Playwright vs Selenium: What Are The Key Differences?

Introduction

This article discusses two popular automated testing tools: Playwright and Selenium. Discussing the tools’ characteristics and applications and comparing their advantages and disadvantages will help you choose the most suitable option for your case. We will also examine how Selenium Certification can enhance one’s position since professional proficiency in automated testing is a concern.

What is a Playwright?

It is a cross-browser automation tool for end-to-end testing of the online/virtual application and was developed by Microsoft as an open-source known as Playwright. It provides one form of API to programmatically control the interaction with web pages in numerous browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Now, it has increased the dependability of web applications by permitting them to be tested cross-browser and cross-system.

Key Features and Capabilities

• Cross-Browser Testing: Playwright supports multiple browsers, meaning that testers can write one test that can be run on any browser. This contains Browsers based on Chromium, such as Firefox, and browsers developed from WebKit, such as the Apple Safari browser.
• Multilingual Support: It is used by a playwright who can code in different programming languages, including Python, C Sharp, JavaScript, typescript, and Java. This can be because Playwright was designed with significant flexibility, enabling its developers to integrate it with the IDEs of their interest in web app development.
• Headless Mode: Browsers can be run in headless modes when tests run without the GUI interface. CI/CD processes usually require this functionality when resources need to be optimized.
• Robust Automation Features: Playwright has all the basic auxiliary features such as button click, text sent, interaction with objects, file upload/download, and another feature of taking screenshots along with the video recording. It can also emulate the user, like hovering, clicking, dragging, or any other typical actions a user initiates on the web.
• Network Interception and Monitoring: Yes, with Playwright, the testers can hack and modify network requests and responses, and it is the ability to fake different network conditions and situations involving slow networks and the server’s responses to the other inputs of the under-test application.

How to Run Playwright Tests?

One of the most interesting, or at least significant, processes involves running Playwright tests. Several rather distinct steps must be completed: setting up the environment for the Playwright tests, creating the tests, and executing them. Below are some basic steps to help the new user learn the application quickly and easily.

1.   Setting Up the Playwright’s Environment

First, make sure you have Node.js installed on your PC.

npm init -y will create a new Node.js project.

To install Playwright, run npm install @playwright/test.

2.   Write Your First Test

Create a new test file, such as example.spec.js.

• Import the Playwright Testing Library.
• const { test, expect } = require(‘@playwright/test’);
• Write a Basic Test

</span>

<span>test('basic test', async ({ page }) => {</span>

<span>await page.goto('https://example.com');</span>

<span>const title = await page.title();</span>

<span>expect(title).toBe('Example Domain');</span>

<span>});</span>

3.   Executing Tests

• Head to the terminal and run the npx playwright test command to run your tests.
• You may also run single or group tests by specifying tags or file directories.

4.   Viewing the Results

• Playwright displays extensive test results, including pass/fail statuses and error messages.
• Use npx playwright show-report to get a comprehensive HTML report of your test run.

Best Practices

• Organize your tests and data to ensure clarity and scalability.
• Use Playwright’s powerful capabilities, like network interception and visual comparisons, to improve your test coverage.

What is Selenium?

Selenium is an open-source tool that supports browser automation commonly used in web applications. Selenium was built in early 2004 and has grown to many tools that allow developers and testers to automate browsers for testing. It supports Python, C #, Java, Ruby, and JavaScript languages. Thus, an extensive range of developers may use it.

Key Features and Capabilities

• Cross-Browser Testing: Most of all, Selenium permits scripting to be written once and can be run in any of the four browsers: chrome, firefox, safari, or Internet Explorer. Thus, the web application thrives in several contexts, optimizing the functionality of a web application.
• Multi-Language Support: Yet another aspect that can be inferred from the above discussion is that Selenium is quite flexible; it can work with a significant number of programming languages; thus, it can be easily integrated with modern development tendencies, or it has an option to use the preferred languages for the teams.
• Selenium Grid: They allow tests to be run on various machines and browsers, thus considerably boosting the possibilities of many tests running simultaneously in parallel.

The different Selenium tutorials essential for anyone starting with Selenium are easing the setup for the users, writing the test, converting the test, and integrating Selenium with other tools. Altogether, it contributes to enhancing the functions of new sharpeners, as well as young and senior sharpeners, and the proficient execution of web testing with the help of Selenium.

How to Run Selenium Tests?

Running Selenium tests entails configuring the environment, developing test scripts, and running them in several browsers. Here’s a step-by-step instructions:

1.   Setup the Selenium Environment:

• Make sure you have Java installed on your machine.
• Download the Selenium WebDriver for the browser you intend to test (such as ChromeDriver for Chrome).
• Configure a build tool like Maven or Gradle to handle dependencies, including the Selenium library.

2.   Writing your first test

• Create a new Java project using your Integrated Development Environment (IDE) choice, such as Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA.
• Add the Selenium WebDriver dependencies to your project.
• Create a basic test script.

</span>

<span>Import org. openqa. Selenium.WebDriver;</span>

<span>import org. openqa. Selenium. Chrome.ChromeDriver;</span>

<span>public class SeleniumTest {</span>

<span>public static void main(String[] args) {</span>

<span>// Set the path to the Chromedriver executable</span>

<span>System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver", "/path/to/chromedriver");</span>

<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>

<span>// Initialize WebDriver</span>

<span>WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();</span>

<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>

<span>// Open a webpage</span>

<span>driver.get("https://example.com");</span>

<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>

<span>// Print the title of the page</span>

<span>System. out.println("Title: " + driver.getTitle());</span>

<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>

<span>// Close the browser</span>

<span>driver.quit();</span>

<span>}</span>

<span>}</span>

3.   Executing Tests

Run and build the Java application. The WebDriver shall open the browser pointed out in the system setting, navigate to the given URL, perform the given activities, and then quit the browser.

4.   Best Practices

• Use a testing framework for tests like TestNG or JUnit.It will help better organize your tests.
• Create reusable and manageable test code with the help of the Page Object Model (POM).
• Make CI/CD technologies for performing the tests.

Adhering to these steps makes configuring Selenium tests easy and ensures that web applications are functional across different browsers.

Playwright vs. Selenium Comparison

This means that before choosing between Selenium vs Playwright, you have to look at the goals of the given project, the skills of your team, and the special features every tool has to offer. Below is a complex comparison of both products that could assist you in making the right decision.

Project Requirements 

• Modern Web apps: For those of you who want to develop apps with dynamic content, such as modern web applications, you may need to consider Playwright instead. Due to its torque features, which include network interception, browser contexts, and the ability to control browsers directly, it is very efficient, especially when dealing with complex interactions online.
• Legacy Systems: Selenium is perfect for projects with old applications or major cross-browser compatibility issues. It supports a wide array of browsers, including the older version of Internet Explorer, which makes it perfect for checking old Web Applications.

Team Expertise 

• Language Preference: Selenium supports most programming languages, including Java, C#, Python, Ruby, and JavaScript. It helps teams easily incorporate Selenium in various development environments, achieving flexibility. The playwright is a Node. Js library that provides capable web automation with bindings to Python, C#, and Java.
• Learning Curve: Some teams might decide to stay because they already understand Selenium’s environment, and therefore, probably have the appropriate skills and tools. Nevertheless, in today’s environment, Playwright is easier to use, has cleaner API, and may be easier for new teams to adopt.

Performance and Reliability

• Speed: In general, due to the lack of middle layers in the form of drivers for direct browser management, Playwright is faster and more reliable than Selenium. This results in improving the quality of the test while reducing the test duration, hence better test latency.
• Stability: Some of the waiting mechanisms are integrated directly into Playwright, which makes them more effective in reducing test flakiness and leading to better outcomes.

Setup and Configuration 

• Ease of Setup: Playwright comes loaded with browser binaries, which allows users to start out easily. For this reason, there is little that the user has to do when starting the process.
• Selenium’s Complexity: Installing browser drivers separately and changing the environment will possibly consume more time.

Advanced Features

• Playwright: Observe features like network interception, geolocation, permissions, and browser context that are tailor-made for today’s internet applications.
• Selenium: It provides meaningful UI testing facilities and options, like Selenium Grid, with which one can conduct parallel tests using different machines and browsers. It is well suited for extensive tests.

Specifically, when comparing Playwright vs. Selenium, one must base the choice on project-specific parameters and resources to be utilized by the team. By considering the above aspects, you will be in a good position to determine which of the two tools best suits your automated testing needs.

Why Run Selenium or Playwright Tests on Real Devices?

Testing your web apps under actual conditions is possible only with real devices running Selenium or Playwright tests. Here are the main factors to consider:

Realistic Test Environment

However, it is noted that the rationale for using real devices is grounded in emulating the circumstances within which clients interact with your program. This helps in examining what the device does and how it responds to touch, browsers, and usage, thus enhancing the drivers’ and owners’ experience.

Comprehensive Compatibility Testing

RTS is open to large differences in screen sizes, pixel per inch, operating systems, and browsers. This allows the application to be compatible with as many conditions as possible, reducing cases and variations that may result from differences in devices.

Performance Validation

In this manner, its successful application makes it possible to monitor the real work indexes, for instance, time to load, interactivity, and other parameters with reference to real equipment. In a way, it helps to recognize what the particular application may lack and have the opposite changed instead of just adding intelligence to it so it can excel in real-life situations.

Network Conditions

Real devices use different topologies in network situations. Testing under different network conditions is required to prove your application’s suitability for slow, intermittent, or fluctuating speeds.

Enhanced Reliability

Due to this, emulators and simulators may not be able to simulate all of the peculiarities of the physical devices. Actual device testing reduces test flakiness and produces more reliable results with fewer errors.

Conclusion

Last but not least, Selenium and Playwright offer complete web application testing suites with unique features. Such knowledge puts one in a position to make better decisions while applying the various technologies in the country. To advance knowledge, it is useful to study Selenium Interview Questions; the information gained will help and prepare you for higher testing positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Playwright better than Selenium?

Playwright is more suited for current web projects with complex functionality, whereas Selenium shines with broad language support and old system compatibility.

Is Playwright suitable for UI testing?

Yes, Playwright is ideal for UI testing. Its powerful capabilities, such as cross-browser compatibility, network interception, and automated waiting, make it suitable for testing current web applications effectively.

What are the disadvantages of Playwright?

The primary downsides of Playwright are limited language support compared to Selenium, its relatively young age and tiny community, and potential integration issues with current Selenium-based processes.

Does Playwright support TestNG?

The playwright does not natively support TestNG. However, you may combine Playwright with other testing frameworks like Jest or interface with TestNG using a bespoke configuration.