browser-use vs crewai
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
crewai
Python framework for multi-agent workflows with role-based Crews and event-driven Flows
Verdict
browser-use ranks higher, 87 to 77. Of the 4 score parts we measure for both, browser-use leads on 2, crewai on 1 and 1 is even.
- Adoptionbrowser-use leads by 27 points, 90 to 63: a wide gap.
- FreshnessEven at 100.
- Maintenancecrewai leads by 7 points, 83 to 76.
- Agent-readybrowser-use leads by 40 points, 70 to 30: 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 crewai if you are
Python developers building multi-agent LLM workflows in code
- Two models: autonomous Crews and explicit Flows with state, branching and or_/and_ triggers
- CLI scaffolds projects; agents and tasks declared in JSONC or classic YAML
| What we compare | browser-use | crewai |
|---|---|---|
| Score parts, out of 100 | ||
| Adoption | 90, widely used | 63, popular |
| Freshness | 100, active | 100, active |
| Maintenance | 76, fair | 83, healthy |
| Easy to run | Not scored for this kind | Not scored for this kind |
| Agent-ready | 70, partly | 30, minimal |
| Facts from GitHub and the README | ||
| Stars | 117.9k | 59.7k |
| License | MIT (permissive) | MIT (permissive) |
| Last commit | Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| Last release | Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| 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)
crewai
CrewAI is a Python framework for building multi-agent workflows. Crews are teams of role-based agents with goals, tools and tasks, run sequentially or under a hierarchical manager. Flows are event-driven workflows with typed state, branching and routing that can embed Crews. A CLI scaffolds JSON-defined crew projects, with a classic YAML scaffold still available.
Who it is for: Python developers building multi-agent LLM workflows in code
Strengths
- Two models: autonomous Crews and explicit Flows with state, branching and or_/and_ triggers
- CLI scaffolds projects; agents and tasks declared in JSONC or classic YAML
- Covers tools, memory, knowledge, checkpointing, async execution and MCP/A2A support
- MIT license; recent commit and release within days of listing
Weaknesses
- Managed deployment, governance and enterprise support are in the commercial AMP Suite
- README has a telemetry section; opt-out details are not in the excerpt
- Requires Python >=3.10 and <3.14 and uv; Windows may need C++ build tools
- Web search example needs a separate Serper.dev API key
- no GPU
- Needs Python >=3.10,<3.14, uv, LLM provider API key, Serper.dev API key (optional, web search)
- Models: OpenAI (e.g. openai/gpt-4o), other providers via LLM setup
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