Browser Controller vs CDPM
A side-by-side look at the Browser Controller and CDPM MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
B
Browser ControllerBrowser Automation · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP server + Chrome extension that gives AI agents control of your real browser with existing sessions and logins59GoodAuth: no auth requiredC
CDPMBrowser Automation · Local subprocess (stdio)Shares numbered, logged-in Chrome instances over CDP across multiple Claude Code sessions, with per-tab command queues. Local stdio server.60GoodAuth: no auth requiredVerdict: choose Browser Controller for browser automation work as a local process; choose CDPM 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?
BChoose Browser Controller 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
browser_navigate, browser_tabs, browser_snapshot.
CChoose CDPM 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
browser_status, browser_launch, browser_close.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | B Browser Controller | C CDPM |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Browser Automation | Browser Automation |
| Quality signal | 59/100 · Good | 60/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | No auth required |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 7 | 2 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 17 | 28 |
| Full listing | View Browser Controller | View CDPM |
Tools & capabilities
Browser Controller tools 17
browser_navigate- `url` (required): an address (scheme optional: `https://` is added; `http://` for `localhost`, `127.0.0.1` and `[::1]`), or `back`, `forward`, `reload`.browser_tabs- `action`: `list` (default), `close` or `focus`. `close` and `focus` need `tabId`.browser_snapshot- `tabId` (required).browser_text- `tabId` (required); `target` (the element); `maxChars` (20000; 100–100000).browser_screenshot- `tabId` (required); `target` (crop to the element's box); `region` (`{x, y, width, height}` in CSS px, crop to a rectangle).browser_inspect_element- `tabId`, `target` (required).browser_click- `tabId`, `target` (required; a point `x,y` is allowed).browser_type- `tabId` (required); `target`; `text`; `key`; `clear` (false); `submit` (false). Give at least one of `text`, `key`, `clear` or `submit`.browser_fill- `tabId` (required); `fields` (1–50 entries of `{target, value}`; `value` is a string, a number, a boolean or an array of strings).browser_scroll- `tabId` (required); `target`; `dy` and `dx` (pixels).browser_wait- `tabId` (required); exactly one of `target`, `url` or `ms`; `gone` (false; with `target`); `timeout` (10000; 1–50000).browser_evaluate- `tabId`, `expression` (required); `timeout` (5000; 1000–30000).- +5 more on the listing page
CDPM tools 28
browser_statusLive slots, tabs, openers, last actions, summaries, dialogsbrowser_launchStart a slot — only when the user asks; no `slot` = lowest free; `slots` (list) or `count` start several at once, lowest first; `url` / `urls` open a start page right away. Window or headless is the user's choice: if they didn't say, Claude asks first (without `headless`, a closed slot is not start…browser_closeClose gracefully (profile kept)browser_tabsList / open in background (returns ID) / close / bring to front (only when the user wants)browser_snapshotAccessibility text with refs; `page`, `find`, `refbrowser_textReadable text (main/article first, or one `ref`), paginatedbrowser_screenshotVisible area as PNG, background tabs included; no full-page capturebrowser_navigateWaits for load; slow servers are reported as "still loading", not as errorsbrowser_clickReal mouse click; reports covering elements, new tabs, form-validation failuresbrowser_typeReal key events per character (`clear`, `submit`, `fast`); verifies the value and does not press Enter for `submit` if the value differs (the site rejected or reformatted the input); date/time inputs are set after format validationbrowser_fillFill several inputs on one page in order, then optionally `submit` ("Enter" or a button ref); stops at the first failure, page change, dialog or a field whose value differs from what was typed (nothing is submitted then)browser_dialogAccept or dismiss an open alert/confirm/prompt/beforeunload (`text` for prompt). Claude decides from the message- +16 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.
Browser Controller
{
"mcpServers": {
"browser-controller": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"browser-controller"
]
}
}
}
CDPM
{
"mcpServers": {
"igelharine-cdpm": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"cdpm-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Browser Controller is categorized under Browser Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. CDPM belongs to Browser Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Browser Controller for browser automation work and CDPM 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.
Browser Controller is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. CDPM 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 browser-controller and igelharine-cdpm as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Browser Controller has a quality signal of 59/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 7 GitHub stars. CDPM has 60/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 2 GitHub stars.
