Top 8 Browser Automation Tools in 2024

If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by all those repetitive online tasks, you're not alone. Automating those mundane web tasks can make life a lot easier, free up time, and spare you from all of the clicking, logging in, and filling out forms. 

We're going to look into 8 browser automation tools that can handle these tasks for you.

What is Browser Automation?

Browser automation is exactly what it sounds like: using tools and software to perform tasks in your browser automatically. Just take a second and imagine all those repetitive actions you do online, like logging into sites, filling out forms, or downloading files. With browser automation, you can set up processes to handle these tasks for you, so you don’t have to do them manually every single time.

Automation tools work by simulating a human user’s actions on a website. They can click, type, scroll, and interact with web pages just as you would. But instead of spending hours doing these tasks yourself, you set up the instructions once and let the tool handle it from there. Browser automation is commonly used for tasks like:

• Scraping data from websites for research
• Automating testing of web applications to ensure they function properly
• Extracting information from multiple sources
• Filling out forms on government or business websites
• Downloading monthly invoices or reports

What to Look for in a Browser Automation Tool

It's pretty easy to choose the right tool, but your choice depends on your needs, technical comfort, and the type of tasks you’re automating. 

Here are a few factors to consider when picking the perfect automation tool:

1. Ease of Use: If you’re not a coder, you’ll want something with a friendly interface and features like drag-and-drop or recording. 

2. Browser Compatibility: Some tools work only with specific browsers.

3. Customization and Flexibility: If you’re working with highly specific workflows or websites that change frequently, choose a tool that lets you customize interactions, like Skyvern.

4. Handling Dynamic Content: Websites that update in real-time or change elements require tools that handle dynamic content. 

5. Community and Support: Open-source tools like Skyvern, Selenium and Playwright have extensive communities and resources, which can be helpful if you’re learning. Paid tools may offer customer support, which is nice if you run into roadblocks.

6. Budget: Some tools are free, while others have subscription plans. It’s a good idea to start with free or open-source options if you’re exploring or testing a few options.

Top 7 Browser Automation Tools in 2024

Now that you know what browser automation is and what to look for, let’s dive talk about the tools themselves. These 7 tools represent the best options available today, each with unique features, pricing, and pros and cons.

1. Skyvern

Skyvern is an open-source AI that automates browser-based tasks through an API. It uses large language models (LLMs) and computer vision to handle multi-step processes, like fetching invoices or navigating complex forms.

Pros:

• Adapts to various websites, including ones with CAPTCHA and two-factor authentication.
• Allows fine control over tasks with proxy networks.
• Open-source and self-hostable, so you can tinker and control data privacy.

Cons:

• Technical setup may be challenging if you’re a complete beginner.
• Mostly suited for teams comfortable with API integrations.

Pricing: 

• Free for open-source
• For cloud-based use, about $0.10 per page. 
• Perfect if you want powerful automation without breaking the bank.

If you’re struggling with complex workflows, Skyvern’s computer vision can identify items on a page and fill out fields automatically. Just set it up, and it’s like you’re clicking along right beside it.

2. Selenium

Selenium has been a fan favorite for years. It’s kind of like the web automation Swiss Army knife which lets you interact with almost any website. It’s open-source, highly flexible, and supports many programming languages.

Pros:

• Wide browser and OS support.
• Fantastic community and resource library.
• Free and open-source.

Cons:

• Can feel overwhelming at first if you’re not familiar with coding.
• Doesn’t handle dynamic or complex elements easily.

Pricing: Free.

Start small. Try automating a simple login form first before diving into multi-page workflows. This way, you can get a feel for how Selenium handles user actions, so it becomes easier to tackle complex tasks later.

3. Playwright

Playwright, by Microsoft, focuses on reliable and dynamic content automation. Unlike Selenium, it was designed with complex web applications in mind. It’s excellent for testing sites that change frequently.

Pros:

• Works across all major browsers.
• Robust support for handling network requests and dynamic content.

Cons:

• Learning curve is a bit steeper if you’re not familiar with coding.
• Mostly optimized for web testing, so may not fit broader automation needs.

Pricing: Free and open-source.

If you have a website with lots of pop-ups or dynamic elements, Playwright’s ability to handle these without breaking will save you loads of time. Use it for any task where the website feels "alive" (like updating content without refreshing).

4. Cypress

Cypress is pretty good for those who want to automate testing for web apps built with JavaScript frameworks. It’s intuitive and offers built-in debugging which makes it accessible to beginners.

Pros:

• Real-time reloading, so you see results immediately.
• Fantastic for single-page applications.

Cons:

• Only supports Chromium browsers.
• Primarily designed for testing rather than broader automation.

Pricing: 

• Free for basic use
• Advanced features start at $75/month.

5. Puppeteer

Puppeteer is a Node.js library from Google that's all about making Chrome do your bidding. It’s great for creating PDFs, scraping, and automating UI tasks where you need Chrome’s compatibility.

Pros:

• Offers excellent control over Chrome.
• Ideal for generating PDFs and screenshots.

Cons:

• Chrome/Chromium only
• Requires Node.js knowledge.

Pricing: Free and open-source.

Use Puppeteer if you need precision with Chrome, like capturing screenshots or PDFs. It’s also popular for web scraping because it lets you fine-tune your browser interactions.

6. Katalon Studio

Katalon Studio combines a beginner-friendly interface with enough features for experienced testers. It’s versatile and offers automation across mobile, web, and even desktop apps.

Pros:

• Straightforward for beginners with built-in keywords.
• Integrates well with CI/CD pipelines.

Cons:

• Limited customization options for advanced users.
• Paid features can add up.

Pricing: 

• Free for basic 
• Paid plans start at $49/month.

7. TestComplete

TestComplete is a commercial automation tool that works across desktop, web, and mobile platforms. Its scriptless automation option is appealing if you prefer a no-code approach.

Pros:

• Excellent support for non-coders with record and playback.
• Works with multiple programming languages.

Cons:

• Pricey for smaller teams.
• Bulky setup compared to lightweight tools.

Pricing: Starting at $2,399/year per license.

TestComplete’s scriptless feature is perfect if you’re more focused on outcomes than technical details. Use the recording functionality to build workflows without writing a single line of code.

But if you’re looking for a tool that can handle complex workflows without too much hassle, Skyvern could be the best fit. It’s open-source and flexible. Even if you're just starting out or working with more advanced tasks, Skyvern has a lot to offer; especially if you’re looking for power and privacy at an affordable price. 

Create an account, get $5 worth of free credits, and start automating your workflows.