In the ever-evolving world of software development, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve, and test automation accelerates that process. Today, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to explore two leading contenders in the test automation world: Cypress vs Playwright.
These tools have been creating waves of excitement among both developers and testers. Let’s explore their strengths, limitations, and unique features. Discover why they’re essential in today’s software testing environment.
This blog will arm you with adequate knowledge by comparing these two popular testing tools in various aspects so that you choose the right tool that aligns with your objectives.
What is Cypress?
Popular front-end testing software is Cypress. It is a straightforward open-source automation tool that supports JavaScript. The tool supports various operating systems like Linux, macOS, and Windows. Cypress’s ability to run directly in the web browser sets it unique from other testing solutions.
As a result, the tester can create a more realistic testing environment for accurate and reliable results. Cypress automation tool also helps provide fast feedback during test execution, leading to more rapid bug detection. Cypress also has better error-handling capacities. The inbuilt intelligence allows the appropriate wait for the action to get completed.
What is the advantage of Cypress?
Speed and Reliability
It is well known for its speed and reliability, which makes it perfect for the CI/CD process.
Easy to use
It is a tester-friendly framework with a straightforward interface. The simple documentation further makes it a lucrative platform even for new testers.
Open Source
Like various automation testing frameworks, Cypress is also an open-source tool, which means you can use this tool for free.
Extensive Community support
Cypress is a popular tool among testers across the globe. Cypress automation services boast a sizable and vibrant community as a result. Its effectiveness as a tool for testers is due to this.
Resources
Cypress offers testers access to several resources, which are impossible in other frameworks. A tester can record videos of the testing procedure or even take screenshots. It aids in the early identification of problems.
Disadvantages of Cypress
Not suitable for Mining
Although it is an easy language, Cypress still cannot be used for web scraping or data mining. It is because data mining deals with significant amounts of data, and Cypress cannot handle large volumes of data effectively.
Single Tab Testing
Cypress is unsuitable for tests involving multiple tabs or browsers due to its operational constraints. It is designed for a single tab and interacts only with that tab.
What is a Playwright?
It is a popular cross-browser testing framework that offers end-to-end automation testing. Initially, it was released by the software giant Microsoft in 2011 for its browser. But today, it is a popular tool among testers performing cross-browser compatibility of their applications.
Unlike Cypress, Playwright supports multiple tabs, which makes it a versatile testing tool. Although Playwright is a new tool in the web automation testing market, it has gained popularity. Several factors, such as multiple programming languages, Microsoft backing, and comprehensive documentation, contribute to its popularity.
Advantages of Playwright
Supports Multiple Languages
Compared to Cypress, which only supports Javascript, Playwright supports various popular programming languages such as C# and Python.
Advanced Automation Feature
Just like Cypress, Playwright also offers various advanced features. These features help testers during the comprehensive testing and debugging process.
HTML Reports
Playwright automation testing offers a visual application and a tester-friendly way to display test results using HTML. These test results usually contain information about the number of tests executed, test status, and other error messages.
Accessibility Testing
It supports automated accessibility testing, which can be a significant asset for web developers. It can help them create a web application accessible to a person with a disability.
Comprehensive Debugging
It offers various tools for comprehensive debugging of the application. These tools help testers identify the issues at an early stage. They provide a user-friendly interface, allowing the tester to pause the test execution.
Disadvantage of Playwright
Not support Microsoft Edge
Even though Microsoft develops it, Playwright does not support Microsoft Edge. It is because initially, Playwright testing tool focused on chromium-based versions of web browsers. It makes it unsuitable for industries using older browsers due to regulations.
Unable to Emulate a Mobile Device
Another major con of Playwright is that it uses a desktop browser for emulating a mobile device. As a result, it cannot entirely create real-world scenarios for testing the web applications. Hence, the tester cannot test the device-specific behavior of their applications.
Comparison Between Cypress vs Playwright
| Criteria | Cypress | Playwright |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | Supports JavaScript and TypeScript | Supports multiple languages such as JavaScript, Java, Python, and .NET C# |
| Setup Complexity | Easy Setup | Easy Setup |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Strong community support from professionals across the world | It is fairly new, with limited community support compared to Selenium |
| Test Runner Frameworks | Mocha | Mocha, Jest, Jasmine |
| CI/CD Integration | Integration with GitHub Actions, Circle CI, Bitbucket, AWS, Gitlab | Integration with GitHub Actions, Circle CI, Jenkins, Bitbucket, AWS, Gitlab |
| Real Devices Support | Real device cloud and remote servers are supported. | For Mobile Browser Tests, it supports emulators but not genuine devices. |
| OS Supported | Windows, Linux, macOS 10.9 and above | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Architecture | Directly carries out test cases inside the browser | With an event-driven framework, the headless browser |
| Browsers Supported | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Chromium, Firefox, WebKit |
Which is Better: Cypress or Playwright?
Now that we have understood the pros and cons of Cypress vs Playwright, it’s time to decide on the best tool. Test automation companies suggest that while selecting the tool, the functionality of the tool must be the top priority. Playwright was initially employed for end-to-end testing, whereas Cypress is the tool for unit testing.
However, the choice between these two tools depends on the testing requirements. Cypress must be your first choice for an easy, tester-friendly, quick feedback tool. At the same time, Playwright is suitable for cross-browser testing of the applications. Both testing automation tool simplifies the process of creating test scripts.
Final Take Away
Always remember the ultimate choice between the tool depends on its uses and functionality. Selecting the right tool between Cypress vs Playwright is crucial for the project’s success. It simplifies the testing procedure and benefits enterprises in various ways. If you’re new to automation testing, Cypress can be a fantastic starting point. But as a proficient tester, Playwright can be a better option if you seek a more reliable and high-quality testing tool.
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