What tools are used for visual testing?
Visual testing uses tools that can automatically take screenshots of the interface, save a "reference," compare new changes against it, and show a diff if differences appear. In practice, several groups of solutions are used, from local open-source tools to cloud services.
1) Tools for snapshots and comparison (open-source)
| Tool | Feature |
|---|---|
| Jest Image Snapshot | a Jest extension, pixel-by-pixel screenshot comparison |
| BackstopJS | a popular visual regression tester, runs on Puppeteer/Playwright |
| Reg-Suit | produces visual diffs and integrates with CI/CD |
| Percy CLI (OSS part) | the Percy engine, can be used locally |
Used when full control and local infrastructure are needed.
2) Browser automation tools (on their own + screenshots)
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Playwright | can render pages, take screenshots and compare them |
| Puppeteer | takes screenshots in headless Chrome, works as a base for visual tests |
| Cypress | E2E tests + the option of visual snapshots via plugins |
They define a scenario (for example, "go to the page → click the button → take a snapshot").
3) Cloud platforms (enterprise level)
| Tool | Strong side |
|---|---|
| Percy (BrowserStack) | baseline storage, smart diffs, excellent CI integration |
| Applitools Eyes | AI-based visual comparison (not just pixel-by-pixel) |
| Chromatic (for Storybook) | ideal for component libraries and design systems |
These services are especially useful for large projects and teams.
Summary by category
| Type | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Open-source (BackstopJS, Jest Image Snapshot) | for local control, small and medium projects |
| Playwright / Cypress | when E2E tests already exist and a visual layer is needed |
| Percy / Applitools / Chromatic | for large projects and CI processes with team development |
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