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Portero vs Steel Browser
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, ratings, features, pros and cons.
| Overview | |||
| Description | Free open-source macOS app that shows every open network port and lets you manage the process behind it. | Open-source browser sandbox and automation infrastructure for AI agents and apps with session-backed workflows, screenshots, PDFs, proxies, and anti-bot tooling. | |
| Category | |||
| Developer | Portero | steel-dev | |
| Verified Status | No | No | |
| Last Updated | Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | |
| Pricing | |||
| Pricing Model | Free | Free | |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes | |
| Free Trial | No | — | |
| Open Source | No | No | |
| Capabilities | |||
| API Access | No | — | |
| Features | • Real-time listening port monitoring with process details • Plain-language process and port explanations • One-click process stop or force-quit • Native macOS firewall port blocking • Port conflict detection and alerts • Direct browser links to open HTTP services, completely free | • Managed Chrome browser sandbox controlled via Chrome DevTools Protocol • Compatible with Puppeteer, Playwright, and Selenium • Persistent session state, proxy chains, and custom extension loading • Anti-detection/stealth tooling and fingerprint management • Page-to-markdown, screenshot, and PDF generation endpoints • Session inspection/debugging UI with request logging | |
| Tags | macos-utilityport-managementopen-sourcedeveloper-toolsnetworking | sandboxautomationopen-sourcesteel-browser | |
| Platforms | Mac | — | |
| Mobile Apps | No | — | |
| Trust and Engagement | |||
| Review Count | 0 | 0 | |
| Saves | 0 | 0 | |
| Views | 47 | 103 | |
| Quality Score | 33/100 | 62/100 | |
| Website Status | Online | Online | |
| Availability | |||
| Website | porteroapp.pages.dev | github.com | |
| Social Links | 1 linked | 2 linked | |
| Screenshots | No | No | |
| Reviews | |||
| Pros | • Free to use | • Free to use | |
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Both tools are closely matched on rating — the better fit depends on your specific needs. See the full feature and pricing comparison above.
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