# Browserbase vs cua
_Agent Infrastructure · independent comparison_

> Browserbase and cua take different routes to the same job: one is a commercial product, the other open-source and self-hostable. Choose based on whether you want a managed experience or full control.

## Side by side

**Browserbase**
- Freemium · Infrastructure
- Best for: Teams that want managed browser sessions rather than operating their own browser infrastructure.
- Avoid if: Your deployment requires every browser session to run entirely on your own infrastructure.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/browserbase) · [official](https://www.browserbase.com)

**cua**
- Open source · Infrastructure · 23k★ · Python · MIT · active 2 days ago
- Best for: Background computer-use across macOS, Windows, and Linux without stealing focus.
- Avoid if: You need a runtime older than Python 3.11.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/cua) · [official](https://cua.ai)

## Key differences

- Browserbase is a commercial product; cua is open-source and self-hostable.
- Pricing model differs — Browserbase is freemium, cua is open source.

## Which to choose

**Choose Browserbase if:** Teams that want managed browser sessions rather than operating their own browser infrastructure.

**Choose cua if:** Background computer-use across macOS, Windows, and Linux without stealing focus.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between Browserbase and cua?**
Browserbase is a commercial product; cua is open-source and self-hostable.

**Is Browserbase or cua better?**
Neither is universally better. Browserbase is the stronger fit for Teams that want managed browser sessions rather than operating their own browser infrastructure; cua for Background computer-use across macOS, Windows, and Linux without stealing focus. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is Browserbase or cua free?**
Browserbase is free to start (freemium), with paid tiers; cua is free to run and self-host.

**Which is more popular, Browserbase or cua?**
We rank open-source projects by GitHub adoption, but at least one of these is a commercial product and stars don't measure commercial adoption — so compare them on capabilities and pricing instead.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — https://agentsearchengine.app/compare/browserbase-vs-cua