Difference between driver.dispose(), driver.close() and driver.quit()

In Selenium driver.close(), driver.quit(), driver.dispose() methods are used to close the browser windows in their own functionality. Each method serves a similar purpose but has different functionality. The driver.close() method is used to close the current browser window. The driver.quit() method is used to close all the browser windows and finally. The driver.dispose() is used for specific WebDriver implementations like .NET.

driver.close() Method

The driver.close() method is used to close the current browser window which is in focus for WebDriver.

• Even if there are multiple windows or tabs opened in the browser, driver.close() method will not close all the windows or tabs present in the browser.
• It will close only the currently focused window and not end the WebDriver session.
• So, diver.close() method is applicable only for currently focused windows or tabs.

Syntax:

driver.close()

driver.quit() Method

driver.quit() method is used to close all browser windows which are running and it will end the webdriver session.

• driver.quit() is suitable when the tester wants to end the entire script/test to ensure all browser windows are closed.
• After calling driver.quit() method further actions on webdriver will be through exceptions as webdriver session is ended.

Syntax:

driver.quit()

driver.dispose() Method

driver.dispose() method is used for specific webdriver implementations like .NET.

• It is used in languages that require manual resource management like .NET to release memory and resources associated with the WebDriver and is not used commonly in Python or other languages.

Syntax:

driver.Dispose()

Differences between driver.close(), driver.quit() and driver.dispose()

Parameters	driver.close()	driver.quit()	driver.dispose()
Execution Scope	Window/Tab-specific	Session-specific	Instance-specific
Effect on WebDriver Session	Doesn’t terminate	Terminates along with windows	Doesn’t terminate
Resource Release	Closes a specific window/tab in focus	Terminates WebDriver and associated windows/tabs	Releases resources for a specific WebDriver instance
Effect on Active Window/Tab	Closes the active window/tab	Closes the active window/tab	No effect
Impact on Multiple Windows/Tabs	Doesn’t affect	Closes all windows/tabs	Doesn’t affect
Handling Single Window/Tab	Closes the single window/tab	Closes the single window/tab	Doesn’t close
Effect on WebDriver Server	No impact	Sends termination signal to WebDriver server	No impact
Graceful Termination	Closes window/tab without ending session	Ends WebDriver session	Doesn’t end the session
Memory Usage	Resources used by the window/tab	All WebDriver resources	Resources used by instance
Commonly Used in	Closing a specific window/tab	Ending a complete test or session	Resource management scenarios

Conclusion

All the three methods will be used to close the browsers based on requirement. The driver.quit() and driver.dispose() will close the all browser tabs whereas driver.close() method will close the currently focused window.