Playwright MCP vs 21st.dev
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Playwright MCP is completely free, while 21st.dev is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Browser control for agents
- Accessibility snapshots
- Test generation
- Works with major agents
- Remote hosted option
- Component library
- Magic MCP server
- UI variation generation
- Agent-ready prompts
- shadcn compatibility
| Feature | Playwright MCP | 21st.dev |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Microsoft's MCP server that gives AI agents a real browser | UI component library and MCP tools for AI coding agents |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes |
| Made by | Microsoft | 21st.dev |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Playwright MCP is completely free, while 21st.dev is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Free
Free
- Browse the whole library
- 2 component copies a day
Builder
$8/mo billed quarterly
- Unlimited copies and installs
- Unlimited shaders and gradients
Builder + AI
$20/mo billed quarterly
- 500 AI credits/month
- Design Bug Bot PR reviews
- Premium AI models
Team
$10/seat/mo billed quarterly
- Per seat, 2 to 50 seats
- Shared collections
- Private team components
- Admin controls
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Playwright MCP
- Free and open source
- No vision model needed
- Backed by Playwright team
- Uses many tokens per session
- Browser setup needed locally
21st.dev
- Improves AI-generated UI quality
- Works with major coding agents
- Large free catalog
- React and Tailwind only
- Magic usage is paid
Which one should you choose?
Choose Playwright MCP if you want:
- Free and open source
- No vision model needed
- Backed by Playwright team
Watch out: uses many tokens per session.
Choose 21st.dev if you want:
- Improves AI-generated UI quality
- Works with major coding agents
- Large free catalog
Watch out: react and tailwind only.
Playwright MCP vs 21st.dev FAQ
What is the difference between Playwright MCP and 21st.dev?
Playwright MCP: Microsoft's MCP server that gives AI agents a real browser. 21st.dev: UI component library and MCP tools for AI coding agents. Both are coding tools.
Is Playwright MCP or 21st.dev cheaper?
Playwright MCP is completely free, while 21st.dev is freemium.
Do Playwright MCP and 21st.dev have free plans?
Playwright MCP: Yes, fully free. 21st.dev: Yes.
Who makes Playwright MCP?
Playwright MCP is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Who makes 21st.dev?
21st.dev is made by 21st.dev.
Which should I choose, Playwright MCP or 21st.dev?
Choose Playwright MCP if you value free and open source and no vision model needed. Choose 21st.dev if you value improves ai-generated ui quality and works with major coding agents.