Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

TestCafe VS react-testing-library

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

TestCafe logo TestCafe

Automated browser testing for the modern web development stack

react-testing-library logo react-testing-library

[`React Testing Library`][gh] builds on top of `DOM Testing Library` by adding
  • TestCafe Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18
  • react-testing-library Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-21

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.

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.

TestCafe videos

Introducing TestCafe Studio

More videos:

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

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to TestCafe and react-testing-library)
Automated Testing
26 26%
74% 74
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Browser Testing
100 100%
0% 0
Development
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

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

react-testing-library Reviews

We have no reviews of react-testing-library yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, react-testing-library seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 133 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.

TestCafe mentions (0)

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

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 2 months 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 / 2 months ago
  • Top 20 Modern React Libraries To Supercharge Your Next Big Project
    Resource: React Testing Library Documentation. - Source: dev.to / 3 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
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What are some alternatives?

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

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.

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

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

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.

Ava - Making conversations accessible for the deaf

Enzyme - Enzyme is a JavaScript testing utility for React.