In the development of mobile applications or multi platform applications, there is a key moment that is none other than testing. Check if core functions fail, crashes, or even usability bugs. Testing mobile apps for both iOS and Android allows developers to avoid last-minute scares or failure in app store reviews. Therefore, testing can mean the success or failure of our mobile application.
Test mobile applications in real or automatically
In the market, we find numerous tools to test applications. Some are used to doing automatic tests and others do tests with real users.
To test mobile applications by real users, it is as simple as uploading the application to be tested on a platform and the user only has to download it and perform the test.
On the other hand, when testing mobile applications automatically, some requirements must be defined to achieve a fairly reliable test of our application.
We also find specific tools; depending on the type of operating system they have, iOS or Android, for example. In short, there is a wide variety of them. That’s why, from the new mobile testing tools, we have selected some of the best.
Major types of Mobile testing
- Functional Testing: Basic type of Testing used to check the functionalities of the application as per requirement specification.
- Performance testing: Performed for testing client application performance, server performance, and network performance.
- Memory testing: Mobile devices come with limited memory as compared to computers; this type of testing is performed to test the optimized memory usage by an application.
- Interruption Testing: Used to check for interruptions due to incoming calls or SMS, low memory warning, low battery warning, etc while running the application.
- Installation Testing: Installation Testing is used to check for the easy and smooth installation process including updating and uninstalling as well.
- Usability Testing: As always it is used to check the efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction of the application.
14 best mobile testing tools
XCUI Test
The XCUI Test is created by Apple, specifically for iOS software. The good thing about this tool is that it runs with Xcode IDE, therefore it can be paired with Xcode’s UI test recording tool. It supports Swift and Objective-c, allowing users to write tests inside it. The XCUI Test tool is very convenient for iOS developers and therefore is among the top trending mobile app testing tools.
Selendroid
Selendroid is a mobile test framework that interacts with multiple devices simultaneously. It is an open-source framework that is used to test the UI of native, hybrid apps and mobile web. The selenium 2 API client can be used to write test codes for the test functions. It is regarded as one of the best due to its compatibility with several emulators as well as hot-plugged hardware devices.
Developers don’t need to alter the app while trying to automate the testing. Selendroid works effectively on Windows, Mac and Linus. Users should make sure that Java SDK is installed (a minimum of 1.6) and the JAVA_HOME is configured.
Eggplant
When it comes to performance and functionality testing, Eggplant is your go-to tool. Testing such as Cross-browser testing, web testing; network testing, mobile testing and Image-Based testing can be done on Eggplant. Eggplant can be used for Android and IOS apps and works perfectly well on all devices. One unique thing that makes it stand out is that you don’t need to stress yourself trying it on various test modes; with one script, all of the devices and platforms are tested.
Also, developers don’t need to stress about altering the app code for testing. Developers that are more specific on finding bugs that might be missed with manual testing should use Eggplant because it automatically hunts for bugs. Operating systems, browsers, screen sizes; everything is been tested, from the UI to the API to the database.
Kobiton
If you’re considering a mix of both manual and automated testing, or either of them, then Kobiton is your tool. The operating software is not a problem, as it supports android, IOS and native apps. Kobiton uses the Appium framework and gives developers the freedom to edit scripts for a better testing process.
Kobiton does not only support emulators but real mobile devices and users can test the camera and speaker control, device connectivity, GPS simulation and multi-touch gestures. Activity logs are automatically generated, and with this, they easily identify and fix a bug quickly. Kobiton is cloud-based, and they give free trials to new users.
TestRigor
TestRigor is the best tool for users with a no-code experience. Users define their tests in plain English as they are executed. This test made it to the top 15 due to its low maintenance and automation time. Works perfect for both Native and Hybrid apps, and on all platforms. It is known to be 15x faster than the popular Appium framework when it comes to automation testing.
TestRigor supports physical devices, and testing extends to audio testing, and email and SMS validation. Unlike other mobile app testing tools, TestRigor offers unlimited users and unlimited testing, and the public version is free forever.
Ranorex Studio
Ranorex is a beginner-friendly tool for mobile testing. It has easy clickable functions with helpful wizards to perform unfamiliar actions. It is a powerful automation tool for experts, as they can make use of IDE for complete automation testing. It works for hybrid and native apps, and the web as well, and can be tested on real devices without rooting them.
It can be seamlessly integrated with other tools like Jira, Travis Ci, Jenkin, TestRail, Git and others. Ranorex offers text and video reports of the testing, to help users easily identify bugs without having to re-run the test again.
Katalon Studio
Katalon Studio is also a codeless testing tool that is newbie-friendly. Works on android and iOS platforms, and can be tested across Windows, macOS and Linus OS. Katalon can execute tests both locally and remotely on real, cloud-based and stimulating devices. It works across mobile devices, web and API, and can be easily integrated with other management tools like Jira, Jenkins, Gits and others.
It provides users with advanced graphs to give properly visualize metrics and give real-time notifications after each execution. Katalon users are growing in numbers, and that’s the reason they are one of the best trending mobile app testing tools in 2022.
Espresso
Espresso is one of the best trending testing tools right now. It is Google’s testing tool, specifically for Android apps. It can be used for native apps, both emulators and real devices. It has a simple and flexible API and has a records test recorder to help developers instead of writing codes. Espresso is embedded with Android studio and is available to everyone; for more reasons it is popular.
Test Complete
TestComplete is an automated testing tool, with unmatched support for unit, functional, regression, distributed performance and HTTP testing at the project level. It works on both real and emulated devices and allows users to run several repeated tests. This tool works perfectly well for android and IOS apps and is compatible with hybrid mobile apps.
Appium
The appium is an open-source test automation framework for use with native and hybrid mobile applications. Drive IOS and Android apps using the WEB DRIVER JSON WEET protocol. Supports built-in browsers and is known to be part of Android SDK. It is an open-source tool that has lots of functions and automation. It supports different programming languages and doesn’t need code modification by users before running a test.
Xamarin.UITest
Xamarian.UITest is also one of the trending mobile testing tools. Accepts IOS and Android UIs created in the Xamarin.Forms. It works perfectly well for Android IOS and native apps. Xamarin works well with C# script, and it can be easily integrated with other visual studio products. Xamarin supports cross-platform testing, and that’s the major reason why it is popular.
TestProject
TestProject is the first free, cloud-based, community test automation platform!
TestProject is the world’s first free, cloud-based, community test automation platform. TestProject makes it easy for testers to get their work done quickly, and collaborate using popular open-source frameworks (e.g. selenium and celery) to ensure quality with speed.
Apptim
One of the main reasons for Apptim’s popularity is that it is free for everyone. Perfect for both Android and IOS apps, and you can get your first test in under 5 minutes. Apptim can be used to analyze apps to detect bugs and troubleshoot crashes, the tool checks the metrics of the performance of your app, and ways to improve it. It can be easily integrated with Jira and developers find it easy to use.
Robotium
This list would not be complete if Robotium is not mentioned. It is an open-source android tool for testing scripts and automation. It works perfectly for native and hybrid apps. Robotium accepts the writing of codes, and users can write code specifically for their desired usage. Although this tool does not support IOS apps, one of its core benefits is that its test automation is faster than several other test automation apps.
Before launching an app, developers or companies ensures their apps are properly tested before introducing them to the general public. Hence, mobile app testing tools are recommended to ensure that users have a great experience!