Chromatic vs Playwright:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Playwright had more branded searches than Chromatic among visual regression testing tools worldwide. Playwright had about 49,100 branded searches, while Chromatic had 400. Playwright made up 86.1% of all visual regression testing tool searches we track, and Chromatic accounted for 0.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about visual regression testing tools, Playwright appeared in all five answers and Chromatic in four. Playwright was mentioned before Chromatic in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Playwright, about 123 searches for every 1 for Chromatic
Who does AI mention more?
Playwright, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Playwright, named ahead of Chromatic in 3 of 4 answers
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Top visual regression testing tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Playwright appeared in all five answers. Chromatic was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Playwright was listed before Chromatic in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Playwright1st
Chromatic2nd
Percy3rd
Applitools4th- BackstopJS5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Playwright5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Chromatic4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Percy4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Applitools3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- BackstopJS2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about visual regression testing tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which visual regression testing tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best visual regression testing tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best visual regression testing tool for catching ui changes?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“visual regression testing tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ui testing software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Chromatic or Playwright more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Chromatic and Playwright by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five visual regression testing tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Playwright, Chromatic. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Playwright | Applitools | BackstopJS | Chromatic | Percy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 82.9% | 13.1% | 2.6% | 0.87% | 0.52% |
| Nov 2025 | 83.4% | 12.9% | 2.5% | 0.72% | 0.51% |
| Dec 2025 | 82.9% | 13.8% | 2.1% | 0.63% | 0.55% |
| Jan 2026 | 74.6% | 22.5% | 2% | 0.59% | 0.39% |
| Feb 2026 | 82.1% | 14.3% | 2.3% | 0.73% | 0.57% |
| Mar 2026 | 82.3% | 13.6% | 2.7% | 0.77% | 0.65% |
| Apr 2026 | 83% | 13.7% | 2.2% | 0.63% | 0.44% |
| May 2026 | 86.2% | 10.5% | 2% | 0.78% | 0.51% |
| Jun 2026 | 89.4% | 7.8% | 1.8% | 0.59% | 0.37% |
| Jul 2026 | 88.3% | 8.8% | 1.8% | 0.66% | 0.52% |
| Aug 2026 | 90.8% | 6.8% | 1.4% | 0.58% | 0.49% |
| Sep 2026 | 86.1% | 11.6% | 1.3% | 0.7% | 0.37% |
How has the Chromatic and Playwright comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Playwright was ahead of Chromatic in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chromatic’s share of searches among visual regression testing tools worldwide moved from 0.87% to 0.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 440 to 400.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Playwright’s share of searches among visual regression testing tools worldwide moved from 82.9% to 86.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 41.7K to 49.1K.
How did search popularity change for visual regression testing tools worldwide in September 2026?
1 change

In September 2026, Playwright lost share of searches among visual regression testing tools worldwide, from 90.8% to 86.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chromatic’s and Playwright’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Chromatic
2 branded search terms
- chromatic testing
- chromatic visual regression testing
Playwright
3 branded search terms
- playwright automation
- playwright python
- playwright test
Other head-to-heads among visual regression testing tools

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