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Testing · head to head

Percy vs Zephyr Scale

Percy logo

Percy

Testing

Visual regression testing owned by BrowserStack, with a permanent free tier for low screenshot volume

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zephyr Scale logo

Zephyr Scale

Testing

Native test management for Jira

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Percy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Percy pixel-based diffing generates more false positives from font rendering and anti-aliasing noise than Applitools' AI-based comparison, which trains some teams to start ignoring diff alerts over time.; Zephyr Scale tightly bound to Jira; limited standalone functionality outside Jira ecosystem
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Percy and Zephyr Scale actually diverge.

Attributes where Percy and Zephyr Scale differ
AttributePercyZephyr Scale
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelFreemium, paid tiers by screenshot volumequote
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: platforms (Web), 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 Percy

  • Screenshot diffing
  • Framework integrations
  • Responsive and cross-browser snapshots
  • Review workflow
  • Build history
  • BrowserStack platform integration

Only in Zephyr Scale

Nothing recorded that Percy does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Percy

  • A team already on BrowserStack for device testing that wants to add visual regression without a separate vendor relationshipnot Zephyr Scale
  • A low-traffic project that can run indefinitely on the 5,000-screenshot free tier without paying anythingnot Zephyr Scale
  • A team wanting a lower cost per screenshot than Applitools and willing to tolerate more manual false-positive triagenot Zephyr Scale
  • A Cypress or Playwright test suite adding visual checks without changing its existing test runnernot Zephyr Scale

Zephyr Scale

  • Test case management within Jira workflowsnot Percy
  • Manual and automated test execution trackingnot Percy
  • Cross-project test asset reusenot Percy
  • Requirements traceability from stories to testsnot Percy
  • CI/CD pipeline and BDD framework integrationnot Percy

Where each one falls short

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

Percy

  • Pixel-based diffing generates more false positives from font rendering and anti-aliasing noise than Applitools' AI-based comparison, which trains some teams to start ignoring diff alerts over time.
  • It is billed separately from core BrowserStack device testing, and stacking Percy with other BrowserStack modules such as Accessibility Testing materially increases total contract value beyond the headline device testing price.
  • Paid tier pricing above the free tier is not transparently published as a fixed number, requiring a quote to know actual cost at scale.
  • The free tier's 5,000-screenshot cap is easy to exceed for any team running visual tests across multiple browsers and viewports on every commit, pushing many active projects into a paid tier faster than the free number suggests.
  • As part of a larger acquired portfolio, Percy's roadmap priority within BrowserStack's broader product strategy is less certain than it would be as a standalone company's sole focus.

Zephyr Scale

  • Tightly bound to Jira; limited standalone functionality outside Jira ecosystem
  • No-code automation features limited in Standard tier, expanded only in Advanced
  • Data residency feature unavailable for Essential tier, limiting enterprise compliance
  • Transparent cost structure not provided on marketing page

Pricing, plan by plan

Percy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 5,000 screenshots a month
    • Unlimited users and projects
    • 30-day build history
  • Percy$undefined/month
    • Priced by screenshot volume above the free tier
    • Sold separately from core BrowserStack device testing plans
    • Get a current quote before assuming bundled pricing with other BrowserStack products

Zephyr Scale

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Zephyr Scale review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Percy if

  • You need screenshot diffing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want framework integrations.
Percy review

Choose Zephyr Scale if

Nothing in the data separates Zephyr Scale from Percy on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Zephyr Scale review

Questions people ask

Is Percy or Zephyr Scale better?
Neither clearly leads. Percy 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, Percy or Zephyr Scale?
Percy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Percy and On request for Zephyr Scale.
Does Percy or Zephyr Scale run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Percy for free?
Yes. Percy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zephyr Scale starts at On request.
What is Percy best used for?
Percy is most often used for a team already on browserstack for device testing that wants to add visual regression without a separate vendor relationship, a low-traffic project that can run indefinitely on the 5,000-screenshot free tier without paying anything, a team wanting a lower cost per screenshot than applitools and willing to tolerate more manual false-positive triage, a cypress or playwright test suite adding visual checks without changing its existing test runner. Of those, a team already on browserstack for device testing that wants to add visual regression without a separate vendor relationship and a low-traffic project that can run indefinitely on the 5,000-screenshot free tier without paying anything are not what Zephyr Scale is typically brought in for.
What can Percy do that Zephyr Scale cannot?
Percy covers Screenshot diffing, Framework integrations, Responsive and cross-browser snapshots, Review workflow.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Percy: Is Percy free?

Yes for up to 5,000 screenshots a month with unlimited users and projects; beyond that it is a paid, quote-priced module.

Zephyr Scale: How much does Zephyr Scale cost?

Zephyr Scale pricing is not published on the website. Three tiers are available: Essential, Standard, and Advanced, plus QMetry for Jira. Contact SmartBear or visit Atlassian Marketplace for pricing details.

Source
Percy: Is Percy included if I already pay for BrowserStack device testing?

No, it is billed separately by screenshot volume, not bundled into core device testing plans.

Zephyr Scale: Is there a free trial available?

Yes, Zephyr offers free trials for Essential, Standard, and Advanced tiers, as well as for QMetry. Visit the product page to start a trial.

Source
Percy: How does it compare to Applitools?

Percy uses pixel-based diffing, which is generally cheaper per screenshot but produces more false positives than Applitools' AI-based perceptual comparison.

Zephyr Scale: Does Zephyr Scale work outside of Jira?

Zephyr Scale is tightly integrated with Jira for test management. For standalone test management outside Jira, SmartBear offers QMetry as an alternative.

Source
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