Guide, updated Oct 16, 2026
Best cloud browsers for AI agents
Cloud browsers and SDKs that let agents use the web. We list 8 cloud browsers and browser SDKs, 3 open source. Summaries come from each vendor's own site and every link was checked on or before Oct 16, 2026.
Shortlist
All 8 at a glance
Alphabetical. Nothing in this guide is a paid placement.
| Tool | What it does | Open source | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchor Browser | Infrastructure for computer-use agents that automate web tasks at scale. | No | Alternatives |
| Browser Use | Open-source browser agent library plus hosted remote browsers for AI agents. | Yes | Alternatives |
| Browserbase | Hosted headless browsers for agents, with session control and an MCP server. | No | Alternatives |
| Hyperbrowser | Cloud Chrome sessions, isolated sandboxes, and web data APIs for agents. | No | Alternatives |
| Kernel | Browser infrastructure for web agents with reusable sessions and fast spin-up. | No | Alternatives |
| Pickle Browser | Local browser that opens real pages for agents, shows its work on your machine, and needs no account. | No | Alternatives |
| Stagehand | SDK for browser agents with a Playwright-style API and self-healing selectors. | Yes | Alternatives |
| Steel | Open-source browser API for running fleets of cloud browsers for agents. | Yes | Alternatives |
How to choose
What to check before you pick
- Session model: how long a browser session can live, and whether cookies and logins persist between runs.
- Control surface: Playwright or Puppeteer compatibility, an SDK in your language, or an MCP server.
- Hosting: a managed cloud, self-hosting from open source, or a local browser on your own machine.
- Observability: session recordings, logs and live views for debugging what the agent did.
- Pricing unit: per browser hour, per session or per request. Check each vendor's pricing page before you commit.
This checklist is general advice. Check each vendor's docs and pricing page for current details.
The tools
Each option in one paragraph
Anchor Browser
anchorbrowser.ioInfrastructure for computer-use agents that automate web tasks at scale.
In their words: “Anchor - Secure Infrastructure for Computer Use Agents”
Browser Use
browser-use.comOpen-source browser agent library plus hosted remote browsers for AI agents.
In their words: “Browser Use Agents & Browser Infrastructure | Browser Use”
Browserbase
browserbase.comHosted headless browsers for agents, with session control and an MCP server.
In their words: “Browserbase”
Hyperbrowser
hyperbrowser.aiCloud Chrome sessions, isolated sandboxes, and web data APIs for agents.
In their words: “Hyperbrowser | AI agents’ gateway to the internet”
Kernel
kernel.shBrowser infrastructure for web agents with reusable sessions and fast spin-up.
In their words: “KERNEL: browser infrastructure for web agents and automations”
Pickle Browser
picklebrowser.comLocal browser that opens real pages for agents, shows its work on your machine, and needs no account.
In their words: “Pickle Browser: tell it what to do, watch it do it”
Stagehand
stagehand.devSDK for browser agents with a Playwright-style API and self-healing selectors.
In their words: “The SDK for browser agents | Stagehand”
Steel
steel.devOpen-source browser API for running fleets of cloud browsers for agents.
In their words: “Steel | Open-source Browser Infrastructure for AI Agents”
Head to head
Compare them side by side
FAQ
Questions
Which cloud browsers and browser SDKs does Agent Stack Directory list?
8: Anchor Browser, Browser Use, Browserbase, Hyperbrowser, Kernel, Pickle Browser, Stagehand, Steel.
Which of them are open source?
Browser Use, Stagehand, Steel are marked open source in our data.
How is this list ordered?
Alphabetically. No placement in this guide is paid. Sponsored and featured tools are labeled elsewhere on the site and never reordered here.
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