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Poku

Free plan API

What Poku is

Poku is a free, MIT-licensed test runner for JavaScript that runs with Node.js, Bun, and Deno. It supports ESM and CommonJS tests, and its documentation also covers TypeScript. Test files run with isolation, and an assertion API based on Node.js assert methods provides human-readable output. Poku includes helpers for starting services and scripts, managing processes and ports, and handling containers during tests. Coverage options can load official plugins for c8, Monocart, Istanbul, or one-double-zero. Official React and Vue plugins support component tests with DOM environments and Testing Library helpers. The Multi Suite plugin runs independently configured suites in sequence and produces a consolidated report; Shared Resources can share stateful resources such as database connections across test files and processes. Custom plugins and reporters are supported through documented APIs. One described use case is running the same test suite across Node.js, Bun, and Deno for package compatibility testing. Poku says it is not intended to replace native test runners or to be the lightest or fastest runner.

Who it suits

Poku suits JavaScript developers who want to run tests across Node.js, Bun, and Deno, including for package compatibility checks. Its plugins also serve teams doing React or Vue component tests and coverage reporting.

What it does well

Supports Node.js, Bun, and Deno
Runs ESM and CommonJS tests
Isolates test files
Offers coverage and component-testing plugins
Supports custom plugins and reporters

What to know first

Does not aim to replace native test runners
Does not aim to be the lightest or fastest

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Poku	Free and open-source · MIT License · Node.js, Bun, and Deno support	Free

As poku.io lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Poku website or documentation.
Use the documented setup for Node.js, Bun, or Deno.
Choose ESM or CommonJS tests, or follow the documented TypeScript usage.
Add official plugins for coverage or React and Vue component testing if needed.
Run suites across the runtimes you support.

Verdict

Poku combines multi-runtime test execution with helpers and plugins for coverage, component tests, and shared resources. Its stated scope is additive rather than a replacement for native test runners.

Questions

Is Poku free?

Yes. Poku is free and open source under the MIT License.

Which runtimes does Poku support?

Poku supports Node.js, Bun, and Deno.

Which test formats can it run?

Poku supports ESM and CommonJS tests, and its documentation also describes TypeScript usage.

Does Poku support component testing and coverage?

Yes. Official React and Vue plugins support component tests, and official coverage plugins are available for c8, Monocart, Istanbul, and one-double-zero.

Is Poku intended to replace native test runners?

No. The project says it does not aim to replace native test runners or to be the lightest or fastest runner.

What license does Poku use?

Poku is released under the MIT License.

Facts from Poku's own pages

Assertions: Poku includes an assertion API based on Node.js assert methods, with human-readable output. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Background services: Poku provides helpers for starting services and scripts, handling processes and ports, and managing containers during tests. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Coverage integrations: The coverage option can load official plugins for c8, Monocart, Istanbul, or one-double-zero. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Customizability: Poku supports custom plugins and custom reporters through its documented plugin and reporter APIs. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Framework integrations: Official plugins support React and Vue component tests with DOM environments and Testing Library helpers. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Isolation: Poku runs test files with isolation, as shown in its test runner comparison. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
License and security: Poku is under the MIT License, and its documentation directs users to a GitHub security policy. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Multi-suite testing: The Multi Suite plugin runs independently configured test suites sequentially and produces a consolidated report. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Notable limitation: The project says it does not aim to replace native test runners or to be the lightest or fastest runner. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Product: Poku is a cross-platform test runner for JavaScript. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Runtime support: The documentation describes running Poku with Node.js, Bun, and Deno. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Shared resources: The Shared Resources plugin can share stateful resources such as database connections across test files and processes. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Test formats: Poku supports ESM and CommonJS tests, and its site also documents TypeScript usage. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026
Use case: The site describes running the same test suite across Node.js, Bun, and Deno for package compatibility testing. · poku.io, 4 Oct 2026

Where Poku stands on Freedom251

JavaScript Testing Frameworks#13 of 23