Airtest Project

Airtest Project is a free UI automation testing solution from NetEase Games for games and apps. Its Airtest framework uses image recognition for cross-platform automated UI testing, while Poco finds UI controls and retrieves their hierarchy at runtime. Airtest supports Windows, Android, and iOS; Poco supports Android and iOS native apps and engines including Unity3D, cocos2dx, UE4, and Egret. A Selenium plugin uses Chrome DevTools Protocol for web testing, including recording and generating scripts and accessing web elements. AirtestIDE is a cross-platform editor with Airtest and Poco plugins. Scripts are written in Python, and the documentation recommends knowing Python basics. The community version includes Airtest, Poco, and AirtestIDE. Airlab adds test and script management, scheduling, cloud reports, and iOS and Android regression and compatibility testing. An enterprise private-cloud option deploys device racks and the software platform within the business; pricing is provided after enterprise needs are confirmed.

Airtest Project covers image-based UI automation, UI hierarchy access, and web testing in a free community version. Teams should account for the recommended Python knowledge and assess whether Airlab or private deployment fits their needs.

It suits app and game teams that need UI automation across supported platforms. Python basics are recommended; enterprises seeking device clusters, management, execution, reporting, and continuous integration may consider the private-cloud option.

Airtest Project is a Python-based automation toolkit for testing games and apps. It is best suited to teams whose targets match its supported devices and engines and who can work with Python scripts. Its community tools are free; enterprises can add a privately deployed device lab at custom pricing.

Overview

Airtest combines image recognition with Poco, which retrieves UI controls and their runtime hierarchy. In practice, teams can use image-driven tests where a target’s interface structure is not accessible, and element-level automation where Poco supports the app or engine. The frameworks do not cover identical targets, so fit depends on what you need to test.

Scripts are Python code, and the documentation recommends knowing Python basics. AirtestIDE brings Airtest and Poco plugins into a cross-platform editor, but does not remove the need to script. For web testing, a Selenium plugin uses Chrome DevTools Protocol to record and generate Selenium scripts and access web elements.

Key features

Image-based and hierarchy-driven testing

Airtest uses image recognition for cross-platform UI automation and supports Windows, Android, and iOS. This approach can be useful across different interfaces, though image-based automation relies on recognizing what appears on screen. Poco retrieves UI elements and their runtime hierarchy; it supports Android and iOS native apps, plus Unity3D, cocos2dx, UE4, and Egret. That makes Poco a stronger fit when the target exposes supported controls or uses a supported game engine.

Web and enterprise workflows

The Selenium plugin extends the project to web elements and Selenium scripts. Airlab adds test case and script management, task scheduling, cloud reports, and iOS and Android regression and compatibility testing. These capabilities serve teams coordinating repeated test runs; they are distinct from the free community tools.

For enterprise teams that need device clusters, device management, test execution, reporting, and continuous integration, NetEase’s private cloud solution deploys hardware and software within the enterprise. NetEase says this is intended to protect the privacy of device use and testing processes, and provides a dedicated technical support group after purchase and implementation. Poco can also be integrated into other engines using poco-sdk.

Pricing

Airtest Project community version: free. It includes Airtest, Poco, and AirtestIDE community tools, making it the natural starting point for individual developers and teams who can run their work locally. Automated test execution is supported, and the test environment is local.

NetEase Private Cloud Solution: custom pricing, provided after enterprise needs are confirmed. It offers private deployment, hardware and software options, and on-site deployment. This is the paid path for organizations seeking an in-house device lab and enterprise workflows; it is more than a simple upgrade to the free editor.

Platforms

Airtest supports Windows, Android, and iOS targets; Poco supports Android and iOS native apps and several game engines. AirtestIDE downloads are available for Windows 64-bit, Windows 32-bit, macOS, and Ubuntu. The project’s broader platform availability includes Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows, but the specific target support varies by component.

Who it's for

Airtest suits game and app teams automating UI tests across Android, iOS, and Windows, especially when image recognition or Poco’s supported hierarchy access matches the target. It is also relevant to web teams using Selenium scripts and to enterprises that need private device infrastructure. Teams seeking a no-code workflow, or whose targets fall outside the supported frameworks, should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The community version includes Airtest, Poco, and AirtestIDE for free, so teams can begin with both image-based and hierarchy-based approaches without a software subscription.
• Pros: The combination of mobile, Windows, web, and supported game-engine workflows covers several testing needs in one project.
• Pros: Private deployment and a dedicated support group after implementation give enterprises an option for keeping device use and testing processes within their environment.
• Cons: Python scripting is central to the workflow, so teams without Python basics face a learning hurdle.
• Cons: Airtest and Poco have different target coverage, requiring teams to verify that the particular app or engine fits the right framework.
• Cons: Enterprise private-cloud pricing depends on confirmed needs, so organizations cannot assess its cost from a fixed published price.

Alternatives

For a broader set of game-testing options, browse the Game Testing Software list.

• Antidote is worth comparing if a time-limited playtest plan is a better fit: its free trial runs 14 days and includes one playtest, up to five community players, 20 survey questions, and sessions up to 20 minutes.
• GameDriver suits educators and solo developers who want full platform access through its free Ambassador Program, or buyers considering a paid Starter plan.
• Backtrace is an alternative for developers focused on error monitoring; its free Developer plan is for one developer and includes up to 25k monthly errors, one-month retention, and 10 GB storage.
• FirstLook Engagement Analytics is a better match for player analytics and playtest management, with a free tier for 100k player profiles, up to 500 playtesters, and 1,000 emails per month.
• GameBench offers a 28-day Pro trial with 30 minutes of Pro testing and unlimited sessions, for readers who want to evaluate that product’s testing workflow.
• TBase is another free option to compare for game testing.
• G.Round is an option for teams seeking paid focus-group testing, with mobile testing priced at $100, paid once per tester.
• GAutomator is another free game-testing option to consider.

Verdict

Choose Airtest Project if your team can script in Python and needs free image-based or hierarchy-aware UI automation for supported app and game targets. The community tools make it a practical starting point, while its main limitation is the need to match your target to the framework’s coverage; enterprises should also weigh custom-priced private deployment against their device-lab needs.