skillfed

molotov

Spiffy load testing tool.

molotov v2.6 268.6K downloads/30d#8,274 on PyPI
Permissive license Abandoned released

What it is and what it does

Molotov is a load testing framework built on Python's asyncio and aiohttp for writing concurrent HTTP performance tests. It allows you to define test scenarios that run asynchronously against target services, measure response times, and simulate load patterns. The tool is designed for Python 3.7+ and supports features like scenario definitions, session management, and distributed testing across multiple processes.

The package has not been actively maintained since October 2022. While it was marked as Production/Stable and supported Python 3.7 through 3.10, the lack of recent releases means it may not work smoothly with newer Python versions or current aiohttp releases without manual intervention. Users should verify compatibility with their target environment before relying on it for critical load testing.

Use it for:

  • Write concurrent load tests against REST APIs using asyncio-based scenarios to measure throughput and response times.
  • Simulate realistic traffic patterns against web services to identify performance bottlenecks before production deployment.
  • Run distributed load tests across multiple processes to generate higher concurrency than a single process allows.
  • Benchmark HTTP endpoint performance under varying load conditions using scenario-based test definitions.
  • Collect performance metrics and statistics from load test runs for analysis and reporting.

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

Molotov is a load testing tool that uses asyncio and aiohttp to write and run performance tests against HTTP services.

No. Molotov is abandoned (no releases since October 2022, 1393 days ago) and high install friction suggests unresolved dependencies or setup issues. While the license is permissive and there are no known vulnerabilities, the lack of maintenance means compatibility with current Python and aiohttp versions is uncertain. For active load testing, consider a maintained alternative.

Install

molotov on PyPI

pip

pip install molotov

uv

uv add molotov

poetry

poetry add molotov

Installing molotov

Before you install

Installation friction is high. The package has been abandoned since 2022-10-21 (1393 days without release) and carries no runtime dependencies, suggesting it may require manual setup or system-level prerequisites. Maintenance status is abandoned.

License in practice

Licensed under Apache Software License (permissive), which allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.

Quickstart

pip install molotov

Create a test file with scenarios using molotov's asyncio-based API, then run:
molotov --help

Requires Python 3.7 or later; abandoned status means no active maintenance or bug fixes since October 2022.

Verify before relying

  • Whether the package works reliably with current versions of aiohttp and Python 3.10+ given the abandoned maintenance status.
  • What system-level dependencies or configuration are needed beyond pip install, given the high install friction signal.
  • Whether the project's documentation remains accurate and accessible at the stated homepage URL.

Package facts

License not declared (permissive)
Python support not specified
Install friction high — source build required
Runtime dependencies none
Maintenance abandoned — 1,393 days since the last release
First released
Downloads 268,562/month — #8,274 on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-14)
Known vulnerabilities none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14)

Evidence: molotov-2.6.tar.gz

Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9

Tags

load testing toolasync http load testperformance testing pythonstress testing asynciohttp endpoint load testconcurrent request testingaiohttp load generator
load-testingabandoned-project

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