Comparing top open-source test automation frameworks: Selenium, Cypress, and Playwright

Automation frameworks are widely used by developers and testers to improve the efficiency and reliability of application testing. Among the most widely adopted open-source solutions today are Selenium, Cypress, and Playwright. Each framework provides a set of features and capabilities that make it suitable for different testing scenarios.

This comparison examines these frameworks based on several criteria, including use cases, integrations, limitations, and licensing, to help inform your selection process.

Framework choice for a project

Suppose you are an automated test engineer and receive a client request via email with the following requirements:

To provide a precise recommendation, additional clarifying questions are necessary, based on key comparison criteria for automation frameworks.

• Question: What do you want to automate: the UI or the API?
  Client answer: Both
• Question: What type of tests will be automated: regression tests or tests for new features in each sprint?
  Client answer: Both
• Question: Do you consider the planned automation scenarios to have low, medium, or high complexity?
  Client answer: Medium complexity
• Question: Does testing require validation on multiple browsers?
  Client answer: Yes, we need validation on multiple browsers
• Question: Is integration with test case management tools desired? If yes, which tools?
  Client answer: Not decided yet; possibly Azure DevOps Test Plans
• Question: Is integration with CI/CD tools desired? If yes, which tools?
  Client answer: We would like integration in the Azure DevOps pipeline
• Question: Is there a timeline for implementation? Do you plan a proof of concept (POC)?
  Client answer: There is no current deadline. We will create a POC ourselves
• Question: Do you prefer a behavior-driven development (BDD) approach with an additional abstraction layer?
  Client answer: Yes

Based on the client’s requirements and technical context – including a C# backend, React frontend, automation for both UI and API, medium-complexity scenarios, and CI/CD integration – the automated test engineer conducted a comparison of Playwright and Selenium.

Recommendation: Playwright was identified as the most suitable framework.

The following section explains the rationale behind this recommendation, considering performance, cross-browser support, language compatibility, integration capabilities, and suitability for medium-complexity UI and API automation.

Use cases

Use cases describe the types of projects, environments, or applications where a testing framework can be applied effectively, based on user requirements and objectives.

Importance: Selecting a framework that aligns with the intended use case is essential for a smooth testing process. The right choice ensures comprehensive coverage, consistency, and contributes to the overall success of the project.

Selenium

Selenium has long been a preferred tool for web application test automation. It supports the majority of browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, and is compatible with multiple programming languages such as Java, Python, C#, Ruby, and JavaScript. This versatility makes Selenium suitable for teams with diverse technology stacks.

Best suited for:

• Cross-browser testing
• Applications requiring extensive browser compatibility
• Teams needing multi-language support

Cypress

Cypress is a modern, developer-focused end-to-end testing framework that supports JavaScript exclusively. Built on Node.js, it is particularly well-suited for testing rich front-end interactions and single-page applications.

Best suited for:

• Front-end testing for single-page applications (SPAs)
• Rapid iteration and feedback during development
• Developers seeking an integrated solution with real-time reloading and debugging

Playwright

Playwright is a newer automation framework that provides comprehensive testing across Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit browsers. It is designed for high reliability and scalability, with features such as automatic waiting for elements, making it suitable for modern, dynamic web applications.

Best suited for:

• Testing dynamic and modern web applications
• Teams that prefer a single API to test across multiple browser engines
• Scenarios requiring advanced control over browser contexts and environments

Limitations

Limitations highlight the known weaknesses or constraints of a testing framework that could affect project performance and potential.

Importance: Understanding the limitations of a framework is critical for planning. Awareness of potential challenges allows teams to implement workarounds, set realistic expectations, and ensure smoother project execution.

Selenium

• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Slower test execution compared with modern frameworks
• Requires additional setup and libraries for advanced features, such as visual testing or parallel execution

Cypress

• Limited to JavaScript and TypeScript
• Does not provide native support for multi-tab testing; workarounds are required
• Less efficient for cross-browser testing, as it primarily focuses on Chromium-based browsers

Playwright

• Newer framework with a smaller community compared with Selenium

• Fewer official integrations and documentation than more established frameworks

• Requires knowledge of Node.js and JavaScript due to tight coupling with these technologies

Choosing a framework

WhilSelecting an appropriate testing framework requires consideration of factors such as team expertise, testing requirements, and project scope. These factors provide insights into project complexity, technical capabilities, and the nature of the testing scenarios.

Importance: Each project has unique requirements and constraints. Choosing a framework that aligns with these needs ensures maintainability, efficiency, and a balanced approach over the long term.

Key considerations for framework selection

• Team proficiency: Assess whether your team has expertise in JavaScript or requires support for multiple programming languages.
• Testing requirements: Determine whether strong cross-browser support is necessary or if testing can be limited to a single browser.
• Project size and complexity: Larger projects with diverse requirements may benefit from the established capabilities and maturity of Selenium. Smaller or more focused projects may find frameworks such as Cypress or Playwright more agile and easier to implement.

Pricing

Pricing refers to the costs associated with using a testing framework, including any expenses for extensions, licenses, maintenance, infrastructure, or support.

Importance: Even open-source frameworks can incur indirect costs or limitations that may impact project planning and execution. Evaluating potential costs ensures the framework aligns with budget constraints and project requirements.

Selenium

Selenium is open-source and free to use. Additional costs may arise if integration with third-party tools is required for advanced functionality, such as visual testing or parallel execution.

Cypress

Cypress provides a free version for core testing functionalities. Paid options are available for additional features, including analytics, team management, and enhanced test reporting through the Cypress Dashboard. Writing and executing tests remains free.

Playwright

Playwright is free and open-source. Microsoft provides optional enterprise support for teams that require professional assistance or guidance.

Integrations

Integrations describe a framework’s ability to work seamlessly with other tools, such as CI/CD systems, cloud services, or testing libraries.

Importance: Frameworks with strong integration capabilities improve the testing process by reducing manual effort, enhancing team productivity, and supporting faster release cycles.

Selenium

Selenium offers extensive integration options with CI/CD tools, cloud testing platforms, and additional libraries to extend functionality. Tools such as TestNG and JUnit are commonly used to maximize its capabilities.

Cypress

Cypress provides built-in support for most CI/CD tools, including Jenkins, CircleCI, and GitHub Actions. A rich ecosystem of plugins also allows for customized integrations as needed.

Playwright

Playwright integrates smoothly with contemporary CI/CD platforms and cloud testing services. It additionally supports device and geolocation emulation, providing flexibility for complex testing scenarios.

Community support

Community support refers to the size and activity of the user and developer community surrounding a testing framework.

Importance: A strong community provides valuable insights, a comprehensive knowledge base, and resources for troubleshooting, extending functionality, and scaling projects. Active communities also indicate a framework’s ongoing maintenance and likelihood of receiving timely updates.

Selenium

• Large and active community with extensive resources, forums, and third-party plugins
• Well-maintained and regularly updated over the years

Cypress

• Rapidly growing community with active forums and numerous tutorials
• Strong official documentation with consistent team participation

Playwright

• Smaller but steadily growing community
• Backed by Microsoft, providing additional development support and resources

Documentation

Documentation provides guidance on using a framework’s features effectively, helping users understand its capabilities and maximize its potential.

Importance: High-quality documentation enables teams to learn quickly, troubleshoot efficiently, and follow best practices. This reduces the learning curve and supports faster project progress.

Selenium

Extensive documentation is available, though navigating and consolidating it can sometimes be challenging due to the framework’s complexity

Cypress

Detailed and beginner-friendly documentation, including examples and practical guides for common scenarios

Playwright

Concise and precise documentation which focuses on practical use cases. Guides to this documentation are developer-focused toward modern application testing.

Playwright recommendation rationale

Returning to the client example presented earlier, and considering the comparison criteria outlined in this article, the following factors support the recommendation of Playwright as the most suitable framework for the client’s requirements:

• Support for UI and API testing: Playwright allows both UI and API tests to be automated within the same framework, facilitating parallel development of tests alongside application features.
• Reduced implementation effort: Unlike Selenium, which may require advanced C# knowledge to create a custom API testing solution, Playwright provides built-in functionality, minimizing setup complexity.
• Multi-browser testing: Playwright supports multiple browsers out of the box, eliminating the need for additional configuration or browser-specific drivers.
• Efficient execution: Built-in mechanisms for waiting on UI elements improve test stability and reduce execution time, which is particularly advantageous in CI/CD pipelines.
• BDD workflow support: Playwright can integrate with a behavior-driven development (BDD) approach, using tools such as Reqnroll (the successor to SpecFlow), to enhance collaboration and maintainability.

Considering these advantages, Playwright presents a well-rounded solution that aligns with the client’s technical requirements, project complexity, and desired automation capabilities.

Which framework should you choose?

The choice of the right test automation framework depends heavily on your specific project requirements, team expertise, and technical context. Selenium remains a solid choice for teams that need maximum flexibility and browser support. Cypress excels in fast development cycles and front-end–focused testing. Playwright stands out as the modern choice for teams seeking advanced functionality, reliability, and future-proofing.

For the described client case, with average complexity, cross-browser requirements, and Azure DevOps integration, Playwright offers the best balance between functionality, performance, and modernity. Investing in learning this framework will pay off in the long term through improved test reliability and efficiency.

Want to learn more about our approach?

At NetRom Software, we use test automation solutions to deliver the best IT outcomes for our clients. Curious how we can take your software projects to the next level? Contact us for a no-obligation conversation to learn about our capabilities. We look forward to speaking with you soon.