Zerocode

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Introduction

Zerocode describes itself as a no-code, low-code automated testing tool for data streams (Kafka), microservice APIs and databases using JSON. Tests are scenarios made of steps, each with a URL or operation, a request and a declarative expected response.

Scenarios run through JUnit with Zerocode’s runner, so they integrate with Maven, Gradle and IDEs. The project documents Kafka testing, REST and SOAP testing, and load testing by reusing the same scenarios.

A companion CLI called Steply can run Zerocode scenarios directly from the terminal.

In the quality loop it covers API, messaging and integration checks on the JVM.

The source code is at authorjapps/zerocode on GitHub under the Apache-2.0 licence, with about 1,000 stars; the most recent commit was on 31 October 2026.

Features

1. Declarative scenarios: JSON or YAML steps with expected responses.
2. REST and SOAP: HTTP API testing.
3. Kafka testing: Produce and consume messages in tests.
4. Database checks: Verify data as part of scenarios.
5. Load testing: Reuse scenarios for load.
6. JUnit runner: Fits Maven and Gradle builds.

Pros

1. Kafka support: Rare built-in support for data-stream testing.
2. Free to use: Open source under the Apache-2.0 licence, so the core tool costs nothing to use.
3. Actively maintained: The repository had commits as recent as 31 October 2026.

Cons

1. JSON verbosity: Large scenarios get long.
2. JVM-centric: Best for Java projects.

Usage and Links (Example)

{
  "scenarioName": "get user",
  "steps": [{
    "name": "fetch",
    "url": "/users/1",
    "method": "GET",
    "request": {},
    "verify": { "status": 200, "body": { "id": 1 } }
  }]
}

Resources:

• Zerocode website

Pricing

Zerocode is free and open source under the Apache-2.0 licence.

Recommended for?

1. JVM teams testing APIs and Kafka declaratively.
2. Not a fit if you prefer code-first tests.

Conclusion

Zerocode is a maintained, declarative option for API and Kafka testing on the JVM.

On CheckOps, Zerocode is filed under the API & contract testing, Integration testing and Performance & load stages. Related tools listed here include Karate, Rest-Assured, Citrus, Venom, Hurl and JMeter. Before choosing, compare them on licence, supported languages and platforms, hosting model, and how well each fits your existing CI pipeline. Facts on this page were checked against the official website, documentation and repository on 11 November 2026; statements the vendor makes about its own product are marked as vendor claims.