@testing-library/react vs ava
Side-by-side comparison of @testing-library/react and ava
- Weekly Downloads
- 26.2M
- Stars
- 19.5K
- Gzip Size
- 101.4 kB
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 20d ago
- Open Issues
- 74
- Forks
- 1.2K
- Unpacked Size
- 336.8 kB
- Dependencies
- 13
- Weekly Downloads
- 580.2K
- Stars
- 20.9K
- Gzip Size
- 942 B
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 3mo ago
- Open Issues
- 63
- Forks
- 1.4K
- Unpacked Size
- 289.4 kB
- Dependencies
- 1
Download Trends
Verdict
@testing-library/react excels in providing utilities specifically designed for testing React applications, making it an ideal choice for developers focused on end-user behavior rather than implementation details. Its strong adoption is reflected in its high weekly download count and community engagement, as indicated by the significant number of GitHub stars.
On the other hand, ava is a versatile Node.js test runner that caters to a broader audience, including those who need to run tests in parallel with a focus on simplicity and performance. If your project involves JavaScript outside of React or requires a more general testing framework, ava may be the better option, especially for Node.js applications.
Consider migration costs if switching between these tools, as @testing-library/react is tailored explicitly for React environments, promoting efficient user-centric testing. In contrast, using ava might require adjustments for projects that rely heavily on React-specific testing practices, indicating a notable consideration depending on your project's structure.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | @testing-library/react | ava |
|---|---|---|
| Open Issues | 74 open issues may suggest room for improvement or ongoing discussions. | ✓62 open issues indicate a relatively stable state with fewer outstanding bugs. |
| GitHub Forks | 1.2K forks reflect a healthy level of community interest in extending its functionality. | 1.4K forks also indicate community engagement and customization. |
| GitHub Stars | Well-regarded with 19.5K stars, showcasing community approval. | Highly popular with 20.9K stars, indicating strong support. |
| Last Updated | ✓Last updated in January 2026 suggests ongoing support and recent activity. | Updated in November 2025, indicating recent and active maintenance. |
| Unpacked Size | Moderate at 336.8 kB, typical for a comprehensive testing utility focused on React. | ✓Slightly smaller at 289.4 kB, indicating a leaner core for general testing tasks. |
| Overall Purpose | ✓Best for testing React applications with an emphasis on user interactions. | Suitable for general Node.js testing with support for various testing paradigms. |
| Weekly Downloads | ✓Significantly high at 26.4M, reflecting strong community usage in React projects. | Moderate at 558.2K, indicating a stable but lesser focus on React-specific testing. |
| Bundle Size (gzip) | Gzip size of 101.4 kB is reasonable for rich functionality. | ✓Minimal at 942 B, indicating excellent performance and quick load times. |
| Concurrency Support | Not designed for concurrent tests; primarily user-centric in approach. | ✓Supports running tests concurrently, enhancing test execution speed. |
| Developer Experience | ✓Encourages best practices in React testing, adding value for frontend developers. | Supports various modern testing strategies, appealing to a diverse developer audience. |
| Use Case Suitability | ✓Ideal for testing React applications with a focus on user behavior. | More suited for general JavaScript/Node.js applications with varied testing needs. |