Apache JMeter vs Gatling

Apache JMeter9.1Visit Gatling8.7Visit

Higher score Apache JMeter #3 in Performance Testing Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Apache JMeter

vs

Gatling #8 in Performance Testing Software 8.7/10 Free plan · paid from €89/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Gatling

• Apache JMeter fits best

  Free, established protocol and web load testing

• Gatling fits best

  Teams needing broad, scalable protocol testing

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Side by side

Feature	Apache JMeter 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Gatling 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Performance Testing Software	#8 in Performance Testing Software
Best for	Free, established protocol and web load testing	Teams needing broad, scalable protocol testing
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan · paid from €89/mo (annual) · 14-day trial
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Live chat, Community, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache JMeter 4/5 · Gatling 4/5
Load testing	✓	✓
Stress testing	✓	✓
Browser-based testing	—	—
Distributed load	✓	✓
API testing	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment model	Not checked yet	Hybrid
Max virtual users	Not checked yet	60000 users
Our review
Pros	Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux Supports HTTP, SOAP, REST, databases, messaging, mail, TCP, and Java Includes headless execution, HTML reports, assertions, and distributed testing	Supports HTTP, WebSocket, SSE, JMS, MQTT, and gRPC testing Distributed testing supports up to 60,000 virtual users on Basic Integrates with major CI/CD, observability, and collaboration tools
Cons	Does not render pages or execute browser JavaScript Uses an on-premise deployment model Distributed testing requires remote JMeter engines	Browser sessions generate HTTP scenarios rather than executing JavaScript Basic limits testing to 1 hour and one load generator Advanced limits and support require higher-tier or custom plans
Our verdict	Apache JMeter is an open-source, Java-based performance testing application for teams that need protocol-level load, stress, API, and distributed testing. It supports web applications, web services, databases, messaging systems, mail… Read the review →	Gatling is a performance-testing platform for developers, QA teams, and enterprises testing web applications, APIs, microservices, and cloud infrastructure. Its open-source Community Edition runs code-based scenarios locally, while the… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Apache JMeter — where it wins

  • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Supports HTTP, SOAP, REST, databases, messaging, mail, TCP, and Java
  • Includes headless execution, HTML reports, assertions, and distributed testing

  Where it doesn't

  • Does not render pages or execute browser JavaScript
  • Uses an on-premise deployment model
  • Distributed testing requires remote JMeter engines

• Gatling — where it wins

  • Supports HTTP, WebSocket, SSE, JMS, MQTT, and gRPC testing
  • Distributed testing supports up to 60,000 virtual users on Basic
  • Integrates with major CI/CD, observability, and collaboration tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Browser sessions generate HTTP scenarios rather than executing JavaScript
  • Basic limits testing to 1 hour and one load generator
  • Advanced limits and support require higher-tier or custom plans

• Apache JMeter9.1/10 · Free plan

  A free, established choice for protocol-level load, stress, API, and distributed testing.

  Visit Apache JMeterFull verdict →
• Gatling8.7/10 · Free plan · paid from €89/mo (annual) · 14-day trial

  A broad performance-testing platform with code, no-code, and distributed load options.

  Visit GatlingFull verdict →