Cypress vs Selenium: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Cypress and Selenium comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cypress
JavaScript end-to-end testing
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • Modern end-to-end testing framework with visual debugging
- • Time travel debugging shows DOM state at each test step
Selenium
Browser automation framework
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Selenium is an open-source browser automation framework for testing
- • It automates browsers for end-to-end testing across platforms
| At a Glance |  Cypress |  Selenium |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Testing & QA | Testing & QA |
Rating | 88/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Cypress | Selenium |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QABrowser DevTools | Testing & QABrowser DevTools |
How Cypress and Selenium Compare
Cypress
JavaScript end-to-end testing
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Selenium
Browser automation framework
Free · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Selenium is free. Cypress is freemium.
Go with: Selenium
Want the highest-rated option?
Cypress: 88/100. Selenium: 84/100.
Go with: Cypress
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Cypress
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Cypress is freemium. Selenium is free. Go with Selenium if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are testing & qa tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Cypress scores higher: 88/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Cypress
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Selenium
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Cypress (88/100) is our pick. That said, Selenium is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cypress or Selenium better?
Cypress scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Cypress is freemium and Selenium is free.
What are Cypress and Selenium used for?
Cypress: JavaScript end-to-end testing. Selenium: Browser automation framework.
What does Cypress cost vs Selenium?
Cypress is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Selenium is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.