Selenium vs Appium: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Selenium and Appium 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:
Selenium
Browser automation framework
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • Selenium is an open-source browser automation framework for testing
- • It automates browsers for end-to-end testing across platforms
Appium
Automate mobile app testing across platforms
Best for you if:
- • Appium is an open-source test automation framework for native, hybrid, and mobile web apps
- • It uses the WebDriver protocol to automate iOS and Android apps with any programming language
| At a Glance |  Selenium |  Appium |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Testing & QA | Testing & QA |
Rating | 84/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Selenium | Appium |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QABrowser DevTools | Testing & QAAutomation |
How Selenium and Appium Compare
Selenium
Browser automation framework
Free · 84/100 score
Appium
Automate mobile app testing across platforms
Free · 80/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Selenium
Want the highest-rated option?
Selenium: 84/100. Appium: 80/100.
Go with: Selenium
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Selenium
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are testing & qa tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Selenium scores higher: 84/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Selenium
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 80
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Appium
The Bottom Line
Selenium (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Selenium or Appium better?
Selenium scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Selenium and Appium used for?
Selenium: Browser automation framework. Appium: Automate mobile app testing across platforms.
What does Selenium cost vs Appium?
Selenium is completely free. Appium is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.