artillery vs k6
Load Testing Tools Comparison
1 Year
artilleryk6
What's Load Testing Tools?

Load testing tools are essential for evaluating the performance and scalability of web applications under various conditions. They simulate multiple users accessing the application simultaneously to identify bottlenecks, measure response times, and ensure the system can handle expected traffic. Both Artillery and k6 are popular choices for load testing, each offering unique features and capabilities tailored to different testing needs. Artillery is known for its simplicity and ease of use, while k6 provides a more powerful scripting environment and extensive performance metrics.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
artillery88,7648,254385 kB459a month agoMPL-2.0
k680,58626,823-708-AGPL-3.0
Feature Comparison: artillery vs k6

Scripting Language

  • artillery:

    Artillery uses a simple YAML configuration format for defining test scenarios, making it accessible for users who may not be familiar with programming. This allows for quick setup and execution of tests without needing extensive coding knowledge.

  • k6:

    k6 uses JavaScript for scripting test scenarios, providing a familiar environment for developers. This allows for greater flexibility and the ability to implement complex logic and custom metrics within tests.

Performance Metrics

  • artillery:

    Artillery provides basic performance metrics such as response times, throughput, and error rates. It generates detailed reports that can be easily interpreted, making it suitable for quick assessments of application performance.

  • k6:

    k6 offers extensive performance metrics, including detailed statistics on response times, request counts, and error rates. It also supports custom metrics and allows for real-time monitoring, making it ideal for in-depth performance analysis.

Integration and Ecosystem

  • artillery:

    Artillery integrates seamlessly with Node.js applications and can be easily incorporated into CI/CD pipelines. It also supports plugins for additional functionality, although its ecosystem is smaller compared to k6.

  • k6:

    k6 has a robust ecosystem with integrations for various tools such as Grafana, Prometheus, and cloud services. This allows for comprehensive monitoring and visualization of performance data, enhancing the testing workflow.

Community and Support

  • artillery:

    Artillery has a growing community and offers documentation that is straightforward and easy to follow. However, its community is smaller compared to k6, which may affect the availability of third-party resources.

  • k6:

    k6 has a larger community and extensive documentation, along with a variety of tutorials and examples. This makes it easier for users to find support and resources for more complex testing scenarios.

Ease of Use

  • artillery:

    Artillery is designed to be user-friendly, allowing users to quickly set up and run tests with minimal configuration. This makes it an excellent choice for teams looking to get started with load testing without a steep learning curve.

  • k6:

    k6, while powerful, has a steeper learning curve due to its scripting capabilities and configuration options. It is better suited for teams that require advanced testing features and are willing to invest time in learning the tool.

How to Choose: artillery vs k6
  • artillery:

    Choose Artillery if you need a straightforward, easy-to-use tool for load testing that integrates well with JavaScript and Node.js environments. It is ideal for quick tests and smaller projects where rapid setup and execution are priorities.

  • k6:

    Choose k6 if you require a more robust and feature-rich load testing solution that supports complex scenarios, extensive metrics, and scripting capabilities. It is well-suited for large-scale applications and teams that need detailed performance insights.

README for artillery

Artillery

Docs | Discussions

npm

Features

  • Test at cloud scale. Cloud-native distributed load testing at scale, out-of-the box. Scale out with AWS Lambda, AWS Fargate or Azure ACI. No DevOps needed, zero infrastructure to set up or manage.
  • Test with Playwright. Reuse existing Playwright tests and load test with real headless browsers.
  • Batteries-included. 20+ integrations for monitoring, observability, and CICD.
  • Test anything. HTTP, WebSocket, Socket.io, gRPC, Kinesis, and more.
  • Powerful workload modeling. Emulate complex user behavior with request chains, multiple steps, transactions, and more.
  • Extensible & hackable. Artillery has a plugin API to allow extending and customization.

Get started

Install Artillery

npm install -g artillery

Run your first test

Follow our 5-minute guide to run your first load test - https://www.artillery.io/docs/get-started/first-test

Learn more

Docs and guides

Integrations and plugins

We maintain a list of official and community-built integrations and plugins on our website: https://www.artillery.io/integrations.

Example tests

You can find a list of ready-to-run Artillery examples under examples/.