Locust vs Playwright
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Reliable cross-browser automation.
The verdict
Both Locust and Playwright are credible software testing tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Locust - Scalable load testing written in Python
Choose Playwright if you'd rather have a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Reliable cross-browser automation.
Locust vs Playwright: side by side
| Dimension | Locust | Playwright |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Open source | Open source |
| Best for | Developers, Qa Engineers | Developers, Qa |
| Platforms | Self Hosted, Api | Mac, Windows, Linux |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.7/5Winner |
Locust key facts
- Vendor
- Locust
- Pricing
- Open source - Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Self Hosted, Api
- Best for
- Developers, Qa Engineers
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2011
- Headquarters
- Remote
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 Locust 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 Locust or Playwright cheaper?
Locust is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free. Locust starts at free; Playwright starts at free.
Can Locust 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.