@testing-library/react vs cypress
Side-by-side comparison of @testing-library/react and cypress
- 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
- 6.6M
- Stars
- 49.6K
- Gzip Size
- 186 B
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 3h ago
- Open Issues
- 1.2K
- Forks
- 3.4K
- Unpacked Size
- 4.5 MB
- Dependencies
- 1
Download Trends
Verdict
@testing-library/react specializes in testing React applications with simple and complete utilities that promote good testing practices, making it ideal for developers focused on unit and integration tests within React projects. In contrast, cypress serves a broader audience by providing an end-to-end testing environment suitable for various front-end applications, leveraging modern frameworks and technologies for comprehensive testing solutions.
When deciding which tool to adopt, consider the project scope and team expertise. If your team is primarily building React apps and requires a straightforward testing library, @testing-library/react is a solid choice. However, for larger projects that require comprehensive end-to-end testing or involve multiple frameworks, cypress offers more versatility and capabilities, although it comes with a greater learning curve.
While both tools are effective in their domains, keep in mind the size and performance trade-offs. @testing-library/react is lightweight with a small unpacked size, making it suitable for quick setups, whereas cypress, while being larger, offers a more extensive feature set tailored for complex testing needs across various environments.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | @testing-library/react | cypress |
|---|---|---|
| Open Issues | ✓74 open issues show manageable maintenance and community engagement. | 1.2K open issues may suggest challenges in addressing user needs promptly. |
| GitHub Forks | 1.2K forks suggesting active usage and experimentation. | ✓3.4K forks indicate a high level of customization and community contributions. |
| GitHub Stars | Strong community support with 19.5K stars. | ✓Higher engagement with 49.6K stars, reflecting broader appeal. |
| Last Updated | Recently updated on 2026-01-19, indicating ongoing support. | ✓More recently updated on 2026-02-07, showing active development. |
| Unpacked Size | ✓Lightweight at 336.8 kB, suitable for smaller projects. | Larger at 4.5 MB, indicating more comprehensive functionalities. |
| Learning Curve | ✓Straightforward learning path for developers experienced in React. | Initially steeper learning curve due to extensive capabilities and features. |
| Overall Use Case | Focused on React DOM testing, ideal for unit and integration tests. | ✓Designed for end-to-end testing across multiple frameworks. |
| Weekly Downloads | ✓High popularity with 26.4M weekly downloads, indicating widespread adoption. | Fewer downloads at 6.6M, but still substantial within the testing community. |
| Community Support | Solid community engagement, but less than cypress. | ✓Extensive community support with numerous resources available. |
| Bundle Size (gzip) | Efficient at 101.4 kB, easily integrable into projects. | ✓Minimal bundle size at 186 B, however, the larger unpacked size suggests more resources. |
| Ease of Integration | ✓Seamless for React projects, requiring minimal configuration. | Requires more setup due to extensive features and multiple framework support. |