Screaming Frog Log Analyzer
Log AnalysisDesktop server log analysis for bot crawl insights
Overview
Screaming Frog Log Analyzer is a desktop application that transforms raw server logs into actionable crawl budget insights. Built by the same UK team behind the popular SEO Spider, this specialized tool launched in 2018 to address the growing need for deeper bot behavior analysis beyond what Search Console provides.
The tool fills a critical gap in technical SEO workflows. While Google Search Console shows you Googlebot's perspective, server logs reveal the complete picture — every bot that hits your server, failed requests, response times, and crawl patterns across all search engines. This server-side view often uncovers crawl budget waste that's invisible in GSC reports.
Unlike enterprise log analysis platforms like Botify or OnCrawl that run in the cloud, Screaming Frog Log Analyzer processes everything locally on your desktop. This approach appeals to agencies and consultants who need quick log analysis without monthly subscriptions or data upload concerns.
Key features
Server Log Processing
Parses Apache, IIS, and Nginx log files to extract bot crawling data. Handles compressed files and supports multiple log formats.
Bot Detection & Classification
Identifies and categorizes search engine bots (Google, Bing, Yahoo) plus other crawlers. Shows which bots are consuming your crawl budget.
Crawl Pattern Analysis
Maps bot behavior across your site structure, revealing which pages get crawled most frequently and identifying crawl traps.
Response Code Tracking
Breaks down HTTP status codes by bot type to spot technical issues that waste crawl budget on error pages.
URL Performance Metrics
Shows page load times and file sizes from the server perspective, helping identify slow pages that hurt crawl efficiency.
Time-Based Analysis
Visualizes crawl patterns over time with charts and graphs, showing peak crawling periods and frequency changes.
Custom Filtering
Filter data by date ranges, bot types, response codes, and URL patterns to focus analysis on specific issues.
Export & Reporting
Export findings to CSV or Excel for further analysis and client reporting. Generate visual reports with charts.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 1,000 log lines, basic bot detection, essential reports |
| Paid | $149/year | Unlimited log analysis, all bot types, advanced filtering, export options |
FAQ
Can Screaming Frog Log Analyzer handle large log files?
Yes, the paid version processes unlimited log file sizes. The free version is limited to 1,000 log lines, which covers small sites or testing purposes.
What log formats does it support?
It supports Apache Common/Combined, IIS W3C Extended, and Nginx log formats. It can also process compressed .gz files directly without extraction.
How does it differ from Google Search Console crawl reports?
Log analysis shows all bot activity on your server, while GSC only shows Googlebot data. You see complete crawl patterns, including non-Google bots and failed requests that don't appear in GSC.
Does it identify crawl budget waste automatically?
It highlights common waste patterns like bots crawling error pages, low-value URLs, or duplicate content. You need to interpret the data to identify specific optimizations for your site.
Can it analyze logs from CDNs like Cloudflare?
Yes, as long as the CDN provides standard Apache/Nginx format logs. However, CDN logs may not show all server-level details depending on your configuration.
How does Screaming Frog Log Analyzer compare?
Side-by-side comparisons with , and more.
Review Sentiment
Bottom line
Screaming Frog Log Analyzer targets technical SEOs with dedicated log file analysis reveals exactly how search engine bots crawl, but it's too early for a firm verdict — limited review data means you should trial carefully before committing.
People love
- +Dedicated log file analysis reveals exactly how search engine bots crawl your site
- +Integration with Screaming Frog SEO Spider combines crawl and log data
- +Identifies crawl budget waste from redirects, 404s, and low-value page crawling
Common complaints
- –Desktop software requires downloading and processing large log files locally
- –Annual license at $149/yr is separate from the SEO Spider license
- –Requires access to server log files — not available on all hosting platforms
Last updated Feb 2026