Should QA still be built around scripts or around outcomes?
Robonito is an AI-native, agentic QA platform. Katalon is a script-centric tool with AI features layered on top. They solve different problems in different eras of software development.
The Core Difference
Everything else is secondary. This is not a feature comparison, it's an architectural one.
Robonito's Approach
- AI agents generate tests by understanding real user flows
- Minimal scripting ownership
- Tests adapt as the application changes
- Scales through execution credits and orchestration, not headcount
Katalon's Approach
- Keyword-driven and scripted testing
- Test creation and maintenance owned by automation engineers
- AI assists with optimization, healing, and insights
- Scales linearly with people and effort
How Each Platform Approaches Testing
Feature Comparison at a Glance
| Capability | Robonito | Katalon |
|---|---|---|
| Test Creation | AI-generated from application behavior | Manual / keyword / scripted |
| Script Ownership | None | Required |
| Maintenance Effort | Low (AI-driven healing) | Medium to high |
| Skill Dependency | QA, PMs, non-technical users | Automation engineers |
| Handling UI Changes | Adaptive | Fragile without updates |
| Speed to Coverage | Hours | Days or weeks |
| Scaling Model | Outcome-based execution | Engineer-dependent |
| Modern App Support | Dynamic, AI-generated UIs | Limited by locator stability |
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side capabilities
Robonito
- AI-generated tests from user flows
- Zero script ownership
- Self-healing tests
- Adaptive to UI changes
- Minutes to full coverage
- Execution-based pricing
- SOC2 compliance built-in
- Enterprise role-based access
- Non-technical user support
Katalon
- Keyword-driven test creation
- Team-owned scripts
- AI-assisted healing
- Locator-dependent
- Days/weeks for coverage
- Seat-based pricing
- SOC2 available
- Role-based access
- Automation engineer focus
The Hidden Cost Most Teams Discover Too Late
Katalon's licensing cost is rarely the real expense. US teams often underestimate the true cost of ownership:
Script Maintenance Overhead
Continuous updates required as UI changes
Knowledge Silos
QA teams become domain experts, creating bottlenecks
Test Flakiness
Fragile tests delay releases and reduce confidence
Long Onboarding
New engineers take months to understand test structure
Robonito is designed to remove script ownership as a liability, not optimize it. That difference directly impacts release velocity, QA team burnout, and total cost of ownership.
AI-Assisted vs AI-Native Testing
Katalon Uses AI To
- Improve existing tests
- Reduce flakiness
- Provide analytics
"Katalon helps humans test better"
Robonito Uses AI To
- Generate tests
- Execute tests
- Heal tests
- Decide what to test next
"Robonito lets AI do the testing"
Enterprise, Compliance & IP Considerations
From a US enterprise and legal perspective
Robonito
No proprietary test scripts embedded with sensitive logic
Reduced IP exposure during offboarding
Cleaner vendor transitions
SOC2-aligned architecture for regulated industries
Katalon
Scripts become part of your internal IP surface
High dependency on individuals who understand the test logic
Script ownership often becomes a risk during re-orgs or layoffs
This matters for finance, healthcare, and large SaaS companies where IP protection and team stability are critical concerns.
When to Choose Each Platform
When Katalon Is a Good Fit
You already have a mature automation team
Your UI changes infrequently
You're optimizing an existing Selenium-style workflow
You accept ongoing maintenance as part of the cost
Katalon is a strong traditional automation tool, just not AI-native.
When Robonito Is the Better Choice
You release weekly or continuously
Your UI is dynamic or AI-generated
You want QA scale without hiring more engineers
You prefer outcome-based pricing over headcount-based QA
You want testing aligned with how modern software is built
Don't compare slides.
Run Robonito on your actual application flows and see coverage, execution, and maintenance differences in days, not months.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Get answers to common questions about Robonito
Robonito removes the need to manage Selenium-style scripts while still using proven execution engines under the hood.
Still have questions
Get in touch with our support team for personalized help