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The right Cucumber alternative depends on what you want to change. For Kotlin tests written directly in code, consider Kotest’s BehaviorSpec. For staged Given–When–Then scenarios on the JVM, JGiven documents a Java-oriented option with JUnit 5 integration. Kensa describes a code-first approach for Kotlin and Java. If people outside the development team need to read and edit standalone Gherkin specifications, Cucumber-JVM may still fit—and Kotlin does not prevent you from using it.
Do Kotlin and Java teams need to replace Cucumber?
No. Cucumber uses Gherkin plain-text specifications, usually kept in .feature files, and step definitions connect those scenarios to application code. Its documentation describes the tool as supporting Behaviour-Driven Development by running executable specifications and reporting whether software conforms. An alternative may replace the separate Gherkin-and-step-definition workflow rather than reproduce all of it. See Cucumber’s overview.
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Kotlin is also compatible with Cucumber-JVM: Cucumber’s Kotlin installation guide says there is no native Kotlin implementation, but Kotlin tests can be written using Cucumber-JVM. See Cucumber’s Kotlin installation page.
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For Java, Cucumber documents Maven and Gradle setup, with the Cucumber JUnit Platform Engine for JUnit 5 or Cucumber’s JUnit integration for JUnit 4. The Java installation page displays version 8.0.3 as its current example; check dependency requirements rather than treating that example as a universal recommendation. Cucumber does not include an assertion library: its documentation says, “Cucumber does not come with an assertion library. Instead, use the assertion methods from a unit testing tool.” See Cucumber’s Java installation guide.
#1 Best Overall
Which Cucumber alternatives fit Kotlin and Java?
| Option | Best fit | Scenario format | Documented integration or caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kotest | Kotlin teams wanting BDD-style tests in Kotlin | Code-defined styles, including BehaviorSpec and FeatureSpec |
FeatureSpec is not intended to be exactly the same as Cucumber; verify version and runner compatibility. |
| JGiven | Java/JVM teams wanting staged Given–When–Then scenarios | Java API calls organized into Given, When, and Then stages | Documents JUnit 5 integration; does not support JUnit’s per-class test instance lifecycle, and dynamic tests are not reported. |
| Kensa | Teams evaluating a code-first option for Kotlin and Java | Project describes tests written in Kotlin or Java without Gherkin files or step definitions | Project README lists JUnit 5/6, Kotest, and TestNG support. Verify current maturity, releases, and compatibility. |
Kotest: BDD-style tests in Kotlin
Kotest offers eight test-definition styles. Its BehaviorSpec uses context, given, when, and then; because when is a Kotlin keyword, the documentation shows it in backticks or offers title-case alternatives. FeatureSpec uses feature and scenario, terms familiar to Cucumber users, but Kotest explicitly says it is not meant to be exactly the same as Cucumber. Both are styles within a Kotlin testing framework, not a separate Gherkin-file workflow. See Kotest’s testing styles.
Consider Kotest if developers should define scenarios in Kotlin code and the team does not need nontechnical collaborators to edit standalone feature files. Before adopting it, check compatibility with the project’s Kotlin, Gradle or Maven, JVM, and Android targets.
Rank #2
JGiven: staged scenarios for Java and the JVM
JGiven’s guide presents scenarios as calls across Given, When, and Then stages and documents JUnit 5 support through an extension or scenario-test base classes. Its guide lists version 2.0.3 and was last updated 2025-09-26; check the current dependency versions and lifecycle requirements. The guide notes that JGiven does not support JUnit’s per-class test instance lifecycle and that dynamic tests are not reported. See the JGiven User Guide.
Kensa: a project-described code-first option
Kensa’s README describes writing Given–When–Then tests directly in Kotlin or Java, without Gherkin files or step definitions. It lists JUnit 5/6, Kotest, and TestNG support, and describes HTML reports generated from test source and sequence diagrams. These are claims in Kensa’s own project documentation, not independent comparative findings. See the Kensa project README.
As presented by the project, Kensa removes the separate specification and glue layer. That may reduce the chance of feature text drifting from implementation, but it also means there is no separately editable Gherkin artifact for stakeholders. Check the repository’s current releases, documentation, maturity, and compatibility before adopting it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
How to choose based on why you are leaving Cucumber
- Decide who must edit scenarios. If product owners, analysts, or testers need to read and change specifications without reading Kotlin or Java, Cucumber’s Gherkin files provide a separate text layer. The alternatives described here put scenarios in code to varying degrees.
- Match the language and test style. Kotest is the most directly Kotlin-shaped option in this set; JGiven documents staged Java/JVM scenarios; Kensa describes support for both Kotlin and Java.
- Check runner and build needs. Confirm the relevant JUnit generation, any TestNG requirement, Gradle or Maven setup, Android constraints, and how assertions are handled. Cucumber documents JUnit 4 and JUnit Platform integration; JGiven documents JUnit 5 integration; Kensa’s README lists JUnit 5/6, Kotest, and TestNG.
- Choose the source of truth for reports. Decide whether reports should reflect a separately maintained Gherkin specification, scenarios defined in test code, or a tool-generated view of source. Kensa describes source-derived HTML reports; assess whether its output meets your team’s needs.
- Inventory migration work before switching. Review feature files, step definitions, hooks, state management, reports, CI integration, and stakeholder workflows. The cited documentation does not quantify migration effort, so it cannot establish a particular cost or speed improvement.
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