catch2
« Back to VersTracker
Description:
Modern, C++-native, test framework
Type: Formula  |  Latest Version: 3.11.0@0  |  Tracked Since: Dec 17, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  @catchorg  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: c++ testing framework header-only unit-tests
Install: brew install catch2
About:
Catch2 is a header-only C++ test framework designed for simplicity and ease of use. It allows developers to write tests using standard C++ constructs, providing expressive assertions and seamless integration with build systems. Its main value proposition is delivering powerful testing capabilities without the overhead of complex configuration or external dependencies.
Key Features:
  • Header-only library, no binary to build or link
  • BDD-style GIVEN/WHEN/THEN test cases
  • Rich assertion library with C++11 and above support
  • Automatic registration of test cases
  • Extensive command line interface for test execution
Use Cases:
  • Unit testing C++ applications and libraries
  • Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) in C++
  • Embedded systems testing where minimal dependencies are required
Alternatives:
  • Google Test – Industry standard, requires separate build step; Catch2 is header-only for easier integration.
  • doctest – Similar header-only approach, often cited as faster to compile than Catch2.
License: BSL-1.0
Bottles available for: arm64_tahoe, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, sonoma, arm64_linux, x86_64_linux
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 11, 2025 10:19am 0 VERSION_BUMP 59dea2bc
Jan 6, 2025 2:16am 0 VERSION_BUMP 2321b254
Sep 17, 2024 9:25am 0 VERSION_BUMP a5cde7fa