Skyvern vs 
Steel
Skyvern vs Steel compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Automate browser workflows with LLMs + vision vs Headless browser infrastructure for AI agents.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
Skyvern vs Steel at a glance
| Spec | Skyvern | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Browser & computer-use agents | Browser & computer-use agents |
| Type | Browser workflow automation | Browser API for agents |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Runs locally | Self-hosted | Yes |
| Primary language | Python | TypeScript |
| Ease of use | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Best for | robust automation across unseen sites | giving production agents reliable web access |
| GitHub stars | 22.4k | 7.3k |
How Skyvern and Steel score
| Criterion | Skyvern | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| License freedom | 3.5 | 5.0 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
Skyvern
Skyvern automates browser-based workflows using LLMs and computer vision, completing tasks on websites it has never seen without brittle hard-coded scripts.
- Vision + LLM, resistant to layout changes
- Handles forms, 2FA and complex flows
- Self-hostable with an API
Steel
Steel is an open browser-as-API: launch controlled Chrome sessions for your agents with anti-bot handling, session management and a live debug view, self-hosted or cloud.
- Purpose-built browser sessions for agents
- Session reuse, proxies and debugging UI
- Self-hostable with Docker in minutes
Key differences
Skyvern is browser workflow automation, while Steel is browser API for agents. Their licenses differ (AGPL-3.0 vs Apache-2.0), which matters if you ship a commercial product. They also differ in how they run (Self-hosted vs Yes). In short, Skyvern fits robust automation across unseen sites, and Steel fits giving production agents reliable web access.
Which should you choose?
Choose Skyvern for robust automation across unseen sites. Choose Steel for giving production agents reliable web access.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skyvern or Steel easier to use?
Both sit at a similar level (Intermediate). Your choice should come down to fit rather than difficulty.
Are Skyvern and Steel free?
Skyvern is free and open source (AGPL-3.0), and Steel is free and open source (Apache-2.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run Skyvern and Steel locally?
Skyvern: self-hosted · Steel: yes. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
Skyvern vs Steel — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose Skyvern for robust automation across unseen sites. Choose Steel for giving production agents reliable web access.
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