# Browsertrix

> Cloud application developed by Webrecorder that allows users to archive websites using automated browsers.

**Wikidata**: [Q112795579](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112795579)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/browsertrix

## Summary
Browsertrix is a cloud-based application developed by Webrecorder that enables users to archive websites using automated browser technology. It supports web preservation through scalable, programmatic crawling and is designed for both individual users and institutions engaged in digital heritage work. The software is distributed as free software and operates under a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model.

## Key Facts
- Browsertrix is developed and operated by Webrecorder, a U.S.-based company founded in 2020.
- It is a free software tool used primarily for web archiving, supporting formats such as Web Archive Collection Zipped (WACZ) and Web ARChive (WARC).
- The application is built using Python and TypeScript.
- First released in 2019, it has since seen continuous development with over 100 version releases as of 2025.
- The latest stable version is 1.21.0, released on December 17, 2025.
- Browsertrix is used in the context of digital preservation and is particularly relevant to libraries, archives, and researchers.
- It is available under a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model and includes comprehensive user documentation.
- Source code is hosted on GitHub, and the project maintains a public issue tracker and release history.
- The official website and documentation are available in English.

## FAQs
### What is Browsertrix used for?
Browsertrix is used for web archiving, enabling users to capture, preserve, and replay web content using automated browser instances. It supports scalable crawling and is suitable for both small-scale and large-scale digital preservation projects.

### Who created Browsertrix?
Browsertrix was created by Webrecorder, a company focused on open-source tools for digital preservation. Webrecorder was incorporated on February 5, 2020, and is based in the United States.

### Is Browsertrix free to use?
Yes, Browsertrix is distributed as free software, allowing users to run, study, modify, and redistribute it. However, hosted or managed services may have associated costs.

### What programming languages are used in Browsertrix?
Browsertrix is implemented using Python and TypeScript, which are used for backend and frontend components respectively.

### What file formats does Browsertrix support?
Browsertrix supports Web Archive Collection Zipped (WACZ) and Web ARChive (WARC) formats for storing archived web content.

### Where can I find the source code for Browsertrix?
The source code is available on GitHub at [https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix), and is licensed under an open-source license.

### How often is Browsertrix updated?
Browsertrix receives frequent updates, with over 100 stable releases published since its initial version 1.1.0 in December 2022. The latest version as of this writing is 1.21.0, released in December 2025.

### What is the business model for Browsertrix?
Browsertrix operates under a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, offering hosted solutions for web archiving alongside its open-source distribution.

### Where can I find documentation for Browsertrix?
Comprehensive user documentation is available at [https://docs.browsertrix.com/user-guide/](https://docs.browsertrix.com/user-guide/).

### Does Browsertrix have a privacy policy or terms of service?
Yes, Browsertrix's privacy policy and terms of service are available on the Webrecorder website:
- Privacy Policy: [https://webrecorder.net/legal/webrecorder-privacy-policy/](https://webrecorder.net/legal/webrecorder-privacy-policy/)
- Terms of Service: [https://webrecorder.net/legal/browsertrix-terms-and-conditions/](https://webrecorder.net/legal/browsertrix-terms-and-conditions/)

## Why It Matters
Browsertrix plays a critical role in the field of digital preservation by offering a scalable, automated solution for web archiving. As web content becomes increasingly ephemeral, tools like Browsertrix ensure that digital heritage is preserved for future access and research. Its open-source nature encourages community contributions and transparency, while its SaaS model makes it accessible to institutions without deep technical infrastructure. Browsertrix also supports interoperable web archiving formats, making it compatible with global preservation workflows.

## Notable For
- Being a cloud-native web archiving tool that leverages automated browser technology.
- Supporting both WACZ and WARC, two widely used formats in web archiving.
- Offering a free software solution with a commercial SaaS offering.
- Continuous development and frequent version releases, indicating active maintenance and community engagement.
- Integration with modern web technologies like Python and TypeScript.
- Being developed by Webrecorder, a company focused on open tools for digital preservation.

## Body

### Overview
Browsertrix is a cloud application designed for web archiving, enabling users to capture and preserve web content using automated browser instances. It is developed and maintained by Webrecorder, a company specializing in digital preservation tools. The software is classified as free software and operates under a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, making it suitable for both individual users and large institutions.

### Development and Ownership
Browsertrix was first released in 2019 and is developed by Webrecorder, a company founded on February 5, 2020, in the United States. The software is written in Python and TypeScript, reflecting a modern stack that supports both backend processing and interactive user interfaces. The source code is publicly available on GitHub, encouraging community contributions and transparency.

### Technical Details
Browsertrix supports interoperable web archiving formats such as Web Archive Collection Zipped (WACZ) and Web ARChive (WARC). These formats are essential for long-term preservation and replay of archived web content. The software is designed to be scalable, supporting both small-scale personal archiving and large-scale institutional projects.

### Version History
Since its initial release, Browsertrix has seen continuous development with over 100 stable version releases. The latest version, 1.21.0, was released on December 17, 2025. Each version is meticulously documented with release notes and publication dates available on GitHub.

### Licensing and Accessibility
Browsertrix is distributed as free software, allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and redistribute the software. It is also available as a hosted service under a SaaS model, offering ease of access for users without technical infrastructure. The project's source code is hosted on GitHub under an open-source license.

### Documentation and Support
Comprehensive user documentation is available at [https://docs.browsertrix.com/user-guide/](https://docs.browsertrix.com/user-guide/), providing guidance for installation, configuration, and usage. Legal documents including the privacy policy and terms of service are also accessible via the Webrecorder website.

### Community and Ecosystem
Browsertrix is part of a growing ecosystem of digital preservation tools and is used by institutions and individuals involved in web archiving. Its open-source nature and frequent updates make it a dynamic and evolving project within the web archiving community.

### Related Entities
- **Webrecorder**: The company responsible for developing and operating Browsertrix.
- **Python / TypeScript**: Core programming languages used in Browsertrix's implementation.
- **Web Archiving**: The primary use case and field of application for Browsertrix.
- **Free Software / Software**: Classifications that define Browsertrix’s licensing and technical nature.

### Legal and Compliance
Browsertrix adheres to legal and compliance standards with publicly available:
- Privacy Policy: [https://webrecorder.net/legal/webrecorder-privacy-policy/](https://webrecorder.net/legal/webrecorder-privacy-policy/)
- Terms of Service: [https://webrecorder.net/legal/browsertrix-terms-and-conditions/](https://webrecorder.net/legal/browsertrix-terms-and-conditions/)

### SEO and Discoverability
While no specific SEO data is currently available, Browsertrix is discoverable through its official website, GitHub repository, and documentation portal. It is also listed on alternative software platforms under the identifier "browsertrix".

## References

1. [Source](https://www.diglib.org/dlf-events/dlf-forum-virtual-event-sessions/)
2. [Source](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix)
3. [Release 1.1.0. 2022](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/1.1.0)
4. [Release 1.2.0. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.2.0)
5. [Release 1.3.0. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.3.0)
6. [Release 1.3.1. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.3.1)
7. [Release 1.4.0. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.4.0)
8. [Release 1.4.1. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.4.1)
9. [Release 1.5.0. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.5.0)
10. [Release 1.5.1. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.5.1)
11. [Release 1.6.0. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.6.0)
12. [Release 1.6.1. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.6.1)
13. [Release 1.6.2. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.6.2)
14. [Release 1.6.3. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.6.3)
15. [Release 1.6.4. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.6.4)
16. [Release 1.7.0. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.7.0)
17. [Release 1.7.1. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.7.1)
18. [Release 1.8.0. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.8.0)
19. [Release 1.8.1. 2023](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.8.1)
20. [Release 1.9.0. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.9.0)
21. [Release 1.9.1. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.9.1)
22. [Release 1.9.2. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.9.2)
23. [Release 1.9.3. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.9.3)
24. [Release 1.9.4. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.9.4)
25. [Release 1.9.5. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.9.5)
26. [Release 1.9.6. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.9.6)
27. [Release 1.9.7. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.9.7)
28. [Release 1.9.8. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.9.8)
29. [Release 1.10.0. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.10.0)
30. [Release 1.10.1. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.10.1)
31. [Release 1.10.2. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.10.2)
32. [Release 1.11.0. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.11.0)
33. [Release 1.11.1. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.11.1)
34. [Release 1.11.2. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.11.2)
35. [Release 1.11.3. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.11.3)
36. [Release 1.11.4. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.11.4)
37. [Release 1.11.5. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.11.5)
38. [Release 1.11.6. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.11.6)
39. [Release 1.11.7. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.11.7)
40. [Release 1.12.0. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.12.0)
41. [Release 1.12.1. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.12.1)
42. [Release 1.12.2. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.12.2)
43. [Release 1.13.0. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.13.0)
44. [Release 1.13.1. 2024](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.13.1)
45. [Release 1.13.2. 2025](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.13.2)
46. [Release 1.13.3. 2025](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.13.3)
47. [Release 1.14.0. 2025](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.14.0)
48. [Release 1.14.1. 2025](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.14.1)
49. [Release 1.14.2. 2025](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.14.2)
50. [Release 1.14.3. 2025](https://github.com/webrecorder/browsertrix/releases/tag/v1.14.3)