inspecta vs Percy and Chromatic
Percy and Chromatic watch pixels between builds. inspecta uses real Figma tokens, then ends at a fix on the live page, not a report.
When to use which
- Use Percy or Chromatic when you want CI to fail if a screenshot changed after a commit.
- Use inspecta when you want to know if the live URL still matches Figma, and to edit the element on that page.
- Use both if you already have visual tests and still get handoff tickets that are only screenshots.
Frequently asked questions
What is design QA vs visual regression testing?
Visual regression (Percy, Chromatic) diffs screenshots between builds. Design QA compares the live page to a Figma spec, then you apply the fix. Different job.
Is inspecta a Percy alternative?
Not as a CI screenshot runner. Percy diffs pixels between builds. inspecta diffs live CSS against a Figma frame, on the URL you have open.
Is inspecta a Chromatic alternative?
Chromatic is built around Storybook visual tests. inspecta runs in Chrome on your real page. Different workflow, different output.
Can I use inspecta with Percy or Chromatic?
Yes. Keep CI screenshot tests for regressions after merge. Use inspecta at handoff to match Figma and fix the element before you open a ticket.
How is this different from manual screenshot QA?
Manual QA marks a PNG. inspecta reads the live CSS, so you can apply Figma values, swap an SVG, or send the change to Cursor or Copilot.
Does inspecta replace visual regression testing?
No. It does not snapshot every PR. It is visual QA for designers and developers on a live URL, including localhost and staging.