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Testing · head to head

Cypress vs Detox

Cypress logo

Cypress

Testing

JavaScript end-to-end testing framework with browser-based runner and cloud service

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Detox logo

Detox

Testing

Open source end-to-end testing framework for React Native apps, built and maintained by Wix

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Cypress limited to web applications; mobile and desktop app testing not supported; Detox it only benefits React Native apps; teams with native iOS, native Android, or non-React-Native hybrid apps get no advantage from its core gray-box synchronisation design and should use Appium instead.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cypress and Detox actually diverge.

Attributes where Cypress and Detox differ
AttributeCypressDetox
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, LinuxiOS, Android

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Testing).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Cypress

Nothing recorded that Detox does not also cover.

Only in Detox

  • Gray-box synchronisation
  • React Native native integration
  • Real device and simulator support
  • Jest integration
  • Element matching and actions
  • CI-friendly execution

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cypress

  • End-to-end testing for modern JavaScript web applicationsnot Detox
  • Continuous integration pipelines with parallelised test executionnot Detox
  • Visual regression testing and accessibility verificationnot Detox
  • Flaky test detection and eliminationnot Detox
  • Team collaboration on test maintenance and debuggingnot Detox

Detox

  • A React Native team wanting end-to-end tests that reliably wait for real app state rather than fixed sleep delaysnot Cypress
  • A CI pipeline running mobile end-to-end tests that need to be genuinely reliable, not flaky, to avoid blocking merges on false failuresnot Cypress
  • A team migrating from Appium-based React Native testing wanting tighter synchronisation with the app's async internalsnot Cypress
  • An engineering organisation wanting a free, actively used-in-production framework rather than a lightly maintained side projectnot Cypress

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Cypress

  • Limited to web applications; mobile and desktop app testing not supported
  • Free tier capped at 500 test results/month; insufficient for most development teams
  • Paid features (flake detection, analytics) not included in free tier
  • JavaScript/TypeScript focused; less suitable for polyglot organisations

Detox

  • It only benefits React Native apps; teams with native iOS, native Android, or non-React-Native hybrid apps get no advantage from its core gray-box synchronisation design and should use Appium instead.
  • As a single-company open source project, its long-term maintenance priority is tied to Wix's own continued internal use of React Native and Detox, which is a real, if currently low, dependency risk.
  • Initial setup, particularly around build configuration for iOS and Android, has a steeper learning curve than some competing frameworks, with configuration errors being a common source of early frustration.
  • Its community and plugin ecosystem is smaller than Appium's broader, foundation-governed mobile automation ecosystem.
  • Debugging synchronisation issues when the gray-box mechanism misjudges app idle state can itself be a non-trivial troubleshooting exercise, ironically producing the same kind of flaky-test debugging it is designed to avoid.

Pricing, plan by plan

Cypress

Free
  • Starter (Free)Free
    • 500 test results/month
    • 100 prompt executions/month
    • Parallelisation
  • Team$67/month
    • 120k test results/year
    • 9k prompt executions/year
    • Flake detection
  • Business$267/month
    • 120k test results/year
    • 24k prompt executions/year
    • Spec prioritisation
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • 1.8M test results/year
    • 60k prompt executions/year
    • Unlimited users

Detox

Free
  • DetoxFree
    • Full functionality, no usage limits
    • Community support via GitHub
    • Built and maintained by Wix for its own internal React Native testing needs

Which should you pick?

Choose Cypress if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, Linux.
Cypress review

Choose Detox if

  • You need gray-box synchronisation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want react native native integration.
Detox review

Questions people ask

Is Cypress or Detox better?
Neither clearly leads. Cypress starts at Free and Detox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cypress or Detox?
Cypress starts at Free and Detox at Free.
Does Cypress or Detox run on more platforms?
Cypress runs on macOS, Windows, Linux. Detox runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Cypress for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Cypress best used for?
Cypress is most often used for end-to-end testing for modern javascript web applications, continuous integration pipelines with parallelised test execution, visual regression testing and accessibility verification, flaky test detection and elimination. Of those, end-to-end testing for modern javascript web applications and continuous integration pipelines with parallelised test execution are not what Detox is typically brought in for.
What can Cypress do that Detox cannot?
Detox covers Gray-box synchronisation, React Native native integration, Real device and simulator support, Jest integration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cypress: Is Cypress free?

Yes, Cypress offers a free Starter plan with 500 test results per month, 100 prompt executions monthly, 50 users, and 30-day data retention. No credit card is required.

Source
Detox: Is Detox owned by Wix?

Yes, it is built and maintained by Wix as an open source project, used internally across Wix's own React Native apps.

Cypress: How much does Cypress Team cost?

Cypress Team costs $67 per month when billed monthly or $799 per year for annual billing (11% savings). It includes 120,000 annual test results, 9,000 yearly prompt executions, 50 users, 90-day data retention, flake detection, Jira integration, and email support.

Source
Detox: Does Detox work with native iOS or Android apps, not just React Native?

It is specifically designed around React Native's architecture; for native or non-React-Native hybrid apps, Appium is the more appropriate choice.

Cypress: What is the difference between Cypress Team and Business?

Cypress Business costs $267 per month (or $3,199 annually) compared to Team's $67/month ($799/year). Business provides twice the prompt executions (24,000 vs. 9,000 yearly), spec prioritization, auto-cancellation, and enterprise GitHub/GitLab support.

Source
Detox: Is Detox free?

Yes, entirely open source with no licence fee.

Cypress: Can I purchase additional test results on Cypress?

Yes, Cypress allows purchasing bundled on-demand test results. Team costs $6 per 1,000 results, Business costs $5 per 1,000, and Enterprise pricing is custom. Open-source projects qualify for complimentary cloud services.

Source
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