Cypress testing is designed to be easy to use and has a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for developers to write and debug tests. Cypress and Selenium are both tools that can be used for automation testing of web applications. While Selenium supports a wide range of programming languages and can be used to test applications on a variety of web browsers and operating systems. Selenium uses a client-server architecture, where the test code is executed on a remote server, which can affect the performance and stability of the tests.   It also has fast test execution and native support for certain web browsers, which can make it easier to use and more stable.

Here is a feature-based guide comparing the top 10 features of Cypress and Selenium:

1. Architecture: 

Cypress and Selenium are both tools that can be used for automation testing of web applications. Here are some architectural differences between the two tools:

• Client-server architecture: Selenium uses a client-server architecture, where the Selenium client sends commands to a remote server, which then communicates with the browser to execute the tests. Cypress, on the other hand, runs directly in the browser and does not use a remote server.
• Test execution: In Selenium, test execution occurs in the browser, but the test logic is executed on the remote server. In Cypress, the test logic is executed in the browser along with the test execution.
• Test synchronization: Cypress uses a built-in test runner that automatically waits for elements to appear on the page before interacting with them, while Selenium does not have this feature and requires the use of explicit waits or other synchronization techniques.
• Browser support: Selenium supports a wide range of browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer, while Cypress currently only supports Chrome and Firefox.
• Test debugging: Cypress provides a built-in debugger that allows you to pause test execution and inspect the state of the browser, while Selenium does not have a built-in debugger.
• Network emulation: Cypress allows you to emulate different network conditions, such as slow or unreliable connections, to test the performance and behavior of your web applications under different conditions. Selenium does not have built-in support for network emulation, but you can use third-party tools to achieve this.
• Support for mobile devices: Selenium supports testing on mobile devices through tools such as Appium, while Cypress does not currently support mobile testing.

2. Programming Language:  

Selenium is know for supporting a wide range of programming languages, including Java, Python, C#, and Ruby. This makes it a flexible option for automation testing, as you can choose the language that best fits your needs and skillset. Cypress, on the other hand, only supports JavaScript. This means that you will need to use JavaScript to write your test scripts and interact with the Cypress API. It’s important to note that the programming language you choose will depend on your specific testing needs and the technologies you are working with. If you are already familiar with a particular programming language and it meets your testing needs, it may make sense to use Selenium. If you are comfortable with JavaScript and are looking for a tool that is specifically designed for testing web applications, Cypress may be a good fit.

3. Installation: 

Let’s look at the installation comparison between Cypress and Selenium. 

• Prerequisites: Selenium requires the installation of additional libraries and drivers, such as the Selenium WebDriver and a browser driver (e.g. ChromeDriver for Chrome), while Cypress does not have these requirements.
• Package manager: Selenium can be installed using a package manager such as pip (for Python) or Maven (for Java), while Cypress can be installed using npm (for JavaScript).
• Installation process: The installation process for Selenium will vary depending on the programming language and package manager you are using. In general, you will need to install the Selenium library and a browser driver, and then configure your test environment. Cypress can be installed using npm by running the command npm install cypress.
• Time to set up: Cypress is generally easier to set up than Selenium, as it does not require the installation of additional libraries or drivers.

It’s important to note that the specific installation process will depend on your specific testing needs and the technologies you are working with.

4. Debugging 

Both Cypress and Selenium can be used for debugging web applications, but they have different approaches to debugging and different features that make them better suited for different tasks. Here is a comparison of the debugging capabilities of the two tools:

Cypress:

• Built-in debugging tools: Cypress includes a debugger that allows developers to pause the test execution and inspect the state of the application at any point. This can be useful for finding and fixing problems in the application.
• Time-travel debugging: Cypress also includes a feature called “time-travel debugging,” which allows developers to replay the steps of the test in order to see how the application changed over time. This can be helpful for understanding how a bug was introduced or how a feature was implemented.
• Console access: Cypress provides access to the browser’s JavaScript console, allowing developers to debug and inspect the application using the same tools that they use when developing the application.

Selenium:

• External debugging tools: Selenium does not include built-in debugging tools, so developers must use external tools like the browser’s JavaScript console or a debugger like Chrome DevTools to debug the application.
• Limited access to the application state: Because Selenium tests are executed on a remote server, it can be more difficult to access the application state and debug problems that are specific to the client-side of the application.

Cypress offers more comprehensive debugging capabilities out of the box, including built-in debugging tools and time-travel debugging, as well as console access. Selenium, on the other hand, relies on external tools for debugging and may have limited access to the application state.

5. Multi Tabs

Both Cypress as well as Selenium can be used to test web applications that use multiple tabs or windows. Here is a comparison of the multi-tabs feature of the two tools:

Cypress:

• Easy to use: Cypress provides a simple API for interacting with multiple tabs and windows. Developers can use commands to access the current window and open a new tab or window.
• Isolation between tabs: Cypress isolates the tests for each tab or window, which means that the tests for one tab or window do not affect the tests for another tab or window. This can be helpful for maintaining the integrity of the tests.

Selenium:

• More complex API: Selenium has a more complex API for interacting with multiple tabs and windows. Developers must use commands to access and switch between tabs and windows.
• Shared state between tabs: Selenium does not isolate the tests for each tab or window, which means that the tests for one tab or window can affect the tests for another tab or window. This can be a potential source of issues if the tests are not properly isolated.

Cypress has a simpler and more intuitive API for interacting with multiple tabs and windows, and it provides isolation between the tests for each tab or window. Selenium has a more complex API and does not provide isolation between the tests for each tab or window.

6. Browser-Supported

Cypress and Selenium are both tools that can be used for cross-browser testing, which involves testing a website or web application to ensure that it functions correctly on different web browsers and operating systems. Here is a comparison of the browsers supported by the two tools:

Cypress:

• Cypress supports testing on the following web browsers:
  • Google Chrome (desktop and mobile)
  • Microsoft Edge (desktop and mobile)
  • Mozilla Firefox (desktop)
  • Apple Safari (desktop)

Selenium:

• Selenium supports testing on a wide range of web browsers, including:
  • Google Chrome (desktop and mobile)
  • Microsoft Edge (desktop and mobile)
  • Mozilla Firefox (desktop and mobile)
  • Apple Safari (desktop and mobile)
  • Internet Explorer (desktop)
  • Opera (desktop)
  • Android Browser (mobile)
  • Chrome for Android (mobile)
  • Firefox for Android (mobile)
  • Safari for iOS (mobile)

As you can see, Selenium has a wider range of browser support than Cypress. However, it’s important to note that both tools can be used with browser-specific plugins or extensions to extend their support to additional browsers.

7. Set Up Complexity 

The setup complexity of Cypress and Selenium can vary depending on the specific requirements of your project and the tools and frameworks that you are using. In general, however, Cypress is generally easier to set up and get started with compared to Selenium. Here are some of the characteristics that can affect the setup complexity of the two tools:

Cypress:

• Easy installation: Cypress can be easily installed as a Node.js package using the npm package manager.
• No additional setup required: Once Cypress is installed, it is ready to use and does not require any additional setup or configuration.

Selenium:

• More complex installation process: Selenium requires the installation of several components, including the Selenium Server, a browser driver, and a programming language binding. This can be more complex and time-consuming compared to the simple installation process of Cypress.
• Additional setup required: In addition to installing the components, Selenium also requires the setup of a testing framework and possibly other tools and libraries. This can add to the overall complexity of the setup process.

Cypress has a simpler and more straightforward setup process compared to Selenium, which can require more time and effort to get up and running.

8. Community Support and Documentation

Both Cypress and Selenium are popular tools that are widely used by developers for testing web applications. As a result, both tools have extensive documentation and a large community of users who can provide support and guidance. Here is a comparison of the documentation and community support available for the two tools:

Cypress:

• Extensive documentation: Cypress has detailed documentation that covers all aspects of the tool, including installation, usage, and best practices. The documentation is well-organized and easy to navigate, making it easy to find the information that you need.
• Active community: Cypress has a large and active community of users. They all are willing to help with questions and issues. There are several channels for seeking help, including the Cypress community forums, the Cypress Slack workspace, and Stack Overflow.

Selenium:

• Comprehensive documentation: Selenium also has comprehensive documentation that covers all aspects of the tool, including installation, usage, and best practices. The documentation is organized into several sections, including a user guide, reference guides for different programming languages, and a FAQ.
• Large community: Selenium has a large and active community of users who will always help with questions and issues. There are several channels for seeking help, including the Selenium mailing list, the Selenium forums, and Stack Overflow.

Overall, both Cypress and Selenium have extensive documentation and a large community of users who can provide support and guidance. Both tools are well-documented and have a range of resources available to help developers get started and overcome challenges.

9. Driver Dependency

Both Cypress and Selenium use drivers to interact with web browsers and perform actions like clicking buttons, filling out forms, and navigating to different pages. The driver dependency of the two tools refers to the dependency on a specific driver to perform these actions. Here is a comparison of the driver dependency of Cypress and Selenium:

Cypress:

• Native browser support: Cypress has native support for the Chrome, Firefox, and Safari web browsers. This means that it does not require a separate driver to interact with these browsers.
• No driver dependency: Because Cypress has native support for certain browsers, it does not have a driver dependency in the traditional sense. This can make it easier to use and more stable, as there are fewer components that can break or cause issues.

Selenium:

• Driver dependency: Selenium requires the use of a separate driver to interact with web browsers. There are several drivers available for different browsers, including ChromeDriver for Chrome, GeckoDriver for Firefox, and SafariDriver for Safari.
• Multiple drivers required: Depending on the browsers that you want to test on, you may need to install and configure multiple drivers. This can add complexity to the setup process and increase the risk of issues caused by driver compatibility or version mismatch.

Cypress has native support for certain web browsers and does not have a driver dependency, while Selenium requires the use of a separate driver to interact with web browsers and has a driver dependency.

10. Open-Source:

Cypress is an open-source tool that is freely available for developers to use and modify. The source code for Cypress is available on GitHub, and developers are encouraged to contribute to the project and submit pull requests. When it comes to Selenium, it is also an open-source tool that is freely available for developers to use and modify. The source code for Selenium is available on GitHub, and developers are encouraged to contribute to the project and submit pull requests.

Conclusion

Cypress and Selenium are both web application testing tools, but their performance and architecture differ. In contrast to Selenium, Cypress is best suited for familiarizing developers with test automation rather than replacing it. Cypress is one of the fastest-growing test automation tools in the world because of this. Compared to Selenium, which has a broader audience, Selenium is multipurpose.

When your team has more testers than developers or uses a programming language tech stack, Selenium is a good choice. You should try Cypress if you want JavaScript developers to create TDD-type tests that automate user interfaces.

LambdaTest is a cloud-based platform that allows developers and testers to perform cross-browser testing on a wide range of web browsers and operating systems. Both Cypress and Selenium can be used with LambdaTest to perform cross-browser testing.

To use Cypress with LambdaTest, you will need to install the LambdaTest Cypress plugin. This plugin allows you to execute your Cypress tests on LambdaTest’s cloud infrastructure and access a wide range of browsers and operating systems. To set up the integration, you will need to obtain your LambdaTest credentials and configure the plugin with your username and access key. Then, you can specify the desired browser and operating system in your Cypress tests, and the plugin will handle the execution on LambdaTest’s cloud infrastructure.

When it comes to using Selenium with LambdaTest, you will need to install the Selenium client library for the programming language that you are using (e.g., Python, Java, etc.). Then, you can use the Selenium API to write your tests and specify the desired browser and operating system. To set up the integration, you will need to obtain your LambdaTest credentials and use them to authenticate your Selenium tests. You can then specify the desired browser and operating system in your Selenium tests, and LambdaTest’s cloud infrastructure will handle the execution of the tests.

Both Cypress and Selenium can be used with LambdaTest to perform cross-browser testing on a wide range of browsers and operating systems. The integration process involves installing the necessary libraries and plugins, obtaining your LambdaTest credentials, and specifying the desired browser and operating system in your tests.