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Testing · head to head

Percy vs TestNG

Percy logo

Percy

Testing

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TestNG logo

TestNG

Testing

Java testing framework created by Cedric Beust, still actively maintained but effectively a single-lead project

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; TestNG maintainership is concentrated around creator Cedric Beust rather than a broad team or foundation, which is a real continuity risk compared to JUnit's independent team or Jest's foundation backing.
  • They diverge on capability: Percy covers Screenshot diffing, TestNG covers Test dependencies.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Percy and TestNG actually diverge.

Attributes where Percy and TestNG differ
AttributePercyTestNG
Pricing modelFreemium, paid tiers by screenshot volumeOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWebLinux, macOS, Windows

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 Percy

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

Only in TestNG

  • Test dependencies
  • XML suite configuration
  • Native parallel execution
  • Data providers
  • Grouping
  • Flexible reporting

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 TestNG
  • A low-traffic project that can run indefinitely on the 5,000-screenshot free tier without paying anythingnot TestNG
  • A team wanting a lower cost per screenshot than Applitools and willing to tolerate more manual false-positive triagenot TestNG
  • A Cypress or Playwright test suite adding visual checks without changing its existing test runnernot TestNG

TestNG

  • A Java integration test suite that needs to skip dependent tests automatically when a prerequisite test failsnot Percy
  • A team wanting XML-based suite configuration to manage large, grouped test suites without touching code for each runnot Percy
  • A project needing native parallel test execution at the class or method level without adding a separate pluginnot Percy
  • A Selenium-based UI test suite that uses TestNG as the underlying runner for grouping and parallelisationnot 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.

TestNG

  • Maintainership is concentrated around creator Cedric Beust rather than a broad team or foundation, which is a real continuity risk compared to JUnit's independent team or Jest's foundation backing.
  • It is a smaller ecosystem than JUnit, so fewer third-party integrations, tutorials and Stack Overflow answers exist for edge cases.
  • XML-based suite configuration, while powerful, is an extra file and syntax to maintain alongside the codebase, which some teams find adds friction JUnit's more code-centric model avoids.
  • There is no commercial support tier or vendor relationship of any kind, unlike JUnit's OpenElements arrangement, so an enterprise wanting a support contract has no route to buy one.
  • Release cadence, while active, is slower and less frequent than JUnit 5's, since it depends on a much smaller pool of active maintainers.

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

TestNG

Free
  • TestNGFree
    • Full functionality, no usage limits
    • Community support via GitHub
    • No commercial support tier exists

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 TestNG if

  • You need test dependencies.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want xml suite configuration.
TestNG review

Questions people ask

Is Percy or TestNG better?
Neither clearly leads. Percy starts at Free and TestNG at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Percy or TestNG?
Percy starts at Free and TestNG at Free.
Does Percy or TestNG run on more platforms?
Percy runs on Web. TestNG runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Percy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 TestNG is typically brought in for.
What can Percy do that TestNG cannot?
Percy covers Screenshot diffing, Framework integrations, Responsive and cross-browser snapshots, Review workflow. TestNG covers Test dependencies, XML suite configuration, Native parallel execution, Data providers.

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.

TestNG: Is TestNG still actively maintained in 2026?

Yes, it continues to receive releases in its 7.x line with support for current Java versions, though maintenance is concentrated around a small team led by its creator.

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.

TestNG: What does TestNG offer that JUnit does not?

Native test dependencies, XML-based suite configuration and built-in parallel execution without needing external plugins, all of which JUnit users typically add via separate libraries.

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.

TestNG: Is there a commercial support option for TestNG?

No, unlike JUnit there is no commercial support arrangement; support is purely community-based through GitHub.

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