Chromatic vs Percy: Storybook depth vs coverage
Both are excellent managed visual testing platforms. Chromatic goes deep on Storybook — TurboSnap, component-level UI Review, built by the Storybook team. Percy, part of BrowserStack, goes wide — the broadest framework and browser coverage, plus an AI Visual Review Agent. Here's the honest trade-off, and where Buddy fits.
Depth vs breadth:
- Storybook-centric team, component UI Review → Chromatic (TurboSnap, from $179/mo).
- Many frameworks, full-app flows, wide browser matrix → Percy (BrowserStack).
- Visual tests inside build + deploy, no separate SaaS → Buddy — the pipeline-native answer.
The real trade-off
Deep Storybook integration vs broad coverage
Neither is "better" outright — they optimise for different things. Chromatic is the sharper tool if your UI lives in Storybook; Percy is the safer bet if you test many frameworks and full application flows across a wide browser matrix.
Chromatic: Storybook-native
Built by the Storybook team. TurboSnap only snapshots changed components, and UI Review adds a component-level approval workflow. It requires Storybook.
Percy: broad coverage
Integrates with Cypress, Playwright, Selenium, Storybook and many SDKs — great for full-page and end-to-end visual tests across a wide browser set.
Percy's AI Review Agent
BrowserStack shipped an AI-driven Visual Review Agent to triage diffs; Chromatic leans on Git-aware baselines tuned for components.
Side by side
Chromatic vs Percy vs Buddy
Buddy is included for the "visual testing inside your pipeline" use case — it isn't a hosted per-image dashboard, so its row reflects a different model on purpose.
| Chromatic | Percy | Buddy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 5,000 snapshots/mo | ~5,000 screenshots/mo | Free plan |
| Pricing model | Per snapshot ($179/mo+) | Per screenshot | Platform (flat + seats) |
| Storybook support | ✓ required | ✓ optional | ✓ optional |
| Framework breadth | Storybook-focused | ✓ broad | ✓ Playwright/Cypress/Selenium |
| Cross-browser | Chrome free; rest paid | ✓ | ✓ |
| Component UI Review | ✓ best-in-class | review UI | pass/fail in pipeline |
| Built into CI/CD + deploy | ✗ separate SaaS | ✗ separate SaaS | ✓ native |
| Per-image billing | ✓ per snapshot | ✓ per screenshot | ✗ no meter |
| Best for | Storybook component review | Broad, full-app coverage | Tests in build + deploy |
Figures compiled July 2026 from vendor pricing pages; visual-testing pricing changes often — verify current terms.
Official pages: Chromatic · Percy · Buddy visual tests
A fair call
Where each one wins
Pick Chromatic if…
- Your UI is built and documented in Storybook.
- You want component-level UI Review with approvals.
- TurboSnap's changed-only snapshots will cut your image count.
- You value a tool maintained by the Storybook core team.
Pick Percy if…
- You test many frameworks or full application flows, not just components.
- You want a wide browser matrix out of the box.
- You're already in the BrowserStack ecosystem.
- You want AI-assisted review to triage diffs.
The pipeline-native answer
Or run the tests where you build and ship
Both Chromatic and Percy are separate SaaS products bolted onto your CI, billed per image. If the visual regression is really just another check before deploy, Buddy runs it inside the same pipeline as the build — using the Storybook, Playwright or Cypress tests you already write — with predictable pricing and no per-image meter.
One platform, not three
- Build, visual + interaction tests, and deploy in one place.
- Storybook, Playwright, Cypress and Selenium supported.
- Cross-browser and viewport testing in the run.
- No separate dashboard, vendor or per-snapshot bill.
Honest boundary
- Buddy isn't a Storybook publishing or component-review SaaS.
- For a polished component UI Review loop, Chromatic is purpose-built.
- Buddy's strength is delivery: tests as a gate in build → deploy.
Common questions
Chromatic vs Percy — common questions
Is Chromatic or Percy better for Storybook?
Chromatic is the more Storybook-native choice — it's built by the Storybook team, tests Storybook stories directly, and adds TurboSnap and a component-level UI Review workflow. Percy supports Storybook too, but its strength is breadth across many frameworks and test runners rather than deep Storybook integration.
What's the difference between Chromatic and Percy pricing?
Both bill by image: Chromatic per snapshot (from $179/month for 35,000, overage ~$0.008), Percy per screenshot. Both include roughly 5,000 free images per month. Actual cost depends on how many components, viewports and browsers you capture, so estimate your volume before committing.
Does Percy work outside Storybook?
Yes. Percy integrates with Cypress, Playwright, Selenium, WebdriverIO, Storybook and many SDKs, so it can capture full application pages and end-to-end flows, not just isolated components. Chromatic is focused on Storybook and requires it.
Can I run Chromatic or Percy inside my own CI/CD pipeline?
Both run as a step in your existing CI, uploading images to their cloud for diffing. If you'd rather keep visual and interaction testing inside the same platform that builds and deploys your app — with no separate SaaS or per-image bill — Buddy runs those tests as a pipeline action using Storybook, Playwright, Cypress or Selenium.