Gatling is a load testing platform to create, run, analyze, and automate performance tests, with code-first, low-code, no-code, and Enterprise plans.

Gatling

Overview

Gatling is a performance testing platform for load test creation, execution, analysis, and automation. It combines code-first scripting, visual test building, and migration tools so teams can create tests in the workflow that fits their stack.

The platform is positioned around continuous performance intelligence: it captures full-resolution request and response data, surfaces dashboards and regressions, and plugs into CI/CD and observability tooling so teams can turn test runs into deployment decisions.

Core capabilities

Code-first SDKs

Write tests in JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Scala, or Kotlin, with full control over flows, loops, conditions, error handling, and reusable code.

Multiple test-creation workflows

Capture real user journeys with the HTTP Recorder, import Postman collections, or build tests visually with no-code scenarios and acceptance criteria.

JMeter migration support

Convert existing JMeter plans into Gatling scenarios with the Migration Assistant so teams can move coverage without rebuilding from scratch.

Automation and orchestration

Run load tests from CI/CD pipelines, trigger them through CLI and APIs, and manage infrastructure and configuration as code.

Analysis and reporting

Track key metrics in dashboards, compare runs, detect regressions and anomalies, and export or stream results to observability tools.

Flexible load infrastructure

Scale tests across managed zones, your cloud, or your own servers, with options for distributed load testing and different hosting models.

Common use cases

  • Code-driven load testing

    Teams can write performance tests in their preferred language, keep them in source control, and reuse them as part of normal development workflows.

  • Rapid test authoring

    QA and product teams can create tests visually or from Postman collections and HTTP recordings when they need to move quickly without starting from scratch.

  • CI/CD performance checks

    Organizations can trigger tests from pipelines and APIs to check performance before release, using quotas, stop criteria, and configuration managed as code.

  • Performance analysis and reporting

    Engineers and managers can compare runs, inspect regressions, and share tailored dashboards so each stakeholder sees the metrics that matter.

  • Distributed load generation

    Enterprises can distribute traffic across managed zones, cloud infrastructure, or private servers when they need larger-scale or more controlled execution.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Supports code-first, low-code, and no-code test creation in one platform.
  • Captures request and response data at full resolution, even at high traffic volumes.
  • Includes automation hooks for CI/CD, CLI, APIs, and infrastructure-as-code workflows.
  • Offers dashboards, comparisons, and export options for analysis and reporting.
  • Can run distributed tests across managed, cloud, or private infrastructure.

Cons

  • The pricing and feature set vary by plan, and several advanced capabilities are reserved for Enterprise.
  • Pricing uses usage-based units and base consumption, so teams need to monitor credits or minutes closely.
  • Some details such as retention, access control, and integrations are configurable rather than fixed across all plans.

FAQ

How is Gatling Enterprise Edition different from Community Edition?

Gatling Enterprise adds distributed load generation, real-time dashboards, CI/CD integrations, and enterprise-grade security on top of the free Community Edition.

What do Gatling test credits or minutes represent?

A test credit represents one minute of testing with one load generator. The pricing page says this applies to both fully managed and self-managed load generators.

How does pricing work if a team exceeds its included usage?

For Enterprise plans, Gatling says you can contact sales to estimate consumption needs and discuss annual-contract discounts or volume tiering. The account is not blocked when you exceed the included base consumption, but you cannot keep testing without purchasing additional units.

Can reports and dashboards be tailored for different stakeholders?

Yes. The insights and analysis page says Enterprise supports customizable dashboards, report templates, bulk comparisons, SSO, role-based access, and export or streaming to tools like Datadog or Dynatrace.

Can teams start with visual creation and later move to code?

The product pages describe creation options for code-first, low-code, and no-code workflows, plus HTTP Recorder, Postman import, and a migration assistant for JMeter plans.

Quick Facts

Category
Load testing platform
Primary users
QA teams, developers, SREs, and performance teams
Source domain
gatling.io
Creation modes
Code, low-code, no-code
Automation
CI/CD, CLI, APIs, infrastructure as code
Pricing shape
Free Community Edition plus paid plans and Enterprise on request