TOOL REVIEW / ACTIVE

Autocannon

Matteo Collina

Micro-benchmark CLI Open Source Self-hosted REVIEWED

REVIEWED · 2026-09-17 · HANDS-ON

Official site ↗ Source repo ↗
Pricing model
Free; MIT License.
First released
2017
Latest release
v8.0.0
Last verified
READ THE Autocannon REVIEW → Autocannon is the most convenient quick HTTP benchmark for a Node.js team that wants a command and optional JavaScript API in the same ecosystem. 2026-09-17 · HANDS-ON
Answer

Autocannon is a fast HTTP/1.1 benchmarking tool written in Node.js, greatly inspired by wrk and wrk2. It supports HTTP pipelining and HTTPS.

What it is

Autocannon is a fast HTTP/1.1 benchmarking tool written in Node.js, greatly inspired by wrk and wrk2. It supports HTTP pipelining and HTTPS.

Features

  • Support for HTTP/1.1 pipelining
  • Support for HTTPS
  • Configurable number of concurrent connections, pipelined requests, and duration
  • Worker thread support
  • Rate limiting capabilities
  • Detailed output including latency percentiles and request volume statistics
  • API for programmatic usage (e.g., custom requests/clients)

Best for

  • Quick HTTP or protocol micro-benchmarks from a single machine
  • Teams that prefer open-source licensing and self-hosting options
  • Groups comfortable scripting in JavaScript, TypeScript

Not the best fit when

  • Full multi-protocol enterprise journeys and rich business-flow reporting
  • Teams unwilling to operate generators, results storage, and scaling

Architecture and concurrency

Autocannon is typically driven as a CLI micro-benchmark with JavaScript, TypeScript. It favors single-host or simple distributed runs rather than enterprise controller grids.

Fact sheet

Specs

Scripting
JavaScriptTypeScript
Protocols
HTTPHTTPS
Operating systems
WindowsmacOSLinux
Tags
nodejsclihttp
Repo health
★ 8506 · last push 2026-05-16

Latest release

v8.0.0 · 2024-10-14

No descriptive notes provided in the release tag; it is version 8.0.0.

Pricing

Free and open source (MIT License)

Sources

SHOW SOURCES

LAST VERIFIED · 2026-08-11 · GROUNDED VIA EXA · CURATED BY NAVEENKUMAR NAMACHIVAYAM

Frequently asked

ANSWER-SHAPED
Who is Autocannon for?

Autocannon is best for developers who need fast HTTP or protocol micro-benchmarks from a terminal. It is open source, so teams can self-host and extend it. Vendor: Matteo Collina. Deployment model: self-hosted. Free; MIT License. Confirm details against the official site and a short proof-of-concept in your environment.

How does Autocannon differ from Vegeta?

Compared with Vegeta, scripting centers on JavaScript, TypeScript rather than Go. Autocannon lists protocols HTTP, HTTPS; Vegeta lists HTTP, HTTPS. Status is active versus active. Use the Test Rig to compare full specs side by side before a proof-of-concept. Confirm details against the official site and a short proof-of-concept in your environment.

What scripting language and concurrency model does Autocannon use?

Autocannon uses JavaScript, TypeScript for scripting or scenario definition. Runtime model: CLI-driven request generation with a lightweight concurrency model suited to single-host benchmarks. OS support: Windows, macOS, Linux. Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS. Match these to how your team already authors tests and which systems you must drive under load.

What is the cloud or enterprise path for Autocannon?

Autocannon is primarily self-hosted; teams typically run generators on their own machines, CI runners, or private cloud. Plan for generator capacity, network access to targets, and result storage yourself. As open source, commercial support or hosted siblings may exist separately. Check the official site. Pricing note: Free; MIT License.

What are known limitations of Autocannon?

Autocannon limitations to weigh: CLI micro-benchmarks excel at raw HTTP throughput but usually lack enterprise scenario orchestration, rich reporting, and multi-protocol suites; self-hosted tools require you to provision, scale, and observe load generators yourself. Status: active. Always validate against your target protocols and scale with a proof-of-concept.