Protractor vs WebdriverIO: What are the differences?

Protractor vs WebdriverIO

Key Differences

Protractor and WebdriverIO are popular automation testing frameworks used for web applications. While they both serve a similar purpose, there are several key differences between the two.

1. Language Support: Protractor is primarily used for testing Angular applications and is written in JavaScript. On the other hand, WebdriverIO supports multiple programming languages such as JavaScript, TypeScript, and even PureScript, making it more versatile for testing different types of applications.

2. Testing Paradigm: Protractor follows a behavior-driven development (BDD) approach that emphasizes collaboration between developers, testers, and business stakeholders. It uses a rich set of declarative statements, enhancing readability. In contrast, WebdriverIO follows a more traditional, structure-based testing approach, providing more control and flexibility to the testers.

3. Browser Compatibility: Protractor is tightly coupled with the Selenium WebDriver library, which allows it to work seamlessly with different browsers. It provides built-in support for multiple browser environments through browser-specific drivers. WebdriverIO, however, can run tests on browsers using the WebDriver protocol or Chrome DevTools protocol, allowing it to support a wider range of browsers and devices.

4. Speed and Performance: WebdriverIO is known for its fast execution speed and great performance. It adopts a smart execution strategy by running multiple test cases in parallel, reducing the overall test execution time. Protractor, while efficient, may be slower compared to WebdriverIO due to its additional overhead caused by Angular-specific features.

5. Development and Community Support: Protractor was initially developed and maintained by AngularJS, resulting in strong community support and regular updates. However, with the release of Angular 2+ and the shift towards other testing frameworks, the Protractor community has somewhat diminished. WebdriverIO, on the other hand, has a growing and vibrant community, actively contributing to its development, providing support, and adding new features.

6. Documentation and Learning Curve: Protractor has extensive documentation, making it easy for beginners to get started with Angular-specific testing. It provides a comprehensive guide and vast resources for troubleshooting common issues. WebdriverIO also has well-maintained documentation, but as it supports multiple frameworks and technologies, the learning curve might be slightly steeper for beginners.

In summary, Protractor is favored for testing Angular applications, provides BDD-style testing, and has great browser compatibility. On the other hand, WebdriverIO supports multiple programming languages, follows a structure-based testing approach, has better performance, growing community support, and supports a wider range of browsers and devices.