Hspec vs Kotest
Hspec
hspec.github.ioKotest
kotest.ioSide by side
| Figure | Hspec | Kotest |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Unit Testing | 8.0 (#9) | 7.9 (#12) |
| Spec score · Unit Testing Frameworks | 8.1 (#10) | 7.9 (#15) |
| Integrations | Hspec integrates with QuickCheck, SmallCheck, and HUnit. | Documented integrations include Spring, Koin, Ktor, Allure, Testcontainers, WireMock and Micronaut. |
| Property testing | Hspec can run QuickCheck properties as test examples. | Property tests can generate hundreds or thousands of inputs, and the property testing framework is supported on all targets. |
Plans
In their own words
Kotest
Kotest is a Kotlin testing framework for JVM and Kotlin Multiplatform projects, with test styles, assertions and property testing. Its styles allow natural-language test names and unlimited nesting. The DSL supports parameterized and data-driven tests, conditional evaluation, lifecycle callbacks and parallel execution. The assertion library includes over 350 matchers, collection inspectors, soft assertions and utilities for non-deterministic code. Property tests can generate hundreds or thousands of inputs, and property testing is supported across all targets. Listed targets include JVM, JavaScript, Native, Wasm and Android unit and instrumented tests; Native includes Linux, Windows, iOS and macOS. Setup instructions cover Gradle, Maven and Kotlin Multiplatform projects. Integrations include Spring, Koin, Ktor, Allure, Testcontainers, WireMock and Micronaut. An IntelliJ plugin provides test run icons, editor results, a test explorer, structure highlighting and breadcrumbs. Kotest is free, with a free plan and no free trial. Its assertions library can also be used with JUnit, Spock or another test framework.