Best React Testing Libraries and Tools of 2022

Testing is vital for any application, it ensures everything is working according to the project plan by verifying what was specified and what we are going to deliver to the end-users. In general, it helps developers to determine whether the app meets functional, performance, and UI requirements as per specification or not. 

The same applies to the React ecosystem- A popular JavaScript framework that abstracts the view layer of an application. With React, it's super easy to build the UI of any web application irrespective of its complexity. 

The React community has provided multiple libraries to test React components in the app. So let's begin exploring the following powerful testing libraries and tools of 2022.

Top React testing libraries and tools,

1. Cypress.io: An end-to-end testing framework for anything that runs in the browser.
2. Jest: JavaScript testing framework created and maintained by Facebook.
3. Enzyme: JavaScript testing utility for React that makes it easier to test react component output.
4. React testing library: Test library for react components that works at the top of DOM. 
5. Mocha: Javascript test framework for Node.js program with browser support.

Chai: Chai is a BDD/TDD assertion library used to test Node.js and browser-based apps

Also read our other React.js related blogs

• Top Five Reasons to use Node.js with React.js for Web Development
• A Sneak Peek at React Router Fundamentals
• 10 Best Practices for React Developers

‍

List of best React testing libraries and tools of 2022 by popularity.

1.Cypress (38.5k stars)

Cypress is an end-to-end testing framework that is used to set up, write, run, and debug tests in a browser for any front-end framework making tests easier and highly comfortable. 

Who uses Cypress?

Cypress is used by 413 companies across the world in their tech stack, including Bitpanda, Hepsiburada, Circle CI, Revolut, and BaseDash.

Why is it so popular?

Cypress has an intuitive interface that helps developers to debug tests step by step and see the state of the UI while inspecting elements, API, payloads, etc.

• Enables you to unit tests, write end-to-end tests, and perform integration tests. 
• It supports the Mocha JS framework.
• It is simple to use and has great documentation.
• Can be easily used with CI (continuous integration) tools.

How to Install it?

npm install for Mac, Linux and Windows

npm install cypress --save-dev

Yarn install

yarn add cypress --dev

‍

2.Jest  (39k stars)

Jest is the most popular Javascript testing framework created and maintained by Facebook. It is developed to work with Babel, TypeScript, Node.js, React.js, Angular, Vue, and more!

Who uses Jest?

• It has already crossed 50m downloads in the last month and is used in over 3,898,000 public repositories on GitHub. 
• Jest is extensively used at Airbnb, Uber, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and other big companies.

Why is it so popular?

• Keeping track of large test cases is relatively easy with the Jest snapshot capturing feature.
• Can also conduct parallelization, and async method tests. 
• It is easy to learn, requires zero setups, and has great performance.
• Has standard syntax with a report guide.

 How to Install?

Installation with yarn.

yarn add --dev jestM

Installation with npm.

npm install --save-dev jest

‍

3.Enzyme ( 19.9k stars )

Enzyme is the JavaScript testing utility for React that simplifies testing react components’ output, and abstracting and rendering of the component. It was developed at Airbnb and then transferred to an independent organization.

The utility is frequently used with Jest, Mocha, Karma, and many other testing libraries. It's hard to work on the React app testing with a testing library like Jest without using Enzyme. The combination of Jest and Enzyme can help developers in creating smooth and flexible workflows.

Who uses Enzyme?

According to Stack Share, more than 106 companies reportedly use enzymes that include, Airbnb, Stack, Caredoc, Dixa, and more.

Why is it so popular?

The enzyme is the 1st choice of many developers for React app testing. Almost 1/3rd of React applications are still being tested using Enzyme. Other than that the utility uses shallow rendering and full DOM rendering. It allows developers to access React cpmponents. The utility lets you know exactly where the issue occurs, so you can easily find and mitigate it.

How to Install?

You will need to install the enzyme and the adapter corresponding to the react version. So, if you are using React 16, you can run.

npm i --save-dev enzyme enzyme-adapter-react-16

Each adapter you are using may have additional peer dependencies, so you need to install them as well. 

‍

4.React testing library  (16.4 stars)

The library is used for testing React components, it works on the top of the react-dom testing library. The library simulates user behavior in the test similar to Enzyme.

Who uses the React testing library?

Reportedly 71 companies are using React testing library in their tech stack, a few of them are Graphy, Ze Delivery, Commercetools, Hivebrite, MPB, and Page Builder.

Why is it so popular?

• It works best for unit and integration testing.
• Has a complete set of DOM testing utilities.
• Can be integrated with the popular frameworks- React, Angular, and Vue.
• Refactoring components implementation doesn’t break your test.

How to Install it?

npm installation

npm install --save-dev @testing-library/react

Yarn installation

yarn add --dev @testing-library/react

‍

5.Mocha (21.4 stars)

Mocha is the feature-rich JavaScript test framework for Node.js with browser support. It simplifies asynchronous testing and test coverage reporting. Overall it gives full control over how you want to test your code by allowing the max level of flexibility.  

Similar to Jest, Mocha can be combined with Enzyme and Chai for the assertion and Sinon for spies and stub.

Who uses Mocha?

Mocha is used by 627 companies in their tech stack including Accenture, Coursera, Paralect, Typeform, and Asana.

Why is it so popular?

• The library supports asynchronous testing.
• Can be used for server and browser testing.
• Provides high testing flexibility.
• Has clear documentation and lots of tutorials.

How to Install?

Installing Mocha as a development dependency for your project.

npm install --save-dev mocha

Enzyme and Mocha together are a good combination to test a web app written in React.js.

‍

6.Chai (7.6 k stars)

Chai is a BDD/TDD assertion library that is used to test Node.js and browser-based apps and it can be paired with the other JS testing frameworks like Mocha + Enzyme and Jest + Enzyme.

Who uses Chai?

Reportedly more than 62 companies are using Chai as an assertion library, some of them are Brainhub, MOVILL, Payever, Socialbakers, Clovis, Isobar Commerce Center of Excellence, Lunchbox, Quality Minds GmbH, and Keepfy.

Why is it so popular?

• Supports BDD (Behavior Driven Development) which provides an expressive language and readable style and TDD (Test Driven Development) approaches that give a more classical feel.
• Chai has several interfaces that allow the developers to choose the most convenient one. 
• Easily integrates with other JavaScript testing frameworks and libraries.

How to Install?

npm installation

npm install --save-dev chai

Use within browser

 <script src="./node_modules/chai/chai.js"></script> 

‍

Wrapping up

In the article we have learned about the top testing tools and framework for React that helps developers to write good tests so that they can deliver the best user experience to the end-user. 

Having a good command over a few of these testing libraries enables you to write better test cases for React, which eventually gives you much-needed confidence while pushing your React-based product towards production. 

‍Want to accelerate your React app development?  Try DhiWise- The only ProCode app development platform supported by multiple tech stacks, empowering developers to build fantastic apps in minutes.