Browserbase Alternatives 2026
Browserbase runs managed headless browsers for agents and automation and bills by browser hour. This page compares Browserless, Apify and Firecrawl, the three alternatives whose official pricing pages we checked on 2026-10-16. None of them is on the coding ranking.
Short answer
Browserless is the closest like-for-like option, since it is also a managed browser endpoint for Playwright and Puppeteer code. Apify is a platform of Actors that can run browser tasks, and Firecrawl returns page content for a URL without a live browser session of your own.
The meters differ. Browserbase counts browser hours, Browserless counts units of up to 30 seconds of browser time, and Apify counts compute units. A cost comparison needs your own average session length, not only the plan names.
Options compared
The table lists each option with its position on the 2026 ranking, where it has one, and the price as its cited source states it. Options marked not ranked were added from their own pricing pages.
| option | 2026 ranking | category | price as listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browserless | not ranked | managed browsers | Prototyping $25/mo annual (20k units); Starter $140/mo annual (180k units) (R38) |
| Apify | not ranked | scraping platform | Starter $19/mo ($17 annual); Scale $199/mo ($179 annual) (R35) |
| Firecrawl | not ranked | web data API | Hobby $16/mo annual (5,000 credits); Standard $83/mo annual (100,000) (R33) |
Which option fits which need
Browserless
Pick it when you want a drop-in endpoint for scripts you already run and a lower monthly figure to start. Prototyping includes 20,000 units and 10 concurrent browsers (R38). Its Free plan includes 1,000 units and two concurrent browsers (R38).
Apify
Pick it when the target site already has a maintained Actor in the Store. Platform plans start at $19 a month for Starter, with usage charged on top (R35, R36).
Firecrawl
Pick it when you need the page content rather than a live session you control. Hobby lists 5,000 credits a month for $16 billed annually, and each scrape costs one credit per page (R33, R34).
How to choose in one trial
Run the same small piece of work on Browserbase and on your top option from this list. Compare the setup time, the first working result, the way each tool meters usage, and the price of the plan that covers what you need. Count the real volume first: one trial on your own work tells you more than any table here.
Limits of this page
- None of the three is on the ranking, so positions are shown as not ranked.
- We did not test any browser session for reliability, speed or stealth. Browserbase’s stealth tiers are described on its page and are not measured here (R37).
- Unit and hour definitions differ across the vendors (R34, R36, R37, R38).
- Browserbase’s enterprise tier is quoted by sales, and no figure is given for it.
This page is not affiliated with Browserbase and is not an official page. Each claim names its source in the method and the fact register.
FAQ
Is Browserbase cheaper than Browserless?
Not at the entry level. Browserbase Developer is $20 a month with 100 browser hours (R37), and Browserless Prototyping is $25 a month billed annually with 20,000 units (R38). Browserbase charges $0.12 per browser hour above its included hours (R37), and Browserless charges $0.0020 per unit above its included units (R38). Work out your session length before you decide.
Does Browserless support captcha solving?
Its pricing page lists automatic captcha solving, and it charges 10 units for each successful solve (R38). Browserbase lists captcha solving from its Developer plan upward (R37).
Which alternatives have a free tier?
Browserless Free includes 1,000 units a month (R38). Apify includes $5 of usage (R35), and Firecrawl includes 1,000 credits (R33). Browserbase’s own Free plan includes one browser hour and three concurrent browsers, with no captcha solving (R37).