Chrome DevTools MCP vs Real Browser MCP

A side-by-side comparison of two Browser Automation servers — tools, transport, auth, maintenance, and copy-paste config for each.

	Chrome DevTools MCP Lets coding agents drive a real Chrome: automate input, read console and network, record performance traces. Unverified stdio (local) No auth TypeScript	Real Browser MCP Give AI agents control of your real Chrome browser with existing sessions, cookies, and logins. Unverified stdio (local) No auth TypeScript
Category	Browser Automation	Browser Automation
Language	TypeScript	TypeScript
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	None	None
GitHub stars	45k	33
Last commit	1 month ago	1 month ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`npx -y chrome-devtools-mcp@latest`	`npx -y real-browser-mcp`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick Chrome DevTools MCP if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option.

Pick Real Browser MCP if you prefer its approach (give ai agents control of your real chrome browser with existing sessions, cookies, and logins).

Add Chrome DevTools MCP

Install / run

npx -y chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "chrome-devtools-mcp@latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Add Real Browser MCP

Install / run

npx -y real-browser-mcp

Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "real-browser-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "real-browser-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

FAQ

Chrome DevTools MCP or Real Browser MCP — which is better?

Pick Chrome DevTools MCP if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option. Pick Real Browser MCP if you prefer its approach (give ai agents control of your real chrome browser with existing sessions, cookies, and logins).

Can I use both Chrome DevTools MCP and Real Browser MCP?

Yes — MCP clients let you enable multiple servers at once. Add both configs to your client's mcpServers and use whichever tool fits the task.

Do Chrome DevTools MCP and Real Browser MCP work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

Both do. Copy the per-client config below into Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf.

View Chrome DevTools MCP →View Real Browser MCP →More comparisons →