Cypress vs Selenium
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Cypress and Selenium are credible software testing tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Cypress if you want broader platform coverage and a higher overall rating (4.6/5). End-to-end testing for the web.
Selenium - Open-source browser automation framework
Cypress vs Selenium: side by side
| Dimension | Cypress | Selenium |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free - $67/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Open source |
| Best for | Developers, Qa | Qa Engineers, Developers |
| Platforms | Web, Mac, Windows, LinuxWinner | Self Hosted, Api |
| Rating | 4.6/5Winner | 4.3/5 |
Cypress key facts
- Vendor
- Cypress
- Pricing
- Freemium - Free - $67/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Linux
- Best for
- Developers, Qa
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Atlanta, GA, USA
Selenium key facts
- Vendor
- Software Freedom Conservancy
- Pricing
- Open source - Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Self Hosted, Api
- Best for
- Qa Engineers, Developers
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2004
- Headquarters
- Remote
Frequently asked questions
Is Cypress better than Selenium?
Neither is universally better - Cypress edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cypress or Selenium cheaper?
Cypress is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free - $67/mo. Cypress starts at free - $67/mo; Selenium starts at free.
Can Cypress replace Selenium?
Yes for most teams - both are software testing tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.