Brave DevTools MCP vs Playwright MCP Server
A side-by-side look at the Brave DevTools MCP and Playwright MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Brave DevTools MCP for browser automation work as a local process; choose Playwright MCP Server for browser automation as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Brave DevTools MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Browser Automation domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
click, close_page, drag.
Choose Playwright MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Browser Automation domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
start_codegen_session, end_codegen_session, get_codegen_session.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Browser Automation | Browser Automation |
| Quality signal | 67/100 · Great | 68/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | No auth required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 45 | 5,673 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 32 | 33 |
| Full listing | View Brave DevTools MCP | View Playwright MCP Server |
Tools & capabilities
Brave DevTools MCP tools 32
clickClicks on the provided elementclose_pageCloses the page by its index. The last open page cannot be closed.dragDrag an element onto another elementemulateEmulates various features on the target page. Each call replaces all emulation settings (except extraHttpHeaders), so pass all desired settings in a single call.evaluate_scriptEvaluate JavaScript inside the target page. The source can be provided inline or loaded from a local file. Returns the response as JSON, so returned values have to be JSON-serializable.fillType text into an input, text area or select an option from a <select> element.fill_formFill out multiple form elements (inputs, selects, checkboxes, radios) at once. ALWAYS prefer this tool over multiple individual 'fill' or 'click' calls when interacting with forms. It is significantly faster, more reliable, and reduces turn count. Example: Fill username, password, and check "Remember Me" in one call.get_console_messageGets a console message by its ID. You can get all messages by calling list_console_messages.get_css_stylesRetrieve matched CSS rules, inline styles (element.style), inherited styles, custom properties, and cascade wrappers (@layer, @media, @container, @scope) for an element identified by its UID. Rules are ordered from highest to lowest cascade precedence and include source line numbers (e.g. index:196). Active (winning) declarations have no prefix tag, while (losing) overridden declarations are prefixed with [overloaded]. Treat the output as authoritative and complete. Results are paginated (10 rules per page by default); use pageIdx to page through the remaining rules. Requires a UID from take_snapshot.get_network_requestGets a network request by an optional reqid, if omitted returns the currently selected request in the DevTools Network panel. Useful for inspecting request headers (including 'Cookie') and response headers (including 'Set-Cookie' and directives).handle_dialogIf a browser dialog was opened, use this command to handle ithoverHover over the provided element- +20 more on the listing page
Playwright MCP Server tools 33
start_codegen_sessionStart a new code generation session to record Playwright actionsend_codegen_sessionEnd a code generation session and generate the test fileget_codegen_sessionGet information about a code generation sessionclear_codegen_sessionClear a code generation session without generating a testplaywright_navigateNavigate to a URLplaywright_screenshotTake a screenshot of the current page or a specific elementplaywright_clickClick an element on the pageplaywright_iframe_clickClick an element in an iframe on the pageplaywright_iframe_fillFill an element in an iframe on the pageplaywright_fillfill out an input fieldplaywright_selectSelect an element on the page with Select tagplaywright_hoverHover an element on the page- +21 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Brave DevTools MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"brave-devtools-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"brave-mcp@latest"
]
}
}
}
Playwright MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"executeautomation-playwright-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Brave DevTools MCP is categorized under Browser Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Playwright MCP Server belongs to Browser Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Brave DevTools MCP for browser automation work and Playwright MCP Server for browser automation.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Brave DevTools MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Playwright MCP Server is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add brave-devtools-mcp and executeautomation-playwright-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Brave DevTools MCP has a quality signal of 67/100 (Great) with 0 views, 0 installs and 45 GitHub stars. Playwright MCP Server has 68/100 (Great) with 6 views, 0 installs and 5,673 GitHub stars.
