Index home / infrastructure / profile COMPUTER USE / PROFILE Steel: capabilities, evidence & fit An open-source browser API with managed sessions, reusable context, and session replay.
Browser infrastructure live The browser API and runtime layer. Your agent supplies planning, while Steel supplies sessions, network options and reusable browser context. The open-source browser runtime and managed service have different feature and operational scope.
Last verified Sep 27, 2026
Primary sources 4
Evidence state Fresh
Benchmark records 1
Where it fits CONSIDER IT FOR Developers choosing managed or self-hosted browser execution Browser agents needing reusable login state LOOK ELSEWHERE WHEN You need a built-in universal workflow planner Unbounded session duration is required on an entry plan Fit recommendations are editorial interpretations of the documented architecture.
Documented capabilities CAPABILITY DOCUMENTED STATE SOURCE Session API Create on-demand cloud browser sessions Source Follow the source. Source verification confirms what the publisher states. It is not our independent performance test.
official product Session API: Create on-demand cloud browser sessions Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
steel.dev Context reuse Save and inject cookies and local storage Source Follow the source. Source verification confirms what the publisher states. It is not our independent performance test.
official product Context reuse: Save and inject cookies and local storage Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
steel.dev Framework support Puppeteer, Playwright and Selenium integrations Source Follow the source. Source verification confirms what the publisher states. It is not our independent performance test.
official product Framework support: Puppeteer, Playwright and Selenium integrations Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
steel.dev Observability View live or recorded sessions Source Follow the source. Source verification confirms what the publisher states. It is not our independent performance test.
official product Observability: View live or recorded sessions Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
steel.dev Runtime source Public browser runtime supports self-hosting Source Follow the source. Source verification confirms what the publisher states. It is not our independent performance test.
official repo Runtime source: Public browser runtime supports self-hosting Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
github.com Proxy meter Proxy usage is billed separately from browser time Source Follow the source. Source verification confirms what the publisher states. It is not our independent performance test.
official pricing Proxy meter: Proxy usage is billed separately from browser time Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
docs.steel.dev
Environment, deployment & control Environment
browser Full
desktop Unknown
mobile Unknown Deployment
cloud Full
local Full
self Hosted Full Extensibility
api Full
sdk Full
mcp Unknown
bring Your Own Model Unknown Control method
screenshots Full
mouse Keyboard Full
dom Or Accessibility Full
code Execution Unknown Unknown = insufficient public evidence; No evidence = an explicit negative record; N/A = does not apply to this layer.
Trust, oversight & limitations Documented oversight
human Approval Unknown
audit Logs Unknown
sandboxing Unknown
prompt Injection Defense Unknown
credential Controls Unknown Inspect trust evidence Follow the source. Source verification confirms what the publisher states. It is not our independent performance test.
official product Steel documents session APIs, context reuse, Playwright/Puppeteer/Selenium connectivity, live sessions and replay. Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
steel.dev Status records public product/documentation availability or an explicit preview/open-source designation as observed on the retrieval date. It does not attest service uptime, account access, SLA, or an independently tested production readiness claim.
official repo Steel Browser is a public browser sandbox/API implementation for local or self-hosted deployment. Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
github.com official pricing Launch is $0 plus usage; browser time $0.10/hour and proxy bandwidth $10/GB; 15-minute sessions and one-time $30 credit. Pricing page last edit June 30, 2026. Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
docs.steel.dev official docs Browser Tools provides a screenshot endpoint returning a hosted PNG, with optional full-page capture; this is separate from long-lived sessions. Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
docs.steel.dev official product Session API: Create on-demand cloud browser sessions Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
steel.dev official product Context reuse: Save and inject cookies and local storage Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
steel.dev official product Framework support: Puppeteer, Playwright and Selenium integrations Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
steel.dev official product Observability: View live or recorded sessions Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
steel.dev official repo Runtime source: Public browser runtime supports self-hosting Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
github.com official pricing Proxy meter: Proxy usage is billed separately from browser time Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
docs.steel.dev Know the boundary Launch has a 15-minute session maximum in the pricing table; longer sessions depend on plan. Managed proxy and CAPTCHA features on Launch require a paid-balance account verification deposit. Design human approval →
Pricing snapshot $0 / month + usage Launch
Verified Sep 27, 2026 · USD · usage. Hosted services and software licensing can have different terms.
Pricing source Follow the source. Source verification confirms what the publisher states. It is not our independent performance test.
official pricing Launch is $0 plus usage; browser time $0.10/hour and proxy bandwidth $10/GB; 15-minute sessions and one-time $30 credit. Pricing page last edit June 30, 2026. Verified Sep 27, 2026 · verified
docs.steel.dev Cost inputs & calculator → Explore the Index Compare tools Our methodology