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Capybara vs Poltergeist: What are the differences?

## Introduction

Capbybara and Poltergeist are both popular tools used for testing web applications, but they have distinct differences that make each tool unique. 

## 1. Capybara vs Poltergeist - Browser Automation
Capybara uses a real browser for automation, whereas Poltergeist uses a headless browser powered by PhantomJS. This means Capybara can perform tests in various browsers while Poltergeist is limited to a headless environment.

## 2. Capybara vs Poltergeist - Javascript Execution
Capybara relies on the browser's own javascript capabilities for execution, whereas Poltergeist has built-in javascript execution capabilities. This enables Poltergeist to have better control over javascript interactions during testing.

## 3. Capybara vs Poltergeist - Speed
Capybara tends to be slower compared to Poltergeist due to its reliance on external browsers for automation. On the other hand, Poltergeist's headless nature makes it faster in running tests as it does not require a graphical interface.

## 4. Capybara vs Poltergeist - Debugging Capabilities
Capybara offers a more user-friendly interface for debugging tests, providing detailed error messages and easier traceability of issues. Poltergeist, on the other hand, may require more effort in pinpointing errors and debugging due to its headless nature.

## 5. Capybara vs Poltergeist - Dependencies
Capybara has more dependencies compared to Poltergeist since it relies on external browsers for automation. Poltergeist, being headless, has fewer dependencies, making it easier to set up and use in testing environments that require minimal configuration.

## 6. Capybara vs Poltergeist - Community Support
Capybara has a larger and more active community support compared to Poltergeist, which means more resources, tutorials, and updates are available for users. Poltergeist, on the other hand, may have fewer resources and updates due to its smaller community base.

In Summary, Capybara and Poltergeist offer distinct differences in browser automation, javascript execution, speed, debugging capabilities, dependencies, and community support, making each tool suitable for specific testing requirements. 
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Pros of Capybara
Pros of Poltergeist
  • 12
    Best acceptance test framework for Ruby on Rails apps
  • 2
    Synchronous with Rack::Test
  • 1
    Fast with Rack::Test
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    Cons of Capybara
    Cons of Poltergeist
    • 1
      Hard to make reproducible tests when using with browser
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      - No public GitHub repository available -

      What is Capybara?

      Capybara helps you test web applications by simulating how a real user would interact with your app. It is agnostic about the driver running your tests and comes with Rack::Test and Selenium support built in. WebKit is supported through an external gem.

      What is Poltergeist?

      Poltergeist is a driver for Capybara. It allows you to run your Capybara tests on a headless WebKit browser, provided by PhantomJS.

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      What companies use Capybara?
      What companies use Poltergeist?
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      What tools integrate with Capybara?
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