My Dilemma Choosing Between Playwright MCPs – Microsoft Official vs ExecuteAutomation

2025/7/9

📝 Continued from the previous article

This article supplements “MCP Server Setup Guide – Compiled with Claude!”

While Article 2 covered Playwright MCP setup, I discovered there are actually two options and wasn’t sure which to choose.

So I investigated and analyzed both with Claude (AI). I hope this helps others facing the same dilemma.

“Which Playwright MCP should I use?”

Article 2 recommended @executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server, but I discovered Microsoft’s official @playwright/mcp@latest also exists.

As a programming beginner, I had no idea which to choose… So I consulted with Claude and researched to compare them.

🤔How I Got Confused

After successfully using it for patent family searches in Article 2.1, I thought “This is great!” But while researching online, I noticed something.

“Wait… There’s an official Microsoft Playwright MCP too…”

Looking at official documentation and GitHub, both are presented as “Playwright MCP for Claude Desktop.” I couldn’t figure out the differences or which to use.

🔍Two Playwright MCP Servers

Microsoft Official: @playwright/mcp@latest

Basic Information

Developer: Microsoft Playwright Team (official)
Released: Around March 2025
Setup: npx @playwright/mcp@latest
Features: Simple, lightweight, official support

Configuration example:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@playwright/mcp@latest"]
    }
  }
}

ExecuteAutomation Version: @executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server

Basic Information

Developer: ExecuteAutomation (third-party)
Released: Around December 2024 (preceded Microsoft’s)
Setup: npx @executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server
Features: Feature-rich (screenshots, test code generation, etc.)

Configuration example:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

⚡Key Differences: Features and Approach

Through discussions with Claude, I discovered the differences between these two MCP servers. While both are based on Playwright, they differ in provided features and design philosophy.

Microsoft Official: Simple & Lightweight Focus

Focused on Core Features

Provides carefully selected core features from Playwright, prioritizing stability and lightweight operation.

Characteristics:

✅ Fast processing (no unnecessary features)
✅ Stability-focused design
✅ Official support
✅ Simple feature set

Suitable for:

Basic web operations (search, data retrieval, etc.)
Routine tasks like patent family searches
Tasks prioritizing stability

ExecuteAutomation: Feature-Rich & Multi-functional Focus

Provides Rich Features

Offers additional convenient features beyond Playwright’s basic functionality.

Characteristics:

✅ Screenshot functionality
✅ Test code generation
✅ More detailed operation options
❌ Potentially heavier than Microsoft version
❌ Third-party development (individual project)

Suitable for:

Tasks requiring screenshots
Integration with test automation
More advanced automation

📊Detailed Comparison Table

Comparison Item	Microsoft Official	ExecuteAutomation
Developer	Microsoft (official)	ExecuteAutomation (third-party)
Design Philosophy	Simple & lightweight	Feature-rich & multi-functional
Core Features	Basic web operation features	Basic features + additional functions
Screenshots	Basic functionality only	Detailed capture options
Learning Curve	Low	Somewhat high
Future Support	High (official support)	Depends on individual project

⚠️About Screenshot Features

Regarding ExecuteAutomation’s Screenshot Feature

While ExecuteAutomation has screenshot functionality, practical implementation requires verification:

Functionality: Screenshots of entire pages or specific elements
Save method: Playwright’s standard save method
Note: Specific save locations and utilization methods in Claude Desktop environment need verification through actual use

Practical approaches:

✅ Use manual capture (Win+Shift+S) for important screenshots
✅ Utilize Claude’s own screen display confirmation
✅ Verify operation in actual environment before full implementation

🎯Selection Criteria for Patent Engineers

So which should we choose for our work? Let’s consider actual use cases.

Example: Patent Family Search

Typical operations:

Access Espacenet
Enter “EP1234567” in search field
Click search button
Organize results in table format
Save screenshots if needed (manually)

With Microsoft Official:

✅ Reliable execution of basic web operations
✅ Fast processing for efficient bulk patent searches
✅ Stability-focused, suitable for business use
❌ Cannot expect advanced features

With ExecuteAutomation:

✅ Convenient features like screenshots
✅ More detailed operation options
❌ May be heavy due to rich features
❌ Third-party development continuity risk

💡Which Should You Choose? (My Decision Criteria)

Microsoft Official is recommended for:

✅ Mainly patent searches and information gathering
✅ Prioritizing stability and speed
✅ Valuing official support
✅ Simple features are sufficient
✅ Beginners (like me…)

ExecuteAutomation is recommended for:

✅ Need screenshot functionality
✅ Need automatic test code generation
✅ Seeking more advanced automation
✅ Prioritizing multi-functionality
* With understanding of third-party development

🙇‍♂️Conclusion

As a programming beginner, I’ve shared my experience of being confused about which Playwright MCP to choose, with Claude’s help.

What’s important is understanding that “there’s no perfect answer”. Both are excellent tools, and you can try them out and switch if needed.

I hope this journey through my confusion helps others facing the same dilemma.

Disclaimer

This comparison is based on information as of July 2025, analyzed and created through dialogue with Claude. Features and specifications of each MCP server may change in the future. Please make your choice based on your own environment and requirements.

📚 Related Articles

▶️ “MCP Server Setup Guide – Compiled with Claude!” – Basic setup methods

▶️ “Outbound-Patent Engineer Tries Patent Family Search with Generative AI” – Practical usage example

▶️ “J-E Translation Review Prompt Chain by an Outbound-Patent Engineer” – Usage in translation review