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Software · head to head

Lighthouse vs Subframe

Lighthouse logo

Lighthouse

Software

Audit web page performance and quality

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Subframe

Software

The AI-native design tool built for code

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Lighthouse described by the vendor as an open-source, automated tool with community contributions welcomed, no commercial edition; Subframe the free plan is capped at 1 project, 10 pages, and 2 prototypes with limited AI usage and only 24 hour version history, versus unlimited AI on the $29 per editor per month Pro plan, as of August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lighthouse and Subframe actually diverge.

Attributes where Lighthouse and Subframe differ
AttributeLighthouseSubframe
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsChrome, EdgeWeb
Founded1998Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Lighthouse

  • Performance scoring
  • Accessibility audit
  • SEO check
  • PWA validation
  • Chrome support
  • Edge support

Only in Subframe

Nothing recorded that Lighthouse does not also cover.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Lighthouse

  • Described by the vendor as an open-source, automated tool with community contributions welcomed, no commercial edition

Subframe

  • The free plan is capped at 1 project, 10 pages, and 2 prototypes with limited AI usage and only 24 hour version history, versus unlimited AI on the $29 per editor per month Pro plan, as of August 2026.

Pricing, plan by plan

Lighthouse

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Performance audit
    • Accessibility check
    • SEO analysis

Subframe

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Subframe review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Lighthouse if

  • You need performance scoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Edge.
  • You also want accessibility audit.
Lighthouse review

Choose Subframe if

  • You want to start without paying.
Subframe review

Questions people ask

Is Lighthouse or Subframe better?
Neither clearly leads. Lighthouse starts at Free and Subframe at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lighthouse or Subframe?
Lighthouse starts at Free and Subframe at Free.
Does Lighthouse or Subframe run on more platforms?
Lighthouse runs on Chrome, Edge. Subframe runs on Web.
Can I use Lighthouse for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Lighthouse do that Subframe cannot?
Lighthouse covers Performance scoring, Accessibility audit, SEO check, PWA validation.
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Related pages

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