kitio.aiPlaywright MCP vs Shiplight AI
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Playwright MCP is completely free, while Shiplight AI 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
- Agent-authored E2E tests
- Browser MCP server
- Self-healing tests
- YAML tests in your repo
- Hosted CI runners
| Feature | Playwright MCP | Shiplight AI |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Microsoft's MCP server that gives AI agents a real browser | End-to-end tests written and maintained by your coding agent |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $60/mo |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes |
| Made by | Microsoft | Shiplight AI |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Playwright MCP is completely free, while Shiplight AI is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free
Free
- $10 signup credit
- Up to 5 members
- 30-day artifact retention
Pro
$60/mo
- $60 monthly credit
- Pay as you go beyond credit
- Up to 25 members
- 90-day retention
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Volume pricing
- SSO and SOC 2
- Dedicated CSM
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
Shiplight AI
- Works with Claude Code, Cursor and Codex
- Readable tests reviewed in PRs
- All features on the free plan
- Usage beyond credit is metered
- Free plan keeps artifacts only 30 days
- Best suited to teams already using coding agents
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 Shiplight AI if you want:
- Works with Claude Code, Cursor and Codex
- Readable tests reviewed in PRs
- All features on the free plan
Watch out: usage beyond credit is metered.
Playwright MCP vs Shiplight AI FAQ
What is the difference between Playwright MCP and Shiplight AI?
Playwright MCP: Microsoft's MCP server that gives AI agents a real browser. Shiplight AI: End-to-end tests written and maintained by your coding agent. Both are coding tools.
Is Playwright MCP or Shiplight AI cheaper?
Playwright MCP is completely free, while Shiplight AI is freemium.
Do Playwright MCP and Shiplight AI have free plans?
Playwright MCP: Yes, fully free. Shiplight AI: Yes.
Who makes Playwright MCP?
Playwright MCP is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Who makes Shiplight AI?
Shiplight AI is made by Shiplight AI.
Which should I choose, Playwright MCP or Shiplight AI?
Choose Playwright MCP if you value free and open source and no vision model needed. Choose Shiplight AI if you value works with claude code, cursor and codex and readable tests reviewed in prs.