Cypress vs Playwright
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Reliable cross-browser automation.
The verdict
Both Cypress and Playwright are credible software testing tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Cypress — End-to-end testing for the web.
Playwright — Reliable cross-browser automation.
Cypress vs Playwright: side by side
| Dimension | Cypress | Playwright |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $67/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Open source |
| Best for | Developers, Qa | Developers, Qa |
| Platforms | Web, Mac, Windows, Linux | Mac, Windows, Linux |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Cypress key facts
- Vendor
- Cypress
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $67/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Linux
- Best for
- Developers, Qa
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Atlanta, GA, USA
Playwright key facts
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Pricing
- Open source — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Best for
- Developers, Qa
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Redmond, WA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Cypress better than Playwright?
Neither is universally better — Playwright edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cypress or Playwright cheaper?
Cypress is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $67/mo. Cypress starts at free – $67/mo; Playwright starts at free.
Can Cypress replace Playwright?
Yes for most teams — both are software testing tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.