Determining the Best Automation Tools
It is not the easiest decision in the world to determine the best automation tools. What works for one business or offer will not work for another. There are many factors to consider. Testing is crucial in any automated software or app as even the smallest bug in an application causes lost money, time, and of course, consumer trust in you and your products.
Testing must always be considered when engaged in the development of any software or application. Never release anything to the public without testing for the web and of course, all apps that the software will be running. And never, ever ignore the smallest flaw that is found.
Six Factors to Consider in Automated Tools
- You need to know upfront how much you can spend on automated testing tools. There is no point in purchasing a brand that is over budget as you will need to test and track frequently. There are some out there that offer free trials but ensure you can afford to keep the tool after the free trial is over if you like it or you will have wasted time and money.
- Consider outside sources to test the automation.
These can be professionals or even an offer of a “free” limited-time usage of your software or app to clients or the public. They will indeed let you know without a doubt if the application is working smoothly. This is called “Beta Testing” and has saved new developers from bankruptcy and of course, the embarrassment of releasing a bug-filled software application.
- Requirements of the automation tools for testing.
This is not a “one size fits all” type of purchase. Your software or app can be completely different from all others out there. Make a list of the requirements you need in automated tools, especially web automation tools.
- The technical knowledge and experience of your own team.
If they cannot use the automated software testing tools, then what is the point? Some are fairly complex and if you are a start-up company your team may just be feeling around the edges of this type of technology software application.
- Have a plan to track the testing that is done.
And we are talking about a real plan not scribbled notes stuck all over your desk or computer screen. If you need to hire an administrative assistant then do so! Manual and automated testing exists but automated testing is more concise, quicker, and more thorough, therefore is more sustainable and gives better results.
- Never release a software product or application without testing
The guidelines should be to try and break it and it should work across all platforms and integrate with other programs and software seamlessly. Automation testing also allows you to discover if the product is easy for others to use not just you, the developer.
The Most Popular Software Automation Tools for Testing
With what was discussed previously we are not making recommendations, simply stating which are used the most by others. We will start with one of the oldest brand names and go from there.
This is not a promotion of any brand as each company will have differing needs in automation tools and the types of tracking and testing that is needed.
- IBM: This brand has been around for decades in all types of products and applications from copiers and other office machinery to now automated tools for the creation of software and automation testing tools. IBM even still produces computers under different brand names and its customer service does make it a favorite of many developers and clients. IBM is known for its RFT (Rational Function Test) and is a good choice for those that are unfamiliar with automated tool testing services.
- Selenium: This brand is rated high by developers as it includes many features such as manual and automatic testing, and also is the finest it seems in cross-platform web automation tools. Many developers do seek testing automation tools that work on all browsers and these developers oftentimes do allow consumers to choose to download an app or use the software right from their browsers so Selenium seems to be a favorite for cross-platform performance in automation testing.
- Cucumber: This seems to be a newer offering and although the ads promote it highly there doesn’t seem to be that much information about how effective it really is in the long run for continuous testing of new applications. Cucumber can be combined with Selenium automation testing tools as the advantage of Cucumber overall seems to be its “plain English” easily understood commands.
- HPE Unified Functional Testing: This automated tool testing has its roots in the Hewlett Packard conglomerate of products and is what it states it is—Unified Functional Testing. The “claim to fame” is that it records the actions of any user during the automated testing and this makes it a very useful tool for automation testing.
- Katalon Studio: First released in 2015 this is one of the first and most well-known automation testing tools. There is a free web download and it can be used via many platforms and browsers, and on many devices. For this reason, it continues to dominate with those clients looking for reasonably priced yet easy-to-understand and use testers that can be accessed on all platforms.
- TestComplete: Used by many for its free version and also its cross-platform performance on everything from web browsers to the newest in IOS technology product lines. Its functionality includes the recording of tests, scripting for manual testing, or even keyword-driven specifications. Errors are logged automatically.
- Telerik Test Studio: The “claim to fame” here with the automated testing tool is that it also can be used for web, desktop, and even load testing. There is a plugin and a standalone app which makes it more useful for those with different software developments and apps that need testing. It is Windows-based which is a must for some developers.
- Worksoft: Like IBM, an “oldie but goodie” and used still by many developers who have been in business for quite some time. Developed in 1998, it not only provides an automatic testing tool but word processing features so it is a good fit for companies that need a multi-tasking testing automation tool.
- Soap UI: Open source is what makes this automated testing tool unique. The tool covers inspections on web services, simulations, mockings, and even load and compliance automated testing. There is a commercial and non-commercial version making it adaptable to companies large and small. There are additional productivity features in some versions.
- Appium: Totally open source, this automation tool works well for scripts running and simply testing of native applications with mobile-web applications and hybrids the priority. There is a web driver that makes it easy to test and track on either Androids or IOS devices of all types. Seems a little restrictive on other applications but not much info is accessible on the website so more research can divulge more perhaps.
Final Words on the Top Ten Automated Testing Tools
As stated, each company and each client will have varying needs. There are such a plethora of these types of much-needed tools out now that this guide is only meant to assist with research.
The reality is that most consumers only spend 10 seconds on a website when searching for something and an audience needs quick answers to download anything online.
Trust is also a big factor in obtaining sign-ups and downloads and any bug that is detected in any software or app does make consumers flee immediately.
Take heed and ensure that your company makes certain all testing is done completely and is done routinely. Choose an automated testing tool and save time on manual labor while ensuring you have not inadvertently missed a flaw in your software or applications.