payload vs browser-harness
payload is the more adopted project, with 45,459 GitHub stars against 18,585 for browser-harness (about 2.4x more). payload was updated more recently (today, against today). payload is written in TypeScript and browser-harness in Python.
| payload | browser-harness | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Payload is the open-source, fullstack Next.js framework, giving you instant backend superpowers. Get a full TypeScript backend and admin panel instantly. Use Payload as a headless CMS or for building | Let Claude Code, Codex or Cursor use your real Chrome, logged in as you. One prompt to set up. Open source, MIT. |
| Author | payloadcms | browser-use |
| Stars | 45459 | 18585 |
| Language | TypeScript | Python |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Last update | 2026-10-24T03:29:07Z | 2026-10-24T01:48:48Z |
| Source | https://github.com/payloadcms/payload | https://github.com/browser-use/browser-harness |
| Stars this week | n/a | +117 |
Which should you choose?
- payload describes itself as: "Payload is the open-source, fullstack Next.js framework, giving you instant backend superpowers. Get a full TypeScript backend and admin..."
- browser-harness describes itself as: "Let Claude Code, Codex or Cursor use your real Chrome, logged in as you. One prompt to set up. Open source, MIT."
Stars measure adoption, not fit. Read both READMEs for the tools each server exposes, then try them side by side in your client: the install guide shows how to add both.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more popular, payload or browser-harness?
payload has more GitHub stars: 45,459 against 18,585. This week payload gained 0 stars and browser-harness gained 117, which says more about current momentum than the all-time total. Both figures are refreshed daily from GitHub.
Are payload and browser-harness open source?
payload: MIT (open source). browser-harness: MIT (open source). An open-source license lets you run and self-host the server at no cost. If either one wraps a commercial API, that provider's pricing still applies, so read each README for the accounts and keys it needs.
Can I use payload and browser-harness together?
Yes, if both run as MCP servers. MCP clients such as Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code can connect to several servers at once, and the agent picks tools from each. Give them distinct names in your config, and keep the number of active servers small so tool definitions do not crowd the context window.
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payload details · browser-harness details · All Browser Automation MCP servers
Data last updated . Stars and downloads are refreshed every day from GitHub and npm.