Keywords AI

OpenAI Operator vs Steel

Compare OpenAI Operator and Steel side by side. Both are tools in the Browser Agents category.

Quick Comparison

	OpenAI Operator	Steel
Category	Browser Agents	Browser Agents
Website	openai.com	steel.dev

How to Choose a Browser Agents Tool

Key criteria to evaluate when comparing Browser Agents solutions:

ReliabilityHow consistently the agent completes tasks without getting stuck or making errors.

Website compatibilityAbility to handle dynamic sites, SPAs, authentication, and CAPTCHAs.

Cloud infrastructureManaged browser infrastructure vs requiring your own browser instances.

Developer experienceQuality of APIs, SDKs, and debugging tools for building browser automation.

Security modelSandboxing, credential handling, and data isolation between sessions.

About OpenAI Operator

OpenAI Operator is an autonomous browser agent that can navigate websites, fill forms, shop, and complete multi-step tasks on the user's behalf. Powered by GPT-4o with built-in browser capabilities, Operator is OpenAI's answer to autonomous web browsing — designed to "just work" for consumers and developers alike. It represents the shift from browser agents as developer tools to mainstream consumer products.

View OpenAI Operator profile →Visit website

About Steel

Steel is an open-source browser API and sandbox designed for AI agents. It provides managed browser sessions with authentication persistence, anti-detection, and debugging tools, handling the infrastructure complexity of running browsers at scale for autonomous AI workflows.

View Steel profile →Visit website

What is Browser Agents?

AI agents and infrastructure for autonomously navigating web browsers—clicking, typing, scraping, and completing multi-step web tasks for testing and automation.

Browse all Browser Agents tools →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a browser agent?▾

A browser agent is an AI that can autonomously control a web browser — navigating pages, clicking buttons, filling forms, and extracting information. Unlike traditional scrapers, browser agents can handle dynamic websites and make decisions.

How reliable are browser agents?▾

Reliability varies by task complexity. Simple, well-defined tasks are highly reliable. Complex multi-step tasks across unfamiliar websites still have meaningful failure rates. The technology is improving rapidly.