# JMeter vs Gatling

> JMeter offers GUI and multi-protocol flexibility on the JVM. Gatling is a code-driven, high-throughput engine with expressive scenarios (Scala/Java/JS depending on edition). Choose JMeter for recorder workflows and plugins; Gatling for engineer-owned, high-concurrency HTTP suites.

- Canonical: https://perf.jmeter.ai/vs/apache-jmeter-vs-gatling/
- Compared: [Apache JMeter](https://perf.jmeter.ai/tools/apache-jmeter/) · [Gatling](https://perf.jmeter.ai/tools/gatling/)

## Verdict
Gatling shines when performance engineers write maintainable, code-reviewed load tests and need asynchronous high concurrency. JMeter still covers more protocol ground and has a larger generalist community. Gatling Enterprise adds ops features if you outgrow the open-source engine.

## Specs
| Field | JMeter | Gatling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vendor | Apache Software Foundation | Gatling Corp. |
| Category | Load Testing | Load Testing |
| License | Open Source | Open Source |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Self-hosted |
| Status | Active | Active |
| First released | 1998 | 2012 |
| Pricing | Free; Apache License 2.0. | Free open-source core; commercial platform available. |
| Scripting | Java, Groovy | Java, Scala, Kotlin |
| Protocols | HTTP, HTTPS, JDBC, JMS, FTP, TCP | HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, SSE, JMS |
| OS support | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |

## How to choose
- Choose Gatling for code-first HTTP performance with strong reporting DNA.
- Choose JMeter when GUI, plugins, or non-HTTP protocols matter more.
- Evaluate team language comfort: Java/Groovy vs Scala/Java/JS Gatling styles.
- Budget for Gatling Enterprise if you need distributed ops without building it.
- Both are self-hosted open cores with commercial cloud siblings available.

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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