Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Netbeans VS TestCafe

Compare Netbeans VS TestCafe and see what are their differences

Netbeans logo Netbeans

NetBeans IDE 7.0. Develop desktop, mobile and web applications with Java, PHP, C/C++ and more. Runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Solaris. NetBeans IDE is open-source and free.

TestCafe logo TestCafe

Automated browser testing for the modern web development stack
  • Netbeans Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-13
  • TestCafe Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18

Netbeans features and specs

  • Open Source
    NetBeans is an open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE), which means it is free to use and has a large community for support and contributions.
  • Modular Architecture
    Its modular architecture allows users to add or remove features easily, which provides flexibility to customize the IDE as per the developer's requirements.
  • Multi-Language Support
    NetBeans supports multiple programming languages such as Java, PHP, HTML5, JavaScript, and more, making it a versatile tool for developers working in different technologies.
  • Strong Java Support
    Originally developed for Java, it provides excellent support for Java development, including Maven and Ant integration, robust debugging tools, and pre-configured templates.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The IDE boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, which helps improve development speed and reduces the learning curve for new users.
  • Rich Set of Features
    NetBeans offers many built-in features like code templates, project management tools, version control integration, and support for various application servers.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    NetBeans can run on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, therefore accommodating a diverse range of development environments.

Possible disadvantages of Netbeans

  • Performance Issues
    Some users experience lagging and slow performance, particularly when dealing with large projects or running on lower-end hardware.
  • Resource Intensive
    NetBeans can be resource-intensive, requiring significant memory and processing power, which may be a limitation for some developers, especially those on older machines.
  • Plugin Ecosystem
    While NetBeans has a good set of built-in features, its plugin ecosystem is not as extensive or actively maintained as some other IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA or Visual Studio Code.
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Non-Java Languages
    Although NetBeans supports multiple languages, the learning curve can be steeper when using it for non-Java languages compared to other IDEs that may offer better out-of-the-box support.
  • Updates and Community
    Since transitioning to Apache, the frequency of updates and the overall maintenance has seen slowdowns, which might affect the availability of the latest features and bug fixes.
  • UI Responsiveness
    Some users have reported that the UI can sometimes become unresponsive, especially during heavy development tasks or when multiple extensions are enabled.

TestCafe features and specs

  • No Browser Plugins Required
    TestCafe does not require browser plugins, which simplifies setup and ensures compatibility across different browsers and platforms.
  • Cross-platform Testing
    It supports all major browsers on different platforms, including mobile, which makes it a versatile choice for cross-platform testing.
  • Easy to Use
    TestCafe provides an easy-to-understand syntax and integrated test runner, which lowers the learning curve for new users.
  • Automatic Waiting Mechanism
    TestCafe automatically waits for page elements to load, reducing the need to write explicit wait commands in the test scripts.
  • Rich Ecosystem
    Integrations with popular CI tools and reporters, as well as a growing number of plugins, extend TestCafe’s functionality and application.

Possible disadvantages of TestCafe

  • Lacks Advanced Features
    It may lack some advanced features found in other frameworks, making it less suitable for complex testing requirements.
  • Limited Browser Support for Older Versions
    While TestCafe supports modern browsers, it could have limited support for older browser versions, which may be a limitation for some projects.
  • No Native Mobile Application Testing
    TestCafe does not support native mobile app testing; it is primarily focused on web applications, which can be limiting for projects requiring cross-domain mobile testing.
  • Community Size
    Compared to other older and more established testing frameworks, TestCafe has a smaller community, which might affect the availability of third-party resources and support.
  • Test Speed
    Some users may experience slower test execution speeds compared to other frameworks, which can be a drawback in scenarios with extensive test suites.

Analysis of Netbeans

Overall verdict

  • NetBeans is a good choice for developers who need a comprehensive and flexible IDE, particularly for Java development. Its open-source nature and active community make it a reliable option for both beginners and experienced developers.

Why this product is good

  • NetBeans is a versatile and robust Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that supports multiple languages such as Java, JavaScript, PHP, and more. It offers a range of features including code editing, debugging, and project management tools. It's open-source, providing flexibility and an active community for support. Additionally, NetBeans integrates seamlessly with other tools and platforms, enhancing its utility for developers.

Recommended for

    Java developers, web developers using HTML5, JavaScript, or PHP, beginner programmers looking for a free and powerful IDE, and developers who prefer an open-source environment.

Netbeans videos

A Review of the NetBeans Project from Geertjan Wielenga

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Install & Beautify NetBeans IDE for PHP on Windows

TestCafe videos

Introducing TestCafe Studio

More videos:

  • Review - TestCafe Live - Running live tests
  • Review - TestCafe Studio: Organizing Test Files

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Netbeans and TestCafe)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Automated Testing
0 0%
100% 100
IDE
100 100%
0% 0
Browser Testing
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Netbeans and TestCafe

Netbeans Reviews

The Best IDEs for Java Development: A Comparative Analysis
User Satisfaction: With a user rating of 4.1 out of 5 and user satisfaction of 82%, NetBeans offers a solid development experience.
Source: dev.to
9 Of The Best Android Studio Alternatives To Try Out
NetBeans IDE helps you build HTML5 applications, web applications, Java desktop applications, and mobile applications. If you are a PHP or C++ developer, it offers you great tools. NetBeans IDE has a large number of developers and users all across the globe.
What's The Best C++ IDE? Our Top C++ IDEs & Editors In 2024
Rounding out my list at number ten is NetBeans, a free and open-source integrated development environment. While often thought of as Java IDE, NetBeans also offers robust support for C++ and is favored by developers seeking a comprehensive toolset for larger and more complex projects.
Source: hackr.io
Top 10 Visual Studio Alternatives
NetBeans is another code editor and an alternative to Visual Studio Microsoft. It is regarded as an integrated development environment for Java. Here, the users can develop applications. The development of the applications is from a set of integrated software components that are named modules. NetBeans are operative on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris.
Best Eclipse Alternatives to Use
NetBeans IDE is a free Java Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that enables developers to create, run, debug, and deploy Java applications on all platforms at no cost. The rest of the code is available under the NetBeans Common Public License.
Source: eclipsewin.com

TestCafe Reviews

Top Selenium Alternatives
TestCafe's no-WebDriver requirement represents a significant departure from Selenium's approach, offering easier setup and potentially faster execution times since it doesn't rely on WebDriver for browser control. This makes TestCafe an attractive option for teams looking for a streamlined setup and execution process, although it might offer less control over browser...
Source: bugbug.io

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Netbeans seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 17 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Netbeans mentions (17)

View more

TestCafe mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of TestCafe yet. Tracking of TestCafe recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Netbeans and TestCafe, you can also consider the following products

Microsoft Visual Studio - Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.

WebdriverIO - Webdriver module for Node.js. that makes it easier to write Selenium tests

IntelliJ IDEA - Capable and Ergonomic IDE for JVM

Selenium - Selenium automates browsers. That's it! What you do with that power is entirely up to you. Primarily, it is for automating web applications for testing purposes, but is certainly not limited to just that.

Sublime Text - Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features. Fully customizable with macros, and syntax highlighting for most major languages.

Ava - Making conversations accessible for the deaf