Comparison
Bright Data vs Steel: which AI agent is better?
A side-by-side look at Bright Data and Steel on quality, price, capabilities and trust. Scores measure observable public data; prices come from each vendor's own pricing page. Every fact is sourced and dated.
| Bright Data Bright Data | Steel Steel | |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Score | 79 | 49 |
| Entry price | Free plan | $250/mo · free plan |
| Trust | ✓ VERIFIED | ✓ VERIFIED |
| Capabilities documented | 7 | 4 |
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Public API | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| MCP support | ✓ Yes | — |
| Open source | — | ✓ Yes |
| Last verified | 13 Oct 2026 | 13 Oct 2026 |
Score breakdown
| Component | Bright Data | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Capabilities | 88 | 38 |
| Integrations | 50 | 25 |
| Documentation | 100 | Not measured |
| Pricing clarity | 100 | 100 |
| Transparency | 70 | 100 |
| Freshness | 100 | 100 |
| Human oversight | Not measured | Not measured |
Choose Bright Data if…
- You want a higher Agent Score (79 vs 49).
- You want more documented capabilities (7 vs 4).
- You want MCP support.
Choose Steel if…
- You want an open-source option.
See the full picture: Bright Data · Steel · all comparisons.