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Kernel

by Kernel

Open source browser infrastructure for web agents

Reviewed by the the30top research team · Last reviewed 2026-10-27

Overview

Kernel describes itself as fast, open source browser infrastructure with reusable sessions, anti-bot detection handling and autoscaling, used by teams such as Cash App, Vercel and Framer. Plans run from a free tier with $5 of monthly credits to a $200 Start-up plan, billed on GB-seconds of usage. Compliance claims appear only on the Enterprise plan.

Our verdict

Kernel is a quick, developer focused browser platform with a generous free tier. Its metering model rewards teams that can estimate usage.

Best for

Developers who want fast, open source browser infrastructure with a free start.

Avoid if

You need compliance paperwork on a self-serve plan.

Pros

  • Free tier with monthly credits
  • Open source infrastructure
  • Large concurrency on the Start-up plan

Cons

  • Compliance only listed for Enterprise
  • GB-second billing is hard to forecast
  • Pricing and plan details sit on a separate page from the docs

Key capabilities

Fast spin-up cloud browsersReusable browser sessionsAnti-bot detection handlingAutoscaling for traffic spikesWorks with Playwright and PuppeteerOpen source infrastructure

Frequently asked questions

How much does Kernel cost?

Free is $0 with $5 monthly credits, Hobbyist is $30 and Start-up is $200 a month. Enterprise is custom.

How is usage billed?

Usage is billed at $0.0000166667 per GB-second.

Does Kernel list compliance?

The pricing page lists SOC2 and HIPAA compliance on the Enterprise plan.

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