Katalon vs Playwright

Katalon vs Playwright

31 January 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tool comparisons

In the realm of automated testing, Katalon and Playwright stand out as powerful tools, but they cater to different needs. Katalon is an all-encompassing software quality management platform with AI-augmented features and a no-code approach, ideal for teams seeking a comprehensive testing suite with cross-functional support.


Conversely, Playwright is a Node.js library favoring developers with coding expertise, offering robust browser automation and cross-browser testing capabilities. Understanding their distinct functionalities is key in selecting the right tool for enhancing your software testing processes.


Latest update: 1/29/2024, 3:34:32 PM
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Feature comparison of Katalon and Playwright

FeatureKatalonPlaywright
Free Plan
On Premise
Device Farm
Scheduler
No Code
Uses AiN/A
Generates Reports
Uses Computer Vision
Platformsweb,Android,iOSweb
Ease Of Useeasy to learnrequires expert technical knowledge
Is Open Source
Support Included
Review ProsReduced Effort in Test Maintenance: Users report that Katalon simplifies the creation and maintenance of reusable methods, which can reduce time and effort significantly.
Built-in Reporting Features: The platform automatically captures snapshots on test failures, which enhances the efficiency of reporting.
Comprehensive Test Features: Offers features like Record, Object Spy, and Frame Handling, which streamline the testing process.
Low Learning Curve: Katalon is accessible to manual testers, allowing them to transition to automation testing with minimal training.
Cross-Functional Testing Support: It supports UI, API, and Mobile testing within a single platform, reducing the need to manage different tools for different types of testing.
Community and Customer Support: There is strong community support for the free version and dedicated customer support for the paid version.
Facilitates Cross-Functional Roles: Enables testers to handle both manual and automated testing, effectively becoming cross-functional team members.
CI/CD Integration: For those who opt for the paid version, it offers Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment integration.
Codeless Automation: Provides a codeless automation option, making it accessible for teams with limited coding knowledge.
Efficiency in Test Execution: Users find that Katalon allows for faster test execution compared to manual testing, enabling more extensive and frequent testing.
N/A
Review ConsSeparate Licensing: Some users find the need for separate licenses for different features to be a disadvantage.
Cost for Advanced Features: Advanced features like CI/CD integration and Visual Testing require a paid license.
Mobile Execution Issues: There have been reports of instability during mobile test execution, where sessions unexpectedly close.
High Resource Usage: Users with less powerful hardware have experienced performance issues, indicating the platform may require substantial system resources.
Lack of Support for Legacy Systems: Katalon currently does not support automation testing for legacy Java UIs, which can be a limitation for some organizations.
Limited TestOps Analytics: The free version has limitations on the analytical results available through TestOps, pushing users towards the paid version for full functionality.
Separate Licensing for Cloud Features: Features like Parallel Cloud Execution and Cloud Tunnelling require additional licensing, which can increase costs.
Limited Free Features: Some users feel that the most valuable features are locked behind the paid version, which can be a barrier for smaller teams or individual users.
Hardware Demands: The platform’s demand on hardware resources can lead to slower performance on less capable machines.
No Bundled Packages: Users would prefer bundled packages for the various Katalon products to simplify licensing and possibly reduce costs.
N/A


Katalon vs. Playwright Pricing Models

Katalon Pricing Overview

Katalon provides a tiered pricing strategy for its Software Quality Management Platform. The tiers are designed to accommodate teams of varying sizes and needs. The Starter Plan is free and aimed at small teams or beginners in test automation, offering basic test automation features. For more advanced capabilities, Katalon offers the Premium Plan at $167 per month (when billed annually), which includes professional-grade test creation and dynamic testing processes. The Ultimate Plan is tailored for enterprise-level needs and comes with custom pricing. Katalon encourages annual billing with up to a 25% discount, and presents package deals that combine different licenses and test result options. New customers can also enjoy special discounts on initial licenses. Katalon’s platform supports a comprehensive testing suite that includes web, API, mobile, and desktop testing, as well as AI-powered and visual testing capabilities.

Playwright Pricing Overview

Playwright is an open-source automation library for testing web applications across browsers. As an open-source tool, it is free to use, which can be a significant advantage for individuals or organizations looking to implement automated testing without incurring software costs.

Comparison of Pricing Models

Common Points

Both Katalon and Playwright are tools designed to facilitate test automation for software development teams. They serve a common purpose of providing quality assurance through automated testing methods.

Key Differences

  • Cost: The most striking difference is cost-related. Playwright is completely free as it is an open-source tool, making it accessible to anyone without financial commitment. On the other hand, Katalon operates on a freemium model where basic services are free, but more advanced features require a paid subscription.

  • Licensing: Katalon has a structured licensing system with different tiers, including Premium and Ultimate, which cater to professional and enterprise users, respectively. Playwright does not have a licensing system due to its open-source nature.

  • Features: While Katalon’s paid plans offer advanced features such as AI-powered and visual testing, Playwright, being free, may not have such advanced features built-in. However, it can be extended through community-contributed plugins and integrations.

  • Support and Updates: Katalon’s paid plans likely come with professional support and regular updates as part of the subscription. In contrast, Playwright’s support relies on the community and contributors for troubleshooting and enhancements.

  • Enterprise Readiness: Katalon’s Ultimate plan suggests a suite of features tailored for enterprise-grade requirements, including custom pricing, which implies a level of scalability and support that enterprises typically require. Playwright’s open-source model may necessitate additional work to scale and secure for enterprise use.

  • Discounts and Deals: Katalon offers discounts for annual billing and package deals, which can be appealing for long-term planning and budgeting. Playwright, being free, does not have such offers.

In summary, Katalon and Playwright offer different pricing models that cater to diverse user needs. Katalon’s model is more structured and caters to a broader range of professional and enterprise users, while Playwright offers a cost-effective solution for users who are comfortable with an open-source environment and community support.

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