35 Best Test Automation Frameworks You Must Use

Nightwatch.js is one of the best test automation frameworks, and it is open-source. It is driven by Node.js. Its primary goal is to offer complete end-to-end solutions for automating tests in web-based applications, browser apps, and websites using Selenium JavaScript.

This framework is built on Selenium and includes various commands and assertions to manipulate DOM elements. It utilizes the potent W3C WebDriver API or Selenium WebDriver internally, making it easier to write end-to-end automated tests and smoothly integrate them into Continuous Integration(CI) setups.

Core features of Nightwatch.js

Some of the core features that make Nightwatch.js the best test automation framework are as follows.

• It includes a built-in command-line test runner suite with Grunt support for running automated tests.
• It efficiently executes tests and offers various options like parallel execution, sequential execution, grouping, and tagging.
• It can automatically manage the Selenium standalone server and includes built-in JUnit XML reporting.

17. JUnit

JUnit is an open-source testing framework for unit testing. It makes it easier to write and run repeatable tests, which are very important for validating code changes during software development.

Core features of JUnit:

Some core features that make JUnit the best test automation framework are as follows.

• These are used to mark test methods, which makes it easy to identify and execute tests.
• It provides a complete test runner system that supports parameterized testing. This allows you to run the same test method with multiple sets of parameters, which can be particularly useful when testing a range of inputs or scenarios. Some other frameworks may offer parameterized testing, but JUnit’s implementation is widely used and well-documented.
• This feature helps organize or group the tests, especially when you want to run a collection of related tests together.

18. TestNG

TestNG is a fast and highly flexible test automation framework. It was developed as a next-generation alternative to JUnit, and it has gained immense popularity among Java developers and testers due to its complete set of features and capabilities.

It eliminates many of the limitations in older frameworks, granting developers the flexibility to create more potent and adaptable tests with the help of straightforward annotations, grouping, sequencing, and parameterization, which is why we include TestNG in the list of best test automation frameworks.

Core features of TestNG:

Some core features that make TestNG the best test automation framework are as follows.

• TestNG allows you to categorize your test methods into groups, making it easy to select and run specific subsets of tests. This is extremely useful for organizing your tests based on different criteria, such as functional areas, priority levels, or environment compatibility.
• It provides built-in support for parallel test execution and helps execute tests concurrently, taking full advantage of multi-core processors.
• TestNG allows test automation to read test data from various sources, including XML files, Excel spreadsheets, and databases. Data-driven testing brings powerful capabilities like easy test generation and running the same tests with multiple data sets, significantly improving test coverage, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• It provides a powerful listener mechanism that allows you to define custom listeners to respond to events during the test execution process. These listeners can be used for various purposes, such as generating custom reports, logging, capturing screenshots, and setting up or tearing down test environments.
• You can specify dependencies between test methods, ensuring that a test method runs only if the specified dependencies pass. This feature is invaluable for modeling and maintaining the integrity of test scenarios and ensuring that tests are executed logically.

19. Selenide

Selenide is a user-friendly open-source framework built on top of Selenium WebDriver. It excels in web browser management and, in the event of test failures, automates the capture of screenshots for enhanced error analysis. What sets Selenide apart is its simplified API, designed to streamline interactions with the browser.

This API not only simplifies the process but also introduces functions that may not be directly accessible through Selenium, along with improvements to existing Selenium functions. Selenide is a valuable tool for testers and developers seeking efficiency and enhanced functionality in their web automation and testing endeavors.

Core features of Selenide:

Some core features that make Selenide the best test automation framework are as follows.

• Selenide provides a fluent API that makes it easy to write readable and concise tests. You can chain together commands to perform complex actions on the page, and Selenide will take care of all the underlying details, such as waiting for elements to load and handling errors.
• It provides a number of natural language assertions that make it easy to verify the state of the page. You can write assertions in plain English, and Selenide will convert them to the appropriate Selenium commands.
• Selenide automatically detects and handles AJAX requests, so you don’t have to worry about them in your tests. This makes it much easier to test Ajax-based applications.
• It is designed to be stable and reliable. It handles many common problems that can cause tests to fail, such as stale element exceptions and timeouts.

20. pytest

pytest is a flexible testing framework suitable for various testing needs. It’s used by different testers and developers, including those who follow Test-Driven Development (TDD) principles. Notably, well-known projects like Mozilla and Dropbox have switched from other testing tools to pytest because they offer great features. Its popularity is based on its practicality and usefulness in software testing.

Core features of pytest

Some core features that make pytest the best test automation framework are as follows.

• It simplifies test design without overlapping the code.
• It eliminates the need for separate assertion methods such as assertEquals, assertTrue, and assertContains.
• It offers over 150 external plugins to support various types of functional testing<.
• You can find plugins like pytest-BDD and pytest-konira for writing tests for behavior-driven testing.

If you are new to pytest and want to know where to start, watch this video on what pytest is to get complete insights.

21. NUnit

NUnit is a top-tier test automation framework designed for unit testing in all. It is an open-source framework that has improved significantly with the latest release, NUnit 3.0, offering robust support for a wide range of .NET platforms.

Using NUnit, developers can easily create and execute automated tests for their code. This framework has the flexibility to evaluate code written in various .NET languages, including C#, VB.NET, and F#.

It comes with various assert methods, which help validate the correctness of the code under test. It also lets developers control test execution and configure the testing environment effectively.

Core features of NUnit:

Some of the core features that make NUnit the best test automation framework are as follows.

• To test an application with NUnit, you create test code that uses custom attributes. This code includes assertions to confirm the application’s correct operation.
• If your app stores settings in configuration files, NUnit lets you use different settings for testing compared to production.
• NUnit supports running tests within a single assembly and also allows for managing tests across multiple assemblies. You can create and run tests as NUnit test projects, too.
• This integration with Visual Studio will improve your testing workflow and align your testing efforts with your development environment for increased efficiency.

22. Taiko

Taiko is an open-source browser automation framework created by the Thoughtworks team, and powered by Node.js, specializing in automating the Chrome browser. What sets Taiko apart is its remarkable ability to simplify the creation of JavaScript tests that are not only highly maintainable.

It is designed with a user-friendly API, smart selectors, and implicit waits that collectively target one ultimate objective, eliminating flaky tests.

Core features of Taiko:
Some core features that make Taiko the best test automation framework are as follows.

• The installation process of Taiko is straightforward and hassle-free, ensuring that you can quickly get it up and running without any complications.
• With the interactive recorder feature, you can easily record and capture your actions, making it a convenient tool for tracking and reproducing your interactions within the system.
• It is capable of managing XHR (XMLHttpRequest) requests and dynamic content seamlessly, ensuring that you can work with these elements effortlessly.
• You can utilize the functionality for request and response stubbing and mocking to simulate interactions, enabling thorough testing and development of your software.

23. PHPUnit

PHPUnit provides a fast platform to design and automate tests, helping you monitor your code’s behavior, detect errors, pinpoint regressions, and uphold the integrity of your code even during updates. It enables developers and testers to construct and execute unit tests for their PHP code carefully.

This approach prevents disturbance to existing functionality and makes PHPUnit an essential tool for maintaining the reliability and performance of your applications.

Core features of PHPUnit:

Some core features that make PHPUnit the best test automation framework are as follows.

• This is easier with PHPUnit because it lets developers write tests before the actual code.
• It helps generate code coverage reports, giving insights into how much code is covered by tests, making it one of the best test automation frameworks.
• Developers can create mock objects with PHPUnit, simulating the behavior of natural objects.
• PHPUnit supports data providers, enabling developers to run the same test with various data sets.
• To test their code effectively, developers can access different assertion methods provided by PHPUnit.

24. Espresso

Espresso is a mobile test automation framework for Android applications. It is developed by Google and is integrated with the Android SDK. Espresso provides a number of features that make it easy to write, run, and maintain UI tests for Android applications.

Core features of Espresso:

• Espresso provides a simple and easy-to-use API for writing UI tests.
• Its tests are fast and reliable, and they can be run on various devices and operating systems.
• Espresso provides several powerful features for writing complex UI tests, such as support for data binding, custom matchers, and test hooks.
• It is integrated with the Android SDK, which makes it easy to set up and run tests.

25. XCUITest

XCUITest is a mobile test automation framework for iOS applications. It was developed by Apple and is integrated with Xcode. XCUITest provides a number of features that make it easy to write, run, and maintain UI tests for iOS applications.

Core features of XCUITest:

• XCUITest provides a simple and easy-to-use API for writing UI tests.
• Its tests are fast and reliable, and they can be run on various simulators and devices.
• It provides a number of powerful features for writing complex UI tests, such as support for gestures, custom matchers, and test hooks.
• XCUITest is integrated with Xcode, which makes it easy to set up and run tests.

26. Geb

Geb is a web test automation framework for Groovy. It is a powerful and flexible framework that can be used to test a wide variety of web applications. Geb provides a number of features that make it easy to write, run, and maintain web tests.

Core features of Geb:

• Geb provides a simple and easy-to-use API for writing web tests.
• It is a very flexible framework, and it can be used to test a wide variety of web applications, including single-page applications and applications that use JavaScript frameworks such as Angular and React.
• Geb provides a number of powerful features for writing complex web tests, such as support for page objects, data-driven testing, and custom assertions.
• It is integrated with Groovy, which makes it easy to write concise and expressive tests.

27. Laravel

Laravel testing framework is a suite of tools for writing and running automated tests for Laravel applications. It is based on the PHPUnit testing framework and provides a number of features that make it easy to write, run, and maintain tests for Laravel applications.

Core features of Laravel framework:

• The Laravel testing framework provides a simple and easy-to-use API for writing tests.
• It can be used to test a variety of Laravel applications, including web applications, APIs, and command-line applications.
• The Laravel testing framework provides a number of powerful features for writing complex tests, such as support for database transactions, mock objects, and test factories.
• It is integrated with Laravel, which makes it easy to set up and run tests.

28. pytest-bdd

pytest-bdd is a Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) plugin for pytest, combining the simplicity and power of pytest with Gherkin feature files. It allows you to write test scenarios in plain language while leveraging all the advanced capabilities of the pytest ecosystem. Ideal for teams using Python for test automation in BDD workflows.

Core features of the pytest-bdd framework:

Some of the core features that make pytest-bdd a powerful test automation framework are as follows.

• Enables writing scenarios using Given/When/Then steps in .feature files for clear, descriptive tests.
• Seamlessly combines with pytest’s rich features like fixtures, markers, and plugins.
• Keeps the codebase clean and maintainable by aligning naturally with existing Python testing patterns.
• Allows step reuse across multiple scenarios, improving maintainability and consistency.
• Leverages pytest-xdist for executing tests in parallel to speed up test runs.
• Supports tagging, custom hooks, and parametrization for advanced test organization.

29. QUnit

QUnit is a widely used JavaScript testing framework designed for unit and integration testing, especially for frontend applications. It’s known for its simplicity, reliability, and fast execution, making it a great choice for developers working with web projects. It is actively maintained and integrates well with popular CI/CD tools for continuous testing.

Core features of QUnit:

Some of the core features that make QUnit a solid test automation framework are as follows.

• Offers a variety of assertions to check your code’s behavior, ensuring accurate test outcomes.
• Supports testing asynchronous code, providing methods to manage timeouts and delays in test execution.
• Provides hooks like beforeEach and afterEach for setting up and tearing down tests.
• Tests can be organized into modules for better structure and readability.
• Easily integrates with popular continuous integration systems like Jenkins and Travis CI.

30. RSpec

RSpec is a Behavior Driven Development (BDD) framework for Ruby. It allows you to write your tests in plain English, making them more readable and maintainable. RSpec can be used to test a variety of applications, including web applications, command-line applications, and APIs.

Core features of RSpec:

• RSpec provides a simple and easy-to-use API for writing tests in plain English.
• It can be used to test a variety of applications, including web applications, command-line applications, and APIs.
• RSpec provides several powerful features for writing complex tests, such as support for nested examples, shared examples, and let and before blocks.
• RSpec is integrated with Ruby, which makes it easy to set up and run tests.

31. Reqnroll

Reqnroll is a modern Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) automation framework for .NET, created as a direct continuation and drop-in replacement of SpecFlow. It supports the same Gherkin syntax and C# integration, making it easy for teams to migrate without changing existing test suites or workflows. Designed for scalability and maintainability, Reqnroll keeps BDD practices alive in the .NET ecosystem.

Core features of Reqnroll:

Some of the core features that make Reqnroll a robust BDD test automation framework are as follows.

• Write feature files in natural language with a Given/When/Then structure for clear and collaborative testing.
• Works seamlessly with C#, supporting NUnit, MSTest, and xUnit for flexible test execution.
• Uses the same project layout and syntax as SpecFlow, simplifying upgrades and transitions.
• Compatible with Visual Studio for syntax highlighting, code navigation, and test execution.
• Works with .NET Core and integrates well into modern CI/CD pipelines.

32. MSTest

MSTest is a unit testing framework for .NET. It is integrated with Visual Studio and provides a number of features that make it easy to write, run, and maintain unit tests.

Core features of MSTest:

Some of the core features that make MSTest one of the best test automation framework are as follows.

• MSTest provides a simple and easy-to-use API for writing unit tests.
• It is integrated with Visual Studio, which makes it easy to set up and run tests.
• MSTest provides a number of powerful features for writing complex unit tests, such as support for mocking, test data, and test hooks.

33. unittest

unittest is a unit testing framework for Python. It is integrated with the Python standard library and provides a number of features that make it easy to write, run, and maintain unit tests.

Core features of unittest:

• Unittest provides a simple and easy-to-use API for writing unit tests.
• It is integrated with the Python standard library, which makes it easy to set up and run tests.
• Unittest provides a number of powerful features for writing complex unit tests, such as support for mocking, test data, and test fixtures.

34. Behave

Behave is a widely adopted Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) framework for Python that enables writing test scenarios in plain, descriptive language. It’s designed to improve collaboration between developers, QA engineers, and business stakeholders by using human-readable Gherkin syntax. Behave excels in bridging the communication gap between technical and non-technical team members.

Core features of Behave:

Some of the core features that make Behave a popular BDD framework are as follows.

• Allows you to define features and scenarios in plain English, encouraging shared understanding across teams.
• Works well with libraries like requests, Selenium, pytest, and more, making it flexible for many test environments.
• Behave is regularly updated, actively maintained, and widely used in production projects.
• Supports testing for web applications, APIs, CLI tools, and microservices.
• Provides robust support for setup and teardown logic, and integrates cleanly with step definitions.
• Easily configurable for running scenarios with tags, custom formatters, and environment-specific setups.

35. Nemo.js

Nemo.js is an open-source test automation framework for Node.js. It is based on Selenium and provides a number of features that make it easy to write, run, and maintain web tests.

Core features of Nemo.js:

• Nemo.js provides a simple and easy-to-use API for writing web tests.
• It can be used to test various web applications, including single-page applications and applications that use JavaScript frameworks such as Angular and React.
• Nemo.js provides a number of powerful features for writing complex web tests, such as support for page objects, data-driven testing, and custom assertions.
• Nemo.js is integrated with Node.js, which makes it easy to set up and run tests.

By leveraging the above-mentioned best test automation frameworks, you can run automated tests at scale.

However, when running tests, you need to choose wisely between the local and cloud grids. Testing on a local grid can be time-consuming and expensive. It can be challenging to set up and maintain a large enough grid to test your application on a wide range of devices and browsers. Additionally, local grids can be unreliable and unable to support the demands of your testing process.

Cloud testing is a solution to the challenges of local grid testing. Cloud testing platforms provide access to a large and scalable infrastructure of devices and browsers. This allows you to test your application on a wide range of devices and browsers without having to set up and maintain your grid. Additionally, cloud testing platforms are typically more reliable than local grids and can support the demands of even the most complex testing processes.

LambdaTest is an AI-native test orchestration and execution platform that helps you run automation tests on scale across 5000+ real devices, browsers and OS combinations, This platform offers a secure, scalable, and reliable infrastructure. It supports a wide range of test automation frameworks, including Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Appium, and more.

Here are some ways LambdaTest can help you in automation testing using different frameworks:

• It supports parallel testing, which allows you to run multiple tests simultaneously across different browsers and devices. This can help you to reduce the time it takes to execute your tests.
• LambdaTest integrates seamlessly with the best test automation frameworks, so you can start testing your application quickly and easily.
• It provides advanced debugging tools, such as video recording, network logs, and console logs, which can help you to identify and fix bugs quickly.
• LambdaTest provides a scalable mobile device lab of thousands of real Android and iOS devices.

Check the documentation to get started with test automation on LambdaTest.

Wrapping up

When it comes to test automation, the choices are abundant, and each solution boasts unique strengths and limitations. This compilation highlights the 35 best test automation frameworks However, before making your selection, it’s imperative to assess the specific requirements of your software project carefully.

Take into account the type of web or mobile application you’re testing, your team’s coding proficiency, and your language preferences. Once you’ve gained a comprehensive understanding of these factors, delve into the evaluation of the testing capabilities of the frameworks. Consider their level of community support and their compatibility with different software application versions and environments.

Saniya Gazala

Saniya Gazala is a Computer Science graduate from Reva University. She began as a manual tester, honing her skills in defect identification and problem-solving. Transitioning to technical writing, she simplified complex tech concepts for users. Her journey is marked by continuous learning and growth in the tech industry.

See author's profile