Freedom251 › Visual Regression Testing Software
Vizzy

What Vizzy is
Vizzy is a free, open-source Ruby on Rails server for visual automation that compares screenshots to help prevent visual regressions. It checks matching baseline and test images pixel by pixel and creates a third image that marks differences in red. The intended workflow depends on a build pipeline running tests on pull requests and a client testing framework capturing and saving screenshots.
Vizzy can post a GitHub status linking to a review overview with diffs, new or missing tests, test history, comments, and image approvals. Its repository describes configurable plugins for Slack, Jira, Bamboo, and Jenkins. Local authentication with user registration is the default; optional LDAP authentication and account lookup are also described. Setup requires Ruby 2.3.7, Rails 5.1.6.2, ImageMagick 6, and PostgreSQL. The server is Docker-ready, with Kubernetes and Heroku deployment options. The project is MIT-licensed. Instructions use encrypted Rails secrets and call for keeping the encryption key outside the repository in the RAILS_MASTER_KEY environment variable. The README links to a developer Slack community.
Who it suits
Vizzy suits teams that run pull-request tests and capture screenshots with a client testing framework. It may fit developers seeking visual diff reviews within a GitHub workflow.
What it does well
- Pixel-by-pixel screenshot comparison highlights differences in red.
- GitHub status links to diffs, test history, and approvals.
- Configurable plugins are described for Slack, Jira, Bamboo, and Jenkins.
- Docker-ready, with Kubernetes and Heroku deployment options.
- MIT-licensed and free.
What to know first
- Requires Ruby 2.3.7, Rails 5.1.6.2, ImageMagick 6, and PostgreSQL.
- Animations and changing dates can make visual diffs inconsistent.
- Squash merging can break pre-approvals tied to commit SHAs.
- Requires a build pipeline and screenshot-capturing client framework.
Getting started
- Visit https://github.com/Workday/vizzy
- Install Ruby 2.3.7, Rails 5.1.6.2, ImageMagick 6, and PostgreSQL
- Configure encrypted Rails secrets and set RAILS_MASTER_KEY outside the repository
- Deploy with Docker, Kubernetes, Heroku, or self-hosting
- Connect a test framework that captures and saves screenshots
- Connect the pull-request build pipeline and optional Slack, Jira, Bamboo, or Jenkins plugins
Verdict
Vizzy brings screenshot comparison and image approvals into a pull-request review flow. Account for its specified setup requirements and the documented issues with changing visual content and squash merges.
Questions
Is Vizzy free and open source?
Yes. Vizzy is free and identified as MIT-licensed.
What does Vizzy compare?
It compares baseline and test screenshots pixel by pixel, then creates an image highlighting differences in red.
Which integrations are available?
Configurable plugins are described for Slack, Jira, Bamboo, and Jenkins, and Vizzy can post review status to GitHub.
What does setup require?
The documented requirements are Ruby 2.3.7, Rails 5.1.6.2, ImageMagick 6, and PostgreSQL, plus a screenshot-capturing test framework and pull-request build pipeline.
Can Vizzy use LDAP authentication?
Yes. Local registration is enabled by default, with optional LDAP authentication and account lookup.
What deployment options are documented?
Vizzy is Docker-ready, with Kubernetes and Heroku deployment options, as well as self-hosted use.
Facts from Vizzy's own pages
- Authentication
- The README describes local authentication with user registration by default and LDAP authentication as an option. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Build prerequisites
- The README lists a build pipeline that runs tests on pull requests and a client testing framework that captures screenshots as prerequisites. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Configuration security
- The setup instructions use Rails encrypted secrets and say to keep the encryption key out of the repository in the RAILS_MASTER_KEY environment variable. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- The README lists Ruby 2.3.7, Rails 5.1.6.2, ImageMagick version 6, and PostgreSQL as setup requirements. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The server is Docker-ready, and the README describes deployment with Kubernetes and Helm or Heroku. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Image comparison
- It compares matching screenshots pixel by pixel and generates a third image that highlights differences in red. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The plugin architecture includes configurable plugins for Slack, Jira, Bamboo, and Jenkins. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The README says Vizzy relies on a build pipeline that runs tests on pull requests and a client testing framework that captures and saves screenshots. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Known visual test caveats
- The README warns that animations and changing dates can cause inconsistent screenshots and visual diffs. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies Vizzy as MIT licensed. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Merge limitation
- The README says squash merging can break pre-approvals because Vizzy associates image approvals with pull request commit SHAs. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The README warns that squash merging breaks pre-approvals because approvals are associated with pull request commit SHAs. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Pull request workflow
- Vizzy can update a GitHub status with a visual overview showing diffs, new or missing tests, test history, comments, and image approval. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Vizzy is a Ruby on Rails web server for visual automation that compares screenshots to help prevent visual regressions. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Review workflow
- Vizzy posts a GitHub status linking to an overview of diffs, new and missing tests, test history, comments, and image approvals. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Screenshot comparison
- It compares baseline and test screenshots pixel by pixel and creates a third image that highlights differences in red. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Secrets
- The setup instructions use encrypted Rails secrets and say to keep the encryption key out of the repository in the RAILS_MASTER_KEY environment variable. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Setup requirements
- The documented prerequisites are Ruby 2.3.7, Rails 5.1.6.2, ImageMagick 6, and PostgreSQL. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README invites developers to join the Vizzy developer Slack community. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The README links to a Vizzy developer Slack community. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where Vizzy stands on Freedom251
- Visual Regression Testing Software#21 of 26