Puppeteer vs Playwright: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Puppeteer and Playwright comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Puppeteer
Headless Chrome automation
Best for you if:
- • Puppeteer is a Node.js library for controlling Chrome programmatically
- • It automates browser tasks for testing, scraping, and screenshot generation
Playwright
Reliable end-to-end testing
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • Cross-browser testing framework supporting Chrome, Firefox, and Safari
- • Auto-waiting and test isolation for reliable, fast tests
| At a Glance |  Puppeteer |  Playwright |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Testing & QA | Testing & QA |
Rating | 85/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Puppeteer | Playwright |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QABrowser DevTools | Testing & QABrowser DevTools |
How Puppeteer and Playwright Compare
Puppeteer
Headless Chrome automation
Free · 85/100 score
Playwright
Reliable end-to-end testing
Free · 90/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Puppeteer
Want the highest-rated option?
Puppeteer: 85/100. Playwright: 90/100.
Go with: Playwright
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Playwright
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are testing & qa tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Playwright scores higher: 90/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Playwright
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 85
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Puppeteer
The Bottom Line
Playwright (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Puppeteer or Playwright better?
Playwright scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Puppeteer and Playwright used for?
Puppeteer: Headless Chrome automation. Playwright: Reliable end-to-end testing.
What does Puppeteer cost vs Playwright?
Puppeteer is completely free. Playwright is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.