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A modern, C++-native, header-only, test framework for unit-tests, TDD and BDD - using C++11, C++14, C++17 and later (or C++03 on the Catch1.x branch)

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Type
Open Source
Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About Catch

Catch2 is a modern, C++-native test framework designed for unit testing, test-driven development (TDD), and behavior-driven development (BDD). It also provides basic micro-benchmarking capabilities. Catch2's main advantage is its simplicity and natural syntax: test names can be any string, assertions use normal C++ boolean expressions, and sections allow easy sharing of setup and teardown code. Version 3 (under development) transitions from a single-header library to a normal multi-header library with separately compiled implementation, supporting C++14, C++17, and later (C++11 available in v2.x branch). The framework is open-source under the Boost Software License 1.0.

Key Features

Unit testing with natural test names (not limited to valid identifiers)
Expression-based assertions that read like normal C++ boolean expressions
Sections for local sharing of setup and teardown code
Basic micro-benchmarking support (disabled by default)
Simple BDD macros for behavior-driven development
Header-only in v2.x; v3 provides multiple headers and separately compiled implementation
Supports C++11 (v2.x), C++14, C++17, C++20 and later
Cross-platform (Linux, macOS, Windows, etc.)

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Simple and natural syntax requiring minimal boilerplate
  • No separate test registration needed – tests are auto-discovered
  • Supports multiple C++ standards (C++11 through C++23+)
  • Integrated micro-benchmarking avoids need for external tools
  • Active open-source community with frequent updates
  • Header-only option in v2.x simplifies integration
Cons
  • Version 3 breaks header-only approach, requiring separate compilation and linking (may complicate integration for simple projects)
  • Documentation migration from v2 to v3 is still in progress
  • Advanced features (e.g., custom reporter hooks) have a steeper learning curve
  • Benchmarking feature is basic compared to dedicated tools like Google Benchmark

Best For

Unit testing of C++ codeTest-driven development (TDD)Behavior-driven development (BDD)Micro-benchmarking performance-sensitive codeContinuous integration (CI) pipelines for C++ projects

FAQ

Is Catch2 free to use?
Yes, Catch2 is open-source under the Boost Software License 1.0, free for any use including commercial projects.
What C++ standards does Catch2 support?
Catch2 v3 supports C++14, C++17, and later. The v2.x branch supports C++11, and the older Catch1.x supports C++03.
Is Catch2 header-only?
Catch2 v2.x is header-only – just download the single header and include it. Catch2 v3 is a normal library with multiple headers and a separately compiled implementation (you must link against it).
Can I use Catch2 for BDD?
Yes, Catch2 provides simple BDD macros to write tests in a behavior-driven style (e.g., GIVEN/WHEN/THEN patterns).
Does Catch2 support performance benchmarks?
Yes, it includes basic micro-benchmarking support. Benchmarks are disabled by default and must be run with the [!benchmark] tag.