# github-mcp-server vs Playwright MCP
_MCP Servers · independent comparison_

> github-mcp-server and Playwright MCP are both open-source mcp servers you can self-host for free. Licensing differs: github-mcp-server is MIT, Playwright MCP is Apache-2.0. Neither is universally better — pick by fit.

## Side by side

**github-mcp-server**
- Open source · MCP server · 33k★ · Go · MIT · active 6 days ago
- Best for: Connecting MCP clients like Claude Code or Cursor to GitHub repos, issues, and PRs — the official server.
- Avoid if: You need write-heavy automation beyond what the API surface exposes.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/github-mcp-server) · [official](https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server)

**Playwright MCP**
- Open source · MCP server · 37k★ · Apache-2.0 · active 2 days ago
- Best for: Developers whose MCP-compatible agent needs persistent browser state and structured page inspection.
- Avoid if: You need a hosted browser fleet, a complete agent, or a browser tool that operates only from pixels.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/playwright-mcp) · [official](https://github.com/microsoft/playwright-mcp)

## Key differences

- Licensing differs: github-mcp-server is MIT, Playwright MCP is Apache-2.0.

## Which to choose

**Choose github-mcp-server if:** Connecting MCP clients like Claude Code or Cursor to GitHub repos, issues, and PRs — the official server.

**Choose Playwright MCP if:** Developers whose MCP-compatible agent needs persistent browser state and structured page inspection.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between github-mcp-server and Playwright MCP?**
Licensing differs: github-mcp-server is MIT, Playwright MCP is Apache-2.0.

**Is github-mcp-server or Playwright MCP better?**
Neither is universally better. github-mcp-server is the stronger fit for Connecting MCP clients like Claude Code or Cursor to GitHub repos, issues, and PRs — the official server; Playwright MCP for Developers whose MCP-compatible agent needs persistent browser state and structured page inspection. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is github-mcp-server or Playwright MCP free?**
github-mcp-server is free to run and self-host; Playwright MCP is free to run and self-host. Both are free to self-host — you only pay for the infrastructure and any model or API usage.

**Which is more popular, github-mcp-server or Playwright MCP?**
By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — Playwright MCP is ahead (37k vs 33k). Stars measure attention, not necessarily the better fit for you.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — https://agentsearchengine.app/compare/github-mcp-server-vs-playwright-mcp