TestNG and JUnit 5 are the two main test frameworks for Java. Both can run any kind of test, but they come from different places: JUnit 5 is designed around developer unit tests and an extension model, while TestNG grew up around larger integration and UI suites, with suites, groups, dependencies and parallel settings built in. Here's how they compare feature by feature, and how to choose.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureTestNGJUnit 5
Parallel executionBuilt-in — configure in testng.xmlRequires config + @Execution(CONCURRENT)
Data-driven@DataProvider built-in@ParameterizedTest — built-in
Grouping@Test(groups) + include/exclude in XML@Tag — simpler but less powerful
Test dependencies@Test(dependsOnMethods / dependsOnGroups)Not natively supported
Parameters from XML@Parameters — inject from testng.xmlNo direct XML parameter injection
Retry failed testsIRetryAnalyzer interfaceNo built-in retry (JUnit Pioneer or Maven Surefire rerunFailingTestsCount)
Test ordering@Test(priority) — numeric ordering@TestMethodOrder — class-level ordering
Factory@Factory — create test instances dynamically@TestFactory — different concept
ListenersITestListener, ISuiteListener etc.Extension model — @ExtendWith
Soft assertionsSoftAssert class built-inassertAll() groups assertions; AssertJ adds full soft assertions
Configurationtestng.xml — full XML control@Suite — limited compared to TestNG
ReportingHTML + XML built-in, Extent/Allure add-onHTML in JUnit Platform, Allure add-on
Selenium usageIndustry standard for Selenium projectsLess common for Selenium automation
Which to use?

For Selenium automation projects — use TestNG. It is the industry standard.

For Spring Boot / unit testing — JUnit 5 is more commonly used.

Many teams use TestNG for Selenium + JUnit 5 for unit tests in the same codebase.

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The Same Test in Both

// TestNG
import org.testng.Assert;
import org.testng.annotations.*;

public class CartTest {
    @BeforeMethod public void setUp() { cart = new Cart(); }

    @Test(groups = "smoke", dataProvider = "items")
    public void addItem(String sku, int qty) {
        cart.add(sku, qty);
        Assert.assertEquals(cart.count(), qty);          // TestNG: (actual, expected)
    }

    @DataProvider public Object[][] items() { return new Object[][] {{"A1", 1}, {"B2", 3}}; }
}

// JUnit 5
import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertEquals;
import org.junit.jupiter.api.*;
import org.junit.jupiter.params.ParameterizedTest;
import org.junit.jupiter.params.provider.CsvSource;

class CartTest {
    @BeforeEach void setUp() { cart = new Cart(); }

    @Tag("smoke")
    @ParameterizedTest
    @CsvSource({"A1, 1", "B2, 3"})
    void addItem(String sku, int qty) {
        cart.add(sku, qty);
        assertEquals(qty, cart.count());                 // JUnit: (expected, actual)
    }
}

Watch the assertion argument order when switching: TestNG takes (actual, expected), JUnit takes (expected, actual).

Annotation Equivalents

TestNGJUnit 5
@BeforeMethod / @AfterMethod@BeforeEach / @AfterEach
@BeforeClass / @AfterClass@BeforeAll / @AfterAll (static by default)
@BeforeSuite, @BeforeTestNo direct equivalent (use extensions or @Suite)
@Test(enabled = false)@Disabled
@Test(groups = "smoke")@Tag("smoke")
@DataProvider@ParameterizedTest with @CsvSource, @MethodSource …
@Test(expectedExceptions = X.class)assertThrows(X.class, () -> …)
@Test(timeOut = 5000)@Timeout(5)

Which Should You Choose?

  • Selenium or REST Assured regression suite: TestNG, for suites in testng.xml, groups, parallel settings and the large amount of team knowledge built around it.
  • Unit tests in a Spring Boot or library codebase: JUnit 5, which developers already use and which integrates with Spring's test support.
  • Joining an existing project: use what's there; mixing both in one module complicates the build.

FAQs

Is TestNG better than JUnit 5?

Neither is better for everything. TestNG's built-in suites, groups, dependencies and parallel configuration suit large UI and API suites; JUnit 5's extension model and Spring integration suit developer unit tests.

Can TestNG and JUnit run in the same project?

Yes, Maven Surefire can run both providers, but it needs extra configuration. Many teams keep JUnit for unit tests in the application and TestNG in a separate automation project.

Does JUnit 5 support parallel execution?

Yes. Enable it with junit.jupiter.execution.parallel.enabled=true in junit-platform.properties and control it with @Execution; TestNG configures it in testng.xml.

What is the JUnit equivalent of TestNG DataProvider?

@ParameterizedTest with a source such as @CsvSource, @ValueSource or @MethodSource, which is the closest to a DataProvider method.

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