# nanobrowser vs skyvern
_Browser & Computer Use · independent comparison_

> nanobrowser and skyvern are both open-source browser & computer use you can self-host for free. skyvern has wider GitHub adoption — 23k stars vs 14k. Neither is universally better — pick by fit.

## Side by side

**nanobrowser**
- Open source · Agent · 14k★ · TypeScript · Apache-2.0 · active 8 months ago
- Best for: A free in-browser alternative to OpenAI Operator using your own LLM keys.
- Avoid if: You rely on small local models — they need cleaner prompts and more iterations.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/nanobrowser) · [official](https://nanobrowser.ai)

**skyvern**
- Open source · Agent · 23k★ · Python · AGPL-3.0 · active 3 days ago
- Best for: Automating browser workflows with vision-based agents you can self-host.
- Avoid if: Your target sites break vision-based automation and need API integrations instead.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/skyvern) · [official](https://www.skyvern.com)

## Key differences

- skyvern has wider GitHub adoption — 23k stars vs 14k.
- nanobrowser is written primarily in TypeScript; skyvern in Python.
- Licensing differs: nanobrowser is Apache-2.0, skyvern is AGPL-3.0.

## Which to choose

**Choose nanobrowser if:** A free in-browser alternative to OpenAI Operator using your own LLM keys.

**Choose skyvern if:** Automating browser workflows with vision-based agents you can self-host.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between nanobrowser and skyvern?**
skyvern has wider GitHub adoption — 23k stars vs 14k.

**Is nanobrowser or skyvern better?**
Neither is universally better. nanobrowser is the stronger fit for A free in-browser alternative to OpenAI Operator using your own LLM keys; skyvern for Automating browser workflows with vision-based agents you can self-host. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is nanobrowser or skyvern free?**
nanobrowser is free to run and self-host; skyvern 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, nanobrowser or skyvern?**
By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — skyvern is ahead (23k vs 14k). 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/nanobrowser-vs-skyvern