Software · head to head
Cypress vs Zephyr Scale
Cypress
Software
JavaScript end-to-end testing framework with browser-based runner and cloud service
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Cypress has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Cypress limited to web applications; mobile and desktop app testing not supported; Zephyr Scale split across separate Essential and Advanced editions plus a distinct Zephyr Enterprise on-premises product, so buyers must pick the right SKU before pricing applies
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Cypress and Zephyr Scale actually diverge.
| Attribute | Cypress | Zephyr Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | Web |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Zephyr Scale
- Continuous integration pipelines with parallelised test executionnot Zephyr Scale
- Visual regression testing and accessibility verificationnot Zephyr Scale
- Flaky test detection and eliminationnot Zephyr Scale
- Team collaboration on test maintenance and debuggingnot Zephyr Scale
Zephyr Scale
No use cases recorded yet. See the Zephyr Scale review.
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
Zephyr Scale
- Split across separate Essential and Advanced editions plus a distinct Zephyr Enterprise on-premises product, so buyers must pick the right SKU before pricing applies
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
Zephyr Scale
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Zephyr Scale review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Zephyr Scale if
Nothing in the data separates Zephyr Scale from Cypress on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Cypress or Zephyr Scale better?
- Neither clearly leads. Cypress starts at Free and Zephyr Scale at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Cypress or Zephyr Scale?
- Cypress has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Cypress and On request for Zephyr Scale.
- Does Cypress or Zephyr Scale run on more platforms?
- Cypress runs on macOS, Windows, Linux. Zephyr Scale runs on Web.
- Can I use Cypress for free?
- Yes. Cypress has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zephyr Scale starts at On request.
- 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 Zephyr Scale is typically brought in for.