Why This Tool Is Not a Replacement for Playwright or Selenium

Rihario is not a replacement for Playwright, Selenium, or Cypress. It's a different approach - AI-powered exploration vs scripted automation. Use the right tool for each job: traditional tools for deterministic tests, Rihario for quick confidence checks.

The Fundamental Difference

Playwright/Selenium/Cypress: Scripted Automation

• You write scripts defining exact steps
• Tests are deterministic (same input = same output)
• Designed for CI/CD pipelines
• Can achieve high test coverage
• Requires maintenance when app changes
• Provides pass/fail status

Rihario: AI-Powered Exploration

• AI decides what to do based on what it sees
• Results are probabilistic (similar, not identical)
• Designed for manual pre-deployment checks
• Explores what it finds, doesn't guarantee coverage
• Adapts automatically to app changes
• Provides findings and evidence, not pass/fail

When to Use Each

Use Playwright/Selenium/Cypress When:

• You need deterministic tests - Same test must produce identical results every time
• CI/CD integration required - Tests must run in pipelines and block deployments
• Test coverage metrics needed - You need to report coverage percentages
• Specific scenarios must be tested - You need to verify exact behaviors
• Edge cases are critical - You need to test unusual scenarios
• Compliance/audit trails needed - You need proof of testing for regulations
• You have QA resources - You have people to write and maintain tests

Use Rihario When:

• You want quick confidence checks - Need to verify app works before deploying
• You don't want to write scripts - Prefer zero maintenance over determinism
• You ship fast - Need checks that don't slow down iteration
• You're solo or small team - Don't have QA resources for test maintenance
• You care about "feels broken" - More concerned about obvious issues than coverage
• You want AI to adapt - Prefer automatic adaptation over maintaining selectors
• You need exploratory testing - Want to discover issues, not just verify behaviors

Side-by-Side Comparison

Can You Use Both?

Absolutely. Many developers use both:

• Playwright for critical paths, edge cases, and CI/CD gates
• Rihario for quick pre-deployment checks and exploratory testing

They complement each other:

Common Misconceptions

"Rihario replaces Playwright"

No. They're different tools for different needs. Playwright is for deterministic, scripted tests. Rihario is for exploratory, AI-powered checks.

"I should migrate my Playwright tests to Rihario"

Don't. If you have working Playwright tests, keep them. Use Rihario for additional checks or situations where Playwright doesn't fit.

"Rihario is better because it doesn't require maintenance"

It's different, not necessarily better. You trade determinism and coverage for zero maintenance. Choose based on your needs.

"I need to choose one or the other"

No. Use both. They solve different problems and work well together.

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Solo Developer

Situation: You're building a SaaS app solo, shipping multiple times per week.

Best choice: Rihario for quick checks. Playwright would require too much maintenance and slow you down.

Scenario 2: Small Team with QA

Situation: You have a small team with dedicated QA resources.

Best choice: Both. Playwright for critical paths and CI/CD. Rihario for quick visual checks and exploratory testing.

Scenario 3: Enterprise Team

Situation: Large team, compliance requirements, need test coverage metrics.

Best choice: Playwright or Selenium. Rihario doesn't meet enterprise needs for coverage and compliance.

Migration Path

If you're considering moving from Playwright to Rihario:

• Don't replace existing tests - Keep what works
• Use Rihario for new checks - Add it for exploratory testing
• Evaluate over time - See which tool works better for which scenarios
• Use both as needed - They're complementary, not replacements

Summary

Rihario and Playwright/Selenium solve different problems:

• Playwright/Selenium: Deterministic, scripted tests for CI/CD and coverage
• Rihario: Exploratory, AI-powered checks for quick confidence

Use the right tool for each job. Many teams use both.

Next Steps

• Learn more about differences from traditional testing
• Read: Can I use this in CI/CD pipelines?
• Try Rihario to see how it differs