Pick Kernel if
agent platforms that need fast session create and will pay per second.
Read the Kernel pageKernel vs Steel
Our take
Pick Kernel if agent platforms that need fast session create and will pay per second. Pick Steel if agent authors who want a CDP endpoint with proxies and session replay. Skip Kernel if people who want a no-code general agent (Manus) or a query-language scraper (AgentQL). Skip Steel if people who want a hosted general agent (Manus) or markdown-out scrape credits (Firecrawl).
Best for
Kernel Spin an isolated browser with profiles and live view
Steel Attach Playwright to a stealth cloud session
Free plan
Kernel $0 · + usage. $5 included credits/month. 5 concurrent browsers
Steel $0 · /month + usage. $30 one-time credits (~300 browser hours). 10 concurrent; 15-minute sessions; 3 seats
Lowest paid
Kernel Hobbyist $30/mo
Steel Scale $250/mo
Next step up
Kernel Start-Up $200/mo
Steel
Coding agent
Kernel Four start paths
Steel CLI + agent skill
Watch out
Kernel Developer is 5 concurrent and $5 credits
Steel Launch credits are one-time
Last checked
Kernel 2026-10-22 · kernel.sh/docs/info/pricing
Steel 2026-10-22 · steel.dev/pricing
Which one, then?
Pick Steel if
agent authors who want a CDP endpoint with proxies and session replay.
Read the Steel page