15.3When to Choose What

Choose Playwright When

• Starting a new project with no existing test suite
• Team uses TypeScript, Python, Java, or C#
• Need cross-browser testing (including WebKit/Safari engine)
• Need network mocking, multi-tab, or advanced browser control
• Want built-in test infrastructure (runner, reporter, traces)

Keep Selenium When

• Large existing Selenium suite with years of investment
• Team uses Ruby, Go, or other languages Playwright does not support
• Need real Safari testing (not WebKit approximation)
• Organization mandates Selenium or uses Selenium Grid infrastructure
• Integrating with Appium for mobile native testing

Choose Cypress When

• Team is exclusively JavaScript/TypeScript
• Testing a single-page application
• Developer experience and fast feedback loop are the priority
• Do not need multi-tab or multi-origin testing
• In-runner AI authoring appeals to the team — Cypress v15's cy.prompt() and Cypress Studio lower the writing barrier