The Best Applitools Alternative for 2026

TestMu AI SmartUI is the closest like-for-like Applitools alternative: it does Visual AI regression testing, baseline branching and merging, Figma design comparison and Storybook component testing, but starts on a free plan of 2,000 screenshots where Applitools starts at $667/mo. It runs visual regression testing across 3,000+ browser and OS combinations and 10,000+ real devices in the same cloud.

There is no free plan on the Applitools pricing page. The advertised entry path is a 14-day free trial, and Applitools' terms of use cap free-trial usage at 100 checkpoints per month per permitted user, for internal non-commercial evaluation only. SmartUI's free plan includes 2,000 visual regression screenshots and needs no credit card.

As of August 2026 Applitools publishes a price for one of its three plans: Starter at $667 per month billed annually, which covers 100,000 component checkpoints or 1,000 page checkpoints with unlimited users. Professional and Enterprise are quote-only, and options such as dedicated or private cloud, SSO, custom on-premises deployment and access to real iOS and Android devices are listed as paid add-ons. TestMu AI publishes its self-serve plans and a free tier on the pricing page.

The most commonly cited ones are commercial rather than technical: there is no free plan, only one of the three tiers has a published price, and access to Applitools' own real iOS and Android devices is an optional add-on on the Enterprise tier. On coverage, the Ultrafast Grid renders Android targets through Chrome emulation and iOS targets through a Safari browser on a mobile simulator, so grid checks are rendered rather than executed on physical hardware.

Yes, but you bring the devices. The Eyes SDK captures from an Appium, Espresso or XCUITest session, so it works against hardware you own or a third-party device farm on any plan. What Applitools gates is access to its own hosted devices: its pricing page lists that as an optional add-on on the Enterprise tier. The Ultrafast Grid renders mobile targets using Chrome emulation for Android and a Safari simulator for iOS. SmartUI runs visual tests on its real-device plans through Appium, Espresso and XCUITest, across a real device cloud of 10,000+ real devices.