Selenium
The long-established open-source standard for cross-browser automation and testing.
Selenium has automated browsers for well over a decade. Through the WebDriver standard it drives every major browser from many languages, and Selenium Grid distributes runs across machines.
Newer tools are nicer to write, but Selenium's reach (language support, browser coverage, and an enormous base of existing knowledge) keeps it relevant.
Where it fits
A fit where the widest browser and language coverage matters, or a team has deep existing Selenium investment.
Where it does not fit
More setup and more flakiness than modern tools: rarely the pick for a fresh automation project.
Alternatives to Selenium
The closest options on the map, and where each fits instead.
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Playwright Browser automation library
The dependable foundation whenever code (or an agent) has to operate a real browser, especially for sites with no API.
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Puppeteer Browser automation library
A fit for Node.js projects that need straightforward Chrome automation and value a mature, stable library.
Pairs with
Commonly used alongside it.
