Skip to main content
Version: v2

Bot Detection Overview

Modern websites employ sophisticated anti-bot systems that can detect and block automated browser sessions. Browserless provides comprehensive solutions to bypass these detection mechanisms through multiple approaches, from advanced stealth techniques to intelligent CAPTCHA solving.

Our Bot Detection Philosophy​

Based on extensive benchmarking and research, we've found that IP reputation and browser fingerprinting are the two primary factors that determine whether automated sessions are detected. Our approach prioritizes:

  • IP reputation over fingerprinting - Residential proxies with good IP reputation are often more effective than complex fingerprint masking
  • Stealth-first automation - Prevent detection rather than react to it
  • Layered defense - Combine multiple techniques for maximum effectiveness

Feature Overview​

Browserless offers multiple layers of bot detection bypass:

Best Choice

BrowserQL is our recommended solution for bypassing advanced bot detection systems. It's designed specifically for this purpose and provides the highest success rates.

1. Stealth Mode with Proxies​

The most effective approach is combining stealth routes with residential proxies:

  • /chromium/stealth and /chrome/stealth - Advanced anti-detection beyond standard stealth plugins
  • Residential proxies - High-reputation IP addresses that appear as regular users
  • Optimized performance - Faster than BrowserQL for simple use cases

Recommended approach:

  1. Try /chromium/stealth first (fastest and most cost-effective)
  2. If that fails, add residential proxies to /chromium/stealth
  3. For maximum effectiveness, use the /unblock API with residential proxies

2. Site Unblocking API - Advanced Bypass​

The Unblock API takes a minimalistic approach that works directly with the browser's native interfaces:

  • No library traces - Bypasses detection of automation frameworks
  • Automatic detection correction - Identifies and fixes common bot blockers
  • Flexible data retrieval - Get content, cookies, screenshots, or browser endpoints
  • Works with any automation library - Connect Puppeteer, Playwright, or others

3. CAPTCHA Solutions - When Detection Occurs​

When bot detection systems present CAPTCHAs, our CAPTCHA solving capabilities can automatically resolve them:

  • Automatic detection - Monitors for CAPTCHA challenges in real-time
  • Programmatic solving - Solves reCAPTCHA, hCAPTCHA, and other challenge types
  • Multi-library support - Works with Puppeteer, Playwright, and other automation tools
  • Hybrid workflows - Combine automated solving with human intervention when needed

For new projects: Start with BrowserQL - our flagship solution designed specifically for bypassing advanced bot detection systems.

For existing BaaS integrations: Try /chromium/stealth first (fastest and most cost-effective), then add residential proxies if needed. For sites that detect CDP connections, upgrade to the /unblock API with residential proxies.

For maximum effectiveness: Combine all approaches - /unblock + residential proxies + CAPTCHA solving provides the most bulletproof anti-bot solution we've found.

Performance notes: Residential proxies are 3x slower than datacenter IPs but much more effective. Start with stealth routes and add proxies only when needed. CAPTCHA solving can take 30+ seconds - plan accordingly.

Next Steps​

Ready to implement bot detection bypass? Choose your path:

Stealth Mode

Advanced stealth techniques for Puppeteer and Playwright integrations

Site Unblocking

Minimalistic approach that bypasses detection without leaving automation traces

CAPTCHA Solutions

Automatically detect and solve CAPTCHAs across multiple automation libraries