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react-testing-library VS Chai

Compare react-testing-library VS Chai and see what are their differences

react-testing-library logo react-testing-library

[`React Testing Library`][gh] builds on top of `DOM Testing Library` by adding

Chai logo Chai

Chai is a BDD / TDD assertion library for node and the browser that can be delightfully paired with any javascript testing framework.
  • react-testing-library Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-21
  • Chai Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-11

react-testing-library features and specs

  • Focused on user-centric testing
    React Testing Library encourages tests that closely resemble how users interact with an application. This approach makes tests more reliable and meaningful.
  • Reduces coupling to implementation details
    By encouraging developers to interact with components via the DOM, the library minimizes dependencies on component internals, making tests less prone to breaking from refactors.
  • Improved test readability
    Tests written with React Testing Library are generally easier to read and understand because they focus on what the user sees and does, rather than the internal logic of the components.
  • Comprehensive query options
    The library provides a wide range of query methods (e.g., getByText, getByRole), which makes it easy to select elements in ways that resemble how users think.
  • Active community and well-maintained
    React Testing Library has a strong, active community and it's maintained by experienced developers who keep the library up-to-date with React's evolution.

Possible disadvantages of react-testing-library

  • Limited support for non-DOM testing
    The library is heavily focused on DOM interactions, making it less suited for testing non-DOM logic or scenarios that don't involve user interactions.
  • Can be slower
    Tests that involve the DOM can be slower compared to tests that interact directly with component methods and state, which can lead to longer test execution times.
  • Learning curve for traditional testers
    Developers who are used to testing implementation details with other tools (like Enzyme) might find it challenging to adjust to the user-centric approach advocated by React Testing Library.
  • Potential for less granular control
    Because the library encourages testing through the UI, developers might find it harder to test specific, isolated internal behaviors of components that aren't directly visible to users.
  • Dependencies on browser APIs
    The library's reliance on browser APIs means that tests may behave differently in different environments or may require polyfills for certain features, leading to potential inconsistencies.

Chai features and specs

  • Readable Syntax
    Chai's syntax is very readable and expressive, making the tests easy to write and understand.
  • Chainable Methods
    Chai allows chaining of assertions, which can make test scripts more concise and easier to read.
  • Flexible Assertion Styles
    Chai supports three styles of assertions: assert, expect, and should, giving developers the flexibility to choose their preferred style.
  • Well-Documented
    Chai has extensive and well-structured documentation, making it easier for developers to learn and troubleshoot.
  • Ecosystem Integration
    Chai integrates well with many popular testing frameworks like Mocha, providing a seamless testing experience.

Possible disadvantages of Chai

  • Learning Curve
    Beginners might find it a bit challenging to understand the multiple assertion styles and how they differ.
  • Dependency Overhead
    Chai can add to the project's dependencies, potentially adding to the bundle size if not managed properly.
  • Performance Impact
    Using chaining methods and multiple assertion styles can sometimes impact the performance of test execution.
  • Plugin Requirement
    For some specialized assertions, additional plugins might be required, which adds to the maintenance overhead.
  • Potential Non-Specific Errors
    Errors in tests can sometimes be non-specific, making it harder to debug the underlying issue.

react-testing-library videos

React unit testing with Jest & React-testing-library

More videos:

  • Review - Test a React Component that renders a list with react-testing-library

Chai videos

Chai Review - with Liz Boccolini

More videos:

  • Review - TAZO Skinny Chai Latte & Oregon Chai: Chai Tea Latte Review
  • Review - Chai Solo Mode Review - with Mike DiLisio

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to react-testing-library and Chai)
Developer Tools
82 82%
18% 18
Automated Testing
80 80%
20% 20
Front End Package Manager
Javascript UI Libraries
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, react-testing-library seems to be a lot more popular than Chai. While we know about 133 links to react-testing-library, we've tracked only 4 mentions of Chai. 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.

react-testing-library mentions (133)

  • Migrating from AngularJS to React
    Additionally, I wrote Jest and Enzyme unit tests to demonstrate how to go about unit testing the components, as test driven development (TDD) is another methodology my organization subscribes to. Jest is a unit testing framework that actually shipped with React if you use the Create React App CLI to make a new React project. And at the time, Enzyme was created by Airbnb and added additional functionality to Jest... - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • How To Convert HTML CSS JS To React JS
    After converting your components, take some time to test your application. Make sure everything is working as expected. React’s development server automatically reloads your application whenever you save changes, which makes testing a lot easier. Tools like Jest and React Testing Library are also available to help you write tests for your components. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • How To Write Unit Test Cases In React JS
    React Testing Library: For testing React components from a user’s point of view, visit the React Testing Library documentation. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Top 20 Modern React Libraries To Supercharge Your Next Big Project
    Resource: React Testing Library Documentation. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Next.js Testing Guide: Unit and E2E Tests with Vitest & Playwright
    In this article, you will write unit tests in Next.js client components and synchronous server components using Vitest and React Testing Library, and you will write end-to-end tests for your async server components using Playwright. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
View more

Chai mentions (4)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing react-testing-library and Chai, you can also consider the following products

Enzyme - Enzyme is a JavaScript testing utility for React.

Jest - Jest is a delightful JavaScript Testing Framework with a focus on simplicity.

EyeJS - A JavaScript testing framework for the real world.

Jasmine - Behavior-Driven JavaScript

Storybook - Storybook is an open source tool for developing UI components in isolation for React, Vue, and Angular. It makes building stunning UIs organized and efficient.

Sinon.JS - Standalone test spies, stubs and mocks for JavaScript.