What is Artillery?
Artillery is an open-source load testing tool written in Node.js. Tests are defined in YAML (or JavaScript for advanced scenarios) and Artillery executes HTTP, WebSocket, Socket.io, and other protocols. The open-source CLI can run a test from one machine or distribute it across AWS Fargate, AWS Lambda or Azure ACI workers in your own cloud account. Artillery Pro was deprecated in June 2024; Artillery Cloud adds a hosted dashboard on Free, Team ($199/month) and Business ($499/month) plans.
Artillery is well-suited to Node.js-fluent teams who want declarative test definitions. The OSS version is easy to get started with, install via npm, write a YAML file, run from the command line. Distributed execution is built into the CLI, but the load generators run in your own AWS or Azure account, so you provide and pay for that capacity.
When Artillery is the right tool
Artillery fits these workflows:
- Node.js teams. Engineering teams already invested in Node.js find Artillery's npm install + JavaScript scenarios natural.
- Declarative YAML test config. Simple HTTP load tests can be expressed in a few lines of YAML, fast to write and easy to PR-review.
- WebSocket and Socket.io load testing. Artillery has first-class support for protocols beyond plain HTTP, including realtime connections.
- Local CI runs. Wrap Artillery in a CI step for quick smoke load tests against staging environments.
Where Artillery stops being enough
The OSS Artillery model is excellent for single-machine quick tests. Once you need scale, distribution, or platform consolidation, gaps appear:
- Distributed execution runs in your own cloud account. The CLI launches Fargate, Lambda or ACI workers for you, but you supply the account, networking and cloud spend.
- The dashboard is a separate service. The CLI prints results to the terminal; stored reports and trends need Artillery Cloud (free tier: 30 reports a month, one month of retention).
- Regions follow your cloud account. Each distributed run targets the AWS region you choose; Artillery does not host its own load-generator network.
- JMeter and k6 scripts don't run on Artillery. Artillery uses its own YAML/JS format.
- No API or page speed monitoring yet. Artillery covers load testing and Playwright end-to-end testing; its synthetic monitoring is listed as coming soon.
LoadFocus vs Artillery: feature comparison
The table below compares LoadFocus against the Artillery CLI and Artillery Cloud. Pricing checked in October 2026.
| Feature | LoadFocus | Artillery (OSS) | Artillery Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free tier; from $29/mo ($19/mo billed yearly) | Free (open-source) | Free; Team $199/mo; Business $499/mo |
| Deployment model | Cloud SaaS | Self-hosted CLI | Hosted dashboard; load runs in your AWS/Azure account |
| Web UI | Yes (persistent dashboard) | No | Yes |
| Distributed execution | Yes (managed) | Yes (Fargate, Lambda, ACI in your account) | Yes (in your account) |
| Geographic test coverage | 25+ cloud regions | Your cloud regions | Your cloud regions |
| Max throughput | Up to 12,500 VUs | Scales with workers in your account | 5 / 25 / unlimited workers per test |
| JMeter (.jmx) script support | Yes (native) | No | No |
| k6 (.js) script support | Yes (native) | No | No |
| Artillery YAML/JS scripts | No | Yes (specialty) | Yes (specialty) |
| WebSocket/Socket.io load | Limited (via k6) | Yes (specialty) | Yes (specialty) |
| Historical results + trend graphs | Yes | No (needs Artillery Cloud) | Yes |
| CI/CD integration | Yes (CLI + GitHub Action) | Yes (CLI) | Yes |
| AI-generated analysis | Yes (all plans) | Not listed | Not listed |
| Page speed monitoring | Yes | No | No |
| API monitoring | Yes | No | No |
When LoadFocus is the right upgrade from Artillery
The decision usually comes down to script-format preference, platform consolidation, or pricing transparency.
You want JMeter or k6 as the script format
Artillery uses its own YAML/JS format. JMeter and k6 are both more widely adopted across the industry. LoadFocus runs JMeter and k6 natively; switching to those formats opens broader tooling and skill-pool options.
You want managed load generators
Artillery Cloud publishes its pricing (Team $199/month, Business $499/month), and distributed load still runs in your own cloud account. LoadFocus runs the load generators for you, from $29/month ($19/month billed yearly).
You want consolidated load + page speed + API monitoring
Artillery covers load and end-to-end testing, with monitoring still listed as coming soon. LoadFocus combines all three on one platform today.
You want persistent test history without DIY dashboards
The Artillery CLI prints to the terminal, and stored history needs Artillery Cloud (one month of retention on its free tier). LoadFocus stores test history with built-in trend graphs and regression diffs.
You want a free tier with no credit card
LoadFocus offers a no-credit-card free tier. Artillery Cloud also has a free tier; trials of its paid plans go through sales.
WebSocket testing note
Artillery has first-class WebSocket and Socket.io support. LoadFocus's primary script formats (JMeter, k6) support WebSocket but require more script-level work. If realtime protocol load testing is your primary use case, Artillery may remain the better fit; for general HTTP load + page speed + API monitoring, LoadFocus consolidates more on one platform.
Migration from Artillery
- Sign up at loadfocus.com/signup.
- Translate your Artillery YAML scenarios to k6 JavaScript. The mapping is direct: Artillery's YAML "flow" with HTTP requests maps to k6's
http.get/postcalls in adefaultfunction. - Upload the .js script to LoadFocus.
- Configure VU count and ramp-up to match your Artillery scenario phases.
- Run from one or more regions. Compare results against your Artillery runs to validate.
FAQ: LoadFocus vs Artillery
Can LoadFocus run my Artillery YAML scripts?
No. Artillery's YAML format is specific to Artillery. The closest LoadFocus equivalent is k6 (JavaScript), which provides similar declarative request flows.
Is LoadFocus more expensive than OSS Artillery?
OSS Artillery is free (open-source); LoadFocus starts at $29/month ($19/month billed yearly). The fair comparison is OSS Artillery vs LoadFocus only when you've factored the operational cost of running Artillery at scale (Fargate setup, monitoring, etc.).
Should I use Artillery Cloud or LoadFocus?
Artillery Cloud is a hosted dashboard for tests that run in your own AWS or Azure account; LoadFocus is a managed platform that runs the load generators for you. Artillery is best when you want its YAML/JS format and WebSocket strengths. LoadFocus is best when you want JMeter or k6 scripts, managed load generators, and consolidated load + page speed + API monitoring.
Can I use both tools?
Yes. Many teams use Artillery for WebSocket-specific load tests and LoadFocus for HTTP/API load + page speed + API monitoring.
Does LoadFocus support YAML test definitions?
LoadFocus's primary test definitions are via web UI and JMeter/k6 scripts (not YAML). For YAML-driven load testing, Artillery's model is more native.
Try LoadFocus free
If you've outgrown running Artillery from your own cloud account, LoadFocus is a transparently-priced cloud load testing platform with first-class JMeter and k6 support. Sign up for a free tier at loadfocus.com/signup, no credit card, and run your first cloud load test in under 5 minutes.
