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Testing · head to head

Detox vs Hasura

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
Hasura logo

Hasura

APIs

GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Hasura active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • They diverge on capability: Detox covers Gray-box synchronisation, Hasura covers GraphQL API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Detox and Hasura actually diverge.

Attributes where Detox and Hasura differ
AttributeDetoxHasura
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefreemium
PlatformsiOS, AndroidWeb
CategoryTestingAPIs
FoundedUnknown2017

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

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 Detox

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

Only in Hasura

  • GraphQL API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Access control
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Webhooks
  • REST APIs
  • Cloud support

What people use each for

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

Detox

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

Hasura

  • Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot Detox
  • Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot Detox
  • Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot Detox
  • Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot Detox

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Hasura

  • Active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • Private DDN requires Base or Advanced plan

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Hasura

Free
  • DDN FreeFree
    • Unlimited models
    • 1 supergraph developer
    • 15-minute observability retention
  • DDN Base$5/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Unlimited developers
    • 30-day observability retention
  • DDN Advanced$30/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Federated collaboration
    • Multi-repo CI/CD

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Hasura if

  • You need graphql api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want real-time subscriptions.
Hasura review

Questions people ask

Is Detox or Hasura better?
Neither clearly leads. Detox starts at Free and Hasura at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Detox or Hasura?
Detox starts at Free and Hasura at Free.
Does Detox or Hasura run on more platforms?
Detox runs on iOS, Android. Hasura runs on Web.
Can I use Detox for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Detox best used for?
Detox is most often used for a react native team wanting end-to-end tests that reliably wait for real app state rather than fixed sleep delays, a ci pipeline running mobile end-to-end tests that need to be genuinely reliable, not flaky, to avoid blocking merges on false failures, a team migrating from appium-based react native testing wanting tighter synchronisation with the app's async internals, an engineering organisation wanting a free, actively used-in-production framework rather than a lightly maintained side project. Of those, a react native team wanting end-to-end tests that reliably wait for real app state rather than fixed sleep delays and a ci pipeline running mobile end-to-end tests that need to be genuinely reliable, not flaky, to avoid blocking merges on false failures are not what Hasura is typically brought in for.
What can Detox do that Hasura cannot?
Detox covers Gray-box synchronisation, React Native native integration, Real device and simulator support, Jest integration. Hasura covers GraphQL API, Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

Hasura: How much does Hasura cost?

Hasura DDN Free is free. DDN Base starts at $5/active model/month, and DDN Advanced starts at $30/active model/month.

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.

Hasura: What is an active model in Hasura pricing?

An active model is defined as any model or command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly.

Source
Detox: Is Detox free?

Yes, entirely open source with no licence fee.

Hasura: Is there a free version of Hasura?

Yes, Hasura DDN Free is always free and includes unlimited models, 1 supergraph developer, and 15-minute observability retention.

Source
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