1. Cross-platform Testing: Detox is specifically designed for testing mobile applications on iOS and Android platforms, utilizing various tools and frameworks like Apple's XCUITest and Google's Espresso. In contrast, Robot Framework is more versatile and can be used for testing web, desktop, and mobile applications across different operating systems like Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making it suitable for a wider range of testing scenarios.
2. Syntax and Test Development: Detox tests are written in JavaScript and require knowledge of React Native for mobile app testing, providing a more streamlined approach for developers already familiar with these technologies. On the other hand, Robot Framework uses keyword-driven syntax, allowing test cases to be written in a more human-readable format with support for various language bindings, making it accessible to testers with different programming backgrounds.
3. Community Support and Ecosystem: Robot Framework has a larger and more active community, offering extensive documentation, libraries, and plugins for integrating with popular tools like Selenium and Appium for automated testing. Detox, being a more specialized framework, has a smaller community and fewer resources available, which may limit the support and tools for users looking to expand their testing capabilities.
4. Execution Speed: Detox is known for its fast test execution speed, utilizing parallelism and optimized interactions with mobile app elements for quicker results, making it suitable for projects with time-sensitive testing requirements. In contrast, Robot Framework may have slower test execution speed, especially for complex test scenarios, due to its keyword-driven nature and higher resource overhead.
5. Integration and Compatibility: Detox seamlessly integrates with native mobile development tools and IDEs like Xcode and Android Studio, offering a seamless testing experience for mobile app developers within their existing workflow. Robot Framework, being language-agnostic, can integrate with various CI/CD tools, version control systems, and external libraries, providing a more flexible testing environment for cross-functional teams working on diverse projects.
6. Learning Curve and Skill Requirement: Detox requires proficiency in JavaScript and React Native development to create and maintain test scripts effectively, which may pose a steep learning curve for testers with limited experience in these technologies. On the other hand, Robot Framework's keyword-driven approach simplifies test script creation and maintenance, making it more accessible to testers with diverse skill sets and reducing the time required for onboarding and upskilling team members.

In Summary, Detox and Robot Framework differ in their focus on mobile app testing, syntax and development approach, community support, execution speed, integration capabilities, and learning curve for testers.