Jest vs. Mocha vs. Jasmine: Which Is Right for You?

If you are looking to incorporate an web automation testing framework into your testing strategy, you have probably asked yourself which is best: Jest vs. Mocha vs. Jasmine? Of course, determining which of these solutions is best for your team depends on your specific needs and the type of applications under test. 

There are numerous benefits of each, as well as differences between Jest vs. Mocha vs. Jasmine to consider when making your decision. 

In this blog, we will explore the benefits and differences of Jest vs. Mocha vs. Jasmine to equip you with the knowledge needed to make the right choice in framework for your team. 

Related Reading: Test Smarter, Not Harder: A Guide to Efficient Testing

What is Jest?

Jest is an open-source JavaScript testing framework that was originally developed to test React-based applications but has now become one of the most popular all-around web testing frameworks on the market. Jest supports websites created with TypeScript, Node, React, React Native, Angular, Vue, Babel, and more. 

Key Features of Jest

Jest was originally developed by Facebook with the goal of creating a testing framework with a user-friendly interface and testing environment. Jest is especially useful for applications with complex UI. 

Some of the key features and benefits of Jest include:

• Helps simplify the testing process with built-in auto-mocking capabilities, which makes it easier for testers to create mock functions and objects during testing. Jest also makes it easier to test complex scenarios.
• Snapshot Testing is a feature of Jest that allows testers to capture a snapshot of an application under test to help identify any unexpected changes. 
• The built-in reporting feature of Jest allows teams to analyze how their tests performed and pinpoint areas of the code that need to be refined.
• Jest supports parallel testing which makes for a faster all-around development and release cycle. 

Jest and Perfecto

With the combined power of Jest and Perfecto, testing teams can easily scale their JavaScript test suites and run across mobile and desktop web configurations in parallel in a secure, enterprise-grade cloud environment.

Perfecto provides the cloud testing environment and advanced reporting platform, and Jest brings a JavaScript-friendly test framework, allowing testers to easily create and automate web applications.

Related Reading: To learn more about the Jest and Perfecto integration, visit the Jest and Perfecto Framework Integration page.

What is Mocha?

Mocha is a JavaScript testing framework built to run on Node.js and in the browser. Mocha is one of the most popular JavaScript testing frameworks, known for its ability to simplify the testing process while being well suited for complex testing scenarios. 

Key Features of Mocha

Mocha was developed to test applications running on Node.js. Mocha provides a flexible and extensible testing environment. 

Some of the key features and benefits of Mocha include the following:

• Provides a flexible testing environment that is well-suited for testing complex scenarios.
• Mocha supports multiple JavaScript libraries, including Chai, Should.js, Express.js, and more.
• Mocha generates comprehensive test summary reports.
• Mocha supports both asynchronous and synchronous testing.
• Easy setup, with a simple and intuitive interface for writing test cases and viewing results.
• A wide range of plugins and integrations allow testers to customize the framework as needed.
• Teams can easily test a complex backend with Mocha. 

Mocha and Perfecto

Integrating Mocha with Perfecto is quick and easy, and requires the following npm packages:

• mocha
• chai
• perfecto-reporting
• selenium-webdriver

Learn more about the Mocha framework, including how to initialize and set up a Mocha project on the Mocha subsection of the Perfecto Help page. 

Jest vs. Mocha

Now that we have covered the highlights and key features of Jest and Mocha individually, let us do a quick comparison of Jest vs. Mocha. 

Jest vs. Mocha Features

• While Jet and Mocha are similar in their capabilities and in how testers interact with them, there are a few differences to note.
• Snapshot testing is a key native feature of Jest, whereas Mocha does not inherently include snapshot testing. It is possible to perform snapshot testing with Mocha, but additional tools are needed.
• Mocha fully supports ESM, whereas Jest only supports it in an experimental stage currently.

Jest vs. Mocha Performance

• Overall, Mocha tends to run faster and support speedier testing than Jest.
• That said, the configuration of tests plays into the speed of performance, so Mocha is not necessarily faster than Jest every time. If speed is your priority, Mocha is nevertheless the way to go.

Jest vs. Mocha Use Cases

• Both Jest and Mocha are designed for unit testing and integration testing.
• Jest’s snapshot testing capabilities make it the better choice for teams looking to compare tests side-by-side.

Jest vs. Mocha Integrations

• Jest functions as a standalone testing framework, while Mocha may require additional tools to perform certain functions.
• Jest is the better choice for teams looking for a standalone testing solution, while Mocha is the better option for those looking for greater flexibility and speed.

What is Jasmine?

Jasmine is a popular behavior-driven development (BDD) testing framework. Jasmine is an older framework compared to Jest and Mocha and is an open-source framework that comes in a single package. 

Key Features of Jasmine

Jasmine is a versatile framework—it is compatible with most frameworks and libraries and easily integrates with other tools. 

Some of the key features and benefits of Mocha include the following:

• Supports behavior-driven development (BDD).
• No need to import external libraries when running Jasmine. 
• Jasmine is compatible with more frameworks and libraries.
• Built-in assertions simplify the coding process.
• With Jasmine, scriptwriting is easy, making it an ideal framework for beginners as well as advanced coders.
• Jasmine does not depend on DOM, browsers, or any JavaScript framework.
• Jasmine is a recommended framework for teams looking to perform end-to-end testing. 
• Jasmine boasts strong community support, though Mocha surpasses it in this arena. 

Jasmine and Perfecto

Using Jasmine with Perfecto is as easy as setting up a regular Selenium test script. There are different tools you can use to interact with Perfecto via Jasmine, including Protractor and Selenium Webdriver. 

Learn more about the Jasmine framework, including how to initialize and set up a Jasmine project on the Jasmine subsection of the Perfecto Help page. 

Jest vs. Jasmine

Now that we have covered the highlights and key features of Jasmine, let us do a quick comparison of Jest vs. Jasmine. 

Jest vs. Jasmine Comparison: 

• Jest was originally developed to work with React, while Jasmine works better with Angular.js.
• Jest is the best choice for powerful, UI-heavy applications, whereas Jasmine is best for simpler applications.
• Both Jest and Jasmine include built-in assertions. Jest also includes auto-mocking features.
• Test runners are a built-in feature of Jest, whereas they are not available with the Jasmine framework. However, they can be installed separately. 
• Asynchronous testing works best with Jest vs. Jasmine. 
• Both Jest and Jasmine support behavior-driven development (BDD).

Related Reading: How to Choose the Right Cross-Browser Testing Tool For You

Bottom Line

Jest, Mocha, and Jasmine are all powerful open-source web testing frameworks, and each come with their own unique benefits and capabilities. Choosing the right one for you all depends on your team’s needs. 

Regardless of whether you choose Jest vs. Mocha vs. Jasmine, Perfecto pairs perfectly with each of these frameworks, offering continuous end-to-end testing and support. 

When paired with Perfecto, testers and developers can release high-quality apps with ease while experiencing the following benefits:

• Boosted test coverage.
• Parallel testing for faster test executions.
• Stable and scalable test automation.
• And more.

Experience the industry’s most trusted testing platform for yourself by signing up for a free 14-day trial today. 

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