Top 4 Alternatives to Karate for DSL (Gherkin-like) Testing

Introduction and Context

Over the past decade, behavior-driven development (BDD) and Gherkin-style test specifications reshaped how teams design automated tests. Cucumber popularized the idea that you can describe behaviors in plain language and still drive powerful automation underneath. As APIs became the backbone of modern applications and front-ends diversified across browsers and devices, tools evolved to simplify test authoring while keeping tests readable, maintainable, and CI-friendly.

Karate emerged in this context as a pragmatic, open-source solution that blends a Gherkin-like DSL with a purpose-built runtime for API and end-to-end web testing. It gained traction because it removes the need for step-definition glue code—a common pain point with classic BDD stacks—while providing built-in HTTP, JSON/XML, and assertion capabilities. Over time, Karate expanded beyond HTTP to support UI automation for the web (via Playwright or WebDriver), letting teams write API and UI scenarios in a single, cohesive syntax. Its Apache-2.0 license, broad platform coverage (API/HTTP/Web), and straightforward CI/CD integration made it a favorite for developers and QA engineers alike.

Karate’s strengths include:

• A concise, Gherkin-like DSL that eliminates boilerplate step definitions

• First-class API testing with powerful JSON manipulation and assertions

• Growing UI capabilities via modern browser automation libraries

• Smooth integration with CI/CD pipelines

• Open-source flexibility with an active community

As teams mature, however, new needs appear: codeless creation, cloud-first execution, richer analytics, mobile-native coverage, and AI-assisted maintenance. These shifts lead some teams to explore alternatives that preserve scenario readability while offering different trade-offs—especially around setup, scalability, and the breadth of supported platforms.

This guide reviews four notable alternatives to Karate that can satisfy teams seeking Gherkin-like readability, codeless creation, or SaaS-managed convenience.

Overview: The Top Alternatives Covered

Here are the top 4 alternatives to Karate for DSL (Gherkin-like) testing or similarly scenario-driven automation:

• Mabl

• Repeato

• TestCafe Studio

• Waldo

Each tool approaches test authoring and execution differently, with a focus on low-code, no-code, or cloud-centric workflows. While not all use Gherkin syntax, they aim to provide BDD-like clarity and maintainable test flows.

Why Look for Karate Alternatives?

Karate remains a capable choice, but teams commonly look for alternatives when they encounter the following constraints:

• Cloud-first execution and management: You want a fully hosted platform that handles infrastructure, scaling, and parallelization without maintaining runners or grids.

• Codeless or low-code authoring: Stakeholders prefer recording or visually modeling tests to reduce the learning curve inherent in any DSL, including Gherkin-like syntax.

• Native mobile automation: You need robust, no-SDK automation for iOS and Android native apps, including access to device farms and mobile-specific stability features.

• Advanced self-healing and AI-assisted maintenance: You want built-in mechanisms that automatically adapt to UI changes, reducing flakiness with minimal manual intervention.

• Centralized analytics and collaboration: The team needs detailed dashboards, flake tracking, root-cause hints, and role-based sharing out of the box.

• Vendor support and enterprise features: You require SLAs, security certifications, role management, audit logs, and policy controls typical of commercial SaaS tools.

• Simplified onboarding: You value rapid setup and test creation without installing dependencies, configuring runners, or managing plugin ecosystems.

If several of these resonate, exploring a managed, low-code, or mobile-first alternative can be a smart move.

Detailed Breakdown of Alternatives

Mabl

Mabl is a commercial, low-code and AI-enhanced end-to-end testing platform for web and APIs. Built by Mabl Inc., it focuses on making test authoring and maintenance accessible to a wide range of roles, not just engineers. It takes a SaaS-first approach, offering cloud execution, test management, and analytics in one place.

What makes it different

• SaaS-first with built-in infrastructure for execution and scaling

• Low-code test creation via a visual recorder and step library

• AI-assisted maintenance features (e.g., self-healing, smart waits)

• Integrated API testing alongside web UI scenarios

Core strengths

• Self-healing and flake reduction: Automatic adaptation to minor UI changes, reducing fragile selectors and manual triage.

• Unified web + API testing: Author journeys that combine UI steps with API validation in one flow.

• Rich analytics and reporting: Dashboards, trend analysis, failure clustering, and release-readiness insights.

• Cross-browser and environment coverage: Run across browsers and environments without managing your own grid.

• CI/CD integration: Hooks and APIs for pipeline triggers, gating policies, and result publishing.

• Collaboration and governance: Role-based access, versioning, and test asset reuse for larger teams.

How it compares to Karate

• Authoring model: Karate uses a Gherkin-like DSL and lives naturally in source control; Mabl emphasizes low-code visual flows that can be augmented by code when needed.

• Hosting and ops: Karate is open source and runs anywhere you choose; Mabl centralizes execution and management in a hosted platform.

• Maintenance: Karate’s stability depends on test design and selector strategy; Mabl invests heavily in self-healing and change detection to reduce manual updates.

• Use cases: For teams focused on web and API testing with limited desire to manage infrastructure, Mabl can accelerate setup and reduce flakiness. Engineering-centric teams who prefer text-first DSLs and full control over runtime may prefer Karate.

Platforms and licensing

• Platforms: Web + API

• License: Commercial

Best for

• Teams that want a hosted, low-code way to automate end-to-end web journeys alongside API checks, with rich analytics and minimal infrastructure overhead.

Repeato

Repeato is a commercial, codeless test automation tool focused on native mobile (iOS and Android). It uses computer vision to drive and validate apps, aiming to remain resilient to UI changes without requiring Appium scripting or app-instrumentation.

What makes it different

• Mobile-first and codeless with computer-vision-based interactions

• Emphasis on resilience to UI changes and device variations

• Scenario recording on real devices or emulators/simulators

Core strengths

• CV-based stability: Interacts based on visual cues, often reducing the brittleness of accessibility IDs or XPath-like locators.

• Native mobile coverage: Purpose-built for Android and iOS, avoiding complex mobile-driver setups.

• Quick onboarding: Record flows and assertions without code; ideal for teams new to mobile automation.

• CI/CD friendly: Supports pipeline execution and reporting for continuous testing.

• Maintenance at scale: Visual steps can be easier for non-developers to update as apps evolve.

How it compares to Karate

• Authoring model: Karate offers a unified DSL spanning API and web UI; Repeato targets native mobile UI via visual automation rather than Gherkin-like text files.

• Platform focus: Karate’s core strength is API/HTTP and web; Repeato excels at mobile app testing where computer vision can outperform selector-based approaches.

• Setup: Karate requires managing dependencies and runners; Repeato aims for codeless setup with mobile-centric workflows.

• When to choose: If your priority is stable, maintainable native mobile testing without building Appium frameworks, Repeato is a stronger fit than Karate’s web-centric tooling.

Platforms and licensing

• Platforms: Android, iOS

• License: Commercial

Best for

• Teams who need robust, codeless mobile automation for native apps and prefer visual, resilient test steps over code or DSLs.

TestCafe Studio

TestCafe Studio is the commercial, codeless IDE offering from DevExpress that sits atop the open-source TestCafe engine. It is designed for end-to-end web UI testing without relying on Selenium/WebDriver, using a driverless architecture that runs directly in the browser.

What makes it different

• Driverless execution: No WebDriver or browser plugins required

• Codeless authoring: A desktop IDE for recording, editing, and organizing tests

• Built on a mature open-source engine (TestCafe) with a large user base

Core strengths

• Simplified setup: Avoids the typical Selenium/WebDriver stack complexity; easy to get running across browsers.

• Reliable auto-waiting: Smart waits reduce timing flakiness common in UI testing.

• Cross-browser and parallel runs: Scale tests with concurrency and broad browser support.

• Visual and script modes: Record tests visually, then refine with code when needed.

• Rich debugging tools: Screenshots, step-by-step playback, and detailed logs help diagnose failures quickly.

How it compares to Karate

• Authoring model: Karate uses a Gherkin-like DSL integrating API and UI; TestCafe Studio emphasizes codeless web UI testing with an option to drop into JavaScript backed by the TestCafe engine.

• Execution: Karate leverages Playwright or WebDriver; TestCafe’s driverless model can simplify cross-browser reliability and reduce flakiness.

• Scope: Karate shines when API + UI tests are authored together in one DSL; TestCafe Studio is strongest for web-only UI flows where codeless creation and a stable execution engine are priorities.

• Team fit: Non-developers or mixed-skill teams may ramp up faster with TestCafe Studio’s IDE; code-first teams may prefer Karate’s text-based approach.

Platforms and licensing

• Platforms: Web

• License: Commercial

Best for

• Teams who want codeless, stable web UI testing with minimal setup and the option to scale into code when needed, all supported by a commercial IDE.

Waldo

Waldo is a commercial, no-code test automation platform for native iOS and Android apps. It offers cloud-hosted recording and execution, enabling teams to create and run mobile UI tests without writing scripts or managing device labs.

What makes it different

• No-code recorder focused on native mobile apps

• Cloud-based device execution and management

• Automated stabilization aimed at reducing mobile flakiness

Core strengths

• Cloud device coverage: Access to a range of devices and OS versions without maintaining hardware.

• Fast onboarding: Record flows quickly; non-coders can contribute meaningfully to test creation.

• Stability features: Auto-waits, smart retries, and heuristics tuned for mobile UI dynamics.

• CI/CD ready: Trigger tests from pipelines and integrate results into build gates.

• Collaboration: Centralized test management, sharing, and visibility for product and QA teams.

How it compares to Karate

• Authoring model: Karate’s Gherkin-like syntax is code-adjacent and repository-friendly; Waldo abstracts tests into a hosted, no-code model.

• Platform specialization: Karate targets API and web; Waldo specializes in native mobile automation with hosted devices.

• Maintenance: Karate’s mobile coverage is limited compared to purpose-built platforms; Waldo reduces mobile flakiness with mobile-focused heuristics and infrastructure.

• Decision point: Choose Waldo when mobile app quality is central and you want a managed, no-code approach rather than building and maintaining a mobile automation stack.

Platforms and licensing

• Platforms: Android, iOS

• License: Commercial

Best for

• Teams that need scalable, no-code native mobile testing with hosted device infrastructure and minimal maintenance overhead.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Karate Alternative

Before switching or augmenting your stack, evaluate these criteria to ensure a good fit:

• Project scope and platform mix

• Authoring model and team skills

• Setup and operational overhead

• Execution speed and scalability

• CI/CD integration and governance

• Debugging, reporting, and analytics

• Test data and environment handling

• Stability and self-healing

• Extensibility and ecosystem

• Cost and licensing

• Security and compliance

Answering these questions will help you align tooling with your team’s strengths and your product’s quality goals.

Conclusion

Karate remains a powerful, open-source choice for teams who value a Gherkin-like DSL, first-class API testing, and expanding web UI automation via Playwright or WebDriver. Its strengths—clear syntax, integrated HTTP/JSON capabilities, and CI/CD friendliness—make it a sensible default for many engineering-led organizations. Like any flexible framework, it benefits from disciplined test design to keep suites stable and maintainable.

That said, the testing landscape has diversified. If you want a cloud-first, low-code experience with AI-assisted maintenance for web and API flows, Mabl is compelling. For teams prioritizing native mobile apps, both Repeato (codeless, computer-vision-driven) and Waldo (no-code with hosted devices) address mobile flakiness and infrastructure head-on. For web UI teams who want codeless authoring backed by a stable, driverless engine, TestCafe Studio provides an approachable on-ramp with room to grow.

In practice:

• Choose Karate if you want an open-source, text-first DSL that unifies API and web UI tests and you are comfortable managing your own execution environment.

• Consider Mabl if you prefer SaaS-managed infrastructure, low-code authoring, and built-in self-healing across web and APIs.

• Reach for Repeato or Waldo if native mobile automation is your top priority and you want visual, no-code authoring with mobile-focused stability.

• Pick TestCafe Studio if you want codeless web UI testing with a reliable, driverless execution model and a commercial IDE.

Many teams succeed with a blended approach: use Karate for API-heavy scenarios and a commercial, codeless tool for web or mobile UI where self-healing and hosted execution pay dividends. Whichever direction you choose, focus on maintainability, observability, and developer/QA collaboration to keep your test suite fast, stable, and informative.