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Cypress vs Strapi

Cypress logo

Cypress

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Strapi logo

Strapi

Software

Headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs

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; Strapi cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cypress and Strapi actually diverge.

Attributes where Cypress and Strapi differ
AttributeCypressStrapi
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, LinuxNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker
FoundedUnknown2015

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

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 Strapi does not also cover.

Only in Strapi

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Content management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • AWS
  • Webhooks

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 Strapi
  • Continuous integration pipelines with parallelised test executionnot Strapi
  • Visual regression testing and accessibility verificationnot Strapi
  • Flaky test detection and eliminationnot Strapi
  • Team collaboration on test maintenance and debuggingnot Strapi

Strapi

  • Running a self hosted headless CMS with a REST or GraphQL APInot Cypress
  • Giving editors a content admin panel over a custom content modelnot 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

Strapi

  • Cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • Starter at $35 a month allows 100,000 API requests, and overage is $1.50 per 25,000
  • Extra bandwidth is $30 per 100 GB and extra asset storage $0.60 per GB
  • Backups start at the Pro plan, weekly, and only become daily at Business
  • An uptime SLA is Business only, at $450 a month per project
  • Additional environments cost $60 a month on Pro and $300 a month on Business

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$267/month
    • 120k test results/year
    • 24k prompt executions/year
    • Spec prioritisation
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • 1.8M test results/year
    • 60k prompt executions/year
    • Unlimited users

Strapi

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted Strapi
    • Community support
  • Pro$99/monthly
    • Cloud hosting
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
  • Business$undefined/monthly
    • Enterprise features
    • Custom SLA
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Cypress if

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

Choose Strapi if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want graphql api.
Strapi review

Questions people ask

Is Cypress or Strapi better?
Neither clearly leads. Cypress starts at Free and Strapi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cypress or Strapi?
Cypress starts at Free and Strapi at Free.
Does Cypress or Strapi run on more platforms?
Cypress runs on macOS, Windows, Linux. Strapi runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
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 Strapi is typically brought in for.
What can Cypress do that Strapi cannot?
Strapi covers REST API, GraphQL API, Content management, PostgreSQL.
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