Comparison · as of September 2026
Vassal Agent vs Claude in Chrome
Claude in Chrome is Anthropic's extension that lets Claude read and act on pages in your Chrome browser, included with every paid Claude plan. Vassal Agent is a separate desktop browser, also run by Claude by default, built for repeated B2B prospecting work, with a hard approval stop before every send, saved workflows and a person to set it up, for $499 a month.
The short answer
Choose Claude in Chrome if you want an AI helper inside the Chrome you already use, at no cost beyond your Claude plan, and you are comfortable setting up your own tasks.
Choose Vassal Agent if you want a browser dedicated to business work, where the agent works in your signed-in sites, every send waits for your Allow, repeat jobs run on a schedule, and a person sets it up with you.
Side by side
| Vassal Agent | Claude in Chrome | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A desktop app with its own Chromium browser and agent | A Chrome extension |
| Made by | Vassal Agent | Anthropic |
| Browser | Its own browser, separate from your personal Chrome | Google Chrome |
| AI model | Claude by default, or ChatGPT Codex, Gemini, Cursor and other MCP clients | Claude |
| Approvals | Always stops before send, post, submit, pay or delete; rules in plain words; owner-locked team rules; audit log | Three modes: approve each action, automatic approval with a safety classifier, or skip approvals |
| Repeat work | Workflows recorded by doing a job once; schedules; triggers on page changes and new email; results to spreadsheets or Google Sheets | See Anthropic's help center for current features |
| Price | $499/month or $4,990/year, plus your AI plan | Included with paid Claude plans, from Pro at $20/month |
| Setup and support | Private setup call, one custom workflow, same-day human support | Self-serve, with Anthropic's help center |
Where Claude in Chrome is better
- Price. It comes with a paid Claude plan. For many people that settles it.
- No new browser. It works in the Chrome you already use, with your bookmarks and extensions.
- Anthropic's own safety work. Anthropic trains Claude to recognize prompt-injection attacks, screens page content before Claude acts, and checks each intended action against your request.
- Part of the Claude ecosystem. It is also available from Claude's other apps, such as Claude Code.
Where Vassal Agent is better
- A hard stop, not a judgment call. Claude in Chrome's default lets a classifier decide which actions are safe to take automatically. In Vassal Agent, every send, post, submit, payment and delete waits for your Allow, and deny rules always win over allow rules.
- Rules and records a business can use. Rules read as sentences ("Never press Send on linkedin.com"), owners can set team rules staff cannot loosen, and every action is written to an audit log.
- Separate from your personal browsing. The agent has its own browser with only the sessions you sign into for work.
- Repeat work built in. Show it a job once and it becomes a workflow, then runs by hand, on a schedule or on a trigger, with results in an Inbox and exports to spreadsheets.
- Not tied to one AI. Claude runs it by default, and you can connect ChatGPT's Codex, Gemini or Cursor to drive the same browser.
- Done with you. A private setup call, one custom workflow for your business, and same-day support from a person.
Same model, different job
Both products can run on Claude, so the intelligence is similar. The difference is what surrounds it. Claude in Chrome is a capable general helper for anyone with a Claude plan. Vassal Agent is a work tool for an owner who wants the prospecting done every week, with rules that do not bend and someone to call when a workflow needs changing.
Questions
Is Claude in Chrome free?
It has no separate price. Since it became generally available on August 26, 2026, it is included with every paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise). It is not on the free plan.
Does Vassal Agent use Claude?
Yes. Its built-in assistant runs on your own Claude plan, and Claude Pro at $20 a month is enough. You can also connect ChatGPT's Codex, Gemini, Cursor and other MCP clients.
Why pay $499 a month if Claude in Chrome is included with Claude?
If you are happy to set up your own jobs and want the lowest cost, Claude in Chrome is excellent value. Vassal Agent is for owners who want a browser dedicated to business work, a hard stop before every send with rules and a log, saved and scheduled workflows, and a person who sets it up with them.
Can I use both?
Yes. Claude in Chrome works in your everyday Chrome. Vassal Agent is its own app with its own browser, so they do not interfere with each other.
See it on your own work.
Try it free for 7 days with no card. After that it is $499 a month or $4,990 a year, with a private setup call and one custom workflow built with you.