Behave review
A focused open-source choice for Python teams writing local Gherkin tests.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Behave is an open-source Python framework for behavior-driven development. It lets developers, QA professionals, and business participants write executable specifications in Gherkin, then implement the steps in Python with Given, When, Then, and step decorators. The framework runs feature files locally from the command line and supports scenarios, scenario outlines, tags, tables, multiline text, fixtures, hooks, configuration files, and configurable output.
Its feature depth suits teams that want behavior-focused coverage across more than one application layer. Built-in formatters include JUnit, JSON, progress, and other output options, while the documentation describes browser automation examples with Selenium and Splinter. Behave also supports testing REST APIs and other application layers, with Django and Flask listed among its integrations. These capabilities make it a practical fit for Python projects that want Gherkin without adopting a separate commercial testing platform.
Execution remains intentionally focused on local command-line workflows. The built-in runner executes sequentially, and parallel execution requires a separately installable community runner. Teams prioritizing a native parallel execution model, hosted orchestration, or AI-assisted testing should consider alternatives with those capabilities. Behave is a strong choice for Python teams that value open-source Gherkin support, explicit step definitions, and configurable reporting; it is less suitable for organizations seeking an all-in-one platform for distributed test execution or broader automation management.
Behave pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Gherkin scenarios with Python step definitions and decorators
- Fixtures, hooks, tags, outlines, tables, and multiline text
- Built-in formatters plus browser and REST API testing support
- Where it doesn't
- Built-in runner executes scenarios sequentially
- Parallel execution requires a separately installable community runner
- No built-in AI features
Behave fact sheet, pricing and score →
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