Introduction
In our previous article, we explored Selenium in detail: its history, tools, and usability within the web-testing framework. This time, we’re diving into a comparison between Selenium and Cypress, a conversation that sparked from a poll we posted earlier this week.
The goal here is to break down the differences between these two web testing tools and help beginners decide which one is right for them. If you’re starting your journey in automated software testing, this comparison might give you the insights you need to make an informed decision.
So what are web testing tools?
Before we get into the Cypress vs Selenium debate, let’s take a step back and understand what web testing tools are all about. In the past few years, website automation software testing has become a game-changer for testers, enabling faster and more efficient testing of web applications.
Browsers might seem simple to most users, but behind the scenes, they require a lot of testing to ensure smooth functionality. This is where web testing tools like Selenium and Cypress come into play. These tools help testers automate the testing process, making sure the browser is user-friendly, performs all required actions, and meets the necessary standards.
Selenium vs. Cypress
You’ve probably heard a lot about Selenium and Cypress, especially if you’re into automation testing. These two tools are often compared, but their differences can be quite significant. While Selenium is an open-source umbrella project supporting a variety of tools and languages, Cypress is specifically designed for JavaScript, which gives it some unique advantages and limitations.
The new competitor: Cypress
Let’s take a closer look at Cypress, which has been gaining momentum in recent years. Cypress is a JavaScript-only toolset designed to simplify web testing, and it does this by offering a lot of built-in features that make it easy for testers to get started.
Before Cypress arrived, testing often required a lot of setup; think installing additional frameworks like Mocha or QUnit, adding assertion libraries, and even using Selenium wrappers. With Cypress, all these steps are streamlined, and it works directly with the browser during testing, without needing Selenium.
Cypress: where to get started
To install Cypress, all you have to do is download it from the official website, where you can check its features and usability. The official site offers juniors practical, step-by-step resources necessary to start learning Cypress, making their life easier in the process.
Looking at the simplification of testing using Cypress, what comes to my attention is that, unlike most of the testing frameworks, Cypress does not require Selenium to run tests since it can interact with the browser while the application is still running. The lack of Selenium and other additional steps seems to open the door to Cypress as a new set of tools that could challenge Selenium’s position as the most used web testing framework.
To have a better understanding of each of their properties, let’s start by comparing them:
| Selenium | Cypress | |
| Browser supported | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Electron, Brave |
| Languages supported | Java, JavaScript, Python, CSharp, Ruby, Kotlin | JavaScript |
| Test Frameworks | The test framework matches the language bindings: NUnit for .NET, JUnit for Java, RSpec for Ruby, etc. | MochaJs, Chai, Sinon.JS, etc |
| Drivers needed | Each browser requires its own driver | No need for driver bindings |
| Testing purposes & Time Management | End-to-end testing, with more steps, requires | Faster end-to-end testing, benefitting from more built-in features |
| Maturity & Support | It has been around for 18 years, with updates and modifications made to keep up with the browser changes over time. | Still on the newer side, with its open beta released in 2014, the community is still growing due to its ease of use. |
| Licensing | Open source, with resources available on the official website. | The main features are offered for free, with resources available on the official website. Paid subscriptions are required for advanced settings. |
| Mobile testing support | Yes, with the help of Appium | No |
| Junior friendly | Juniors familiar with a supported language of their choice and the existing support can make it easier for new testers. | While Cypress offers a simpler setup, it may require some prior developer knowledge to explore its full potential. |
Selenium or Cypress: Which tool is best to start with?
Looking at this comparison, it’s clear that both Cypress and Selenium have their advantages. Selenium is great for those who are comfortable with multiple programming languages and want flexibility in testing. It has been around for a long time, with a robust community and support.
On the other hand, Cypress can be a great starting point for beginners who want something easier to set up. It’s tailored for JavaScript, and its built-in features make testing faster and more efficient. If you’re working on a JavaScript-heavy project, Cypress is an excellent choice.
As one of our colleagues put it:
“For beginners, I’d recommend learning Cypress, even if you don’t have much experience as a developer. It simplifies the process of writing scripts thanks to its easy-to-understand, native library.”
However, if you’re dealing with complex applications or need mobile testing support, Selenium might still be your go-to tool. Cypress might not offer mobile testing, and its functionality could be more limited depending on your project’s requirements.
Final Thoughts
Both Cypress and Selenium are powerful tools in the world of web testing, but they’re best suited for different types of projects. If you’re just getting started with automation testing, Cypress might be the more approachable option with its simplicity and fewer setup steps. However, if you need more flexibility and extensive support, Selenium is still a strong contender.
Ultimately, the best tool for you will depend on your project’s needs, your team’s skillset, and your goals. Whether you decide to go with Cypress or Selenium, or even both, the important thing is to choose the one that makes your testing process as smooth and efficient as possible.
Both Cypress and Selenium are powerful tools in the world of web testing, but they’re best suited for different types of projects. If you’re just getting started with automation testing, Cypress might be the more approachable option with its simplicity and fewer setup steps. However, if you need more flexibility and extensive support, Selenium is still a strong contender.
Ultimately, the best tool for you will depend on your project’s needs, your team’s skillset, and your goals. Whether you decide to go with Cypress or Selenium, or even both, the important thing is to choose the one that makes your testing process as smooth and efficient as possible.
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