# skyvern vs Stagehand
_Browser & Computer Use · independent comparison_

> skyvern and Stagehand are both open-source browser & computer use you can self-host for free. Licensing differs: skyvern is AGPL-3.0, Stagehand is MIT. Neither is universally better — pick by fit.

## Side by side

**skyvern**
- Open source · Agent · 23k★ · Python · AGPL-3.0 · active 2 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)

**Stagehand**
- Open source · SDK / library · 24k★ · MIT · active 1 day ago
- Best for: Developers building browser agents who want code-level control alongside natural-language actions and structured extraction.
- Avoid if: You need a complete no-code workflow product or cannot use model-assisted browser actions.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/stagehand) · [official](https://stagehand.dev)

## Key differences

- Licensing differs: skyvern is AGPL-3.0, Stagehand is MIT.

## Which to choose

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

**Choose Stagehand if:** Developers building browser agents who want code-level control alongside natural-language actions and structured extraction.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between skyvern and Stagehand?**
Licensing differs: skyvern is AGPL-3.0, Stagehand is MIT.

**Is skyvern or Stagehand better?**
Neither is universally better. skyvern is the stronger fit for Automating browser workflows with vision-based agents you can self-host; Stagehand for Developers building browser agents who want code-level control alongside natural-language actions and structured extraction. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is skyvern or Stagehand free?**
skyvern is free to run and self-host; Stagehand 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, skyvern or Stagehand?**
By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — Stagehand is ahead (24k vs 23k). 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/skyvern-vs-stagehand