Add to Chrome
For a founder or operator, the first question is often: can this finish a task in the sites I already use? For a developer, it may be: can I fit this into my application and inspect failures?
Retriever AI and Browserbase overlap. Both offer ways to run browser tasks from code. The useful distinction is where you start and how much of the workflow you want to assemble.
Browserbase now includes managed agents
Our earlier comparison described Browserbase as infrastructure only. That is outdated. Its current platform includes hosted browsers, managed Agents, Search, Fetch, Runtime, Identity, and observability, alongside Stagehand. Browserbase platform and plans
Compare the starting point
| Decision | Retriever AI | Browserbase |
|---|---|---|
| First task | Install in Chrome or open the Cloud dashboard | Create a project and choose a browser or agent API |
| Existing Chrome session | The extension works in your signed-in browser | Evaluate the platform's authentication path for your application |
| Application integration | Agent API, CLI, and MCP | Browser and agent APIs, plus Stagehand |
| Cost to evaluate | Interactive Free Mode with a daily allowance | Free plan with specific resource allowances |
Browserbase's free plan currently lists one browser hour and three Agent runs. Its Developer plan starts at $20/month, with included resources and usage charges. Check the units your implementation consumes; a browser-hour price is not the full price of a model-driven task. Checked September 22, 2026. Current pricing
Test the part your application depends on
Use a small task with a verifiable output: collect three pricing pages and return price, currency, billing interval, and source. Our pricing comparison tutorial shows the fields and a reference result.
For an application, also test the failure path. Can you inspect an incomplete run, resume after signing in, and avoid repeating a submission? Record interventions and total resource usage. This article does not establish a current performance winner.
Choose Retriever when starting in your existing Chrome and moving into a Cloud or API workflow fits the job. Evaluate Browserbase when you want its hosted browser and agent components inside your own product.
What Retriever's free plan covers
Free Mode includes supported AI models and Cloud browser time for tasks you start in the extension or Cloud dashboard. No AI API key or paid AI subscription is required. Sponsored cards and a daily fair-use allowance apply. Your account shows the current allowance and reset time. When you reach it, wait for the reset, use your own AI provider, or choose a paid plan. Your provider may charge for its usage.
Schedules, triggers, cookie sync, and Chrome control through API or MCP require a paid plan. Data enrichment and managed proxies can use credits separately. API and WhatsApp runs use credits for the resources they consume. Chrome control through API or MCP requires a subscription. Free Mode applies to interactive tasks in the extension and Cloud dashboard.
Free Mode in the Chrome extension involves sponsored content. In Cloud, it also includes a license to use anonymized task records and derived products, as described in the Terms and Privacy Notice. Compare plans, read the terms, or check the privacy notice.
