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Citrus
What it is
Citrus is a free Linux test framework for automated integration testing of messaging applications and microservices. Tests can act as both client and server across multiple interfaces, send messages, and validate their content. Supported endpoints include HTTP, Kafka, JMS, Apache Camel, mail, FTP/SFTP, OpenAPI, SOAP, Docker, Kubernetes, Knative, SQL, and SSH. Citrus checks JSON and XML payloads, supports XML schema and DTD validation, and can validate database data. Test cases can sequence messages with loops, delays, retries, parallel sections, and timeouts. Tests may be written in Java, XML, YAML, or Cucumber BDD features. Integrations include JUnit 5, Cucumber, JBang, Quarkus, Spring Boot, TestNG, and JUnit 4. Maven and Gradle setup guidance is provided. Since Citrus 4.0, Java 17 or newer is required. It is released under Apache License 2.0 and may test commercial applications.
For and against
For
- Free Apache-licensed framework
- Broad messaging endpoint support
- JSON, XML, and database validation
- Flexible sequencing and retry logic
- Works with major test runtimes
Against
- Requires Java 17 or newer
- Linux platform listed
- Setup uses build-tool dependencies
- Focused on integration testing
The verdict
Citrus offers broad protocol coverage and structured test control for messaging and microservice integration work. Its free Apache license supports commercial testing, while Java 17 is required for current releases.
Who it suits
It suits enterprise teams testing messaging scenarios, microservices, APIs, databases, and integration workflows. Developers can choose several test languages and runtime integrations.
Plans and prices
Citrus
Apache License 2.0 · test automation framework
Read 9 Oct 2026 · citrusframework.org
On the record
- Build tools
- The download guide describes adding Citrus modules as test-scoped Maven dependencies and lists Gradle setup documentation.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Languages
- Tests can be written in Java, XML, YAML, or as Cucumber BDD features.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- Citrus is published free of charge under Apache License 2.0 and may be used to test commercial applications.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- Supported endpoints include HTTP, Kafka, JMS, Apache Camel, mail, FTP/SFTP, OpenAPI, SOAP, Docker, Kubernetes, Knative, SQL, and SSH.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Citrus is a test framework focused on messaging applications and microservices, for automated integration tests.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Runtime requirement
- Since Citrus 4.0, the project requires Java 17 or newer to run.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Runtimes
- Citrus integrates with JUnit 5, Cucumber, JBang, Quarkus, Spring Boot, TestNG, and JUnit 4.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project invites users to contribute, submit feature requests, and report issues through its community repository.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Testing
- A test can act as both client and server on multiple messaging interfaces and validate message content.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Test logic
- Test cases can sequence messages and use loops, delays, retries, parallel sections, and timeouts.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Validation
- Citrus validates message payloads and elements in JSON and XML, supports XML schema and DTD validation, and can validate database data.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- Citrus is presented for enterprise integration testing, including testing messaging scenarios and microservices.citrusframework.org · read 9 Oct 2026
