Top 20 Software Testing Automation Frameworks for Web and Mobile in 2025

In 2025, organizations rely on powerful test automation frameworks to ensure robust software quality and coverage across various devices and operating systems. Below, we split the top testing frameworks into two categories — web and mobile — and provide an overview of each framework’s history, usage patterns, and standout features.

Web testing frameworks

Web applications continue to evolve with complex front-end technologies and dynamic back-end connections. Ensuring consistent user experiences requires robust frameworks that can handle multi-browser environments, interactive UIs, and frequent deployments.

1. Selenium WebDriver

Emerging in the mid-2000s, Selenium WebDriver has become a staple for web UI automation. It supports major browsers through specific drivers (ChromeDriver, GeckoDriver) and offers language bindings in Java, Python, C#, and more. In 2025, teams continue using Selenium for large-scale, cross-platform test suites. Its open-source ecosystem allows extensive integration with CI/CD pipelines and complementary testing tools.

2. Cypress

Cypress is a relatively newer framework that focuses on modern JavaScript-based web applications. It runs directly in the browser, capturing network requests and DOM changes in real time. Cypress remains attractive for its easy setup, live reload, and interactive test runner. Built-in snapshots streamline debugging, making Cypress well-suited for front-end developers and QA engineers seeking rapid feedback on UI behavior.

3. Playwright

Playwright, developed by Microsoft, automates Chromium, WebKit, and Firefox with a single API. In 2025, it stands out for reliable cross-browser testing, smart auto-waiting, and parallel execution support. Developers appreciate its language flexibility (TypeScript, Java, Python, C#). The framework’s handling of modern web features (e.g., shadow DOMs) and built-in inspector reinforce Playwright’s position in comprehensive end-to-end testing strategies.

4. Puppeteer

Created by Google, Puppeteer provides a high-level API to control Chrome or Chromium-based browsers. Over time, it evolved to work with Firefox as well. It’s popular for both UI testing and performance audits. Developers find it useful for generating PDFs, automated form submissions, and checking page rendering. Although narrower in scope than Playwright, Puppeteer’s simplicity and speed keep it a solid choice for targeted web testing.

5. WebdriverIO

WebdriverIO is a Node.js framework that wraps Selenium WebDriver and integrates newer protocols like DevTools for a broader testing scope. In 2025, it will include features like automatic waiting, easy parallelization, and an active plugin ecosystem. Teams value the command-line interface and well-structured configuration. Since it taps into both Selenium and browser automation protocols, WebdriverIO stays relevant for a wide range of testing needs.

6. TestCafe

TestCafe, developed by DevExpress, runs tests without external browser plugins, using a Node.js-based engine. It supports modern JavaScript and TypeScript, offering an all-in-one solution that handles test setup, server hosting, and parallel execution. Teams use TestCafe for quick test writing and simpler environment configuration. Its approach simplifies cross-browser tests, especially where maintaining separate drivers is cumbersome.

7. Robot Framework (Web Context)

Robot Framework is an open-source automation framework using a keyword-driven methodology. Although it can handle multiple domains, many testers apply it for web testing with SeleniumLibrary. Its readable syntax (in plain text or tabular formats) enables collaboration between technical and non-technical staff. The reusability of keywords and detailed reporting make Robot Framework popular for large-scale, maintainable regression suites.

8. Gauge

Gauge, created by ThoughtWorks, focuses on readable specifications for test scenarios. In 2025, it remains a choice for teams seeking a behavior-driven approach that integrates well with multiple languages (Java, C#, JavaScript). For web testing, Gauge pairs with Selenium or other drivers to automate browsers. The plugin system (for reporting or IDE support) and straightforward test structure help keep test suites maintainable over time.

9. Protractor

Originally developed for Angular applications, Protractor integrates well with the AngularJS ecosystem, using hooks to synchronize with the framework’s event loop. It still sees use in legacy Angular projects, though active development has slowed. Testers value the specialized Angular locators (like by.model) which reduce flakiness in data-bound components. For teams maintaining older Angular codebases, Protractor can remain part of the toolchain.

10. Katalon Studio (Web Focus)

Katalon Studio is a low-code automation platform covering web, mobile, and APIs. In 2025, it remains a popular choice for teams wanting an all-in-one solution. Its IDE-like interface allows codeless test creation, while advanced users can leverage Groovy-based scripting. Built-in reports, integrations with CI tools, and a plugin store foster faster setup. For web automation, Katalon supports both Selenium-based recordings and custom scripting.

Mobile testing frameworks

Mobile applications require automation solutions that can handle different device types, operating systems, and interaction models. These frameworks focus on native, hybrid, or cross-platform apps, providing detailed insights into UI and functional behavior.

1. Appium

Appium, founded on the principle of cross-platform mobile automation, allows testers to write tests in multiple languages for both iOS and Android. Appium is the go-to solution for diverse mobile devices, leveraging platform-specific drivers (XCUITest for iOS, UIAutomator for Android). Its open-source roots encourage a wide community and robust plugin ecosystem, making Appium an enduring leader in mobile test automation.

2. Espresso

Espresso is a native Android UI testing framework integrated with the Android testing ecosystem. It synchronizes with the app’s main thread, reducing wait times and flakiness. In 2025, developers still prefer Espresso for fast feedback during the build process. Its concise API fosters tight integration with Android Studio, making it straightforward to set up unit tests and UI tests side by side in a continuous integration pipeline.

3. XCUITest

XCUITest, part of Apple’s Xcode testing suite, focuses on iOS UI automation. It still retains strong adoption due to direct platform integration, swift execution, and simpler provisioning. Developers write tests in Swift or Objective-C, ensuring they stay within Apple’s development environment. XCUITest’s object identification and stable execution help teams maintain consistent test coverage for iPhone, iPad, and other iOS devices.

4. Detox

Detox is an end-to-end testing framework primarily designed for React Native apps, although it can also handle native projects. It’s renowned for running on real devices and simulators with minimal flakiness. By controlling the app lifecycle, Detox ensures that each step waits for the UI to be ready. This method is particularly appreciated when verifying complex interactions and ensuring stable cross-platform mobile experiences.

5. Calabash

Calabash once pioneered behavior-driven mobile test automation using Cucumber. Despite fewer updates recently, it still sees use in specific iOS and Android environments in 2025. Test steps are written in Gherkin syntax for readability, while the underlying engine interacts with native app components. Some teams keep Calabash aligned with BDD processes, especially in projects that began before newer frameworks took center stage.

6. UIAutomator

UIAutomator is Google’s native Android automation framework focusing on black-box UI testing, often used alongside Espresso for broader coverage. It’s still useful for verifying interactions with system-level apps or cross-app functionalities. Developers favor UIAutomator for tasks requiring deeper device access, such as testing notifications or background services, which might be out of scope in certain specialized frameworks.

7. Flutter’s integration_test

As Flutter matures, its integration_test package lets teams write UI tests directly in Dart. In 2025, it’s a natural choice for testing Flutter applications that target iOS, Android, and web with a single codebase. The framework handles widget rendering checks, navigation, and functional scenarios. By aligning closely with Flutter’s architecture, integration_test simplifies cross-platform verification while offering consistent tooling across environments.

8. TestProject (Mobile Context)

TestProject is a cloud-based automation platform that supports web, API, and mobile testing. It remains attractive for teams wanting minimal local setup and easy collaboration features. Appium underlies its mobile engine, but TestProject layers a more user-friendly interface on top. Record-and-playback capabilities plus AI-driven element locators help testers create stable tests, especially when dealing with frequent UI changes in mobile apps.

9. Kaspresso

Kaspresso is a Kotlin-based DSL built over Espresso and UIAutomator. In 2025, Android teams rely on it for concise syntax and enhanced readability in test scripts. The framework provides additional utilities for logging, stability checks, and built-in best practices, reducing boilerplate code. Kaspresso’s design is especially appealing to Kotlin developers seeking a more expressive approach to Android UI testing without sacrificing Espresso’s stability.

10. Kobiton

Although Kobiton is more of a device farm and test platform, it includes capabilities for automated scripts via Appium and custom frameworks. Kobiton is a favorite when you need to test across a wide range of real devices without maintaining an in-house device lab. Its additional analytics and monitoring features help testers understand performance issues. Kobiton’s blend of automation engine plus hosting makes it a flexible option for mobile QA.

Final thoughts

These frameworks provide a range of options for automating tests across web and mobile platforms in 2025. Web-focused solutions like Selenium, Cypress, and Playwright address multi-browser testing, while mobile-oriented frameworks such as Appium, Espresso, and XCUITest handle diverse device capabilities. Each solution offers different strengths, from ease of setup to advanced debugging tools, making the choice dependent on project requirements, team expertise, and integration preferences.

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