Zed vs Stagehand
Comprehensive side-by-side comparison — features, pricing, performance, and more.
Updated May 2026
Trust & Reliability
Zed
Users:100K-1M
Customers (per vendor):José Valim, Ethan Perez, Dan Abramov +2
GDPR
Stagehand
Overall Winner: Stagehand
7.8/10 vs Zed at 7.3/10
Leads in:
Value for Money
Customizability
Support
AI Comparison Summary
Zed
7.3
avg score
Stagehand
7.8
avg score
Stagehand leads overall — particularly in Customizability.
Based on 6 dimensions
How scores are calculatedOverall Winner
Stagehand
7.8 / 10
Zed
Best For
Collaborative coding for development teams
AI-assisted code generation and refactoring
High-performance code editing for individual developers
Debugging and testing across multiple programming languages
Not Ideal For
Users who require extensive plugin ecosystems not yet available in Zed's extensions
Developers who prefer a fully cloud-based IDE without a desktop client
Teams needing advanced project management features integrated directly into the editor
Stagehand
Best For
Building reliable web automation scripts for developers
Creating research agents that gather live information
Developing task agents for complex multi-step browser workflows
Automating authenticated web interactions for various applications
Not Ideal For
Non-technical users seeking no-code automation solutions
Simple, one-off browser tasks that don't require AI adaptability
Users who prefer visual builders over code-based frameworks
* Verdict is based on our algorithmic scoring of publicly available data. Learn about our methodology
Zed is best for
🤖Automation & Agents8.0🔍Research8.0🎧Customer Support8.0
Stagehand is best for
🤖Automation & Agents7.7
Filter by your use case:
Pros & Cons
ZedPros
- Extremely fast and responsive due to Rust-based architecture
- Seamless real-time collaboration features including screen sharing
- Integrated AI tools like Agentic Editing and Edit Prediction enhance productivity
- Comprehensive native Git support simplifies version control workflows
- Supports a wide range of programming languages via LSP and extensions
- Offers a free plan with core editor features and external AI integration
Cons
- Vim mode is still a work in progress with missing fundamental parts
- Multi-file code actions do not yet support undoing file-system changes
- Project browser does not persist project settings once the window is closed
- Does not yet support restricting project-wide search to specific paths
- Currently only supports sharing the entire screen during collaboration
StagehandPros
- Offers precise control by mixing AI-powered actions with deterministic code
- Provides repeatable browser automations, eliminating 'it worked on my machine' issues
- Enables maintainable automations that adapt to website changes at scale
- Features composable tools (Act, Extract, Observe, Agent) for flexible automation levels
- Open-source and actively maintained by a trusted team
- Designed for efficient browser automation and optimized for performance
Cons
- Requires coding knowledge (TypeScript/JavaScript) for implementation
- Relies on external cloud browser providers like Browserbase for production deployment
- May require careful prompt engineering for optimal AI agent performance
- Not suitable for non-technical users seeking no-code solutions
Weighted Score — Adjust What Matters to You
Pick a profile or drag sliders — scores and radar update instantly on the right.
Quick profiles:
Ease of Use5
Output Quality5
Value for Money5
Customizability5
Support & Ecosystem5
Integration Power5
Dimension Comparison
Zed
7.3
/ 10
Stagehand
7.8
/ 10
Your pick
Dimension Breakdown
Ease of Use
AIHow easy it is to get started and use daily
Zed
7.0▲ +1.0
Stagehand
6.0
Output Quality
AIQuality and accuracy of generated results
Zed
8.0
Stagehand
8.0
Value for Money
AICost vs. features and output quality
Zed
8.0
Stagehand
9.0▲ +1.0
Customizability
CalculatedAbility to tailor to specific needs
Zed
6.0
Stagehand
8.0▲ +2.0
Support & Ecosystem
AIDocumentation, community, and support quality
Zed
7.0
Stagehand
8.0▲ +1.0
Integration Power
CalculatedAbility to connect with other tools and workflows
Zed
8.0
Stagehand
8.0
Calculated = derived from verified integration count and API/open-source signals. AI = LLM-assessed from public website content. Methodology
Data is sourced from public information and vendor websites. It may not always be up-to-date — verify pricing and features directly with the vendor before purchasing.Report inaccuracy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Zed or Stagehand?
Both are strong options. Zed has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews), while Stagehand has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews). The best choice depends on your specific use case, budget, and workflow requirements.
Is Zed cheaper than Stagehand?
Zed starts at free (freemium model) with a free trial. Stagehand starts at free (open_source model). Use the Cost Calculator above for a detailed estimate.
What are the main differences between Zed and Stagehand?
Zed — "A minimal code editor crafted for speed and collaboration with AI.". Stagehand — "Automate web interactions reliably with an AI-native browser automation framework for developers". Key differences include their pricing models, platform support, integrations, and technical capabilities. See the Feature Comparison table above for a complete side-by-side breakdown.