Cypress vs Puppeteer: Which One is Better?

Anyone in the test automation industry for quite a few years now would know how Cypress and Puppeteer have changed the game. The initial tough days of installing, creating, and debugging tests using Selenium are a thing of the past, thanks to Cypress and Puppeteer. Now, among these two tools, which one is better? The Cypress vs Puppeteer conversation will help you understand the topic in detail.

In case, you have an extensive list of points to consider, compare test automation tools in a way to check which one among the many available in the market works for you.

Cypress vs Puppeteer – Overview

What is Cypress?

Cypress is an open-source, end-to-end testing framework that allows third-party add-ons per your testing needs. It runs directly within the browser and comes equipped with distinctive features like real-time interactive testing, automatic waiting, and seamless debugging. Cypress simplifies the testing process by enabling developers and testers to observe test execution in real-time, leading to quick issue identification.

In terms of the brand history, Cypress was released in 2015 with the aim of empowering open-source testing communities.

What is Puppeteer?

Puppeteer is a powerful Node.js library developed by Google. It was originally designed for web scraping and generating screenshots but has now evolved into a robust tool for browser automation. Testers benefit from Puppeteer’s headless mode, which allows for script execution without a visible browser interface. Its versatility extends to performance monitoring, accessibility testing, and generating detailed reports.

Cypress vs Puppeteer: Core Differences

Although both of these automation testing frameworks bring distinctive advantages for the testers, there are a few differences that you should consider when choosing one tool that suits your needs the best.

Installing

Cypress: Installing Cypress is straightforward. Use npm to install Cypress globally, and then initialize the project with a simple command. Use the below command:

npm install cypress –save-dev

Puppeteer: Puppeteer is installed via npm as well. After installing Puppeteer, it automatically downloads a compatible version of Chromium. Use the below command:

npm install puppeteer –save-dev

When Should You Use

Cypress: Choose Cypress when focusing on end-to-end testing for modern web applications. Cypress is ideal for projects where real-time interactive testing and quick issue identification are priorities.

Puppeteer: Opt for Puppeteer when browser automation, especially headless browsing, is the primary requirement. Puppeteer is suitable for scenarios involving web scraping, generating screenshots, or performing tasks without a visible browser interface.

When Should You Not Use

Cypress: Avoid Cypress if your project involves extensive cross-browser testing, as Cypress primarily supports Chromium-based browsers.

Puppeteer: Do not use Puppeteer if your focus is on interactive testing or if you require a testing tool that operates directly within the browser.

What Companies Use

Cypress: Companies like GitLab, Shopify, and Trivago leverage Cypress for their testing needs.

Puppeteer: Google, Netflix, and Alibaba are among the companies utilizing Puppeteer for web automation.

Test Execution

Cypress: Cypress runs directly in the browser, enabling real-time interactive testing. It provides an easy-to-understand interface and quick feedback on test execution.

Puppeteer: Puppeteer excels in headless mode, allowing for script execution without a visible browser interface. It’s suitable for automated tasks and scenarios where a visible browser is not required.

Features

Cypress: It offers features like automatic waiting, real-time reloading, and seamless debugging. It supports JavaScript-based testing and has an extensive set of commands for robust test scripts.

Puppeteer: It provides capabilities for web scraping, taking screenshots, generating PDFs, and interacting with pages in headless mode.

Benefits

Cypress: Fast test execution, real-time observation, user-friendly interface, and interactive testing capabilities to promote collaboration between developers and testers.

Puppeteer: Beneficial for headless browser automation, supporting web scrapping and performance reporting.

Limitations

Cypress: Limited cross-browser support and challenges in handling multiple tabs or windows. It may experience slower execution times in large test suites.

Puppeteer: Not suitable for interactive testing scenarios, and the focus on headless browsing limit its applicability for certain use cases.

Pricing

Cypress: Both free and paid versions are available.

Puppeteer: Free of cost.

Which is Better – Cypress vs Puppeteer?

The answer truly depends upon the requirements your testing team carries. Cypress brings a few advantages to the shore, whereas Puppeteer provides other benefits. If you are looking for faster test execution, interactive test capabilities, and a tool that runs directly within the browser, Cypress should be your ideal choice. Alternatively, Puppeteer is the right choice if your test focus lies in web scrapping, headlines test automation, and capturing test screenshots.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific testing goals, team expertise, and the features that align best with your project requirements. Consider evaluating both tools in a small-scale test scenario to see which one better meets your needs.

The comparison of these two tools in the form of a table below can help you clarify doubts regarding, which tool is right for you.

Cypress	Puppeteer
End-to-end testing of web apps	Headless browser automation
Chromiun-based browsers	Chromium (can be extended to Chrome)
Real-time extensive testing	Limited real-time testing; primarily, headless operation
Visible browser interaction	Optional: Headless Mode Available
Uses JavaScript	Uses JavaScript (Node.js)
It is User-Friendly, but steeper for Beginners	Moderate learning curve, requires JavaScript Skills
Limited support for cross-browser testing	Requires additional configuration for cross-browser testing
Supports real-time debugging	Offers comprehensive debugging with screenshots
Open-source and paid options present	Open-source

Alternative Tool for Cypress and Puppeteer

In case you wish not to limit the testing benefits by choosing either Cypress or the Puppeteer, an alternative that brings features of both the tools together should be on your list. Testsigma comes equipped with a myriad of attributes that overcome the challenges faced due to Cypress and Puppeteer. Unlike Cypress, Testsigma offers creation of browser-agnostic tests in simple english and provides access to over 3000+ devices and browsers for testing. 

As a Puppeteer alternative , Testsigma brings headless testing that supports a wide range of testing types, including web, mobile, and API testing. Not to mention that Testsigma aims to reduce the learning curve by providing a scriptless, no-code interface for test creation.

Conclusion

Determining which tool works best for you in the long run is more than just checking the price of those test automation tools. Rather it takes into account various factors, such as ease of use, integration capabilities, benefits and limitations, and use cases. Cypress vs Puppeteer comparison takes all these differences into consideration to guide you through the selection process. And if nothing else works, Testsigma is available to fill the gap of test automation tools in the present market.

Consider this blog a detailed guide to making the right decision when it comes to selecting either Cypress or Puppeteer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cypress better than Puppeteer?

Cypress is only better than Puppeteer if it meets your testing project needs better than latter. The choice between Cypress and Puppeteer depends on the testing requirements. Cypress excels in end-to-end testing with real-time interactive capabilities, making it ideal for modern web applications. Puppeteer, developed by Google, focuses on headless browser automation, making it versatile for tasks like web scraping and generating screenshots.

What is the difference between Puppeteer and Cypress?

Again, the difference lies in the use case. Cypress is designed for end-to-end testing of modern web applications with real-time interactivity. Puppeteer, on the other hand, is more focused on headless browser automation, suitable for web scraping and tasks without a visible browser interface.