# Performate vs Grafana k6 Studio

Canonical HTML: https://performate.app/compare/k6-studio

Both are desktop apps built around k6. Grafana k6 Studio focuses on recording flows and generating scripts. Performate (performate.app) is a full load-testing workspace aimed at performance outcomes: define an objective, run the right scenario with thresholds, and share evidence—so API and QA teams answer the business question, not only produce a .js file.

## How is Performate different from Grafana k6 Studio?

The useful loop is short: can we ship, does p95 hold, will a spike break checkout? Performate keeps that path—from goal to evidence—inside one k6 workspace.

| Capability | Performate | k6 Studio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Primary job | Objective → scenario → evidence (full workspace) | Record flows and generate scripts |
| Postman import | First-class collection and environment import | Not the core workflow (HAR / recording oriented) |
| Scenarios by risk / objective | Six core k6 scenario types ready to map to goals | You shape load mainly after the script exists |
| SLO-oriented thresholds | Built into the run-and-report loop | Possible in generated scripts; less product focus |
| AI-assisted scripts and analysis | Built-in chat for scripts plus run summaries | No integrated AI workspace for test + report |
| Stakeholder reports | Shareable reports and exports for decisions | Script-first; reporting is mostly elsewhere |
| Live metrics while running | In-app dashboard and execution console | Validate/debug script; full load UX is secondary |
| HAR / browser recording | Not the primary path (API/collection-first) | Strong fit for recorder → script generation |
| Workspaces and variables | Centralized environments for staging/prod reuse | Script-centric; less productized workspace |
| Path to CI | Same k6-based tests; Pro+ aimed at pipelines | Scripts run with k6 CLI / Grafana Cloud k6 |

AI is a copilot, not autopilot: you still define the load and k6 still executes it. The ~50% figure refers to setup friction in a fragmented toolchain, not a published customer study.

## FAQ

### How is Performate different from Grafana k6 Studio?

k6 Studio focuses on recording browser flows and generating scripts. Performate is a Windows k6 workspace for performance outcomes: Postman import, scenario types mapped to objectives, thresholds, live metrics, and shareable reports. Both use k6; Performate is not a HAR recorder.

### Does Performate replace the k6 CLI?

No. Performate bundles k6 and keeps k6 semantics. You still define the load; k6 still executes it. Pro+ is aimed at reusing those same tests in CI/CD. Choose the CLI alone when you already live in scripts and terminals.

### Is the ~50% faster setup claim a customer study?

No. It is a product estimate of initial setup friction versus a fragmented converter/CLI/editor/spreadsheet flow, not a published customer study.

### Which operating system does Performate support?

Windows only today (Windows 10+). macOS and Linux are on the roadmap and are not generally available.