Top Protractor Alternatives in 2024

Protractor, once a popular choice for automating end-to-end tests for Angular applications, is being eclipsed by modern test automation frameworks. Cypress, Playwright, and Selenium WebDriver stand out as robust options for end-to-end testing, enabling seamless browser automation across multiple browsers. These tools provide comprehensive APIs, allowing testers to execute complex test suites and automate UI interactions with ease. As the demand for versatile test automation tools grows, developers are exploring alternatives to Protractor to ensure efficient testing of web and mobile applications, leveraging the strengths of open-source frameworks like WebdriverIO, Puppeteer, and Mocha for a streamlined testing process. This guide will help you navigate the best Protractor alternatives on the market.

TL;DR

• Protractor, an end to end test platform created in 2013 for end-to-end test automation in Angular applications, is being deprecated by the Protractor team. Developers are now seeking alternatives similar to Protractor.
• Cypress stands out as a popular choice, built for modern web applications and supporting both unit and end-to-end tests. It is known for its ease of use and real-time feedback.
• Playwright and Selenium WebDriver are also strong contenders, offering extensive browser and platform support, including Android and iOS. These tools provide robust features and capabilities, ensuring seamless transition and enhanced testing processes for Protractor users. Check the whole article to learn what is the best for end to end automation testing.

Check also:

• Top Cypress Alternatives in 2024
• The Ultimate XPath Cheat Sheet
• Why Should You Use data-testid Attributes?

What is Protractor?

Protractor is an end-to-end test framework that was created in 2013 to automate testing for Angular and AngularJS applications. It is primarily used to write end-to-end test cases for web apps, ensuring they function correctly across different browsers and platforms. Protractor leverages WebDriverJS, providing a seamless integration with Angular applications by handling asynchronous events and tasks, thus reducing the need for manual waits.

Features of Protractor

Protractor offers a range of features tailored to Angular applications:

1. Synchronization with Angular: Protractor automatically waits for Angular to complete tasks, making tests more reliable.
2. Angular-Specific Locators: It provides unique locators like by.model and by.binding to interact with Angular components.
3. Cross-Browser Testing: Protractor supports testing across various browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.
4. Integration with Testing Frameworks: Protractor integrates well with Jasmine, Mocha, and Cucumber, allowing flexibility in writing test cases.
5. GUI Test Automation Tool: It serves as a robust tool for automating GUI tests, enhancing the quality and reliability of web applications.

Development and Deprecation

Protractor was created to address the need for robust end-to-end test automation in Angular applications. However, as the web development landscape evolved, new tools emerged, offering more advanced features and better performance. In conjunction with Angular v15, the Angular team announced plans to stop the development of Protractor at the end of 2022, signaling a need for users to migrate from Protractor to more modern alternatives.

Protractor Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Angular-Specific Features:
   • Synchronization: Protractor automatically synchronizes with Angular applications, waiting for the necessary events and tasks to complete before executing further commands. This reduces the need for manual waits and increases test reliability.
   • Angular Locators: Protractor provides Angular-specific locator strategies, such as by.model, by.binding, and by.repeater, making it easier to interact with Angular components.
2. Built on WebDriverJS:
   • Standard API: Protractor leverages the WebDriverJS API, allowing for compatibility with a wide range of browsers and platforms.
   • Cross-Browser Testing: Supports testing across different browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.
3. Integration with Testing Frameworks:
   • Jasmine: Protractor works seamlessly with Jasmine, a popular JavaScript testing framework, providing a familiar syntax for writing tests.
   • Mocha and Cucumber: Can also be integrated with other testing frameworks like Mocha and Cucumber, offering flexibility in test writing styles.
4. Open Source and Community Support:
   • Active Community: As an open-source project, Protractor has a large community that contributes to its development and provides support through forums and documentation.

Cons

1. Decline in Maintenance:
   • End of Life: The Angular team announced that Protractor will be deprecated and no longer maintained after the end of 2022, which means it will not receive updates or support for future Angular versions or other advancements.
2. Angular-Specific Focus:
   • Limited Use for Non-Angular Applications: While Protractor can be used for non-Angular applications, its primary strength lies in testing Angular applications. Other tools might be more suitable for non-Angular projects.
3. Performance Issues:
   • Slower Execution: Compared to newer test automation tools like Cypress or Playwright, Protractor can be slower, particularly due to the overhead of WebDriver and its reliance on Selenium Grid for parallel test execution.
4. Complex Setup and Configuration:
   • Steeper Learning Curve: Setting up and configuring Protractor can be more complex compared to other modern testing tools, requiring more effort to get started.
5. Less Modern Features:
   • Lack of Built-in Features: Protractor lacks some of the modern features and conveniences offered by newer test automation frameworks, such as time travel debugging, automatic retries, and more interactive test runners.

Criteria to Choose Alternative to Protractor

When choosing an alternative to Protractor for test automation, several criteria should be considered to ensure the selected tool aligns with your project requirements and team capabilities. Here are the key factors to evaluate:

1. Compatibility with Technology Stack:
   • Framework and Language Support: Ensure the tool supports your primary development framework (e.g., Angular, React, Vue) and preferred programming languages (JavaScript, TypeScript).
   • Browser and Platform Coverage: Check if the tool supports all the browsers and platforms you need, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and mobile browsers.
2. Ease of Integration:
   • CI/CD Pipeline Integration: The tool should easily integrate with your existing continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
   • Third-Party Tools and Services: Look for compatibility with other tools and services in your development workflow, such as version control (GitHub, GitLab), project management tools (Jira, Trello), and test reporting tools.
3. Learning Curve and Usability:
   • Developer and Tester Experience: Assess the ease of use, clarity of documentation, and availability of tutorials and community support. Tools with simpler syntax and better developer ergonomics can speed up adoption.
   • IDE Support: Check for compatibility with your preferred integrated development environment (IDE) to facilitate writing and debugging tests.
4. Testing Capabilities:
   • End-to-End Testing: Ensure the tool supports comprehensive end-to-end testing, including UI interactions, form submissions, and navigation flows.
   • API Testing: The ability to perform API testing alongside UI tests can be crucial for modern applications.
   • Unit Testing: Some tools offer integrated unit testing features, which can be advantageous.
5. Performance and Scalability:
   • Execution Speed: Consider the tool's performance in terms of test execution speed and resource consumption.
   • Parallel Execution and Scalability: Evaluate the tool’s ability to run tests in parallel and its scalability for large test suites.
6. Community and Support:
   • Active Community: A vibrant community can provide valuable resources, plugins, and support.
   • Professional Support: Check if there are options for professional support and training if needed.
7. Open-Source vs. Commercial:
   • Cost: Determine if the tool is open-source or commercial, and consider the cost implications for your project.
   • License and Contributions: For open-source tools, evaluate the license type and the level of community contributions.
8. Future-Proofing:
   • Updates and Maintenance: Ensure the tool is actively maintained and updated to keep up with the latest web technologies and standards.
   • Roadmap: Look into the tool’s development roadmap to ensure it aligns with your long-term project goals.

Here are some examples of popular Protractor alternatives that meet various criteria:

• Cypress: Known for its ease of use, fast execution, and strong community support. Great for modern web applications and supports both unit and end-to-end testing.
• Playwright: Offers extensive browser and platform coverage, supports parallel execution, and is suitable for both web and mobile testing.
• Selenium WebDriver: A mature and widely-used tool with broad browser support and strong integration capabilities. Ideal for projects requiring extensive cross-browser testing.
• WebdriverIO: Provides a flexible and extensible framework, supporting a wide range of integrations and plugins.
• Puppeteer: Developed by Google, it’s a headless browser testing tool for Chrome, ideal for scenarios requiring deep integration with Chrome's DevTools.

By carefully considering these criteria, you can select the most suitable Protractor alternative that meets your specific project needs and enhances your test automation efforts.

Migrating from Protractor

With Protractor being deprecated, users need to plan their migration strategy carefully. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Assess Current Test Suites: Evaluate the existing test cases and identify critical tests that need to be migrated first.
2. Choose a Suitable Alternative: Based on the project requirements, choose the most appropriate Protractor alternative.
3. Rewrite Tests: Start rewriting tests in the new framework, leveraging its unique features and capabilities.
4. Run and Validate: Run the new tests to ensure they provide the same coverage and reliability as the old Protractor tests.
5. Gradual Transition: Consider a phased approach to migration, starting with critical tests and gradually moving all test cases to the new platform.

Best Alternatives to Protractor

Cypress

Cypress, in particular, has gained popularity due to its developer-friendly syntax and robust features, making it a preferred choice for many QA teams. It provides a seamless experience for running tests on Chrome and other browsers, offering excellent support for both unit testing and API testing. With a strong presence on GitHub and a rapidly growing community, Cypress provides a comprehensive solution for modern web applications, supporting JavaScript and Node.js environments.

Key Features:

• Ease of Use: Cypress has a straightforward setup and intuitive syntax, making it easy for developers to get started quickly.
• Fast Execution: Tests run directly in the browser, providing fast and reliable feedback.
• Real-Time Reloads: Automatically reloads tests as code changes, enhancing the development workflow.
• Automatic Waiting: Cypress automatically waits for commands and assertions, reducing the need for manual waits.
• Time Travel: The built-in time travel feature allows developers to see exactly what happened at each step of the test.
• Strong Community Support: Extensive documentation and an active community provide valuable resources and support.

Strengths:

• Developer-Friendly: Cypress’s design prioritizes the developer experience, making writing and debugging tests easier.
• Comprehensive Testing: Supports both unit and end-to-end testing, making it versatile for different testing needs.
• Interactive Test Runner: Provides an interactive test runner that shows test execution in real-time.

Limitations:

• Browser Support: Primarily supports Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, with limited support for other browsers.
• Node.js Only: Requires Node.js, which may not be suitable for all projects.
• Limited Mobile Testing: Not designed for native mobile app testing.

Best Use Cases:

• Modern Web Applications: Ideal for testing modern web applications built with frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.
• Rapid Development: Suitable for projects with fast development cycles needing quick feedback.
• Single Page Applications (SPAs): Excels in testing SPAs due to its real-time reloading and automatic waiting features.

Playwright

Playwright, another strong contender in the realm of test automation, offers extensive capabilities for end-to-end testing across multiple browsers. Its support for native mobile testing and modern web applications makes it a versatile tool for developers aiming to automate their QA processes. The Angular team, recognizing the evolving needs of testers, has also started recommending alternatives like Playwright and WebdriverIO to their users, emphasizing the importance of flexible and efficient testing frameworks.

Key Features:

• Cross-Browser Testing: Supports Chrome, Firefox, and WebKit, providing comprehensive browser coverage.
• Parallel Execution: Can run multiple tests in parallel, improving test execution time.
• Mobile Testing: Supports testing on mobile devices and emulators.
• Automated Screenshots and Videos: Captures screenshots and videos during test execution for better debugging.
• Network Interception: Allows interception and mocking of network requests, useful for API testing.

Strengths:

• Extensive Coverage: Supports a wide range of browsers and platforms, including mobile.
• Modern Features: Offers advanced features like network interception and browser context isolation.
• Headless Mode: Can run in headless mode, useful for CI/CD pipelines.

Limitations:

• Complexity: The extensive feature set can introduce complexity, requiring a steeper learning curve.
• Resource Intensive: May consume more resources compared to lighter frameworks like Cypress.

Best Use Cases:

• Cross-Browser Testing: Ideal for projects needing comprehensive cross-browser testing.
• Mobile and Web Testing: Suitable for testing both web applications and mobile web views.
• Complex Applications: Best for applications requiring advanced testing features like network interception and parallel execution.

Selenium WebDriver

Selenium WebDriver is a widely-used open-source tool for automating web browser interactions, supporting major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Internet Explorer. It allows developers to write tests in multiple programming languages, including Java, C#, Python, Ruby, and JavaScript, making it highly versatile. Selenium WebDriver integrates well with various testing frameworks and CI/CD tools, enabling seamless test automation workflows. It excels in cross-browser testing, ensuring web applications function correctly across different browser environments. Although it can have a steeper learning curve and slower execution compared to newer tools, its robust features and extensive community support make it a reliable choice for comprehensive test automation.

Key Features:

• Broad Browser Support: Supports all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Internet Explorer.
• Language Support: Works with multiple programming languages, including Java, C#, Python, Ruby, and JavaScript.
• Extensive Integration: Integrates well with various testing frameworks and CI/CD tools.
• Remote Execution: Supports remote execution on distributed environments using Selenium Grid.

Strengths:

• Mature Ecosystem: A well-established tool with extensive resources and community support.
• Flexibility: Highly flexible, allowing integration with various tools and frameworks.
• Cross-Browser Testing: Ideal for extensive cross-browser testing due to its broad support.

Limitations:

• Steeper Learning Curve: Can be more complex to set up and use compared to newer tools like Cypress.
• Slower Execution: Test execution can be slower, particularly when running in remote environments.

Best Use Cases:

• Legacy Systems: Suitable for testing applications that require extensive cross-browser support, including older browsers.
• Enterprise Applications: Ideal for large-scale enterprise applications requiring robust testing capabilities.
• Distributed Testing: Best for projects needing distributed test execution using Selenium Grid.

WebdriverIO

WebdriverIO provides a highly flexible and extensible framework, supporting a wide range of integrations and plugins. It is built on Node.js, allowing it to leverage the vast ecosystem of JavaScript libraries and tools, making it a powerful choice for modern web development projects. WebdriverIO supports various testing frameworks such as Mocha, Jasmine, and Cucumber, enabling developers to write tests in the style they prefer. Additionally, it offers seamless integration with cloud-based services like Sauce Labs and BrowserStack for cross-browser testing, as well as tools like Appium for mobile testing. The framework's support for visual regression testing ensures that UI changes are detected and addressed, making it well-suited for projects that require extensive customization and a high degree of accuracy in visual testing. This flexibility and extensibility make WebdriverIO an excellent choice for complex, large-scale testing environments.

Key Features:

• Flexibility: Highly flexible and customizable with a wide range of plugins and integrations.
• Modern Syntax: Uses modern JavaScript syntax, making it developer-friendly.
• Visual Regression Testing: Supports visual regression testing out of the box.
• Service Integration: Easy integration with various services like Sauce Labs, BrowserStack, and more.

Strengths:

• Extensible: Can be extended with numerous plugins to add additional functionality.
• Versatile: Suitable for both web and mobile testing through its Appium integration.
• Community Support: Strong community and comprehensive documentation.

Limitations:

• Configuration Overhead: Initial setup and configuration can be more complex due to its flexibility.
• Performance: May have slower performance compared to lighter frameworks like Cypress.

Best Use Cases:

• Complex Applications: Ideal for projects needing extensive customization and integration with various services.
• Mobile and Web Testing: Suitable for projects requiring both web and mobile application testing.
• Visual Testing: Great for applications where visual regression testing is critical.

Puppeteer

Among the top alternatives to protractor Puppeteer si a popular choice. Puppeteer is a robust and versatile tool developed by Google, designed to automate interactions with the Chrome browser. It provides a high-level API to control Chrome or Chromium over the DevTools Protocol, enabling developers to perform a wide range of tasks such as automating form submissions, taking screenshots, generating PDFs, and testing UI elements. Puppeteer supports headless browsing by default, which improves performance and efficiency for automated tasks. Its deep integration with Chrome DevTools allows for advanced debugging and performance analysis, making it an excellent choice for projects that require detailed inspection and manipulation of web pages. Additionally, Puppeteer's ability to intercept and mock network requests makes it a powerful tool for testing API interactions and simulating different network conditions. This combination of features makes Puppeteer ideal for projects focused on Chrome-specific testing and advanced browser automation needs.

Key Features:

• Headless Browser Testing: Developed by Google, Puppeteer controls a headless version of Chrome.
• Deep Integration with DevTools: Provides deep integration with Chrome DevTools for advanced debugging.
• Automated Screenshots and PDFs: Can generate screenshots and PDFs of web pages.
• Network Interception: Allows interception and manipulation of network requests.

Strengths:

• Performance: Fast and reliable due to its direct control over Chrome.
• Advanced Debugging: Offers powerful debugging capabilities with DevTools integration.
• Lightweight: Lightweight compared to Selenium, making it suitable for specific use cases.

Limitations:

• Browser Limitation: Primarily supports Chrome and Chromium, with no official support for other browsers.
• Less Comprehensive: Not as feature-rich for end-to-end testing compared to tools like Cypress or Selenium.

Best Use Cases:

• Chrome-Specific Testing: Ideal for testing applications where Chrome is the primary target browser.
• Performance Testing: Suitable for performance testing and advanced debugging.
• Headless Testing: Best for headless browser testing in CI/CD pipelines.

Check also our guide on the best Puppeteer Alternatives.

Final Thoughts

As the Angular team plans to end support for Protractor, originally created in 2013 as a test framework for Angular and AngularJS applications, it's crucial for developers and testers to explore top alternatives that can effectively replace the Protractor framework. Since Protractor was created, the landscape of test automation has evolved significantly, offering more modern and efficient tools. For Protractor users looking to migrate, these top alternatives offer a variety of features and strengths that can meet diverse testing needs. Whether you are testing web apps across multiple browsers or require robust mobile testing capabilities, there is a suitable test framework to ensure your applications are thoroughly tested and reliable. By choosing the right tool, you can continue to deliver high-quality web applications and maintain the efficiency of your end-to-end test automation processes.

Happy (automated) testing!