Browser Controller vs Real Browser MCP
A side-by-side look at the Browser Controller and Real Browser MCP 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 requiredVerdict: choose Browser Controller for browser automation work as a local process; choose Real Browser MCP 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.
Choose Real Browser MCP 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_click, browser_type.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | B Browser Controller | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Browser Automation | Browser Automation |
| Quality signal | 59/100 · Good | 68/100 · Great |
| 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 | 56 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 17 | 18 |
| Full listing | View Browser Controller | View Real Browser MCP |
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
Real Browser MCP tools 18
browser_navigateNavigate to a URL in the active browser tabbrowser_clickClick an element on the page using a ref from snapshot or a CSS selectorbrowser_typeType text into an input elementbrowser_scrollScroll the page or an element. Supports pixel offsets, scrolling to elements, and named positions (top/bottom). Works with virtual scroll containers used by social media sites.browser_press_keyPress a keyboard key or combination (Enter, Escape, Tab, ArrowDown, etc). Supports modifiers like Ctrl+A, Cmd+C.browser_waitWait for a condition: element to appear, element to disappear, or a fixed delay. Useful for SPAs and dynamic content.browser_snapshotGet an accessibility tree snapshot of the page. Returns element refs you can use with click, type, and other tools. Use compact mode (default) for smaller output - only interactive elements.browser_screenshotCapture a screenshot of the visible page areabrowser_consoleRead console messages (log, warn, error) from the browserbrowser_networkRead network requests made by the page. Filter by URL pattern.browser_tabsManage browser tabs: list, create, close, or focusbrowser_findFind elements on the page using natural language (e.g. "login button", "search input"). Returns refs you can use with click/type.- +6 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"
]
}
}
}
Real Browser MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"ofershap-real-browser-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"real-browser-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Browser Controller is categorized under Browser Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Real Browser MCP belongs to Browser Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Browser Controller for browser automation work and Real Browser MCP 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. Real Browser MCP 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 ofershap-real-browser-mcp 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. Real Browser MCP has 68/100 (Great) with 5 views, 0 installs and 56 GitHub stars.
