Testing Library vs Chromatic: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Testing Library and Chromatic 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:
Testing Library
Simple and complete testing utilities
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need testing & qa features specifically
- • Testing Library is a family of packages for testing UI components
- • It encourages testing behavior over implementation details
Chromatic
Visual testing for Storybook
Best for you if:
- • You need ui/ux design features specifically
- • Chromatic is a visual testing platform that catches UI bugs by comparing component screenshots
- • It integrates with Storybook to automate visual regression testing across browsers and viewports
| At a Glance |  Testing Library |  Chromatic |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Testing & QA | UI/UX Design |
Rating | 88/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Testing Library | Chromatic |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QABrowser DevTools | UI/UX DesignTesting & QA |
How Testing Library and Chromatic Compare
Testing Library
Simple and complete testing utilities
Free · 88/100 score
Chromatic
Visual testing for Storybook
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Testing Library is a testing & qa tool. Chromatic is in ui/ux design.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Testing Library is free. Chromatic is freemium.
Go with: Testing Library
Want the highest-rated option?
Testing Library: 88/100. Chromatic: 85/100.
Go with: Testing Library
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Testing Library
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Testing Library is free. Chromatic is freemium. Go with Testing Library if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Testing Library is a testing & qa tool. Chromatic is in ui/ux design. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Testing Library scores higher: 88/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Testing Library
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 85
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Chromatic
- Better fit for ui/ux design
The Bottom Line
Testing Library (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Testing Library or Chromatic better?
Testing Library scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Testing Library is free and Chromatic is freemium.
What are Testing Library and Chromatic used for?
Testing Library: Simple and complete testing utilities. Chromatic: Visual testing for Storybook.
What does Testing Library cost vs Chromatic?
Testing Library is completely free. Chromatic is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.