BasedOnBusiness vs Outscraper: Which Is the Better Google Maps Scraper?
If you are searching for a reliable Google Maps scraper, you will likely come across both Outscraper and BasedOnBusiness. Both tools extract business data from Google Maps. Both serve legitimate use cases. But they approach the problem differently, and the right choice depends entirely on what you are trying to accomplish.
This is a direct, honest comparison — no filler, just the differences that actually matter.
What Data Can Each Tool Extract?
Both tools pull publicly available business data from Google Maps listings. The core fields are the same across both platforms:
- Business name
- Phone number
- Physical address
- Website URL
- Google rating and total review count
- Business category
One important clarification: neither tool can extract email addresses. Google Maps does not publish email contact information at the listing level. Any tool claiming otherwise is misrepresenting what Google Maps data contains.
Outscraper: What It Does Well
Outscraper is a data extraction platform with Google Maps as one of its primary sources. It offers a wide range of data types beyond Maps — reviews, place photos, and various enrichment services. For users with technical backgrounds, it also provides API access and supports integration into automated workflows.
The platform is well-established and has a large user base. If you need more than basic business data — for example, bulk review scraping or multi-source data pipelines — Outscraper has features that go beyond what a focused tool offers.
BasedOnBusiness: What It Does Well
BasedOnBusiness is built exclusively for one job: extracting business contact data from Google Maps. No complex input setup and no learning curve — you search by category, city, and country, set a lead count, and download your file. For teams that want more control, it also provides a REST API (/api/v1/scrapes), webhook notifications, and JSON export — without the overhead of a full scraping platform.
For marketers, sales professionals, and agency owners who need Google Maps data fast and do not want to manage a technical platform, this focus is a significant advantage.
Pricing: A Direct Comparison
Pricing is where the two tools diverge most clearly.
Outscraper uses a credit system where different tasks consume credits at different rates. Review scraping, enrichment services, and standard place data are priced separately. For straightforward Google Maps business data, Outscraper is competitive — but costs can be harder to predict for mixed workloads.
BasedOnBusiness uses a strictly flat model: 1 credit equals 1 business record, regardless of how many fields are returned. There are no per-field charges, no task multipliers, and no expiry on credits you purchase.
| | BasedOnBusiness | Outscraper |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | 1 credit = 1 lead (flat) | Variable by task type |
| Free tier | 50 credits, no card required | Limited free tier |
| Credit expiry | Never | Varies by plan |
| REST API | Yes — /api/v1/scrapes | Yes |
| Webhooks | Yes — job completion | Varies |
| Export formats | CSV, Excel, JSON via API | CSV, JSON |
| Setup required | None for UI | Moderate |
| Best for | Marketers, agencies, sales | Developers, multi-source data |
Ease of Use
If you have never used a web scraping tool before, BasedOnBusiness is easier to start. The interface has a single primary action: define your search and run it. Everything else is handled automatically.
Outscraper requires more familiarity with how scraping platforms work. You need to understand the task model, credit consumption rates for different data types, and how to structure your queries. This is not especially complex for someone technical, but it is a real barrier for non-developers.
Speed to First Result
On BasedOnBusiness, the time from account creation to first downloaded CSV is typically under three minutes. On Outscraper, expect longer onboarding if you are new to the platform.
Data Quality
Both tools retrieve data directly from Google Maps, so the underlying source is the same. Data freshness and accuracy are comparable — any differences are edge cases rather than systematic quality gaps.
Who Should Use Each Tool?
BasedOnBusiness is the better choice if:
- You are a marketer, sales rep, or agency owner who needs Google Maps data quickly
- You want completely predictable pricing per lead
- You want a simple UI with optional API and webhook support for automation
- You want to start for free without entering a credit card
Outscraper is the better choice if:
- You are a developer building an automated data pipeline
- You need features beyond Google Maps business listings (e.g. review scraping, multi-source data)
- You are comfortable working with a more technical platform
The Bottom Line
For the majority of businesses and agencies that simply need a list of businesses from Google Maps — with name, phone, address, website, and rating — BasedOnBusiness is the faster, simpler, and more predictable option. Outscraper has a broader feature set, but that breadth comes with added complexity that most non-technical users do not need.
Get Started Free
Try BasedOnBusiness before committing to any paid plan. Sign up at basedonb.com and receive 50 free credits instantly — no credit card required. Run a search on your target market and evaluate the data quality yourself.