Introduction
End-to-end (E2E) testing is crucial for ensuring web applications work as intended. Two of the most widely used frameworks are Playwright and Cypress. While both aim to simplify automated testing, they differ in architecture, features, and browser support.
Overview
Playwright
Developed by Microsoft, Playwright allows automation across Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit with a single API. It supports modern web apps and multiple platforms, including mobile emulation.
Cypress
Cypress is a JavaScript-based E2E testing framework designed for fast, reliable tests in the browser. It features real-time reloads, an interactive test runner, and excellent debugging tools.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Playwright | Cypress |
|---|---|---|
| Browser Support | Chromium, Firefox, WebKit | Chromium, Firefox (partial), Edge |
| Language | JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, C# | JavaScript, TypeScript |
| Parallel Testing | Yes, built-in | Yes, via Dashboard Service |
| Mobile Testing | Supports mobile emulation | Limited |
| Debugging Tools | Inspector, tracing, screenshots, video | Interactive Test Runner, screenshots, video |
| CI/CD Integration | Yes, flexible | Yes, best with Cypress Dashboard |
Conclusion
Both Playwright and Cypress are powerful frameworks for E2E testing. If you need **cross-browser testing, multiple languages, or mobile emulation**, Playwright is the stronger choice. On the other hand, **Cypress shines in developer experience**, with fast feedback loops and an interactive test runner that is great for debugging.