Detox vs Katalon: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Detox and Katalon side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Detox
End-to-end testing for React Native apps
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Katalon requires payment)
Katalon
AI-augmented test automation platform for web, mobile, desktop, and API testing.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive testing across multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop, API)
| At a Glance | Detox | Katalon |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $84/user/mo, billed yearly Create plan |
Category | Testing & QA Automation | Testing & QA Automation |
Rating | n/a | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.4 934 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Detox or Katalon?
Choose Detox if
- You want a fully free tool (Katalon requires payment)
- You want react Native E2E testing
- You want good synchronization
Choose Katalon if
- You want comprehensive testing across multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop, API)
- You want AI augmentation enhances test automation capabilities
In-Depth Analysis
Detox
End-to-end testing for React Native apps
Detox's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: React Native E2E testing
- Pro: Good synchronization
- Pro: Real device testing
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Wix backed
Weaknesses
- Con: React Native only
- Con: Setup complex
- Con: Flaky tests
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: iOS focused
Key features
Katalon
AI-augmented test automation platform for web, mobile, desktop, and API testing.
Katalon's pricing is on the higher side compared to some competitors, especially with the 'Create' tier at $84/user/month.
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive testing across multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop, API)
- Pro: AI augmentation enhances test automation capabilities
- Pro: User-friendly with easy setup and integrations
Weaknesses
- Con: Test scripts are written only in Groovy, so teams already fluent in Python, C#, or JavaScript cannot use their preferred language the way Selenium, Playwright, or TestComplete allow.
- Con: The free Studio IDE only covers local, manual execution; running tests in CI/CD pipelines or headless via the command line requires the separately paid Katalon Runtime Engine, which is licensed per node and runs roughly 1,800 to 2,400 dollars per node per year, so parallel-execution costs scale steeply.
- Con: Reviewers repeatedly report the IDE becoming sluggish and prone to hangs on large test suites, with execution slower than leaner code-native frameworks.
- Con: It is oriented toward functional testing and has no built-in performance or load testing, so teams needing those must add a separate tool.
Key features
Plans and prices: Detox vs Katalon
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Detox |
| wix.github.io/Detox read Sep 28, 2026 |
| Katalon |
| katalon.com/pricing |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Detox pricing and Katalon pricing.
Key Takeaways
Detox
- Choose if you want end-to-end testing for React Native apps
Katalon
- Choose if you want AI-augmented test automation platform for web, mobile, desktop, and API testing
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Katalon has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 934 reviews); Detox has none we can show.
- Katalon starts at $84/user/mo, billed yearly; Detox has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Detox and Katalon compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Katalon has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 934 reviews); Detox has none we can show. Katalon starts at $84/user/mo, billed yearly; Detox has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Detox and Katalon used for?
Detox: End-to-end testing for React Native apps. Katalon: AI-augmented test automation platform for web, mobile, desktop, and API testing.
What does Detox cost vs Katalon?
Detox is free. Katalon's cheapest paid plan is Create at $84/user/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 28, 2026.
What's the main difference between Detox and Katalon?
Detox's main strength: react Native E2E testing. Katalon's main strength: comprehensive testing across multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop, API).