Steel
Open-source cloud browser API with self-host option for AI agents and scrapers
What is Steel?
Steel is an open-source browser API for controlling fleets of cloud Chromium sessions, with CAPTCHA solving, proxies, fingerprinting, and 24-hour session persistence. It works with Puppeteer, Playwright, Selenium, and agent frameworks, and can be self-hosted via Docker. It's the budget-friendly, code-first alternative to Browserbase for devs who want the option to leave.
Tools for building, hosting, testing, observing, connecting, and giving memory or computer access to AI agents.
See the full Agent Infrastructure guide to compare more tools, buyer criteria, and related workflows.
Use cases to evaluate
Large-scale scrapers needing thousands of browser hours/month
AI agents using Playwright or Puppeteer in the cloud
QA automation that needs persistent sessions up to 24 hours
Self-hosted browser fleet for compliance-sensitive workloads
Fit to evaluate
Indie devs and scrappy startups on tight infra budgets
Teams that insist on an open-source escape hatch
Existing Puppeteer/Playwright shops moving to the cloud
AI agent builders prototyping before scaling
Business fit
Right for you if you want a credible Browserbase alternative with an escape hatch (self-host the Docker image) and roughly 10x more free hours than competitors. Skip if you need turnkey enterprise compliance, named customer logos, or a polished observability suite; Steel is leaner. Free tier ($10 in credits, 100 browser hours) is generous enough for serious prototyping before you commit.
How to evaluate Steel
Use this category when a business wants agents that do work across tools, APIs, browsers, and data sources.
Confirm the exact workflow
Map Steel to one concrete workflow first, such as large-scale scrapers needing thousands of browser hours/month. Avoid buying before the owner, trigger, output, and success metric are clear.
Check category fit
Compare tool-calling, memory, browser automation, evals, observability, and deployment controls.
Compare practical alternatives
Shortlist Steel against Orgo, Browser Use, Browserbase so the decision is based on fit, effort, and workflow ownership rather than brand recognition alone.
Validate cost and rollout effort
Hobby (Free) $10/mo credits, 100 browser hours. Starter $29/mo, 290 hours. Developers $99/mo, 1,238 hours. Startups $499/mo, 9,980 hours. Enterprise custom. Self-hosted Docker version is free. Also confirm implementation time, support needs, and whether the technical setup matches your team.
Compare Steel with alternatives
Use this quick comparison before booking demos or moving data into a new system.
| Primary workflow | Large-scale scrapers needing thousands of browser hours/month, AI agents using Playwright or Puppeteer in the cloud |
|---|---|
| Best-fit team | Indie devs and scrappy startups on tight infra budgets, Teams that insist on an open-source escape hatch |
| Implementation effort | Technical setup and maintenance profile |
| Pricing check | Free plan + paid plans |
| Closest alternatives | OrgoBrowser UseBrowserbaseHyperbrowser |
Steel pricing
| Model | Free plan + paid plans |
|---|---|
| Snapshot | Hobby (Free) $10/mo credits, 100 browser hours. Starter $29/mo, 290 hours. Developers $99/mo, 1,238 hours. Startups $499/mo, 9,980 hours. Enterprise custom. Self-hosted Docker version is free. |
| Checked |
Common questions about Steel
What is Steel?
Steel is an open-source browser API for controlling fleets of cloud Chromium sessions, with CAPTCHA solving, proxies, fingerprinting, and 24-hour session persistence. It works with Puppeteer, Playwright, Selenium, and agent frameworks, and can be self-hosted via Docker. It's the budget-friendly, code-first alternative to Browserbase for devs who want the option to leave.
What is Steel used for?
Common use cases: Large-scale scrapers needing thousands of browser hours/month; AI agents using Playwright or Puppeteer in the cloud; QA automation that needs persistent sessions up to 24 hours; Self-hosted browser fleet for compliance-sensitive workloads.
How much does Steel cost?
Hobby (Free) $10/mo credits, 100 browser hours. Starter $29/mo, 290 hours. Developers $99/mo, 1,238 hours. Startups $499/mo, 9,980 hours. Enterprise custom. Self-hosted Docker version is free.
Who is Steel best for?
Steel fits Indie devs and scrappy startups on tight infra budgets, Teams that insist on an open-source escape hatch, Existing Puppeteer/Playwright shops moving to the cloud, AI agent builders prototyping before scaling. Right for you if you want a credible Browserbase alternative with an escape hatch (self-host the Docker image) and roughly 10x more free hours than competitors. Skip if you need turnkey enterprise compliance, named customer logos, or a polished observability suite; Steel is leaner. Free tier ($10 in credits, 100 browser hours) is generous enough for serious prototyping before you commit.
What are alternatives to Steel?
Common alternatives to Steel include Orgo, Browser Use, Browserbase, Hyperbrowser, Anchor Browser, Scrapybara.