To enhance scraping capabilities, improve stability, and meet increasingly complex data extraction needs, Octoparse introduced two new scraping modes for local extraction in version 8.8.0: Chrome Mode and Phantom Mode.
Chrome Mode (Headful Mode)
What it is:
Chrome Mode uses your local Google Chrome browser to run the task. This means Octoparse controls the browser directly, simulating real user actions on the website.
Best for:
Websites that require manual login.
Pages protected by CAPTCHA or Cloudflare.
Complex or highly interactive websites.
Note:
When running a task in Chrome Mode, the Chrome browser will remain in the foreground. Please avoid any operations in Chrome during this time.
The task cannot be minimized and will stop if the browser is closed.
Phantom Mode (Headless Mode)
What it is:
Phantom Mode runs without a visible browser interface. Instead, it executes scraping tasks in the background, making it lightweight and efficient.
Best for:
Websites that do not require manual login
Pages with simple HTML structures.
Sites with minimal anti-scraping measures.
Routine, high-volume scraping tasks.
How to Switch Modes in Octoparse
Open your task in Octoparse 8.8.0 or the above version.
Click Run
Under the Run on your device section, choose Chrome Mode, Phantom Mode, or Standard Mode.
Tip: Standard Mode is the default when you hit Run. Running your task locally uses the built-in browser embedded in the client. You can switch to a different mode if it better fits your needs.