Cypress
Cypress framework is an open-Source JavaScript-based test automation framework built on NodeJS.
It is built for the modern web and aims to address the pain points developers or QA engineers face while testing an application. Cypress is a developer-friendly tool that uses a unique DOM manipulation technique and operates directly in the browser. It also provides a unique interactive test runner.
Cypress is fundamentally built on a different architecture compared to Testcafe. It supports different types of testing:
End to End Testing
Unit Testing
Integration Testing
API Testing
Cypress Features
Time Travel: Cypress runs on its own window and takes snapshots while tests run. Hover over commands in the Command Log to see exactly what happened at each step.
Debuggability: Cypress allows direct debugging from Developer Tools. Readable errors and stack traces make debugging fast and efficient.
Automatic Waiting: In Cypress, testers do not need to provide Explicit Wait. Cypress automatically waits for commands and assertions before moving on. No more async hell.
Spies, Stubs, and Clocks: This feature helps to verify and control the behaviour of functions, server responses, or timers.
Network Traffic Control: Easily control, stub, and test edge cases without involving the server. Stub network traffic as it is required.
Consistent Results: Since Cypress uses its own browser control strategy, it is comparatively faster, more consistent, and enables reliable tests that are flake-free.
Screenshots and Videos: Screenshots are taken automatically on failure. One can take videos of the entire test suite when run from the CLI.
Cross browser Testing: Cypress supports running tests within New Edge, Firefox, and Chrome-family browsers.
Limitations of Cypress
Programming Language: Cypress supports only JavaScript/Typescript as a programming language.
Multiple Tab: Cypress does not support multiple tabs or allow switching between Parent and Child windows.
Native Mobile Apps: Cypress does not support native mobile apps automation.
IFrame Support : Cypress support for iframe is limited.
Parallel Test Execution: Cypress doesn’t support parallel testing on the same or multiple browsers.
Single Origin Tests: Testers cannot create tests under different origins or URLs. It must always be inline with single origins.
Selector Support: Cypress supports only CSS selectors natively but there are third party packages which can be pluggable with Cypress to use XPath.
Assertion Libraries: Cypress supports only Mocha, Chai assertion libraries. However these are sufficient for most test scripts.
TestCafe
Test Cafe is an open-source JavaScript test automation framework built on NodeJS. TestCafe doesn’t use Selenium Webdriver or any external tools to run tests. It runs on the popular Node.js platform, and makes use of the browsers a tester already has. TestCafe is mainly used for End-to-End Testing but it can be used for API testing as well. Testcafe uses Javascript as a programming language for writing tests. It has its own set of assertions; one can use those assertion libraries to create test scripts. Third-party assertion libraries are not supported out of the box.
TestCafe Features
Super Easy setup: TestCafe is easy and quick to set up. Anyone who knows the basics can do it on their own.
No third-party dependency: TestCafe doesn’t depend on any third-party libraries like webdriver, or external jars etc.
Easy Test Script writing: TestCafe command chaining techniques make teams more productive. 20 lines of code in other frameworks can be just written in 10 to 12 lines using TestCafe syntax.
Fast and Stable: Because a test is executed inside a browser, the tests are faster compared to other frameworks. Tests are also more stable as events are simulated internally using JavaScript.
Mock Requests: TestCafe helps to emulate HTTP responses to feed sample data to an app, troubleshoot connectivity errors, and cheat downtime.
Multiple Tab Support: Unlike Cypress, Testcafe provides functionalities like switching between windows and multiple tab support.
iframe Support: Testcafe supports iframes and one can switch to and from iframes in their tests.
Parallel Testing: With concurrency mode enabled, TestCafe tests can be run in parallel.
Automated Waiting: TestCafe waits automatically for elements to appear. There’s no need to insert External Waits.
Cross Browser Testing: Testcafe supports all major browsers like old and new Edge, Firefox, IE, and all Chrome family browsers.
Debuggability: Testcafe provides Live Mode which helps to visualize individual actions on the browser for easier debugging.
Screenshots: TestCafe supports taking screenshots for tests using built-in screenshot commands.
Limitations of TestCafe
Programming Language: Testcafe supports only Javascript/Typescript programming language.
Assertion Libraries: TestCafe supports built-in assertion libraries only.
Selector Support: By default, TestCafe supports only CSS selectors.
Execution of Tests: Browsers are not aware that they are running in test mode. So, in some edge cases, automation control can be disrupted. It’s also quite hard to debug possible issues.
Difference Between Cypress and TestCafe
Features Cypress TestCafe
Browser Support | Chrome, Edge, Electron, FireFox | Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Edge, FireFox, Safari |
Setup | Easy | Easy. Download note packages and start writing scripts |
Assertion Libraries | Mocha, Chai | Built-in assertion libraries |
Native Support | No Native Support for mobile tabs or windows | Support multiple tabs and windows |
Iframe Support | Limited Support for iframes | Supports iframes |
File Upload support | Possible with third party libraries | support file upload |
Debugging | Provides cypress window for easy debugging | Provides Live Mode for easy debugging |
Parallel browser testing | One browser session at the time | Supports parallel browser testing |
Reporters | Default Reporter is Spec, Extendable Junit, Mocha supported reporter and custom reporters | Default reporter is Spec, Extendable Junit list, minimal, xUnit, Json and community supported custom reporters |
Documentation | Well written documentation | Good documentation, community support is less as compared to cypress |
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