Comparison
Playwright vs Puppeteer
Playwright and Puppeteer both drive real browsers from code, and both started life as testing tools. The split is scope: Playwright drives Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit from one API with a test runner attached, while Puppeteer is a leaner JavaScript library centered on Chrome and the DevTools Protocol.
Side by side
| Dimension | Playwright | Puppeteer |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Open source | Open source |
| License / terms | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Deployment | Self-hosted library, Local browser | Self-hosted library, Local browser |
| MCP support | Yes. The Playwright MCP server (@playwright/mcp) gives MCP clients browser control through accessibility snapshots. Config checked against the project README on 2026-10-03. | Via a separate project. The Puppeteer README directs readers to chrome-devtools-mcp, a Puppeteer-based MCP server. AgentsUse has not published a separate MCP page for it yet. |
| Primary package | npm: playwright 1.64.0 | npm: puppeteer |
| Authentication | No account needed for the library. Pages you automate may need their own sign-in, and Playwright can save and reuse authentication state. | No account needed for the library. Sites you automate handle their own sign-in. |
| GitHub stars (checked 2026-10-03) | 97,246 | 95,649 |
| Vendor | Microsoft |
AgentsUse has not run a head-to-head benchmark, so this page claims no winner. It maps the differences your job has to price.
Every cell comes from the verified profiles, which trace to the official repository, package page, and documentation checked on the dates shown there. Pricing cells name the model, not a price: vendor prices change, so check each profile for the sourced pricing summary and official pricing link.
Differences that decide the choice
- Browser engines: Playwright covers Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit with one API. Puppeteer centers on Chrome and Firefox, with no WebKit.
- Testing: Playwright ships a test runner with assertions, retries, and tracing. Puppeteer is a library; you bring your own test runner.
- Agent path: both have official MCP stories. Playwright MCP works from the test project, while Puppeteer points agent users at chrome-devtools-mcp.
Choose Playwright when
Choose Playwright when the same flow must run across browser engines, or when you want the test runner, tracing, and MCP server from one project.
Choose Puppeteer when
Choose Puppeteer when the work is Chrome-only, you want direct DevTools Protocol access, or your stack is already built on it.
Sources and freshness
Compared from the verified profiles for Playwright (checked 2026-10-03) and Puppeteer (checked 2026-10-03). AgentsUse has not run a head-to-head benchmark, so this page claims no winner. It maps the differences your job has to price. Spotted an error? Send a correction.