browser-use vs openai-agents-python
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
openai-agents-python
Python SDK for multi-agent workflows with handoffs, guardrails and tracing
Verdict
browser-use ranks higher, 88 to 77. Of the 4 score parts we measure for both, browser-use leads on 1, openai-agents-python on 1 and 2 are even.
- Adoptionbrowser-use leads by 59 points, 93 to 34: a wide gap.
- FreshnessEven at 100.
- Maintenanceopenai-agents-python leads by 23 points, 99 to 76: a wide gap.
- Agent-readyEven at 70.
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 openai-agents-python if you are
Python developers building tool-using or multi-agent LLM apps
- Small API: Agent and Runner cover a text agent in a few lines
- Tools can be Python functions, MCP servers or hosted tools
| What we compare | browser-use | openai-agents-python |
|---|---|---|
| Score parts, out of 100 | ||
| Adoption | 93, widely used | 34, known |
| Freshness | 100, active | 100, active |
| Maintenance | 76, fair | 99, healthy |
| Easy to run | Not scored for this kind | Not scored for this kind |
| Agent-ready | 70, partly | 70, partly |
| Facts from GitHub and the README | ||
| Stars | 117.9k | 30k |
| 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)
openai-agents-python
Python library from OpenAI for building agents with instructions, tools, guardrails and handoffs between agents. It supports the OpenAI Responses and Chat Completions APIs and, per the README, 100+ other LLMs. It also includes sandbox agents, realtime and voice agents, sessions for conversation history, human-in-the-loop controls and built-in tracing.
Who it is for: Python developers building tool-using or multi-agent LLM apps
Strengths
- Small API: Agent and Runner cover a text agent in a few lines
- Tools can be Python functions, MCP servers or hosted tools
- Built-in tracing, guardrails, sessions and human-in-the-loop support
- Includes sandbox, realtime and voice agents; MIT license, Python 3.10+
Weaknesses
- Examples assume OPENAI_API_KEY; non-OpenAI models go through optional LiteLLM or any-llm
- Pull requests limited to repository collaborators
- Python only; JS/TS version is a separate repository
- Realtime agents use gpt-realtime-2.1, an OpenAI-hosted model
- no GPU
- Needs OpenAI API key, Python 3.10+, optional: Redis, optional: SQLAlchemy, optional: websockets, optional: LiteLLM or any-llm, optional: Docker
- Models: OpenAI Responses API, OpenAI Chat Completions API, 100+ other LLMs via LiteLLM or any-llm
More in Agent frameworks and SDKs
Building with these?
We help teams pick an open-source AI stack and run it in production. Client work never changes a rank.