Cypress is a front-end testing tool (E2E). It comes as a simple node package, making it easy to use and maintain for front-end developers and testers.
Good:
- Open source
- Locally installed
- Straightforward (installed via npm, and all tests are written in JavaScript)
- Good documentation and learning materials
- Can run in a headless mode
- Cross-browser testing (Chrome, Firefox, and Electron)
- Robust support for JavaScript and TypeScript
Not so good:
- Scenarios with multiple browser tabs cannot be tested
- Cypress does not support parallel test execution out of the box
- iFrame support is limited
Cypress has established itself as a powerful front-end testing tool that continues to be one of our preferred choices for end-to-end (E2E) testing. As a Node-based package that runs directly in the browser alongside the application under test, it offers a fundamentally different approach compared to traditional tools like Selenium. We particularly value its straightforward implementation through npm, comprehensive JavaScript and TypeScript support, and excellent documentation that significantly reduces the learning curve for development teams.
Since early 2022, Cypress has undergone substantial improvements that have strengthened its position in our technology stack. The addition of Edge and WebKit browser support, alongside existing Chrome, Firefox, and Electron compatibility, has expanded its testing coverage considerably. While some limitations persist, such as multiple browser tabs testing and out-of-the-box parallel execution, these are often outweighed by its enhanced debugging capabilities, improved performance, and robust CI/CD integration. The tool's recent focus on optimizing test execution speed and resource management has made it particularly effective for large-scale applications.
We continue to recommend Cypress for teams seeking a modern, developer-friendly approach to front-end testing, especially those working in JavaScript-heavy environments.