Chrome Devtools MCP vs Webdriverio MCP

A side-by-side look at the Chrome Devtools MCP and Webdriverio MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

Chrome Devtools MCP logoChrome Devtools MCPBrowser Automation · Local subprocess (stdio)Chrome DevTools for coding agents65GreatAuth: no auth requiredWebdriverio MCP logoWebdriverio MCPBrowser Automation · Local subprocess (stdio)Browser and mobile app automation using WebdriverIO, enabling AI agents to control browsers, interact with web elements, and automate native Android and iOS apps via the WebDriver and Appium protocols.64GoodAuth: not declared

Verdict: choose Chrome Devtools MCP for browser automation work as a local process; choose Webdriverio 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?

Chrome Devtools MCP logoChoose Chrome Devtools 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 click, drag, fill.
Explore Chrome Devtools MCP

Webdriverio MCP logoChoose Webdriverio MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Browser Automation domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You want tools like enable_tools, start_session, attach_session.
Explore Webdriverio MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecChrome Devtools MCP logoChrome Devtools MCPWebdriverio MCP logoWebdriverio MCP
CategoryBrowser AutomationBrowser Automation
Quality signal65/100 · Great64/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredNot declared
PricingFreeNot declared
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars53,90042
Directory activity 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools5640

Tools & capabilities

Chrome Devtools MCP tools 56

  • click
  • drag
  • fill
  • fill_form
  • handle_dialog
  • hover
  • press_key
  • type_text
  • upload_file
  • click_at
  • close_page
  • list_pages
  • +44 more on the listing page

Webdriverio MCP tools 40

  • enable_toolsAdd a group of tools: `mocks`, `cookies`, `device`, `extensions`, `attach`, `elements`, `cloud-apps
  • start_sessionStart a browser, local Electron application, or mobile app session; `attach: true` retains the existing Chrome CDP connection mode
  • attach_sessionAttach to an existing remote WebDriver/Appium session by ID without creating a new session
  • launch_chromeLaunch a new Chrome instance with remote debugging enabled (for use with `start_session({ attach: true })`)
  • close_sessionClose or detach from the current session (supports `detach: true` to disconnect without terminating)
  • emulate_deviceEmulate a mobile/tablet device preset (viewport, DPR, UA, touch); requires BiDi session
  • open_web_extensionInstall a web extension through WebDriver BiDi and open one of its extension pages so normal page tools can drive its UI
  • navigateNavigate to a URL. In browsers the result shows the new page's interactive elements with refs
  • snapshotThe page as an accessibility tree with refs (`button "Save" [ref=e3]`), interactive elements by default (plain text is dropped, `full: true` shows it); pass refs to `perform_actions` for several steps; `find` returns only the parts containing a text (link targets included), `full: true` adds all te…
  • get_elementsGet visible, interactable elements with bounds. Supports `inViewportOnly` (default: true) and `includeContainers` (default: false). Mobile and Electron; listed after `enable_tools({ groups: ['elements'] })`, use `snapshot` first
  • get_accessibility_treeGet the accessibility tree with roles, names, and selectors. Electron-only; browsers use `snapshot
  • get_screenshotTake a screenshot of the current page or screen (base64-encoded, auto-resized to max 2000px / 1MB)
  • +28 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.

Chrome Devtools MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "chrome-devtools-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Webdriverio MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "webdriverio-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@wdio/mcp@latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Chrome Devtools MCP is categorized under Browser Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Webdriverio MCP belongs to Browser Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Chrome Devtools MCP for browser automation work and Webdriverio 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.

Chrome Devtools MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Webdriverio MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. 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 chrome-devtools-mcp and webdriverio-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Chrome Devtools MCP has a quality signal of 65/100 (Great) with 6 views, 0 installs and 53,900 GitHub stars. Webdriverio MCP has 64/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 42 GitHub stars.