Cypress vs Jest: Should I use both together?
Using both Cypress vs Jest in the same codebase is very common. Each has its strengths for unit, integration, or end-to-end (E2E) tests. With component libraries like Vue and React, the distinction between integration and unit tests can blur. We can use the same tools (Jest & Cypress) for both cases, which can be confusing.
I recommend testing “user stories” to ensure users can always perform key actions. For example:
- Can the user fill and submit a form?
- Can the user add products to the cart?
- Does the hamburger menu respond to clicks?
Some of these tests will involve one component, others multiple, and some the entire application. I prefer writing smaller tests (unit and integration) using Jest and the testing library because the quick feedback loop allows me to develop and run tests almost simultaneously.
Eventually, you’ll encounter cases with many moving parts where using Jest isn’t feasible. This is where Cypress excels, as it’s great for testing your end-to-end workflows.
This is an old question, but I wanted to clarify why you would use both Cypress and Jest. Having used both on multiple projects, I can say they each address separate testing concerns:
Jest Jest is for running unit tests. Unit tests uphold business logic or ensure your methods return the expected value for various cases. These tests are generally for methods in services but are not limited to them.
Cypress Cypress is for running end-to-end (E2E) or functional tests. Cypress specifically tests the UI by interacting with it and making assertions. Calls to the backend are generally stubbed, meaning you control the response in the test, as Cypress is not for testing the backend.
Together, Cypress vs Jest provides a complete testing solution for the front end.
I use Cypress for end-to-end (E2E) and component testing, focusing on behavior testing for these types. For unit testing, I use Jest to test the logic and business logic in the frontend.