Choosing the Right Automation Framework: Selenium vs Playwright

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In today’s fast-moving world of Quality Assurance (QA) automation, selecting the right testing framework is crucial to delivering reliable, scalable digital solutions. As we move through 2025, two leading tools continue to shape the automation landscape: Selenium, a long-established favourite, and Playwright, a newer but fast-growing contender developed by Microsoft.

At Sogeti, we’ve worked with both extensively across a wide range of industries and projects. This article offers a practical comparison to help you choose the best fit for your testing needs.

Meet the Frameworks

Selenium – The Reliable Workhorse

Selenium has been a cornerstone of web automation for over a decade. As an open-source framework, it supports multiple programming languages—Java, Python, C#, Ruby—and works across all major browsers.

Key Features:

Seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines: Easily connects with tools like Jenkins, Azure DevOps, and GitLab for continuous testing and deployment.
Supports both headless and headed execution: Offers flexibility for running tests in the background or with a visible browser interface.
Selenium Grid for parallel and distributed testing: Enables faster execution by running tests across multiple machines and environments simultaneously.
Extensive community support and documentation: Backed by a large, active user base and comprehensive resources for troubleshooting and learning.

Strengths:

Mature and well-supported
Flexible language options
Rich ecosystem of plugins and tools

Considerations:

Slower execution speeds
Tests can be brittle with dynamic DOMs
Not suitable for desktop application testing

Playwright – The Agile Newcomer

Playwright is a modern automation framework designed for today’s dynamic web applications. Developed by Microsoft, it supports JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, C#, and Java, and automates Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit browsers.

Key Features:

Automatic waiting for elements and actions: Reduces flakiness by waiting for elements to be ready before interacting with them, improving test reliability.
Native support for tabs, frames, and browser events: Handles complex user interactions and multi-page workflows with ease.
Built-in test runner and detailed tracing capabilities: Offers an all-in-one solution with built-in tools for writing, running, and debugging tests.
Supports both headless and headed execution modes: Allows for flexible test execution in development and CI environments.

Rich API for advanced automation scenarios: Provides powerful features for simulating user behaviour, intercepting network requests, and handling modern web app complexities.

Strengths:

Fast and reliable execution
Excellent support for modern web features
Simple setup and debugging
Rich API for advanced scenarios

Considerations:

Smaller community (but growing steadily)
Fewer third-party integrations (currently)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Selenium	Playwright
Language Support	Extensive (Java, Python, etc.)	Moderate (JS, Python, etc.)
Browser Support	Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge	Chromium, Firefox, WebKit
Speed	Moderate	Fast
Reliability	Medium	High
Community	Large	Growing
Modern Web Support	Limited	Excellent
Parallel Testing	Selenium Grid	Built-in

Which One Should You Choose, Selenium v Playwright?

Selenium might suit you better if:

You’re working with legacy systems
You need broad language support
You prefer a mature, well-established framework

Playwright might suit you better if:

You’re testing modern, dynamic web applications
You want faster, more reliable execution
You’re starting a new project and want cutting-edge capabilities

Our Perspective at Sogeti

Selenium vs Playwright isn’t about picking a winner—it’s about selecting the right tool for your specific context. Selenium remains a trusted solution for enterprise-grade automation, while Playwright offers speed and flexibility for modern web development.

At Sogeti, we bring deep expertise in both frameworks. Whether you’re modernising legacy platforms or building next-generation digital experiences, our QA specialists are here to guide your automation strategy with proven solutions and practical insights.

Let’s talk about your testing goals—we’ll help you find the right path forward.

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