Percy flags differences after a build runs, then filters noise with AI. Applitools decides what to check before the test runs, with a Deterministic Language Model that holds up across the agentic SDLC.
Percy's Visual Review Agent filters noise after pixel diffing finds it, and it's a paid-plan add-on. Applitools match levels decide what to check before the test runs, built into every SDK, so dynamic content, ads, and personalized elements are handled at authoring time, not cleaned up after the fact.
Percy produces a separate diff for every browser and viewport you enable. Applitools groups related changes across browsers, devices, and pages automatically, so one approval updates every affected baseline.
Percy tests web and mobile screens. Applitools also validates desktop applications and PDFs, so teams don't need a second tool for content that lives outside the browser.
Percy runs only on BrowserStack's multi-tenant public cloud, with no dedicated or on-premises option. Applitools deploys as public SaaS, in a dedicated cloud, or on-premises, so your security team picks the option that fits instead of accepting the only one offered.
Percy compares screenshots pixel by pixel, then runs a generative AI review layer on top to filter noise and summarize what changed. Applitools uses a Deterministic Language Model and match levels that decide what to check before the test runs, so the same input produces the same result every time.
It closes some of it. Percy's Visual Review Agent (launched in 2025) reduces manual review time and filters out rendering noise, but it's a paid add-on that runs after the pixel diff exists, and it uses a generative model to make that call. Applitools match levels decide what counts as a real change before the diff is generated, and they ship with every SDK rather than sitting behind a plan tier.
Yes. Applitools SDKs work with Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Appium, and Storybook, the same frameworks Percy supports. Switching doesn't mean rebuilding your test suite.
Yes. Applitools also validates desktop applications and PDFs. Percy is limited to web and mobile.
Yes. Applitools runs as public SaaS, in a dedicated cloud, or on-premises. Percy runs only on BrowserStack's multi-tenant public cloud, with no dedicated or on-premises option.
