Xray vs Zephyr – Comparison of Test Management Tools

Both Xray and Zephyr are test management tools that operate within Jira, a project management software developed by Atlassian. This blog gives you a detailed comparison of Xray vs Zephyr. 

Xray

Xray was developed by Xpand IT in 2013. It currently has a strong customer base and is used across various countries. It is particularly used by organizations that need a test management system for their Jira ecosystem.

Zephyr

Feature Comparison: Xray vs Zephyr

The table below outlines key features and indicates their availability in each tool:

Feature	Xray	Zephyr
Jira Integration	Yes	Yes
Manual Test Case Management	Yes	Yes
Automated Test Support	Yes	Yes
Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)	Yes	Yes
Test Plan Management	Yes	Yes
Test Execution Tracking	Yes	Yes
Requirement Traceability	Yes	Yes
Defect Management Integration	Yes	Yes
Customizable Dashboards & Reports	Yes	Yes
CI/CD Integration (e.g., Jenkins)	Yes	Yes
REST API Availability	Yes	Yes
Test Parameterization	Yes	No
Test Case Versioning	Yes	No
Data-Driven Testing Support	Yes	No
Test Repository Organization	Yes	Yes
Permission & Role Management	Yes	Yes
Cloud & On-Premise Deployment Options	Yes	Yes
Integration with Automation Frameworks	Yes	Yes
Support for Multiple Test Environments	Yes	Yes
Export/Import Test Cases	Yes	Yes

We saw that both Xray and Zephyr have many features in common. Let’s look in detail at the features that differentiate them:

• Behavior-Driven Development (BDD): Both Xray and Zephyr support BDD. Xray offers native support using Gherkin syntax, facilitating collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Zephyr integrates with BDD tools, allowing teams to incorporate BDD practices into their testing processes.
  
• Test Parameterization & Data-Driven Testing: Xray allows parameterization of test cases, enabling data-driven testing. Zephyr lacks this capability.
  
• Test Case Versioning: Xray supports version control for test cases, allowing teams to manage changes over time. Zephyr does not offer this feature.

Resource library 💡

Compare more test management tools with Xray:
Testrail vs Xray | TestFLO vs Xray | Testomat vs Xray

Pros & Cons of Xray

Pros:

1. BDD Support– Allows teams to define tests based on scenarios and user stories.
2. Traceability– Provides traceability between requirements, tests, and defects to see that tests align with project requirements.
3. Customizable Reporting– Generates detailed reports and dashboards.
4. Seamless Integration– Integrates well with automation tools and frameworks, as well as with popular CI/CD tools like Jenkins, Bamboo, and GitLab.

Cons:

1. Jira Dependency– Dependency on Jira and its storage leads to performance issues when the testing scope grows.
2. Limited Functionality– Lacks some important features like defect management modules and mobile app testing capabilities.

Pros & Cons of Zephyr

Pros:

1. Intuitive Interface– Has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, with a minimal learning curve.
2. Multiple Product Versions– Offers different versions such as Squad, Scale, and Enterprise to fulfill the needs of various teams, from small to enterprise.
3. AI-Capabilities– Uses AI for test case design, automation, and release planning.
4. Scalability– Provides Zephyr Scale that can be used to handle large-scale testing environments.

Cons:

1. Limited Reporting & Configurability– Less advanced in reporting and configurability options compared to other test management tools.
2. Fixed Test Case Format– The test case format is non-customizable.
3. Limited Test Planning Features– Less advanced test planning features compared to other prominent tools. 

For those comparing functionality and usability, PractiTest vs Zephyr is a great reference.

Which is Better: Xray or Zephyr?

Since both Xray and Zephyr are very popular test management tools for Jira, you might obviously be confused about which one to go with. There are a few things that you must consider while choosing between Xray and Zephyr. These include the specific requirements of your team or project, the size and expertise of your team, integration capability with your existing tools and systems, and scalability for future requirements. 

Here’s something that might help you decide:

Choose Xray if you prefer:

• Smooth automation
• BDD support
• Advanced coverage analysis

Choose Zephyr if you prefer:

• Ease of use
• An intuitive interface
• Strong test cycle management features

Testsigma: Alternative Test Management Tools for Xray & Zephyr

Xray and Zephyr come with several limitations when compared to modern test management tools. Many of the missing features are essential for Agile teams and can impact quality and slow down the testing process. With tools now offering comprehensive test management, built-in automation, and more in a single platform, it’s worth exploring options beyond just Xray and Zephyr.

Testsigma provides a test management software that organizations can leverage for centralized test management and automation integration.

Why Choose Testsigma TMS Over Xray or Zephyr?

Testsigma’s AI-powered Test Management Solution offers capabilities that Xray and Zephyr simply don’t. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• AI-Powered Test Case Generation with Generator Agent
  Instantly generate test cases from user stories, requirements, designs, or walkthrough videos using the Generator Agent, saving hours of manual effort.
• Seamless Manual-to-Automation Conversion
  Effortlessly convert manual test cases into automated scripts with one click, no coding or external tools required.
• Built-In Low-Code Test Automation Platform
  Create, execute, and manage tests for web, mobile, APIs, desktop, and enterprise applications without writing code or relying on third-party frameworks.
• Smart Test Execution with Executor Agent
  Run tests directly in the browser using the Executor Agent. Get real-time visibility into test execution across multiple environments without any complex setup.
• Real-Time Execution Tracking Across Environments
  Monitor status, logs, and performance of test runs as they happen, making it easier to identify and address issues immediately.
• AI-Driven Bug Reporting with Bug Reporter Agent
  Automatically generate comprehensive bug reports with logs, screenshots, and reproduction steps using the Bug Reporter Agent, reducing manual reporting and accelerating fixes.
• Collaboration-Focused Workflow Management
  Improve team collaboration with activity logs, inline comments, and test assignments, all built into the test management workflow.
• Customizable Workflows & Compliance-Ready Reporting
  Tailor your test processes to align with project needs and compliance standards, with detailed, configurable reporting capabilities.
• Unified Platform for All Testing Types
  Manage and automate testing across web, mobile, desktop, APIs, Salesforce, and SAP, all from one centralized platform.
• Advanced Analytics with AI-Driven Insights
  Use intelligent dashboards that provide actionable suggestions for improving test coverage and resolving defects faster.
• Fair, Scalable Pricing
  Enjoy a free forever test management plan for core features. Pay only for advanced capabilities like AI-powered generation and agentic execution when you need them.

Conclusion

Choosing between Xray and Zephyr depends on your team’s specific needs, workflows, and future growth plans. Both tools offer solid test management within Jira, but each comes with its own strengths and trade-offs. Xray stands out for teams seeking BDD and traceability, while Zephyr appeals to those who value ease of use and flexibility across team sizes. However, as testing needs evolve, it’s important to evaluate whether traditional tools alone can keep up. Exploring alternative solutions like Testsigma can help ensure your test management strategy remains scalable, efficient, and aligned with modern software delivery demands.

Zephyr offers reports such as the Traceability Report, Test Case Execution Report, Test Execution Burndown Chart, and Top Defects Impacting Testing. In comparison, Xray includes the Traceability Report, Overall Requirement Coverage Report, Historical Requirement Coverage Report, Test Plans Report, Test Executions Report, and Test Runs Report.