# XLT (Xceptance LoadTest)

> XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) is an open source, self-hosted load testing tool from Xceptance, scripted in Java.

- Canonical: https://perf.jmeter.ai/tools/xlt/
- Official: https://www.xceptance.com/xlt/
- Source: https://github.com/Xceptance/XLT
- Vendor: Xceptance
- Category: Load Testing
- License: Open Source — Free; Apache License 2.0. The hosted XTC service is priced separately by Xceptance.
- Deployment: Self-hosted
- Status: Active
- Scripting: Java
- Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS
- OS support: Windows, macOS, Linux
- First released: 2007

- Last verified: 2026-08-12

## What it is
XLT is a Java load and performance testing tool from Xceptance, started as an internal prototype in 2005, offered as a product from 2007, free of charge from 2018, and open-sourced under Apache License 2.0 in February 2020. Test cases are ordinary JUnit classes written in an IDE and managed with Maven or Gradle, so scripts are debuggable Java with access to any library; load can be driven headlessly through HtmlUnit and HttpClient or through real browsers via WebDriver, which lets an existing automation suite double as a load test. A controller distributes agents across any number of machines and datacenters, transfers results back differentially, and tolerates offline runs without losing data. Load profiles cover both fixed user counts and arrival rates, the latter addressing coordinated omission. Reporting is the emphasis: self-contained HTML load-test, comparison, and trend reports with percentiles, Apdex, scorecards, and SLA-style success criteria, generated from raw data that is kept rather than aggregated away, plus a result browser that replays the last moments of a failed transaction for debugging. Xceptance also sells XTC (Xceptance Test Center), a hosted multi-project service running the same engine, and publishes an experimental xlt-jmeter-suite that executes existing .jmx test plans on the XLT engine for XLT reporting.

## Choose it when
- Load Testing scenarios across typical web and service stacks
- Teams that prefer open-source licensing and self-hosting options
- Groups comfortable scripting in Java

## Look elsewhere when
- Teams unwilling to operate generators, results storage, and scaling

## Architecture
XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) is commonly operated as self-hosted software with scenario authoring in Java. Concurrency and distribution depend on how you size workers or injectors.

## Pricing
Free; Apache License 2.0. The hosted XTC service is priced separately by Xceptance.

## Compare
- [XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) alternatives](https://perf.jmeter.ai/alternatives/xlt/)

## FAQ
### Who is XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) for?
XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) is best for engineers designing load, stress, and performance tests for web and service systems. It is open source, so teams can self-host and extend it. Vendor: Xceptance. Deployment model: self-hosted. Free; Apache License 2.0. The hosted XTC service is priced separately by Xceptance.

### How does XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) differ from Apache JMeter?
Compared with Apache JMeter, scripting centers on Java rather than Java, Groovy. XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) lists protocols HTTP, HTTPS; Apache JMeter lists HTTP, HTTPS, JDBC, JMS, FTP, TCP. Status is active versus active. Use the Test Rig to compare full specs side by side before a proof-of-concept.

### What scripting language and concurrency model does XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) use?
XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) uses Java for scripting or scenario definition. Runtime model: code-first scenarios where virtual users execute scripted behavior under load. 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 XLT (Xceptance LoadTest)?
XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) 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; Apache License 2.0. The hosted XTC service is priced separately by Xceptance.

### What are known limitations of XLT (Xceptance LoadTest)?
XLT (Xceptance LoadTest) limitations to weigh: 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. Confirm details against the official site and a short proof-of-concept in your environment.

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Curated by NaveenKumar Namachivayam (QAInsights) · methodology: https://perf.jmeter.ai/about/#methodology · corrections: https://github.com/QAInsights/Performance-Testing-Tools/issues/new?title=Tool%20submission%3A%20&body=Tool%20name%3A%20%0AOfficial%20URL%3A%20%0AWhat%20should%20be%20added%20or%20corrected%3F%20%0A