Top Related Projects
Windows Application Driver
Cross-platform automation framework for all kinds of apps, built on top of the W3C WebDriver protocol
A browser automation framework and ecosystem.
Fast, easy and reliable testing for anything that runs in a browser.
Next-gen browser and mobile automation test framework for Node.js
Quick Overview
Appium Desktop is a desktop application that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for the Appium Server, a popular open-source test automation framework for mobile apps. It allows developers and testers to easily set up, configure, and run Appium tests on their local machines.
Pros
- Intuitive GUI: Appium Desktop provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of setting up and running Appium tests, making it more accessible for non-technical users.
- Cross-platform Compatibility: The application is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing developers and testers to work on different operating systems.
- Integrated Appium Server: Appium Desktop includes the Appium Server, eliminating the need to set up and manage the server separately.
- Debugging and Inspection Tools: The application provides built-in tools for inspecting and debugging mobile app elements, making it easier to identify and fix issues during the testing process.
Cons
- Limited Customization: Appium Desktop has a relatively fixed set of features and options, which may not meet the needs of advanced users who require more customization.
- Performance Limitations: The application's performance can be affected by the complexity of the mobile apps being tested, especially on older or less powerful machines.
- Dependency on Appium Server: Appium Desktop is dependent on the Appium Server, and any issues or limitations with the server may impact the application's functionality.
- Potential Learning Curve: While the GUI is user-friendly, users who are new to Appium or mobile app testing may still need to invest time in learning the tool's features and capabilities.
Getting Started
To get started with Appium Desktop, follow these steps:
- Download the appropriate version of Appium Desktop for your operating system from the official website.
- Install the application on your machine.
- Launch Appium Desktop, and you will see the main interface.
- Configure the Appium Server settings, such as the port number and log level, according to your needs.
- Connect your mobile device or emulator to your machine.
- In the "Desired Capabilities" section, specify the details of your mobile app, such as the platform, device name, and app path.
- Click the "Start Server" button to launch the Appium Server and begin your testing session.
- Use the built-in tools, such as the Inspector and the Recorder, to interact with your mobile app and capture screenshots or recordings.
Remember to consult the Appium Desktop documentation for more detailed instructions and advanced usage scenarios.
Competitor Comparisons
Windows Application Driver
Pros of WinAppDriver
- Native support for Windows applications, providing better compatibility and performance for Windows-specific testing
- Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem tools and services
- Simpler setup process for Windows environments
Cons of WinAppDriver
- Limited to Windows platform, lacking cross-platform support
- Smaller community and fewer resources compared to Appium Desktop
- Less frequent updates and potentially slower bug fixes
Code Comparison
WinAppDriver:
var desiredCapabilities = new DesiredCapabilities();
desiredCapabilities.SetCapability("app", "Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App");
var session = new WindowsDriver<WindowsElement>(new Uri("http://127.0.0.1:4723"), desiredCapabilities);
Appium Desktop:
const caps = {
platformName: 'Windows',
app: 'Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App'
};
const driver = await wdio.remote({
hostname: '127.0.0.1',
port: 4723,
capabilities: caps
});
Both WinAppDriver and Appium Desktop offer automation solutions for Windows applications, but they cater to different needs. WinAppDriver excels in Windows-specific testing with tighter Microsoft integration, while Appium Desktop provides a more versatile, cross-platform approach with a larger community. The choice between them depends on the specific requirements of your testing environment and target applications.
Cross-platform automation framework for all kinds of apps, built on top of the W3C WebDriver protocol
Pros of Appium
- More flexible and customizable for advanced automation scenarios
- Supports a wider range of platforms and devices
- Better suited for integration into CI/CD pipelines
Cons of Appium
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Requires more setup and configuration
- Less user-friendly for those without programming experience
Code Comparison
Appium (JavaScript):
const driver = await wdio.remote(opts);
await driver.setImplicitTimeout(5000);
await driver.$('~app-icon').click();
await driver.deleteSession();
Appium Desktop (GUI-based):
No direct code comparison available as Appium Desktop
primarily uses a graphical interface for test creation
and execution.
Key Differences
Appium is a command-line tool and library for mobile app automation, while Appium Desktop provides a graphical user interface for easier test creation and execution. Appium offers more flexibility and control but requires more technical knowledge, whereas Appium Desktop is more user-friendly for beginners and those who prefer visual tools.
Appium is better suited for large-scale, complex automation projects and integration with development workflows. Appium Desktop is ideal for quick test creation, debugging, and smaller projects where ease of use is prioritized over advanced customization.
A browser automation framework and ecosystem.
Pros of Selenium
- Wider browser support, including Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer
- More mature and established ecosystem with extensive documentation and community support
- Better suited for web application testing across multiple browsers and platforms
Cons of Selenium
- Limited mobile testing capabilities compared to Appium Desktop
- Requires more setup and configuration for different browsers and drivers
- Less intuitive for beginners, especially those without programming experience
Code Comparison
Selenium (Python):
from selenium import webdriver
driver = webdriver.Chrome()
driver.get("https://www.example.com")
element = driver.find_element_by_id("search")
element.send_keys("test")
Appium Desktop (JavaScript):
const driver = await wdio.remote(opts);
await driver.navigateTo("https://www.example.com");
const element = await driver.$("~search");
await element.setValue("test");
Both Selenium and Appium Desktop are powerful tools for automated testing, but they serve different purposes. Selenium excels in web application testing across various browsers, while Appium Desktop is specifically designed for mobile app testing. The code examples demonstrate that both tools use similar concepts for interacting with web elements, but Appium Desktop's syntax is more tailored for mobile app testing scenarios.
Fast, easy and reliable testing for anything that runs in a browser.
Pros of Cypress
- Faster test execution and setup due to its architecture
- Built-in automatic waiting and retry-ability, reducing flaky tests
- Rich, interactive test runner with time-travel debugging
Cons of Cypress
- Limited cross-browser support (primarily focuses on Chrome-based browsers)
- Cannot test multiple domains or tabs in a single test
- Lacks native mobile testing capabilities
Code Comparison
Cypress example:
describe('Login', () => {
it('should log in successfully', () => {
cy.visit('/login')
cy.get('#username').type('user@example.com')
cy.get('#password').type('password123')
cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click()
cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard')
})
})
Appium Desktop example:
it('should log in successfully', async function() {
await driver.get('https://example.com/login')
await driver.findElement(By.id('username')).sendKeys('user@example.com')
await driver.findElement(By.id('password')).sendKeys('password123')
await driver.findElement(By.css('button[type="submit"]')).click()
expect(await driver.getCurrentUrl()).to.include('/dashboard')
})
Both Cypress and Appium Desktop are powerful tools for automated testing, but they serve different purposes. Cypress excels in web application testing with its modern, developer-friendly approach, while Appium Desktop offers broader support for mobile and desktop application testing across multiple platforms.
Next-gen browser and mobile automation test framework for Node.js
Pros of WebdriverIO
- More versatile, supporting both web and mobile testing
- Extensive ecosystem with plugins and integrations
- Active community and frequent updates
Cons of WebdriverIO
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Requires more setup and configuration
Code Comparison
WebdriverIO:
describe('My Login application', () => {
it('should login with valid credentials', async () => {
await browser.url('https://example.com/login');
await $('#username').setValue('myuser');
await $('#password').setValue('mypassword');
await $('button[type="submit"]').click();
await expect($('#logged-in')).toBeExisting();
});
});
Appium Desktop:
const driver = await wdio.remote(opts);
await driver.init();
await driver.url('https://example.com/login');
await driver.element('id', 'username').setValue('myuser');
await driver.element('id', 'password').setValue('mypassword');
await driver.element('css selector', 'button[type="submit"]').click();
await driver.waitForExist('#logged-in');
WebdriverIO offers a more concise and readable syntax, with built-in assertions and chaining. Appium Desktop relies on a more traditional Selenium-like approach, which may be familiar to some users but can be more verbose.
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[DEPRECATED]
Please use Appium Inspector and the command line version of Appium to inspect elements.
ââ This project is no longer maintained since it is not compatible with Appium 2.0+. For Appium 1.x and 2.0+, use the command line Appium server (see the Appium docs for installation and setup information), in combination with Appium Inspector.
ââ Since this project was deprecated at least one security vulnerability was discovered that could allow remote code execution by a malicious party if Appium Desktop's open ports are exposed to the wider internet. This project is unsupported and no fixes are planned. Again, please do not use Appium Desktop anymore. Use Appium and the Appium Inspector instead.
The old documentation for this project remains below.
Appium Desktop
Appium Desktop is an app for Mac, Windows, and Linux which gives you the power of the Appium automation server in a beautiful and flexible UI. It is basically a graphical interface for the Appium Server. You can set options, start/stop the server, see logs, etc... You also don't need to use Node/NPM to install Appium, as the Node runtime comes bundled with Appium Desktop.
Note: an inspector UI used to be included with Appium Desktop. It is now its own separate app: Appium Inspector.
Download Appium Desktop
You can always pick up the latest release of the Server GUI at our Release page on GitHub.
If you're on Windows or macOS, Appium Desktop will automatically provide you with updated versions of the app when they are released. If you encounter a problem updating, simply delete or uninstall the app and re-download the latest from the link above.
Note that Appium Desktop is not the same thing as Appium. Appium Desktop is a graphical frontend to Appium with additional tools. Appium Desktop is released on its own cadence and has its own versioning system. If you are reporting an issue with Appium Desktop, always be sure to include both the version of Appium Desktop and the version of the Appium Server which is in use (see below).
If you're on macOS, you will need to install Appium Desktop apps by copying the app from the downloaded DMG file to your own file system (the best place is the "Applications" folder). Running Appium from in side the attached DMG itself is not supported, and will not work.
Installing on macOS
If you're using the desktop app on macOS, when you run it you may be greeted with some error about
the app not being able to be opened, or not verified by Apple, or something similar. The easiest
way to get around this is to run xattr -cr on the file you downloaded. So let's say you
downloaded Appium-Server-GUI-mac-<version>.dmg and copy Appium Server GUI.app in
/Applications inside the disk image. Then you would run xattr -cr "/Applications/Appium Server GUI.app" before opening it. The same goes for the zip version (or the .app itself).
Known Issues
- Some Windows 10 Users experience a
PathTooLongExceptionwhen installing the EXE. The workaround for this is to update the setting on Windows to enable long paths
Usage Instructions
These instructions assume you are already familiar with Appium and Appium-related concepts. If you are new to Appium, please visit appium.io and read our introductory material. They also assume that you have downloaded both the Server GUI and the Inspector apps.
This app provides a convenient way to download and run the Appium automation server, as well as a tool for inspecting elements in Chrome/Safari browser and your Android or iOS application. Its various capabilities are described in the following sections.
Starting a simple server
When you open Appium Desktop, you are greeted with the server start window. The basic option is to start an Appium server with all its defaults and the ability to modify the host and port. The start button will also let you know which version of the Appium server you are running, which can be useful when reporting issues to the Appium team.
Starting a server with advanced options
By clicking on the 'Advanced' tab, you have the ability to set all the server flags that are available in Appium. This is for advanced users and should only be modified after consulting the Appium documentation.
Server presets
If you use the advanced server options, you have the ability to save a configuration for later use. Simply save the preset on the 'Advanced' tab, and you will subsequently be able to recall and start the server with that configuration from the 'Preset' tab.
The server console output window
Once you start the server, it will launch on the host and port you specified, and open a new window displaying the server log output.
This is fairly straightforward and no real interaction is possible, beyond using the button to stop the server. You can also copy-and-paste the logs from this window which is useful in reporting Appium issues.
Reporting Issues and Requesting Features
Appium Desktop is open source, and we use GitHub for issue tracking. Please simply report issues at our issue tracker. We will endeavor to determine whether the issue you are reporting is related to Appium Desktop or Appium Server. If it's not related to Appium Desktop specifically, we will close the issue and ask you to open a general Appium issue at Appium's main issue tracker. Please, save yourselves and us valuable time by getting clear on whether the issue you're experiencing is related to Appium Desktop specifically or instead is a general Appium issue. You can do this by seeing whether the issue reproduces with the Appium command line server as well. If it does, direct your report to Appium's issue tracker.
Have a feature request? Follow the same process and submit an issue to the appropriate tracker! (Either here in this repo if the request is specifically for Appium Desktop, or Appium's main tracker if the request is for Appium more generally.)
Advanced Topics and Troubleshooting
Appium can't detect environment variables on Mac
Appium uses environment variables like ANDROID_HOME as well as relying on
various binaries in your PATH and so on. When running from the command line
in an environment where you have set these variables appropriately, Appium has
no problem in picking them up. However, Appium Desktop does not run in a shell
or a command-line environment, and so by default it does not have access to
environment variables you have set in your shell startup script or profile. To
work around this, we use the
shell-env package to pick up
environment variables defined in your shell. This package only looks in certain
common init scripts, however, like ~/.bashrc, ~/.bash_profile, and
~/.zshrc. If you set your Appium environment variables in some other way, you
will need to create one of these default init scripts and set your environment
variables there as well, so that Appium Desktop will successfully pick them up.
Warnings about being on a read-only file system
This probably means you tried to launch Appium Desktop from the downloaded disk
image (.dmg file). This is not a supported mode of running Appium Desktop. To
correctly install Appium Desktop, copy the application from the disk image to
your local filesystem, to somewhere like /Applications. Then, run the app
from that new location.
Developer Instructions
Want to hack on Appium Desktop? Awesome! Head on over to our Contributing Doc for information on how to get a dev environment set up and submit changes back to the project.
Top Related Projects
Windows Application Driver
Cross-platform automation framework for all kinds of apps, built on top of the W3C WebDriver protocol
A browser automation framework and ecosystem.
Fast, easy and reliable testing for anything that runs in a browser.
Next-gen browser and mobile automation test framework for Node.js
Convert designs to code with AI
Introducing Visual Copilot: A new AI model to turn Figma designs to high quality code using your components.
Try Visual Copilot