Playwright MCP
A managed automation profile
Use it when repeatable browser automation and project-scoped persistent state fit the job.
Official profile documentation ↗Browser MCP decision guide
Pick the ownership model, not the longest feature list.
Browser tools can use managed automation profiles, your everyday Chrome, extension-owned tabs, or a dedicated desktop browser. Choose based on who should own the browser when one agent task ends.
Source review: August 24, 2026
Start with the correction
Persistence is not unique.
Playwright MCP preserves login state, cookies, and local storage by default. Hronaut should not claim otherwise. Its distinction is a separate visible desktop browser that stays available independently of any one coding-agent client, with explicit human controls and named workspaces.
Quick choice
Choose based on the browser you want the agent to inherit.
Chrome DevTools MCP
Your currently open Chrome
Use auto-connect when the agent should inspect the exact tabs, extensions, and application state you already have open.
Official auto-connect guide ↗Browser MCP
Agent tab groups in everyday Chrome
Use it when each conversation should control its own tab group through a Chrome extension and local server.
Product architecture ↗Hronaut
A dedicated browser for agents
Use it when the visible browser, named workspaces, and debugging context should remain available as clients and coding tasks change.
Connect a client →Comparison
Five valid tools, five different boundaries.
This is a workflow comparison, not a universal ranking. Product capabilities change; follow the linked first-party documentation for current setup details.
| Tool | Browser ownership | Persistent state | Important boundary | Strong fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playwright MCP | Managed automation browser and project profile | Login state, cookies, and local storage persist by default | Can also connect to existing tabs through its browser extension | Repeatable automation, testing, and project-scoped workflows |
| Chrome DevTools MCP | Your active Chrome instance with auto-connect | Inherits the live profile and current tabs | The trusted agent can access data exposed by that browser profile | Investigating an already-reproduced issue in your current Chrome |
| Browser MCP | Conversation-owned tab group inside everyday Chrome | Uses the existing Chrome profile | Its local server exits when the client disconnects or after its idle limit | Authenticated work inside bounded Chrome tab groups |
| Hronaut | Separate Electron/Chromium desktop application | Dedicated profile, tabs, storage, windows, and named workspaces | Chromium-only; initial binaries are unsigned and the source license is noncommercial | Long-lived visible work, client switching, human takeover, and local debugging |
| Browserbase | Hosted cloud browser sessions | Optional Contexts persist cookies, authentication, and application data across sessions | Browser state is stored on hosted infrastructure; Contexts are encrypted at rest | Remote execution, managed infrastructure, proxies, and concurrent automation |
Local vs cloud browser
Start with where the browser state should live.
Both models can preserve authenticated state. The meaningful difference is who operates the browser, where its profile is stored, and whether a person can take over on the same desktop.
- tabs, cookies, storage, and browser history should remain on your machine
- the browser should stay visible while coding-agent clients connect and disconnect
- a person needs an immediate pause and manual takeover path
- named local workspaces are more important than remote scale or proxy infrastructure
- automation must continue on remote infrastructure without the desktop running
- concurrent sessions, managed browser capacity, or proxy configuration are central requirements
- you accept storing reusable browser context with the provider
- a remote live view is sufficient for human login or intervention
Browserbase is included as a documented example of the hosted model, not as an exhaustive list or endorsement. Its Context documentation says persisted data includes cookies, localStorage, IndexedDB, session storage, service workers, and browser preferences.
Hronaut's boundary
Choose Hronaut when the browser should outlive the task.
- you want a separate browser instead of granting access to everyday Chrome
- signed-in tabs and debugging context should remain visible between agent tasks
- parallel agents need named isolated workspaces
- a person needs a clear pause, lock, or manual takeover path
- clean and repeatable browser tests are the primary goal
- the agent must inspect the exact Chrome tab where you already reproduced a bug
- Firefox or WebKit coverage is required
- a cloud browser, proxies, or unattended remote execution is required
Sources and method
Verify the boundary before granting browser access.
Claims about other tools come from their own current documentation. Hronaut claims come from its public source and reference. No tool listed here is endorsed by another.
Try the dedicated-browser model
Keep the browser. Change the agent.
Watch the real 35-second product capture, then use the tested setup guide for Codex, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code/Copilot, or any Streamable HTTP MCP client.