Percy vs Lighthouse: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Percy and Lighthouse 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Percy
Visual testing and review
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 7.9/10)
- • You need testing & qa features specifically
- • Percy is a visual testing platform for catching UI bugs in CI
- • It captures screenshots and detects visual changes across browsers
Lighthouse
Web performance auditing by Google
Best for you if:
- • You need seo tools features specifically
- • Lighthouse is Google's tool for auditing web page performance and accessibility
- • It scores pages on performance, SEO, accessibility, and best practices
| At a Glance |  Lighthouse | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Testing & QA | SEO Tools |
Rating | 82/100 | 79/100 |
| Feature | Percy | Lighthouse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 79 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QABrowser DevTools | SEO ToolsTesting & QA |
Understanding the Differences
Both Percy and Lighthouse solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Percy positions itself as "visual testing and review" while Lighthousefocuses on "web performance auditing by google". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Percy
Percy makes sense if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a free tier solution. With a score of 82/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Lighthouse
Lighthouse is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Percy lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Percy
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Percy handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Percy
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Both have enterprise tiers—compare their security features.
We'd pick: Percy
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Tight budget? Start free with Percy, upgrade when you're ready.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Percy higher (82/100). But the community has upvoted Lighthouse more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Percy Does Better
- Higher overall score (82/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Lighthouse If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Percy (82/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Percy scores higher in our analysis, but Lighthouse might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Percy or Lighthouse better?
Based on our analysis, Percy scores higher with 82/100. Percy isfreemium while Lighthouse is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Percy to Lighthouse easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Percy and Lighthouse offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Percy is freemium with a free tier.Lighthouse is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.