Cypress vs Playwright

End-to-end testing that doesn't make you want to end it all meets selenium's smarter cousin. Here's our take.

Cypress

Nice Pick

End-to-end testing that doesn't make you want to end it all. Finally, a browser automation tool that actually works.

Pros

• Automatic waiting eliminates flaky timeouts
• Time-travel debugging lets you step through test failures
• Runs directly in the browser for real-world testing
• Built-in dashboard for test results and CI integration

Cons

• Limited support for cross-browser testing (mainly Chrome/Firefox)
• Can't run multiple tabs or windows simultaneously

Playwright

Selenium's smarter cousin. Write once, test everywhere, and actually enjoy it.

Pros

• Single API for Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit with built-in auto-waiting
• Multi-language support (JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, .NET)
• Fast and reliable with automatic retries and network interception

Cons

• Steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools like Puppeteer
• Can be overkill for basic scripting tasks

The Verdict

Use Cypress if: You want automatic waiting eliminates flaky timeouts and can live with limited support for cross-browser testing (mainly chrome/firefox).

Use Playwright if: You prioritize single api for chromium, firefox, and webkit with built-in auto-waiting over what Cypress offers.

The Bottom Line

Cypress wins

End-to-end testing that doesn't make you want to end it all. Finally, a browser automation tool that actually works.