Head-to-Head: Puppeteer vs Zombie Analysis

puppeteer

v23.11.1(2 days ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 6Monthly npm downloads

Puppeteer is a Node.js library that provides a high-level API for controlling headless Chrome or Chromium browsers. It allows you to automate tasks like web scraping, testing, and generating screenshots of web pages. Puppeteer offers a rich set of features, including the ability to interact with web pages, simulate user actions, and capture network traffic.

Alternatives:
playwright+
selenium-webdriver+
cypress+
testcafe+
nightwatch+
webdriverio+
taiko+
protractor+
casperjs+
robotframework+

Tags: node.jsweb automationheadless browserweb scrapingtesting

zombie

v6.1.4(about 6 years ago)

This package was last published over a year ago. It may not be actively maintained.The package doesn't have any types definitionsNumber of direct dependencies: 12Monthly npm downloads

Zombie is a headless browser testing framework for Node.js, designed for automating browser interactions and testing web applications. It allows developers to simulate user actions like clicking, form filling, and navigation without the need for a graphical interface. Zombie provides a simple API for writing tests and supports various features like cookies, local storage, and HTTPS. It is particularly useful for testing client-side JavaScript applications and ensuring their functionality.

Alternatives:
puppeteer+
playwright+
selenium-webdriver+
cypress+
testcafe+
nightwatch+
webdriverio+
taiko+
protractor+
casperjs+

Tags: node.jstestingheadless-browserautomationweb

Fight!

Popularity

Puppeteer is a widely popular and widely used npm package for automating web browsers. It has a large community and is actively maintained. Zombie, on the other hand, is less popular and has a smaller community.

Functionality

Both Puppeteer and Zombie are used for browser automation and testing. Puppeteer is built on top of the Chrome DevTools Protocol and provides a powerful API for controlling and interacting with Chrome or Chromium browsers. It supports a wide range of features and provides excellent support for modern web technologies. Zombie, on the other hand, is a lightweight browser automation library that simulates a browser environment using Node.js. It provides a simpler API and is suitable for basic automation tasks.

Browser Support

Puppeteer supports Chrome and Chromium browsers, which are widely used and have excellent support for modern web standards. Zombie, on the other hand, simulates a browser environment using Node.js and does not rely on an actual browser. This makes it more lightweight but also means that it may not fully support all modern web technologies or accurately simulate browser behavior in all cases.

Performance

Puppeteer is known for its excellent performance and speed. It leverages the power of Chrome or Chromium browsers to execute tasks efficiently. Zombie, being a lightweight library, may not have the same level of performance as Puppeteer, especially for complex automation tasks or heavy web pages.

Developer Experience

Puppeteer provides a well-documented and easy-to-use API, making it beginner-friendly and suitable for developers of all levels. It also has a large community, which means there are plenty of resources and support available. Zombie, while simpler in terms of API, may have a steeper learning curve and fewer resources available due to its smaller community.

Maintenance

Both Puppeteer and Zombie are actively maintained, but Puppeteer has a larger community and is backed by Google, which ensures regular updates and improvements. Zombie, being less popular, may have a slower update cycle and fewer contributors.