What are the top test automation tools of the decade?

With quality becoming the cornerstone for businesses to succeed in the competitive IT landscape, technologies and paradigms like Agile and DevOps have taken centre stage. Since test automation is an important facet of these developments, businesses need to adopt the right test automation tools to deliver outcomes like customer satisfaction, continuous integration, and delivery, improved productivity, ‘quality at speed’, cost-effectiveness, and ROI. Test automation today encompasses the usage of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to optimize testing and generate a robust reporting mechanism, among others. Since test automation services make use of advanced tools to identify and remove glitches in the SDLC, it is better to analyze them and understand how they have shaped ‘testing’ in the past decade.

The use of test automation tools in consonance with smart analytics helps in quickening the decision-making process and validating the codes. This has been necessitated due to the preponderance of smart devices and integrated apps. So, let us learn about the top software test automation tools that can help businesses in positioning themselves with the latest trends in software testing. However, before analyzing the tools, let us first understand their benefits.

·         Diagnose and fix glitches quickly before they can impact the UX

·         Prevent bad software releases with automated regression tests

·         Less time spent on maintaining tests as the latter get repaired automatically with every UI change

Top test automation tools of the decade

The decade has seen the advent and evolution of the automation testing approach as an important factor in redefining QA. The various tools help businesses in achieving the objectives of their test automation strategy.

1. Selenium: Selenium is the most popular open-source automation tool that has become the industry standard when it comes to software test automation of web applications. It offers flexibility with testers writing test scripts in multiple languages like Java, Python, C#, Ruby, PHP, and PERL. These scripts are capable of running on multiple operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux as well as on browsers like Chrome, IE, Safari, Opera, Firefox, and others. The only disadvantage of Selenium is the need for testers to have advanced programming knowledge and building libraries and automation frameworks. One can access this automation tool at http://www.seleniumhq.org.

2. Lambda Test: This cloud-based, cross-browsing testing tool can be used to perform QA across numerous browsers and operating systems in varying screen resolutions. Test automation services can use the Lambda test tool to validate the compatibility of a website across mobile and desktop browsers. The tool can produce faster test screenshots and check responsiveness across devices. One can access the tool at https://www.lambdatest.com/?fp_ref=sumasri92.

3. Katalon Studio: This tool has emerged as one of the popular and effective test automation solutions supporting multiple operating platforms like Windows, Linux, and iOS. With support for Selenium and Appium engines, the tool offers an integrated test environment comprising features to validate API/web services, and web and mobile applications. It has scores of built-in keywords to create test cases and is suitable for exploratory and automated testing. The test capability of the tool can be further enhanced by using plugins on Katalon Store. One can access the tool at http://www.katalon.com.

4. TestComplete: This powerful automation tool has comprehensive features to test web, mobile, and desktop applications. Here, testers can write scripts using programming languages like Python, C++, JavaScript, and VBScript. Its object recognition engine can identify frequently changing user interface elements. Its integration with Jenkins helps to test components like Shadow DOM and other custom elements. Its easy-to-use record and playback feature helps testers to identify glitches on multiple devices and browser platforms. It is a paid tool to be accessed at https://smartbear.com/product/testcomplete/overview.

5. Zephyr: This popular test management tool offers end-to-end automated software testing solutions comprising attributes such as better flexibility, insights, and visibility. Its key features include quick deployment options for cloud, data centre, and server. Besides, it offers advanced analytics, a DevOps-based reporting dashboard, and integration with automation servers like Jenkins, Jira, Confluence, Bamboo, and others.

Conclusion

The decade has seen QA take centre stage in response to growing customer appetite for quality and high-performance software. Even though the above-mentioned list is not exhaustive, it comprises tools that are popular, mature, capable, and feature-rich to deliver DevOps outcomes like Continuous Integration and Delivery, quality at speed, and customer delight.

Author Bio

Oliver has been associated with Cigniti Technologies Ltd as an Associate Manager - Content Marketing, with over 10 years of industry experience as a Content Writer in Software Testing & Quality Assurance industry. Cigniti is a Global Leader in Independent Quality Engineering & Software Testing Services with CMMI-SVC v1.3, Maturity Level 5.