 15 rich result types, hreflang auditing that catches missing x-default tags, and security headers analysis covering HSTS, CSP, and X-Frame-Options. The tool also handles image audits with missing alt text detection and structured data extraction from both JSON-LD and microdata formats.
SEO Issue Detection
Data Analysis & Comparison
AI & Automation Integration
Technical SEO Auditing
UX & Support
Is Crawly easy to use?
Based on the documentation and user guides, Crawly prioritizes simplicity over feature density. The interface shows your entire site in one table with filters for indexability, depth, word count, and response time. Clicking any page reveals inbound links and full on-page details, making navigation straightforward for users familiar with traditional crawlers.
The onboarding process is minimal: download the app, enter a URL, and start crawling. No account creation, licensing setup, or Java installation required. The MCP integration requires more technical setup but comes with detailed guides for connecting to Claude Code, Cursor, and other supported AI tools.
Support appears community-based through their guides and documentation rather than traditional customer service channels. The learning section covers technical SEO fundamentals alongside tool-specific tutorials, suggesting they're building educational resources rather than relying on support tickets.
Pricing
How much does Crawly cost?
Crawly is free to use.
Crawly Pricing Analysis
vs. 51 SEO toolsFree tool (no paid plans)
Crawly is completely free with no page limits, subscription fees, or licensing costs. The maker, Niko Moustoukas, confirmed in May 2026 that no paid tier is planned for the core app itself, with any future monetization coming through additional services rather than feature gating.
This pricing model directly challenges established crawlers: Screaming Frog costs £259/year for unlimited crawling, Sitebulb starts at £13.50/month, and JetOctopus begins at $49/month. For agencies running multiple crawls monthly, Crawly's free model could save hundreds or thousands annually.
The trade-off is platform limitation (macOS only) and the risks of relying on a newer tool without the established track record of paid alternatives. However, for Mac users specifically, the value proposition is compelling: professional-grade crawling with modern AI integration at no cost.
| Plan | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Free | Free |
External Ratings
What reviewers say about Crawly
0"The MCP integration with Claude Code is genuinely useful - I can ask questions about my crawl data in natural language"
Community feedback"Finally, a free alternative to Screaming Frog that doesn't feel like a compromise"
Community feedback"Native Mac app that actually feels native, unlike the Java-based competitors"
Community feedbackDownsides
What's wrong with it
macOS Only
No Windows or Linux versions available, limiting team adoption in mixed-OS environments
No Team Collaboration
Individual tool without user management, shared workspaces, or permission controls
Limited Ecosystem
Newer tool means fewer third-party integrations and community plugins compared to established crawlers
Single Developer Dependency
Built by one agency, raising questions about long-term development and support sustainability
Basic Reporting
Lacks visual reporting templates and client presentation features found in tools like Sitebulb
Buddy's Take
These limitations are significant if you need cross-platform team tools or polished client reporting. But if you're a Mac-based technical user focused on crawling performance and AI integration, Crawly's constraints are reasonable trade-offs for the free pricing and modern architecture.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Yes, confirmed by the maker that no paid tier is planned for the core app. Any future monetization would come through additional services, not by removing current features.
No, it's macOS only with universal support for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. No plans announced for other platforms.
Crawly runs an MCP server that connects directly to Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, and Windsurf, letting you query crawl data in natural language.
Similar core crawling features, but Crawly is free vs £259/year, native Mac vs Java-based, and includes MCP integration for AI assistants.
Yes, no page limits or crawl caps. You can audit enterprise-scale sites without restriction.
Yes, REST API with documented authentication. No official SDK but you can hit it with standard HTTP requests.
Yes, crawl comparison shows added, removed, and changed URLs with field-level diffs to catch post-deployment issues.
19 issue types including missing titles, broken links, redirect chains, non-indexable pages, mixed content, and Schema.org problems.
Completely predictable pricing because it's entirely free with no usage limits or hidden fees.
Crawly is best for: Mac-based technical SEO specialists running site audits for clients; Developers using AI coding assistants who need SEO data in their workflow; Freelance SEO consultants who can't justify Screaming Frog's £259 annual fee; Web agencies doing post-deployment QA on Mac workstations.
Purpose-built for AI integration with native MCP server support for Claude Code and other AI coding tools.
Easy to start using with standard exports, though platform lock-in to macOS limits flexibility.
Crawly starts from Free. A free plan is available.
Ready to try Crawly?
Download the free Mac app and start crawling unlimited pages today
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Read Next
Joonas Rotko
Author & founder of That Marketing Buddy
I score marketing software for AI-stack fit (MCP, API, agent-readiness), backed by 10+ years in digital marketing.
This page may contain affiliate links. I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences ratings.