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What each term means
- Selenium Server: The current downloadable Selenium Server (Grid) distribution, used to run Remote Selenium WebDriver. See the Selenium downloads page.
- Grid Standalone: A mode for running Selenium Grid with all its components combined in one process on one machine. It is a straightforward option for local remote-browser development and debugging, quick test suites, and simple CI setups. The official Grid guide describes it as combining all Grid components into one.
selenium-server-standalone.jar: A legacy filename used in Selenium 2 and Selenium 3 instructions. It does not mean that a separate current product is required. Check old commands and flags against current documentation before reusing them.
In short: “Server” refers to the distribution; “Standalone” refers to a Grid deployment mode.
How the current Grid modes differ
Choose a mode based on how many machines and browser capacity you need, and how much infrastructure you want to operate. Clients connect to the address for the selected Grid deployment.
| Mode | How it runs | Best suited to | Client URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standalone | All Grid components run together in one process on one machine. | Local development and debugging, quick suites, or simple CI. | Standalone server address; default http://localhost:4444. |
| Hub-Node | A Hub provides a central entry point; one or more Nodes supply browser capacity and may run on other machines. | Combining environments or adding capacity without tearing down the Grid. | Hub address; default http://localhost:4444. |
| Fully distributed | Grid components run separately, ideally on different machines. | Deployments that need separately operated components and more infrastructure control. | Router address; default http://localhost:4444. |
The Grid command-line interface includes standalone, hub, and node commands. For details on a component, put --help after that command; see the CLI options guide.
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Start a current Standalone Grid
The basic current command uses the versioned Selenium Server JAR and the standalone subcommand:
java -jar selenium-server-<version>.jar standaloneReplace <version> with the versioned JAR you downloaded. The default Grid endpoint is http://localhost:4444; configure your RemoteWebDriver client to connect to that address when it runs on the same machine.
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Prerequisites
- Java 11 or higher.
- A browser and its browser driver. The official setup guide says Selenium Manager can configure drivers automatically when enabled with
--selenium-manager true.
Check the Grid setup guide for current setup details.
Set a session limit or port
For example, the following starts Standalone on port 4444 with a maximum of four sessions:
java -jar selenium-server-<version>.jar standalone --max-sessions 4 --port 4444Use a TOML configuration file when you want readable settings that can be kept in source control. The CLI guide allows combining TOML configuration with command-line arguments; consult it for the current configuration syntax and options.
Which mode should you choose?
- Choose Standalone if you want the simplest way to run a Grid locally or start a straightforward CI setup on one machine.
- Choose Hub-Node if you need a central entry point and browser capacity supplied by one or more Nodes, potentially on separate machines.
- Choose fully distributed Grid if components need to be operated independently or your deployment needs more infrastructure control.
The Selenium Server distribution is involved in these current Grid setups; Standalone is one deployment choice, not a rival server product.
Why old tutorials may look different
Selenium 2 and Selenium 3 guides commonly used the name selenium-server-standalone.jar. Current setup uses a versioned selenium-server-<version>.jar and an explicit mode such as standalone. The old filename is useful context when reading legacy material, but do not assume its package name, command, or flags match current Selenium. Verify them in the current downloads and Grid documentation.
Current release note
The Selenium downloads page listed stable release 4.49.0, dated September 9, 2026, when checked on October 3, 2026. Release information changes, so check the downloads page for the version available when you install.
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