How to Bypass CAPTCHA with Python Requests in 2025: A Practical Guide

This guide is for mid-to-large companies. These companies often need web scraping, data extraction, and related data solutions. We’ll explain how to bypass CAPTCHAs using Python Requests. It is easy to understand, even without technical expertise.

Understanding CAPTCHAs: What Are They and Why Are They Used?

CAPTCHAs are challenges. Websites use them to tell humans and bots apart. They protect websites from automated abuse. This includes spam and data scraping.

Here are some common types of CAPTCHAs in 2025:

• Image CAPTCHAs: You select images matching a description.
• Text-Based CAPTCHAs: You type distorted text shown in an image.
• reCAPTCHA v2 and v3: Google’s CAPTCHA. It often involves clicking a checkbox. Sometimes, it requires image selection.
• hCAPTCHA: Similar to reCAPTCHA. It focuses more on user privacy.
• Invisible CAPTCHAs: These run in the background. They monitor your behavior.

Method 1: Using Anti-CAPTCHA Services (The Easy Way)

Anti-CAPTCHA services solve CAPTCHAs for you. They use human workers or AI. They provide APIs. You send them the CAPTCHA, and they return the solution.

Recommended Service: Bright Data’s CAPTCHA Solver (Ensure this link is always active and points to a relevant, working page. If not, replace it or remove the link entirely). Bright Data offers a complete package.

Other services include 2Captcha and Anti-Captcha.com.

Steps:

1. Get an API Key: Sign up for an account with a service.
   
2. Install requests:
   
3. Bash

pip install requests

6. Example Code:
   
7. Python

   import requests

    def solve_captcha(api_key, image_url):

        url = ‘https://2captcha.com/in.php’  # Or the API endpoint of your chosen service

        data = {

            ‘key’: api_key,

            ‘method’: ‘base64’,

            ‘body’: image_url,  # Base64 encoded image or URL

            ‘json’: 1

        }

        response = requests.post(url, data=data).json()

        if response[‘status’] == 1:

            return response[‘request’]  # The CAPTCHA solution

        else:

            return None

    # Example Usage (replace with your API key and image URL)

    # api_key = “YOUR_API_KEY”

    # image_url = “https://example.com/captcha.jpg”

    # solution = solve_captcha(api_key, image_url)

    # if solution:

    #     print(“CAPTCHA Solution:”, solution)

    #     # Use the solution in your web scraping request

    # else:

    #     print(“CAPTCHA solving failed.”)

10. Use the Solution: Include the solution in your web scraping request. This usually involves submitting a form or setting a header.
    

Method 2: Using Selenium for reCAPTCHA and hCAPTCHA

For tougher CAPTCHAs (reCAPTCHA, hCAPTCHA), requests alone isn’t enough. Selenium helps. It automates a real browser. It can simulate human actions.

1. Install Selenium and WebDriver:
   
2. Bash

pip install selenium

4. Download the WebDriver for your browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.). See the previous Selenium guide for links.
   
5. Automate Clicking:
   
6. Python

from selenium import webdriver

from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By

from selenium.webdriver.chrome.service import Service

#service = Service(‘/path/to/chromedriver’) #  Path

driver = webdriver.Chrome()

driver.get(“https://example.com/recaptcha-page”) # Replace

try:

    # Find and click the CAPTCHA checkbox

    captcha_box = driver.find_element(By.ID, ‘recaptcha-anchor’) #  ID might be different

    captcha_box.click()

    # … Continue with your scraping after solving (or waiting for) the CAPTCHA

except Exception as e:

    print(f”An error occurred: {e}”)

finally:

    driver.quit() # Always close the browser

Limitations: Even with Selenium, complex CAPTCHAs might still need an anti-CAPTCHA service. Check out our article on the best CAPTCHA solving tools (replace this with a real, relevant, and active link, or remove it if unavailable).

Method 3: Machine Learning (Advanced)

Machine learning can recognize CAPTCHA patterns. This is complex. It requires a large dataset of labeled CAPTCHA images.

1. Tools:
   
   • TensorFlow or PyTorch: For building and training the model.
   • OpenCV: For image preprocessing (resizing, etc.).
2. Dataset:
   
   • Collect many labeled CAPTCHA images.
   • You might find datasets online.
3. Model Training: Train your model to recognize the characters or images. This is a significant project on its own.
   

Method 4: Cookie-Based Bypass (for reCAPTCHA v3)

reCAPTCHA v3 uses your browsing behavior. If you’re logged in, you might avoid CAPTCHAs.

1. Get Cookies with Selenium:
   
2. Python

# (Assuming you have a Selenium driver setup)

driver.get(“https://example.com/login”) # Replace with login page

# … Log in using Selenium …

cookies = driver.get_cookies()

5. Use Cookies with requests:
   
6. Python

import requests

session = requests.Session()

for cookie in cookies:

    session.cookies.set(cookie[‘name’], cookie[‘value’])

# Now make requests using the session

response = session.get(“https://example.com/protected-page”) # Replace

print(response.text)

This works best for reCAPTCHA v3.

Method 5: Simulating Human Actions (for Invisible CAPTCHAs)

Invisible CAPTCHAs track your behavior. Make your bot look human.

• Selenium: Use Selenium to move the mouse realistically. Use ActionChains.
• Delays: Add random delays between actions.

<!– end list –>

Python

from selenium.webdriver.common.action_chains import ActionChains

import time

import random

# … (Selenium driver setup) …

# Example: Move mouse to an element

element = driver.find_element(By.ID, “my-element”)

actions = ActionChains(driver)

actions.move_to_element(element)

actions.perform()

time.sleep(random.uniform(0.5, 2.0)) # Wait a random amount of time

# Example: Type slowly

text_field = driver.find_element(By.ID, “my-text-field”)

for char in “Hello, world!”:

    text_field.send_keys(char)

    time.sleep(random.uniform(0.1, 0.3))

Important Tips for Bypassing CAPTCHAs

• Use IP Rotation: Use proxies. Rotate them frequently. Services like Bright Data can help.
• Introduce Delays: Add random delays. Don’t make requests too fast.
• Keep Sessions Consistent: Maintain cookies and headers. This makes your bot look more like a real user.
• User Agent: Rotate and using latest user agents.

Ethical Considerations

CAPTCHAs protect websites. Bypassing them can have ethical implications. Always check the website’s terms of service. Don’t scrape data you’re not allowed to access. Be respectful of website resources.

FAQ

1. Is it legal to bypass CAPTCHAs?
   
   • It depends. Check the website’s terms of service. It’s often a gray area.
2. What’s the easiest way to bypass CAPTCHAs?
   
   • Using an anti-CAPTCHA service is usually the easiest.
3. Can I bypass all CAPTCHAs?
   
   • No. Some are very difficult. CAPTCHA technology is constantly evolving.
4. Why do websites use CAPTCHAs?
   
   • To prevent bots from spamming, scraping data, or creating fake accounts.
5. Are anti-CAPTCHA services reliable?
   
   • Reliability varies. Some are better than others.
6. How much do anti-captcha services cost?
   
   • Pricing varies. It’s often based on the number of CAPTCHAs solved.
7. What is the best way to handle reCAPTCHA v3?
   
   • Maintaining a good browsing history and using cookies often helps.

Conclusion

Bypassing CAPTCHAs is possible. It requires different techniques. Anti-CAPTCHA services and Selenium are common tools. Remember to be ethical. Respect website terms.

Need help with web scraping, data extraction, or CAPTCHA bypassing? We can help you navigate the complexities of data collection in 2025.

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