Playwright locator tools.
Choose your next step.
Writing a test, checking a locator, or explaining a browser bug? Compare Playwright, SelectorsHub, and Samelogic by the work you need to do next.
Compare the workflowsKeep the steps behind the element.
Record an issue, replay the steps, and inspect the affected element alongside its selectors.
CSS-based Playwright output. Review it in your test.
PlaywrightBuild the test as you go.
Use the built-in generator to record actions and pick locators, with role, text, and test IDs prioritized.
Start here when your next step is writing a Playwright test.
SelectorsHubExplore your locator options.
Generate and edit XPath, CSS, and Playwright locators in a browser panel.
Check the Free and Pro feature lists for your workflow.
Written by Samelogic Documentation checked See sources
One button.
Different ways to find it.
A generator gives you a starting point. Choose the locator that expresses your intent, then check it against the page.
Try the selector exampledata-testid="save-team"- Role + accessible name
page.getByRole("button", { name: "Save changes", exact: true })Express what the user can identify.
- An explicit test contract
page.getByTestId("save-team")Use a test ID your team agrees to maintain.
- A CSS attribute selector
page.locator('[data-testid="save-team"]')Match the attribute directly with CSS.
Compare the workflows.
See where each fits.
Use Playwright to author and debug tests, SelectorsHub to explore locators, and Samelogic to preserve a browser issue for investigation.
| What to compare | Playwright | SelectorsHub | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting startedWhere does the work happen? | Install CSS Selector & XPath Finder in desktop Chrome. Inspect a page or deliberately start a recording. | Open the test generator through VS Code or the Playwright Inspector. | Install the extension and open its browser panel to inspect the target. |
| Locator outputWhat goes into your test? | Copy CSS, XPath, or a CSS-based page.locator() expression. Role and test-ID methods need your review and authorship. | Generate locators that prioritize role, text, and test IDs. Edit the result for your intended scope. | Generate CSS and XPath; generate or edit Playwright locators. Available options depend on the version and plan. |
| Checking the targetDid you find the right element? | Review the element, attributes, and selector options. Run the chosen locator against your live application. | Pick an element in the generator and edit the locator to check which elements it matches. | Validate expressions against the page, inspect matching elements, and review syntax errors. |
| When a test failsWhat evidence can you inspect? | Replay a browser flow you recorded and inspect the element at the relevant moment. Earlier browsing is not recovered. | With tracing enabled, inspect test actions, DOM snapshots, console output, and network activity in Trace Viewer. | Recheck the locator against the current page. The vendor also offers TestCase Studio as a separate recording product. |
| Passing it onWhat can a teammate continue from? | Save a recording to a workspace and share the captured steps and element context. An account and applicable plan access are needed. | Share test code and recorded traces so another developer can inspect the test run. | Copy locators into your test code or use the listed locator-page features; check plan availability. |
A recorded browser flow and a test trace capture different activity. Features and access depend on setup and plan; this comparison does not imply identical coverage. Review the documentation
The real test is
what happens next.
- 01
Recreate the real state.
Use the account role, navigation, and actions that expose the problem. A fresh page may hide what matters.
- 02
Check the match and outcome.
Confirm the locator targets the intended element. Run the action and assert the result; a valid selector alone does not prove the test.
- 03
Leave a path to investigate.
Keep the test trace or a deliberate browser recording with the issue. Include what you expected and where the result first changed.
A locator matching once is not a stability guarantee. Check the relevant page states and add assertions for the behavior you expect.
Before you
choose.
Do I need an extension to generate Playwright locators?
No. Playwright includes a test generator and locator picker. Start there when you are authoring a test. A browser extension can support a different part of the work, such as inspecting selector alternatives or recording an issue before it becomes a test.
Does Samelogic generate getByRole() or getByTestId()?
Samelogic’s inspected-element Playwright output is a CSS-based page.locator() expression. You can use the captured element context to decide whether a role, label, or test ID would be appropriate, then author and validate that locator in Playwright.
Can Samelogic turn a recording into a finished test?
A recording can export a Playwright starting point for supported steps. It still needs review: resolve missing targets, supply appropriate test data, set up the environment, and add assertions. The export is not a verified regression test or proof that a fix works.
Will changing my locator generator fix flaky tests?
Not by itself. Flakiness can come from page state, asynchronous behavior, test data, or a locator that matches the wrong element. Inspect the failure, choose a locator that expresses your intent, and verify the action and expected result in your test environment.
Can I keep using Playwright and SelectorsHub?
Yes. Keep your existing test and locator workflow. Use Samelogic when you also need to record a browser issue, inspect the affected element in replay, and share that context. Try local recording before creating an account; saving to a workspace and sharing require an account, with plan limits.
How we compared
Written by Samelogic using current product behavior and the vendor documentation linked here. Reviewed September 27, 2026. This is a workflow comparison, not a hands-on benchmark or an exhaustive market ranking.
Keep the steps
behind the selector.
Record the issue, replay the moment it goes wrong, and inspect the affected element. Give the next developer more context to work from.
CSS Selector & XPath Finder · For desktop Chrome.
Try local recording before creating an account.