browser-use vs autogen
Two of the top projects in Agent frameworks and SDKs, side by side: who leads on each score part and who each one suits, then setup, license, activity and what each review found.
browser-use
Python library that lets an LLM agent control a web browser
autogen
Python and .NET framework for multi-agent apps, now in maintenance mode
Verdict
browser-use ranks higher, 83 to 30. Of the 4 score parts we measure for both, browser-use leads on 4, autogen on none.
- Adoptionbrowser-use leads by 42 points, 79 to 37: a wide gap.
- Freshnessbrowser-use leads by 42 points, 100 to 58: a wide gap.
- Maintenancebrowser-use leads by 72 points, 76 to 4: a wide gap.
- Agent-readybrowser-use leads by 70 points, 70 to 0: a wide gap.
Pick browser-use if you are
Developers building browser-automating agents in Python
- Works with a local Chrome profile, a cloud browser, or a remote browser over CDP
- Custom tools register with a decorator; system prompt can be extended or overridden
Pick autogen if you are
Developers with existing AutoGen code or prototyping multi-agent apps in Python
- Layered design: Core, AgentChat and Extensions APIs let you pick the abstraction level
- Core runtime supports local and distributed execution, with Python and .NET packages
| What we compare | browser-use | autogen |
|---|---|---|
| Score parts, out of 100 | ||
| Adoption | 79, popular | 37, known |
| Freshness | 100, active | 58, recent |
| Maintenance | 76, fair | 4, weak |
| Easy to run | Not scored for this kind | Not scored for this kind |
| Agent-ready | 70, partly | 0, none |
| Facts from GitHub and the README | ||
| Stars | 117.8k | 61.4k |
| License | MIT (permissive) | CC-BY-4.0 (read the license) |
| Last commit | Oct 2026 | Apr 2026 |
| Last release | Oct 2026 | Sep 2025 |
| Language | Python | Python |
| Docker | Yes | No |
| GPU | Optional | Not needed |
| arm64 or Apple Silicon | Not stated | Not stated |
browser-use
Browser Use runs an LLM-driven agent that opens a browser, reads pages and completes tasks such as searching, filling forms and booking slots. It is used as a Python library (3.11+), as a CLI skill for agents like Claude Code, or through a hosted cloud API. It works with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Ollama and its own BU2 model, on local or cloud browsers.
Who it is for: Developers building browser-automating agents in Python
Strengths
- Works with a local Chrome profile, a cloud browser, or a remote browser over CDP
- Custom tools register with a decorator; system prompt can be extended or overridden
- Supports OpenAI, Anthropic and Google wrappers, plus local models via Ollama
- Ships a CLI skill so existing coding agents can drive a browser
Weaknesses
- README recommends BU2, which needs a paid Browser Use API key
- CAPTCHA and stealth handling rely on the paid cloud browser, with no guarantee
- Profile sync copies cookies only, not local storage, IndexedDB or extensions
- Hardware needs for local models are not stated in the README
- GPU optional
- Docker
- Needs Python >= 3.11, Chromium-based browser, LLM provider API key or Ollama, Browser Use API key (optional)
- Models: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Ollama, BU2 (ChatBrowserUse)
autogen
AutoGen is a layered framework for building multi-agent applications: a Core API for event-driven message passing, an AgentChat API for two-agent and group-chat patterns, and an Extensions API for model clients, MCP tools and code execution. It also ships AutoGen Studio, a no-code prototyping UI on port 8080, and AgentBench. The project is in maintenance mode and community managed; Microsoft points new users to Microsoft Agent Framework.
Who it is for: Developers with existing AutoGen code or prototyping multi-agent apps in Python
Strengths
- Layered design: Core, AgentChat and Extensions APIs let you pick the abstraction level
- Core runtime supports local and distributed execution, with Python and .NET packages
- MCP tool support through McpWorkbench, e.g. the Playwright MCP server
- Includes AutoGen Studio for no-code prototyping and a benchmarking suite
Weaknesses
- Maintenance mode: no new features, only bug fixes, security patches and docs
- Maintainers recommend Microsoft Agent Framework for new projects
- AutoGen Studio is explicitly not production-ready and has no built-in authentication
- Support is community-only and response times may be slow
- no GPU
- Needs Python 3.10+, OpenAI API key (for the quickstart samples), Node.js/npx (for the Playwright MCP example)
- Models: OpenAI, Azure OpenAI
- port 8080
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