Top 34 Alternatives to Katalon Platform (Studio) for Groovy/Java and JS‑Supported Testing

Introduction and Context

Katalon Platform (formerly Katalon Studio) emerged as a pragmatic response to the complexity many teams faced when assembling end-to-end automation stacks around Selenium and Appium. Instead of wiring together a test runner, web and mobile drivers, reporting, and CI/CD plugins, Katalon bundled those moving parts into a cohesive, low‑code experience. It offered a recorder for quick test creation, reusable test objects, built‑in analytics, and integrations with common DevOps tools—covering web, mobile, API, and even desktop testing under one umbrella.

Its popularity grew because it reduced time‑to‑first‑test, supported Groovy/Java scripting while remaining approachable for less code‑heavy teams, and made CI/CD adoption straightforward. In many organizations, Katalon became the standard for cross‑platform regression suites and smoke tests.

Yet as teams matured, some needed deeper specialization (performance, security, visual validation), tighter control of the tech stack, lighter runners for speed/parallelism, or a purely code‑first approach in Java, Groovy, or JavaScript/TypeScript. Others wanted more granular control over cost or to avoid vendor lock‑in. These evolving needs have led teams to consider alternatives—either as complete replacements or complementary tools alongside Katalon.

This guide surveys 34 strong alternatives spanning Groovy/Java and JS‑friendly ecosystems, with concise strengths, comparisons, and ideal use cases.

Overview: The Top 34 Alternatives We’ll Cover

Here are the top 34 alternatives to Katalon Platform (Studio):

• Applitools Eyes

• Burp Suite (Enterprise)

• Citrus

• Cypress Component Testing

• Espresso

• FitNesse

• Gauge

• Geb

• IBM Rational Functional Tester

• JMeter

• JUnit

• Mabl

• NeoLoad

• OWASP ZAP

• PIT (Pitest)

• Playwright Component Testing

• Playwright Test

• ReadyAPI

• Repeato

• Rest Assured

• Sahi Pro

• Selenide

• Serenity BDD

• SikuliX

• SoapUI (Open Source)

• Spock

• Squish

• Storybook Test Runner

• Stryker

• TestCafe Studio

• TestNG

• Testim

• UI Automator

• Waldo

Why Look for Katalon Alternatives?

• Desire for code‑first workflows: Some teams prefer pure Java/Groovy or JS/TS codebases for version control hygiene, modularity, and engineering ownership over low‑code artifacts.

• Deeper specialization: Performance (JMeter, NeoLoad), security (OWASP ZAP, Burp), and visual testing (Applitools) often need tools purpose‑built for those domains.

• Scalability and speed: Thin runners like Playwright or Selenide can be faster to execute and easier to scale horizontally for large parallel test suites.

• Cost and licensing control: Teams may want open‑source options or pay‑as‑you‑grow SaaS instead of a full commercial platform.

• Reduced flakiness: Frameworks with strong auto‑waits and robust locators (e.g., Selenide, Playwright) can lower flakiness when tests are carefully structured.

• Component‑level testing: Modern front‑end teams benefit from component testing (Cypress/Playwright Component, Storybook Test Runner) to shift‑left and stabilize E2E flows.

• DevX and ecosystem fit: Java/JVM shops may prefer JUnit/TestNG/Spock/Geb; JavaScript teams may gravitate to Playwright, Cypress, or Storybook‑based flows.

Detailed Breakdown of Alternatives

Applitools Eyes

Applitools Eyes, built by Applitools, is an AI‑powered visual testing platform for web, mobile, and desktop. It focuses on catching visual regressions using advanced image diffing and an Ultrafast Grid for rapid cross‑browser coverage.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Katalon covers functional flows; Eyes complements or replaces the visual validation layer with stronger, AI‑based baselines.

• Best for: Front‑end teams and QA wanting reliable visual checks at scale.

Burp Suite (Enterprise)

Burp Suite Enterprise by PortSwigger automates DAST scans for web and API applications, bringing security scanning into CI/CD pipelines.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Specialized for security scanning; complements Katalon’s functional scope rather than replacing it.

• Best for: Teams formalizing application security testing in pipelines.

Citrus

Citrus is an open‑source, message‑based integration testing framework for HTTP, Web Services, and JMS.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Focuses on messaging/integration tests where Katalon is primarily E2E/UI/API; often used alongside code‑centric JVM stacks.

• Best for: Java teams validating microservices and messaging contracts.

Cypress Component Testing

Cypress Component Testing by Cypress.io runs UI components in a real browser for frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Targets component‑level stability and shift‑left coverage; Katalon focuses more on end‑to‑end across platforms.

• Best for: JS/TS front‑end teams adopting a component‑first testing strategy.

Espresso

Espresso, maintained by Google, is the official Android UI testing framework.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: More native and fine‑grained for Android; Katalon offers broader cross‑platform coverage including iOS/web.

• Best for: Mobile teams focused on robust, native Android UI tests.

FitNesse

FitNesse is an open‑source acceptance testing framework that combines a wiki with executable fixtures.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Centers on ATDD/specification‑by‑example; Katalon emphasizes low‑code automation across platforms.

• Best for: Cross‑functional teams practicing ATDD/BDD with a JVM stack.

Gauge

Gauge by ThoughtWorks is a lightweight, spec‑driven test framework for web automation with support for Java, JS, and C#.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: A code‑first alternative that provides readable specs without a heavy IDE.

• Best for: Teams seeking a BDD‑like but code‑centric workflow.

Geb

Geb is a Groovy‑based web automation DSL that pairs naturally with Spock on the JVM.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: A natural fit for Groovy/Java developers wanting code‑first control; lighter than Katalon’s all‑in‑one approach.

• Best for: JVM teams and Groovy enthusiasts building maintainable E2E suites.

IBM Rational Functional Tester

IBM RFT is an enterprise functional UI automation tool spanning web and desktop UIs.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Similar “platform” feel but often favored by legacy/enterprise stacks; Katalon may be more modern in UX and CI workflows.

• Best for: Enterprises with complex desktop/web portfolios.

JMeter

Apache JMeter is a popular open‑source performance testing tool for web, APIs, and various protocols.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Complements rather than replaces—focused on load/performance whereas Katalon targets functional automation.

• Best for: Performance engineers and DevOps teams running load/stress tests.

JUnit

JUnit is the foundational unit and integration testing framework for JVM projects.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: A building block for unit/integration tests; not a full E2E platform but ideal for code‑centric pipelines.

• Best for: JVM teams standardizing on unit/integration testing.

Mabl

Mabl is a commercial, low‑code, AI‑assisted web and API testing platform delivered as SaaS.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Similar “platform” value with strong SaaS delivery and AI assist; fewer on‑prem components to maintain.

• Best for: Teams wanting a managed, low‑ops E2E platform.

NeoLoad

NeoLoad, by Tricentis (formerly Neotys), is an enterprise performance/load testing solution.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: A specialized performance tool; complements Katalon’s functional coverage for end‑to‑end quality.

• Best for: Perf engineers running complex, high‑scale scenarios.

OWASP ZAP

OWASP ZAP is a widely used open‑source DAST tool for web and APIs.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Adds security scanning to your pipeline; pairs well with Katalon or replaces ad‑hoc manual checks.

• Best for: Teams embedding baseline security scans into CI.

PIT (Pitest)

Pitest is an open‑source mutation testing framework for JVM languages.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Focuses on test quality for unit/integration layers; complementary to Katalon’s functional/E2E scope.

• Best for: QA leads raising the bar on test rigor in JVM repos.

Playwright Component Testing

Playwright Component Testing by Microsoft enables component‑level tests for modern frameworks.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Deeper focus on component fidelity and cross‑browser dev‑centric workflows; Katalon remains broader across platforms.

• Best for: Front‑end teams seeking fast, reliable component tests.

Playwright Test

Playwright Test is the first‑class test runner for Playwright with powerful traces and reporters.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: A code‑first alternative that’s lightweight and fast for web; Katalon offers low‑code, multi‑platform reach.

• Best for: JS/TS teams optimizing for speed and maintainability.

ReadyAPI

ReadyAPI by SmartBear is a commercial API testing suite for SOAP, REST, and GraphQL.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: More powerful for API‑only programs; Katalon covers UI + API but with a broader remit.

• Best for: Backend/API teams standardizing on comprehensive API validation.

Repeato

Repeato focuses on codeless mobile UI testing for Android and iOS using computer vision.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: A niche, vision‑based alternative for mobile; Katalon spans multiple platforms and scripting options.

• Best for: Mobile teams that prefer codeless, visual‑driven tests.

Rest Assured

Rest Assured is a Java DSL for API/HTTP testing on the JVM.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Code‑first API testing versus Katalon’s low‑code API layer; ideal for Java shops seeking minimal tooling overhead.

• Best for: JVM teams focused on robust, maintainable API tests.

Sahi Pro

Sahi Pro is a commercial web/desktop E2E testing tool designed for enterprise apps.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Similar in spirit as an enterprise test platform; choice often comes down to app tech stack fit and pricing.

• Best for: Enterprises with complex web/desktop automation needs.

Selenide

Selenide is a concise Java wrapper over Selenium with smart waits and a fluent API.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Code‑first JVM alternative with less overhead; Katalon offers low‑code tooling and multi‑platform reach.

• Best for: Java teams wanting fast, reliable web UI automation.

Serenity BDD

Serenity BDD provides rich reports and the Screenplay pattern on top of Selenium/Appium/Rest Assured.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: A code‑centric framework emphasizing reporting and maintainability rather than low‑code authoring.

• Best for: Teams aiming for BDD‑style visibility and reusable automation layers.

SikuliX

SikuliX is an open‑source, image‑based automation tool for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Useful for niche desktop/legacy apps; Katalon provides broader, object‑based automation.

• Best for: Desktop scenarios where visual automation is the only viable approach.

SoapUI (Open Source)

SoapUI (OSS) is a classic GUI and scripting tool for SOAP/REST API testing.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: API‑only and open source; Katalon provides a unified UI+API suite with analytics.

• Best for: Teams starting API testing with a free, GUI‑centric tool.

Spock

Spock is a BDD‑style testing framework for Groovy/Java on the JVM.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: A favorite for JVM BDD/ATDD; pairs with Geb for UI, offering a fully code‑first stack.

• Best for: Groovy/Java teams prioritizing readability and maintainability.

Squish

Squish, by The Qt Company (froglogic), is a GUI automation tool for Qt/QML, embedded, desktop, and web.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Superior for Qt/embedded UI automation; Katalon is broader but less specialized here.

• Best for: Teams with heavy Qt/QML or embedded GUI investments.

Storybook Test Runner

Storybook Test Runner executes component stories as tests using Playwright under the hood.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Focused on component workflows; complements or precedes E2E coverage you might keep in Katalon.

• Best for: Front‑end teams with established Storybook workflows.

Stryker

Stryker Mutator brings mutation testing to Node.js, .NET, and Scala ecosystems.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Targets unit/low‑level test quality; pairs with Katalon’s higher‑level E2E layer.

• Best for: Teams raising the quality bar across JS/.NET/Scala codebases.

TestCafe Studio

TestCafe Studio is the commercial, codeless IDE variant of the TestCafe web testing framework.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Similar codeless value but focused on web; Katalon covers mobile, API, and desktop too.

• Best for: Teams wanting a codeless, JS‑friendly web testing IDE.

TestNG

TestNG is a flexible testing framework for the JVM with powerful annotations and parallelism.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Foundational for code‑first strategies; not an all‑in‑one platform but can underpin custom test stacks.

• Best for: JVM teams needing sophisticated test orchestration.

Testim

Testim (by SmartBear) is an AI‑assisted E2E web testing platform with self‑healing locators.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Similar low‑code + AI philosophy; choice hinges on pricing, ecosystem fit, and team preference.

• Best for: Web teams wanting fast authoring with AI‑driven resilience.

UI Automator

UI Automator by Google automates Android across apps and system UI.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Deeper Android system coverage versus Katalon’s broader cross‑platform approach.

• Best for: Android teams testing interactions across multiple apps/system UI.

Waldo

Waldo is a codeless mobile testing platform for iOS and Android with cloud execution.

• Core strengths:

• How it compares to Katalon: Similar codeless ethos but focused on mobile; Katalon spans web/API/desktop too.

• Best for: Product teams seeking quick mobile coverage without code.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Katalon Alternative

• Project scope and depth:

• Language and team skills:

• Ease of setup and DevX:

• Execution speed and stability:

• CI/CD integration:

• Debugging and observability:

• Scalability:

• Reporting and analytics:

• Ecosystem and community:

• Cost and licensing:

• Security and compliance:

Conclusion

Katalon Platform remains a capable, widely adopted choice—especially when teams want an all‑in‑one, low‑code solution spanning web, mobile, API, and desktop with CI/CD integration and analytics. However, modern test strategies often benefit from a mix of specialized and code‑first tools.

• For Groovy/Java‑centric teams, Geb + Spock or Selenide + JUnit/TestNG offer elegant, maintainable test stacks with strong CI performance.

• For JS/TS shops, Playwright Test and Cypress Component Testing deliver fast, developer‑friendly workflows and robust debug tooling.

• For deeper quality signals, complement functional tests with Applitools for visual, JMeter/NeoLoad for performance, and OWASP ZAP/Burp for security.

• For mobile‑focused teams, Espresso/UI Automator (Android) or codeless mobile platforms like Waldo and Repeato can accelerate coverage.

A pragmatic approach is to choose a primary runner aligned to your codebase (e.g., Playwright or Selenide) and add specialized layers where necessary. If you need frictionless device/browser coverage, managed clouds (e.g., popular cross‑browser/device grids) can simplify scaling and maintenance.

Ultimately, the “best” alternative depends on your stack, skills, and priorities. Use the considerations above to shortlist a few candidates, prototype within your CI, and measure results—speed, stability, and maintainability—before committing.