Testably vs Kiwi TCMS
SaaS Convenience vs Docker Self-Hosting
Kiwi TCMS is open source (GPL-2.0) and powerful for teams that can run their own Docker stack. Once you want a managed SaaS with real support, the price jumps to $600–$2,000/month. Testably gives you modern SaaS, AI, and SLA support for a fraction of that (as of 2026-05).
Feature Comparison
How Testably stacks up against Kiwi TCMS
| Feature | Testably | Kiwi TCMS |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier (forever) | 1 project · 2 members · 100 TCs | Community Edition (self-hosted) |
| Hosting model | SaaS (managed) | Self-host (Community) or paid managed |
| Setup time | < 5 minutes | Docker, DNS, SSL, backups (DevOps required) |
| Ads in UI | EthicalAds in Community Edition | |
| Modern UI / UX | Functional, dated | |
| AI test case generation | All paid plans | |
| Shared Steps with version pinning | ||
| Run-level step snapshots | ||
| Jira two-way sync | All plans | Bug tracker links |
| CI/CD plugins | Professional+ | |
| REST API | All plans | |
| On-premise option | Enterprise | Community / Enterprise |
| OAuth / LDAP / Kerberos | Enterprise | Enterprise edition |
| Open source | ||
| 24/7 SLA support | Enterprise | Managed Hosting ($2,000/mo) |
Key Differences
What sets Testably apart from Kiwi TCMS
SaaS in 5 Minutes vs DevOps Project
Kiwi TCMS Community Edition is free, but you have to provision Docker, configure a database, set up SSL, manage upgrades, and maintain backups. For teams without dedicated DevOps capacity, this is the dominant cost — not the license. Testably is a managed SaaS with sign-up to first test case in five minutes.
Managed SaaS Pricing — $99 vs $2,000
If you want a managed Kiwi TCMS with real support, the tiers are Private Tenant ($75/mo, limited support hours), Enterprise on-prem ($600/mo), or Managed Hosting ($2,000/mo). Testably Professional is $99/mo flat for up to 20 testers — modern UX, AI, RTM, CI/CD all included.
AI, Shared Steps Versioning — Not in Kiwi
Kiwi TCMS does not ship AI test generation, deduplication, or step-version control. Testably has AI on every paid plan starting at $19/mo, plus Shared Steps version pinning and run-level snapshots that protect mid-execution data integrity.
Open Source Is Still an Option — On Enterprise
If self-hosting is non-negotiable (regulated industries, air-gapped networks), Testably offers an Enterprise on-premise deployment with the same UX as the SaaS. You do not lose the option; you just get to choose when to pay for it.
Pricing Comparison
Testably's flat-rate plans vs Kiwi TCMS's pricing
| Plan | Testably | Kiwi TCMS |
|---|---|---|
| Free / Community | $0/mo 1 project · 2 members · 100 TCs (managed) | $0 Community Edition (self-host, ads, no support) |
| Hobby / Self Support | $19/mo 3 projects · 5 members · RTM unlimited | $25/mo Self-host + tagged release + limited support |
| Small team (5) / Private Tenant | $49/mo Starter · Up to 5 members | $75/mo SaaS Private Tenant (Mon–Fri 10–16 UTC) |
| Mid team (10–20) | $99/mo Professional · Up to 20 members | $150–600/mo Private Tenant Extras / Enterprise on-prem |
| Managed Hosting / Enterprise SaaS | $249–$499/mo Enterprise S / M (managed) | $2,000/mo Managed Hosting (AWS, 7 days/week support) |
Ready to switch from Kiwi TCMS?
Managed SaaS · 5-minute setup · AI on paid plans · Free forever plan
Try Testably Free — No Docker RequiredFrequently Asked Questions
Is Testably open source like Kiwi TCMS?
Testably is a commercial SaaS, not open source. If open source is a hard requirement (license, audit, or air-gapped deployment), Kiwi TCMS Community Edition or Testably's Enterprise on-premise option are the two paths to consider.
Why not just self-host Kiwi TCMS?
The license is free, but the operational cost is not. You take on Docker setup, database management, SSL, backups, upgrades, and uptime. For teams without DevOps capacity, the engineering hours often exceed the cost of a managed SaaS like Testably Professional ($99/mo).
Can I import test cases from Kiwi TCMS?
Yes. Kiwi TCMS supports CSV and JSON export. Import the resulting files into Testably via the standard CSV import flow. Linked bug tracker references are preserved as external links.
Does Testably support Robot Framework, pytest, JUnit?
Yes. Testably integrates with major automation frameworks via the CI/CD integration on the Professional plan — Robot Framework, pytest, JUnit, JUnit-XML reports, Playwright, Cypress, and more.
What if I am in a regulated industry that needs on-prem?
Testably offers an Enterprise on-premise deployment with the same UX as the SaaS. Contact sales for pricing and deployment details.
Start free today
No credit card required. Free plan includes 1 project, 2 members, and 100 test cases — plus a 14-day Starter trial.