Gatling is a powerful open-source load testing tool designed to help developers, testers, and DevOps engineers measure the performance of web applications, APIs, and services. Unlike traditional GUI-based testing tools, Gatling uses code to define test scenarios, making it easier to version, maintain, and automate performance tests. It supports Java, Scala, Kotlin, JavaScript, and TypeScript, allowing teams to integrate load testing into modern development workflows.
Installing Gatling on Windows is straightforward, but there are a few prerequisites you need to meet first. Recent versions of Gatling require a supported 64-bit Java Development Kit (JDK), and the recommended installation method is to use one of the official Maven or Gradle project templates instead of the older standalone bundle. This approach simplifies dependency management and makes it easier to update Gatling in the future.
This guide walks you through multiple methods to install Gatling on Windows 10 and Windows 11, including the recommended Maven project, the standalone bundle, and verification steps to ensure everything is working correctly.
What Is Gatling?
Gatling is a high-performance load testing framework that simulates thousands of virtual users to evaluate how an application performs under different levels of traffic.
Common uses include:
- Load testing web applications.
- API performance testing.
- Stress testing.
- Capacity planning.
- Performance regression testing.
- CI/CD pipeline integration.
- Monitoring application scalability.
Because Gatling scripts are written as code, they’re easy to store in version control systems and automate as part of software testing workflows.
Method 1: Install Java Development Kit (JDK)
Before installing Gatling, ensure that a supported 64-bit JDK is installed. Current Gatling releases support OpenJDK Long-Term Support versions from Java 11 through Java 25, with Java 17 or Java 21 being common choices.
To check whether Java is installed:
- Press Windows + S.
- Search for Command Prompt.
- Open it.
- Run:
java -versionIf Java is installed, you’ll see the installed version.
If the command isn’t recognized:
- Download a supported JDK from your preferred Java distribution.
- Install it using the default options.
- Restart Command Prompt.
- Verify the installation again using:
java -versionHaving Java installed is essential because Gatling runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Method 2: Download the Official Gatling Project
The easiest way to start with Gatling is by downloading one of the official project templates.
To do this:
- Visit the official Gatling download page.
- Choose the project type you want (Java with Maven is recommended for beginners).
- Download the ZIP file.
- Extract the archive to a folder such as:
C:\Gatling- Open the extracted project in your preferred IDE.
The official templates already contain the required project structure, dependencies, and sample simulations, allowing you to begin testing immediately.
Method 3: Install the Standalone Gatling Bundle
If you’re working in an environment without internet access or prefer a self-contained installation, you can use the standalone Gatling bundle.
To install it:
- Download the standalone bundle.
- Save the ZIP file.
- Extract it using 7-Zip or another advanced archive utility.
Avoid using the built-in Windows ZIP extractor because it may not correctly extract the bundle on some systems. Also, don’t place the bundle inside Program Files, as permission and path issues can occur.
The extracted folder includes:
- Sample project
- Maven wrapper
- Source folders
- Configuration files
- Example simulations
This method is mainly intended for offline environments.
Method 4: Open the Project in an IDE
Although Gatling can be used from the command line, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) makes writing and maintaining simulations much easier.
Popular IDEs include:
- IntelliJ IDEA
- Visual Studio Code
- Eclipse
Open the extracted Gatling project in your IDE and allow it to download all required dependencies. This may take a few minutes during the first launch.
Once the project loads successfully, you’ll see sample simulations that you can edit or run.
Method 5: Verify the Installation
After opening the project, verify that everything is configured correctly.
Open Command Prompt in the project folder and run:
mvnw.cmd gatling:testGatling starts in interactive mode and lists the available sample simulations. Select one of them to begin the test.
If the simulation runs successfully, your installation is complete.
Method 6: Run the Sample Simulation
The downloaded project contains a demonstration load test.
To execute it:
- Open Command Prompt.
- Navigate to the project directory.
- Run:
mvnw.cmd gatling:test- Choose the sample simulation when prompted.
- Wait for the test to finish.
Gatling displays progress in the terminal while virtual users perform requests against the demo application.
Running the sample simulation confirms that Java, Maven, and Gatling are all working correctly.
Method 7: View the HTML Test Report
After a simulation finishes, Gatling automatically generates a detailed HTML report.
Locate the report in:
target\gatling\Open the newest report folder and launch the HTML file in your web browser.
The report includes:
- Response times
- Number of requests
- Success rate
- Error statistics
- Throughput
- Response time distribution
- Performance graphs
These reports make it easy to identify performance bottlenecks and compare test results over time.
Method 8: Launch the Gatling Recorder
Gatling includes a recorder that captures browser traffic and converts it into reusable test scripts.
To start the recorder, run:
mvnw.cmd gatling:recorderThe recorder launches a graphical interface where you can configure recording settings, capture browser actions, and generate a new simulation automatically.
This feature saves time when creating complex test scenarios.
Method 9: Create Your First Simulation
Once Gatling is installed, you can begin writing your own simulations.
Typical workflow:
- Open the src/test/java folder.
- Create a new simulation class.
- Define your HTTP requests.
- Configure virtual users.
- Save the file.
- Run the simulation using:
mvnw.cmd gatling:testBecause simulations are code-based, they can be version-controlled, shared with teammates, and integrated into automated testing pipelines.
Method 10: Keep Gatling Updated
New Gatling releases include bug fixes, performance improvements, and additional features.
To stay current:
- Download the latest project template when starting a new project.
- Update the Gatling dependency version in your Maven or Gradle project.
- Refresh project dependencies in your IDE.
- Re-run your simulations to verify compatibility.
Using the latest stable release ensures better performance, improved language support, and access to new capabilities.
Conclusion
Installing Gatling on Windows is a straightforward process once you have a supported Java Development Kit installed. The recommended approach is to download one of Gatling’s official Maven or Gradle project templates, which include everything needed to start writing and running load tests. For users working in offline environments, the standalone bundle remains available, though it requires careful extraction and setup.
After installation, you can verify the setup by running the included sample simulation, view detailed HTML performance reports, and use the Gatling Recorder to generate test scripts from browser interactions. Whether you’re testing web applications, REST APIs, or microservices, Gatling provides a fast, scalable, and developer-friendly platform for performance testing on Windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Gatling require Java?
Yes. Gatling runs on the Java Virtual Machine and requires a supported 64-bit JDK.
2. Which installation method is recommended?
The official Java with Maven project template is recommended because it simplifies dependency management and updates.
3. Can I use Gatling without an IDE?
Yes. Gatling can be run entirely from the command line, although an IDE makes creating and maintaining simulations easier.
4. Where are Gatling reports stored?
By default, HTML reports are generated inside the target\gatling folder after each completed simulation.
