Website Sucker vs SiteSucker: Which Should You Use in 2026?
SiteSucker is the well-known Mac app that's been around for almost two decades. Website Sucker is a newer, browser-based alternative built for modern sites. Despite the similar names, they're different tools with different strengths. Here's how they actually compare.
The Quick Summary
SiteSucker is a downloadable Mac/iOS app that crawls websites and saves them locally. Website Sucker is a web app — you paste a URL in your browser and download a ZIP, no install required. SiteSucker is older and more configurable. Website Sucker is newer, works on any device, and handles modern JavaScript-heavy sites that SiteSucker often can't.
Platform Support
SiteSucker only runs on Mac (with a separate iOS version). If you're on Windows or Linux, you can't use it at all.
Website Sucker runs in any modern browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, on Mac, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, even mobile. There's nothing to download or install.
JavaScript-Rendered Sites
This is the biggest practical difference. SiteSucker fetches HTML the way a basic HTTP client does — it doesn't run JavaScript. So for sites built with Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, React, Vue, Angular, or any modern framework, SiteSucker often returns an empty shell with missing content, no images, and broken styling.
Website Sucker runs a real headless Chrome browser behind the scenes (using Puppeteer). It renders JavaScript, scrolls pages to trigger lazy-loaded images, and waits for content to fully load before downloading. The result: a complete offline copy of modern sites, not a broken skeleton.
Embedded Content
SiteSucker downloads HTML, CSS, JS, and images, but doesn't do anything special with embedded YouTube videos, Vimeo players, Google Maps, Spotify, or social embeds. They typically appear as broken iframes when you open the offline copy.
Website Sucker preserves embeds from 25+ providers so they keep working offline — videos still play (when you have internet), maps still load, and Spotify/SoundCloud players remain functional.
Pricing
SiteSucker is a paid Mac app — around $4.99 for the standard version, more for the Pro version with extra features. Once you buy it, it's yours.
Your first scrape on Website Sucker is free up to 50 pages, and you see exactly what was captured before paying. A credit ($1.99, packs from $1.30/credit) downloads the whole site, up to 500 MB (about 1,200 pages), or $5.99/month gets you unlimited scrapes and downloads, each up to 500 MB. Bigger sites pause at 500 MB; add 250 MB for $1.99, up to 1,000 MB. If you only need one or two backups, you'll save money. If you need dozens per month, the subscription is the better deal.
Speed & Convenience
SiteSucker, once installed and configured, is fast. But you have to install it, configure download depth and filters, and actually open the app each time.
Website Sucker is instant. Paste a URL, hit go, watch the live progress in the browser, and download the ZIP. No setup, no config screens. Each scrape gets its own saved result that expires automatically.
When SiteSucker Is Still the Better Choice
SiteSucker is the right tool when:
- You're on a Mac and the site you want is mostly static HTML
- You want very granular control over what gets downloaded (depth, file types, URL filters)
- You'll be downloading the same site repeatedly and want a saved configuration
- You don't want recurring fees and prefer a one-time app purchase
When Website Sucker Is the Better Choice
Use Website Sucker when:
- You're on Windows, Linux, or any non-Mac device
- The site uses modern JavaScript (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, React, Vue, Angular, Next.js, etc.)
- It has lots of embedded videos, maps, or interactive content
- You want it done in 60 seconds without installing anything
- You're backing up a client's site and want to send them a clean ZIP without making them install software
The Bottom Line
Both tools have a place. SiteSucker is a solid app for Mac users with mostly static sites. Website Sucker is the modern, cross-platform, JS-aware alternative that handles today's web. Try Website Sucker free — if your site comes out clean, you're done. If you need more control, install SiteSucker.
Enable JavaScript to use Website Sucker.