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BrowserGap
What it is
BrowserGap is an open-source, clientless remote browser isolation solution for automation, security, privacy, and CBII. It runs a browser remotely and streams the page to a browser interface on the user's device as pixels, rather than running the page's HTML, CSS, and JavaScript there. Users can work with tabs, forms, file transfers, modal dialogs, and session data controls. Developers can embed a BrowserView in another web app, connect Puppeteer, or use the VF.openSecurely(url) API method. The tool can expose automation activity so a person can step in when a job needs input. Adaptive image resampling responds to available bandwidth. Secure document viewing with content disarm and reconstruction is supported, though users of the source-available edition must configure the document viewer themselves. BrowserGap can be self-hosted from source or run in Docker; the binary instructions require Google Chrome on Windows, Mac OS, or Linux. The community edition is free under stated in-house deployment conditions. A managed session is listed at $3.81, paid once.
For and against
For
- Remote pages are streamed as pixels.
- Supports tabs, forms, and file transfers.
- Can expose automation for human intervention.
- Can be self-hosted or run in Docker.
Against
- Google Chrome is required for binary use.
- Document viewer setup is required in the source-available edition.
- Text selection and page zoom are unimplemented or buggy.
- Docker use has no sound.
The verdict
BrowserGap offers remote browser rendering, browser controls, and automation integrations, with self-hosting and a community edition available under stated conditions. Readers should account for its listed browser prerequisites and unimplemented or buggy functions.
Who it suits
It suits developers and organizations seeking remotely rendered browser sessions for automation or isolation. Self-hosting and the listed community edition may suit governments, researchers, journalists, and nonprofits under the stated conditions.
Plans and prices
Source-available community edition
AGPL-3.0 and custom exemption · government, researchers, journalists, and nonprofits may use without purchase under stated in-house deployment conditions
Read 4 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
Managed session
A session; duration or other limits not stated
Read 4 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
Pro / license exemption
Flexible licenses, maintenance, deployment, delivery, and custom development options; contact maker
Read 4 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
On the record
- Automation
- The project can provide visibility into Puppeteer, Playwright, or DevTools Protocol browser automation and allow human intervention in jobs.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Bandwidth
- The project describes adaptive image resampling based on available bandwidth to help maintain responsiveness and image quality.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Browser controls
- Supported browser functions include tabs, form input, file upload and download, modal dialogs, and clearing cache, history, and session cookies.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Browser functions
- Documented working functions include tabs, file upload and download, incognito tabs, session data clearing, form input, and touch or pointer scrolling.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The project can be self-hosted from source or run from a Docker image; the README notes Docker use has no sound.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Document security
- Secure document viewing with content disarm and reconstruction is supported, but the source-available edition requires users to set up the separate viewer themselves.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Embedding
- Developers can embed a BrowserView in another web application to integrate user flows.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Free use
- The repository says use is free for governments and non-profits, subject to stated in-house deployment conditions.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README documents Puppeteer and Playwright use, a DevTools connection at localhost:5002, and a JavaScript SDK with VF.openSecurely(url).raw.githubusercontent.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Known limitations
- The README lists text selection, WebGL, multiple windows, and several zoom and mobile touch functions as unimplemented or buggy.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The README describes the source-available project as dual licensed under AGPL-3.0 and a custom exemption, with a paid exemption available for other licensing needs.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Maker and contact
- The README identifies Cris Stringfellow as the maker and gives [email protected] for business inquiries.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Pixel streaming
- The project says it sends pixels from the remote page to the device, so the page's HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are not executed there.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Platform prerequisites
- The binary instructions list Windows, Mac OS, or Linux and require Google Chrome to be installed.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- BrowserGap is described as a clientless remote browser isolation product for security, automation, and privacy.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Remote browsing
- It streams a remotely running browser interactively to a browser interface on the user's device.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Remote rendering
- The README says the remote page is rendered by sending pixels to the client, so its HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are not executed on the client device.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security contact
- The repository security policy says to report vulnerabilities to [email protected] and lists the latest version as supported.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
