MSTest

Summary

MSTest is a free, open-source framework for writing and running tests for .NET applications. It works across Linux, macOS, and Windows, and supports C#, F#, and Visual Basic. Tests can run from Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, JetBrains Rider, the .NET CLI, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps. Data-driven tests can use DataRow, CombinatorialData, DynamicData, or external data sources. Other features include setup and cleanup hooks, parallel execution, test categorization and filtering, analyzers, and assertion methods. MSTest supports both VSTest and Microsoft.Testing.Platform, with Microsoft.Testing.Platform recommended for new projects. Its NuGet meta-package simplifies references to the recommended MSTest packages. Documented targets include .NET 8 and later, .NET Framework 4.6.2 and later, UWP, WinUI 3, Native AOT, and .NET 10 browser and WASI WebAssembly hosts, though available features vary by target. Native AOT has a limited feature set, and WebAssembly has specific test-timeout and debugger constraints. Microsoft supports only the latest released MSTest version.

Who it is for

MSTest suits .NET developers writing tests in C#, F#, or Visual Basic across supported platforms. It can fit workflows using IDEs, the command line, or CI pipelines.

Compared on unit testing frameworks

Supported languages

C#, F#, Visual Basiclearn.microsoft.com

Parameterized cases

Yeslearn.microsoft.com

Parallel execution

Yeslearn.microsoft.com

Facts

Purpose

MSTest is a Microsoft-supported, open-source, cross-platform test framework for writing and running tests for .NET applications.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Test integrations

It integrates with Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code Test Explorers, the .NET CLI, and CI pipelines.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

IDE and CI options

Tests can be run from Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, JetBrains Rider, the command line, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Data-driven tests

MSTest supports multiple test inputs through DataRow, CombinatorialData, DynamicData, and external data sources.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Test controls

Features include setup and cleanup lifecycle hooks, parallel execution, test categorization and filtering, analyzers, and assertion methods.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Execution engines

MSTest supports VSTest and Microsoft.Testing.Platform, with Microsoft.Testing.Platform recommended for new projects.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Package setup

The MSTest NuGet meta-package simplifies referencing the recommended MSTest packages.nuget.org · 4 Oct 2026

Supported targets

Documented targets include .NET 8 and later, .NET Framework 4.6.2 and later, UWP, WinUI 3, Native AOT, and .NET 10 browser and WASI WebAssembly hosts, with feature differences by target.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

UI testing limit

Windows desktop UI automation is documented for .NET 8+ Windows targets, while UWP and WinUI 3 UI tests require UI-thread access.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

AOT limit

Native AOT is supported with a limited feature set because of reduced reflection capabilities.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

WebAssembly limit

On single-threaded WebAssembly runtimes, MSTest cannot forcibly interrupt timed-out tests, and debugger wait is unsupported.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Support policy

Microsoft supports only the latest released MSTest version; preview releases are offered for public testing but are not supported.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Security and updates

The MSTest team encourages users to update to the latest version for improvements and security patches.learn.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi

• Best Unit Testing Frameworks in 2026#9 of 32

Sources

• learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/testing/unit-testing-· checked 4 Oct 2026
• learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/testing/unit-testing-· checked 4 Oct 2026
• nuget.org/packages/MSTest· checked 4 Oct 2026