playwright vs vitest
Side-by-side comparison of playwright and vitest
- Weekly Downloads
- 34.4M
- Stars
- 82.3K
- Gzip Size
- 820.6 kB
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Last Updated
- 1d ago
- Open Issues
- 596
- Forks
- 5.1K
- Unpacked Size
- 3.7 MB
- Dependencies
- 8
- Weekly Downloads
- 30.6M
- Stars
- 15.9K
- Gzip Size
- —
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 9h ago
- Open Issues
- 350
- Forks
- 1.6K
- Unpacked Size
- 1.5 MB
- Dependencies
- —
Download Trends
Verdict
Playwright holds a strong position as a comprehensive browser automation tool, well-suited for end-to-end testing across multiple web platforms. It serves developers looking for advanced browser control, making it ideal for complex testing scenarios that require direct interaction with the browser environment.
In contrast, Vitest is designed primarily as a lightweight testing framework that leverages Vite's build tool for a streamlined development experience. It is practicable for projects that prioritize speed and efficiency, particularly in environments where Vite is already in use or for smaller applications that require fast test runs without the overhead of full browser automation.
Choosing between Playwright and Vitest depends on your project's scale and needs. For comprehensive end-to-end testing, Playwright's features are unmatched, while Vitest shines in unit and integration testing, especially when combined with Vite tooling. Moreover, developers should consider the larger ecosystem around each tool, as adopting Playwright may involve a steeper learning curve given its more extensive feature set compared to Vitest.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | playwright | vitest |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Uses Apache-2.0 which is permissive and widely accepted. | MIT license is equally permissive and developer-friendly. |
| Open Issues | Higher number of open issues (595) indicates ongoing active development. | ✓Fewer open issues (352) suggesting a more stable environment. |
| GitHub Stars | ✓Strong community support with 82.3K stars. | Moderate community traction with 15.9K stars. |
| Last Updated | Recent updates indicate active maintenance, last updated in 2026. | Also updated recently, ensuring current features are available. |
| Unpacked Size | Heavier footprint at 3.7MB, reflecting its comprehensive feature set. | ✓Lightweight at 1.5MB, attractive for projects prioritizing minimized size. |
| Learning Curve | Steeper learning curve due to complex browser automation features. | ✓More straightforward, especially for those familiar with Vite. |
| Weekly Downloads | ✓Significantly high popularity with 35.2M downloads. | Still substantial with 30.7M downloads but lower than Playwright. |
| Bundle Size (gzip) | Larger bundle size at 820.6 kB, suitable for its capabilities. | ✓Smaller bundle size, enhancing performance during development. |
| Overall Positioning | ✓Ideal for browser automation and comprehensive testing scenarios. | Best for lightweight and fast testing focused on Vite projects. |
| Use Case Suitability | ✓Excellent for end-to-end testing with multiple browser support. | Suitable for unit and integration tests with rapid feedback. |
| Ecosystem Integration | Integrates well with various browser stacks and test tools. | ✓Works seamlessly within the Vite ecosystem, promoting fast workflows. |