After working extensively with both frameworks, here's my perspective on when to use each
Playwright shines when you need
True cross-browser testing (Chromium, Firefox, WebKit)
Parallel execution out of the box
Multiple programming languages (TypeScript, Java, Python, .NET)
Auto-waiting mechanisms that reduce flaky tests
Better handling of modern web apps with shadow DOM and iframes
Cypress excels at
Developer-friendly debugging with time-travel capabilities
Real-time test execution visibility
Lower learning curve for JavaScript developers
Excellent documentation and active community
Built-in screenshot and video recording
My take
Playwright has become my go-to for enterprise-scale automation. The native multi-browser support, faster execution, and TypeScript-first approach align perfectly with modern CI/CD pipelines.
However, Cypress remains valuable for teams prioritizing developer experience and quick setup, especially for projects focused solely on Chrome-based testing.
The "best" framework depends on your specific needs:
Team expertise
Browser coverage requirements
Integration constraints.
What's your experience been with these frameworks? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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