PDF and image visual testing with Image Tester
Applitools Image Tester runs visual tests on PDFs, images, and other documents. Point it at a single file or an entire folder tree — it uploads every image and every page to Applitools Eyes for baseline comparison and diff detection.
It is the recommended tool for visually testing:
- Multi-page PDFs (invoices, contracts, statements, reports)
- Rendered image files (PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, TIFF)
- Documents that go through generation pipelines where fonts, watermarks, or margins may differ
Two ways to run it
You can use Image Tester either as a desktop app or from the command line. Both share the same engine and the same feature set — pick whichever fits how you work.
| GUI | CLI | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A desktop application. No Java to install, no terminal. | A Java Archive (JAR) run from the command line. |
| Best for | Interactive testing, exploratory runs, and non-developer users. | CI/CD pipelines, scripted runs, remote servers. |
| Requirements | Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon or Intel), or Linux (Debian/Ubuntu). | Java 11 or later. |
| Installation | Download the installer and double-click. | Download the JAR and run it. |
New here? Start with the GUI — it's the fastest path from install to first result.
What it can do
- Batch tests from folders — recursive scanning derives batch, test, and step names from your folder structure automatically. See How tests are organized.
- PDF-specific controls — render at a chosen DPI, test only selected pages, trim print margins, open password-protected files. See PDF options.
- Compare two documents directly — diff a specific pair of PDFs or images against each other, no baseline lookup required. See Compare two documents.
- Font normalization — rewrite fonts to Helvetica 12pt before comparison to eliminate typography-driven false positives. See Font normalization.
- Watermark removal — automatically strip "DRAFT" / "PRE-Proof" style stamps in memory before uploading, so pre-production runs don't diff against clean baselines. See Watermark removal.
Prerequisites
- An Applitools account. Sign up for free if you don't have one yet.
- Your Applitools API key.
Need extra help?
If you get stuck on this example, don't suffer in silence! Please reach out to us to get things working. We can also help you get Applitools running in your own project.