Automation testing is equally essential to software development and is a primary aspect of testing applications in the current world. 

As more organizations are experiencing the need for frequent updates and development in software, the significance of employing automation testing tools has also risen continuously.

 In this article, we are going to discuss and compare some of the most popular automation testing tools available for today's market to help you choose the right tool for your company or personal use.

Why Automation Testing?

  • Increased Efficiency: Automation testing can be beneficial from all perspectives of time consumption and dollars spent as it allows for example regression testing and/or smoke testing to be completed by an automated process thus saving time.
  • Improved Test Coverage: Speed up the test is another advantage of the automation that means increased test coverage and the minimization of the potential for undiscovered bugs.
  • Enhanced Accuracy: Thus, automation increases the validity of results and makes tests more consistent because they partially exclude human factors.
  • Faster Feedback: These tests can be run regularly and can therefore inform the developer within a shorter period about the changes they have made and possible regressions.
  • Reduced Cost: Although there is a one-time expense when it comes to the automation of testing, the financial implications are saved in the long run due to the removal of much of the manual process involved.

Now, let's explore some of the most popular automation testing tools;

Top Automation Testing Tools

  • Selenium

Selenium tool is one of the most widely used open-source tools available for web application testing. 

It is compatible with languages such as Java, Python, C#, and ruby, and offers a strong Selenium WebDriver for script writing and running. 

Selenium is highly compatible and portable with all browsers as well as different operating systems and is thus preferred for cross-browser compatibility testing.

Selenium is a very powerful tool for web application automation testing but its efficiency relies heavily on programming skills. In case you do not have any coding knowledge it is better to attend an automation software testing course.

These courses help provide the required programming knowledge and hands-on experience for maximizing the use of Selenium. 

When you enroll in our course, you will get the right knowledge from experienced industry practitioners and be in a position to design, develop, and run automated test scripts for your business.

  • Appium

Another widely known tool is Appium which is primarily dedicated to mobile automation testing. 

From this list, it supports both Android and iOS platforms, and multiple programming languages including Java, Python, C#, and Ruby. 

Appium's integration with Selenium is quite friendly, meaning that any developer who wants to perform mobile application testing can do it using Selenium WebDriver without going through much stress.

  • TestComplete

TestComplete is an effect testing tool that allows several different types of application testing, including web, mobile, and desktop. 

It supports multiple languages for scripting such as NS Odin Scripting, JavaScript, Python, VB Script, and C++ Script. 

TestComplete offers features such as the record and playback feature with a broad range of browser compatibility features as well as the strong reporting mechanism that make it an excellent tool for integrated testing.

  • Ranorex

It is stated that Ranorex is an automation testing tool that encompasses the functionalities for testing both web GUI, mobile & Windows applications. 

This makes the delivery of test automation results very possible by giving both code-based and codeless test automation solutions to both the programmers and the testers. 

Ranorex fits perfectly in continuous testing and integration with systems like Jira, Git, and occasionally Jenkins.

  • IBM Rational Functional Tester

IBM Rational Functional Tester is a robust functional testing tool that offers in-depth support of automation for performing functional testing, regression testing, and GUI testing. 

It supports multiple scripting languages like Java and VB. net,c#, and also gives so many powerful features like recording and playback, DDT, data-driven, cross-browser, etc.

  • Micro Focus UFT

UFT stands for unified functional testing, it was developed by Micro Focus which was known earlier as HP UFT, and it provides advanced-level automation for testing web-based, Mobile, and API applications. 

Now, let's discuss its features: it supports popular scripting languages such as VBScript, JavaScript, and C#, and has the record-and-playback functionality, strong object recognition, and advanced reporting.

Choosing the Right Tool 

  1. Project Requirements: Determine the type of application that you wish to utilize in the testing process, which may include web or mobile applications and APIs among others.
  1. Technical Expertise: Ideally, you should evaluate the competencies of your team regarding programming and the amount of exposure that your team has to different scripting languages.
  1. Budget: Weigh it with the cost of licensing paid tools and evaluating the number of resources needed to set up an open-source one.
  1. Community and Support: A large and active community will always be there to help when needed and provide many useful resources.

Automation Software Testing Courses

Here there are many courses that you might feel could be relevant if you wish to learn more about automation software testing in detail.

The best platform for learning software testing is Staragile.

Staragile is a top-notch course platform catering to various needs. You can get the best software for automation software testing on Staragile.

Other platforms for software testing courses are Coursea, Test Automation University, edX, LinkedIn Learning and PluralSight.

Such courses focus on the concepts, tools, practices, and frameworks used in automation testing as well as script languages.

Professional Organizations:

  • ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board): For instance, has a global-standard certification program in software testing, and other modules for automation testing.
  • American Software Testing Board (ASTB): They have accreditations which include the International Software Testing Qualification (ISTQB) and Certified Software Test Professional (CSTP) which includes aspects of automation testing.

Conclusion

Automated testing tools can be considered efficient and valuable resources that can be introduced in the testing process and enhance the quality of software. 

Some of the attributes of several automation testing tools are listed above and by attending an automation software testing course, you will discover the ways to avoid the drawbacks of automation and make the right approach for each of your projects greater.

Currently, there are a variety of online and offline courses in automation testing software that you can undertake if you are willing to pursue a career in automation testing. 

You should try these courses to get the information and skills to become an efficient automation test engineer.