tldr: Testsigma Community Edition is a free, open-source test automation platform on GitHub. You get the core codeless NLP engine for web, mobile, and API testing. You don't get the cloud device lab, agentic AI agents, or enterprise features. It's a solid way to evaluate Testsigma's approach before committing to a paid plan.
Introduction
Testsigma released its Community Edition as open source in 2022. The repo lives at github.com/testsigmahq/testsigma under an Apache 2.0 license, with documentation updates as recent as February 2026.
For codeless test automation platforms, open sourcing is rare. Most codeless tools are commercial-only. Selenium and Appium are open source but require coding. Testsigma's Community Edition sits in the middle: codeless NLP-based testing, zero licensing cost, but you host it yourself.
If you're weighing whether Testsigma's NLP approach actually works for your team, the Community Edition lets you find out without a sales call.
What's included
Core features
- Natural Language Programming: Write tests in plain English. Same NLP engine as the paid version.
- Web testing: Automate browser tests across Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
- Mobile testing: iOS and Android testing (requires local device setup or emulators).
- API testing: REST API functional testing with response validation.
- Test management: Basic test case organization and execution tracking.
- CI/CD integration: Connect to Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and other CI tools.
- Reporting: Execution reports with pass/fail results.
What's NOT included
This is where the free edition draws the line:
- Cloud device lab: No access to Testsigma's 800+ browser/OS combos or 2,000+ real devices. You use your own browsers and devices.
- Agentic AI agents: The Generator, Analyzer, Healer, and Optimizer agents are cloud-only.
- Testsigma Copilot: AI-powered test generation requires the paid plans.
- Self-healing: The Healer Agent is not included. You maintain locators manually.
- SSO and enterprise security: No SAML, IP whitelisting, or on-premises deployment options.
- Priority support: Community Edition support is through GitHub issues and community forums.
- Parallel execution at scale: Limited to your local infrastructure capacity.
The AI features, especially self-healing, are what differentiate Testsigma from Selenium. Without them, you're getting a codeless Selenium alternative with a nicer UI. That's still useful, but it's not the full pitch.
Who should use it
Teams evaluating Testsigma. The Community Edition is the best way to test whether NLP-based testing works for your application before engaging with sales. Write some tests, see if the plain English approach covers your workflows.
Small teams with limited budgets. If you can't justify a commercial testing tool but want something easier than Selenium, the Community Edition is a practical middle ground.
Self-hosted environments. Organizations that can't use cloud-based testing tools due to security or compliance requirements can run Testsigma on their own infrastructure.
Learning and prototyping. Good for QA teams exploring codeless automation for the first time.
How it compares to Selenium and Appium
| Factor | Testsigma Community | Selenium | Appium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test creation | Plain English (NLP) | Code required | Code required |
| Cost | Free (Apache 2.0) | Free | Free |
| Community size | Small (GitHub-based) | Very large | Large |
| Web testing | Yes | Yes | No (mobile-focused) |
| Mobile testing | Yes (local devices) | No | Yes |
| API testing | Yes | No | No |
| Self-healing | No (paid only) | No | No |
| Test management | Basic (built-in) | None | None |
| Setup | Docker or local install | Framework setup | Server + SDK setup |
The Community Edition is easier to get started with than Selenium or Appium. The trade-off: smaller community, less flexibility, and no self-healing. For a deeper comparison, see Testsigma vs Selenium & Appium.
Getting started
The Community Edition runs via Docker or local installation. The GitHub repo includes setup instructions. Expect to spend 30-60 minutes on initial configuration, including database setup and first test creation.
Requirements:
- Docker (recommended) or Java 11+.
- MySQL 5.7+ or PostgreSQL.
- 4 GB RAM minimum.
- Modern web browser for the Testsigma UI.
For mobile testing, you'll need your own devices or emulators connected to the Testsigma instance.
The upgrade path
If you outgrow the Community Edition, upgrading to the Pro plan gets you:
- Cloud device lab (800+ browser/OS combos, 2,000+ real devices).
- All five AI agents including self-healing.
- Testsigma Copilot for AI test generation.
- Parallel execution at scale.
- 24/5 priority support.
Tests created in the Community Edition can be migrated to the cloud platform, though some configuration adjustments may be needed.
See our Testsigma pricing guide for plan details.
FAQs
Is the Community Edition actually usable for production testing? Yes, with limitations. You can run real test suites against your applications. The main gaps are device coverage (limited to what you set up locally) and no self-healing. Teams with stable UIs and modest device requirements use it in production.
What license is it under? Apache 2.0. You can use it commercially, modify it, and distribute it.
How active is the GitHub repo? Documentation was updated as recently as February 2026. The repo has consistent commit activity, though the community is much smaller than Selenium or Appium.
Can I get support? Through GitHub issues, community discussions, and Testsigma's documentation. No paid support for the free edition.
Can I migrate to the paid plan later? Yes. Tests carry over to the cloud platform with some configuration changes.
Conclusion
Testsigma's open-source Community Edition gives you codeless NLP-based testing without a licensing cost. It's the best way to validate whether the NLP approach works for your team. The AI features that make Testsigma special (self-healing, Copilot, agentic agents) are only in the paid plans. Start with the Community Edition. If the NLP approach clicks, upgrade for AI and cloud devices. For paid plan details, see Testsigma pricing.