Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
Mocha vs SuperTest: What are the differences?
Mocha vs SuperTest: Key Differences
Mocha and SuperTest are two popular tools used in JavaScript testing. While they both serve the purpose of testing and are often used together, there are several key differences between them. Here are the top six differences:
Testing Framework vs Testing Library: Mocha is a testing framework that provides a structure and environment for running tests, whereas SuperTest is a library used for making HTTP requests and validating responses.
Test Runner vs HTTP Assertion Library: Mocha acts as a test runner, executing test cases and generating reports, while SuperTest focuses on making HTTP requests and providing assertions for the responses.
Support for Different Assertion Libraries: Mocha allows developers to use various assertion libraries like Chai, Should.js, or Expect.js, providing flexibility in writing assertions. On the other hand, SuperTest has built-in assertion methods, reducing the need for using additional assertion libraries.
Integration Testing vs Unit Testing: Mocha is commonly used for unit testing, allowing developers to test individual components or functions in isolation. SuperTest, on the other hand, is mainly used for integration testing, where the interaction between different components or services is tested.
Targeted Use Case: Mocha is often used for testing backend code, including server-side logic, APIs, and database operations. SuperTest, on the other hand, is specifically designed for testing HTTP-based APIs, making it a popular choice for testing web applications.
API Request Simplicity: SuperTest simplifies the process of making API requests by providing a fluent API and chaining methods, resulting in concise and readable test code. Mocha, being a testing framework, requires additional setup and configuration for making API requests, resulting in slightly more complex test code.
In summary, Mocha and SuperTest differ in their purpose and usage. Mocha is a testing framework used for unit testing backend code, while SuperTest is a library specifically designed for testing HTTP-based APIs with a focus on simplicity and concise code.
We use Mocha for our FDA verification testing. It's integrated into Meteor, our upstream web application framework. We like how battle tested it is, its' syntax, its' options of reporters, and countless other features. Most everybody can agree on mocha, and that gets us half-way through our FDA verification and validation (V&V) testing strategy.
Pros of Mocha
- Open source137
- Simple102
- Promise support81
- Flexible48
- Easy to add support for Generators29
- For browser and server testing12
- Curstom assertion libraries7
- Works with Karma5
- No other better tools3
- Simple setup1
- Works with saucelabs1
- Lots of tutorials and help online1
- Default reporter is nice, clean, and itemized1
- Works with BrowserStack1
- Simple integration testing1
Pros of SuperTest
Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions
Cons of Mocha
- Cannot test a promisified functions without assertion3
- No assertion count in results2
- Not as many reporter options as Jest1
Cons of SuperTest
Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions
What is Mocha?
What is SuperTest?
Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
What companies use SuperTest?
Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions
What tools integrate with Mocha?
What tools integrate with SuperTest?
Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions
Blog Posts
+29
+33