Finding the right automation testing tools is crucial to ensure the success of the testing project. Similarly, a detailed analysis must be performed before selecting a tool because the effort which you put into the tool evaluation process allows you to execute the testing project successfully. Moreover, the selection of the tool varies on several factors such as   

  • The application and its technology stack that needs to be tested  
  • Comprehensive testing requirements  
  • The license cost of the tool  
  • Skill sets available in the organization  

There are numerous best automation testing tools available in the market for automating desktop and web applications. Some of these are Selenium, QTP/ UFT, Watir (Web Application Testing in Ruby), & GEB..   

  • Selenium: One of the most popular open-source automation tools for automating web applications.   
  • QTP: Robust tool from HP to automated desktop and web applications.   
  • Watir (Web Application Testing in Ruby): It is an open-source family of Ruby libraries for automating web browsers.   
  • Geb: Open-source automation and very Groovy browser automation tool for screen scraping, web testing, and more.  

What are the Factors that Help Choose the Right Automation Testing Tools?  

First Factor: When it comes to making the best tool decision for automation testing services, one should focus on the comparison matrix because it helps analyze several automation tools and lets you understand some key parameters that assist in selecting the right tool for the particular requirements of the project. Below, we have mentioned a comparison chart of tools as per the necessary parameters for organization projects. After analyzing the parameters and criteria for each automation testing tool, you can make further decisions.   

  • Let us quickly jump on understanding the difference between Selenium, UFT/QTP, Watir, and GEB to have a good idea on picking the right tool. 

Selenium  

  • Ease of Adoption & License Cost: Selenium is an open-source source, and there is no need to buy its licensing as it is available online for free of cost. 
  • Ease of Scripting & Script Creation Time: Extensively time consuming 
  • Ease of Adoption & Support: User and professional community support available 
  • Ease of Scripting & Reporting Capabilities:  
  • Learning Time: Requires much more time for gaining knowledge about Selenium 
  • Scripting Language: Java, Python, CSharp, Ruby, Perl, JavaScript, Php 
  • Object Recognition: Selenium IDE, FirePath, FireBug 
  • Framework: JUnit, NUnit, RSpec, Test:Unit, Unittest, TestNG 
  • Script Execution Speed: Script execution speed is low   
  • Continuous Integration: Acquired through Jenkins  
  • Tools Support/Usage: 
  • Browser Support: Firefox, Chrome, Opera, IE, Safari 
  • Operating System Support: Windows, Linux, MAC OS X, Solaris (OS Support Depends on Web-driver availability) 
  • Device Support: Two major mobile platforms Android and iOS 

UFT/QTP 

  • Ease of Adoption & License Cost: UFT/QTP is HP licensed product available through concurrent licenses or single-seater floating 
  • Ease of Scripting & Script Creation Time: Require less time to create scripts   
  • Ease of Adoption & Support: Dedicated HP support    
  • Ease of Scripting & Reporting Capabilities:  
  • Learning Time: Needs less time for learning    
  • Scripting Language: VB Script    
  • Object Recognition: Through Object Spy   
  • Framework: Built-in Capability to build frameworks such as data-driven, keyword-driven, and hybrid   
  • Script Execution Speed: Script execution speed is high 
  • Continuous Integration: Achieved through Jenkins   
  • Tools Support/Usage: 
  • Browser Support: IE (Version 6-11), Chrome (up to Version 24), Firefox Version (3-24)   
  • Operating System Support: Windows 8, 8.1, XP, Vista   
  • Device Support: Support Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows Phone but only through licensed products like PerfectoMobile and Experitest 

Watir 

  • Ease of Adoption & License Cost: Watir is another open-source family of Ruby Libraries for automating web browsers   
  • Ease of Scripting & Script Creation Time: More time takes for script creation      
  • Ease of Adoption & Support: Less support on the open-source community       
  • Ease of Scripting & Reporting Capabilities:  
  • Learning Time: More learning time required      
  • Scripting Language: Ruby   
  • Object Recognition: Open Twebst (Web Recorder)     
  • Framework: Ruby supported Frameworks – Cucumber, Rspec, Test:Unit   
  • Script Execution Speed: Script execution speed is low   
  • Continuous Integration: Acquired using Ruby Script     
  • Tools Support/Usage: 
  • Browser Support: Firefox, Chrome, Opera, IE, Safari     
  • Operating System Support: Linux 13.10, Windows 8.1, Solaris 11.1 (Need JSSH Compiled), MAC OS X 10.9    
  • Device Support: Two major mobile platforms Android and iOS   

 GEB 

  • Ease of Adoption & License Cost: GEB is Groovy based open-source software and is available for free 
  • Ease of Scripting & Script Creation Time: Taking up a great deal of time        
  • Ease of Adoption & Support: Limited support on the open-source community       
  • Ease of Scripting & Reporting Capabilities:  
  • Learning Time: More learning time required        
  • Scripting Language: Groovy     
  • Object Recognition: GEB IDE       
  • Framework: Gradle, Grails, Maven     
  • Script Execution Speed: Script execution speed is low   
  • Continuous Integration: Achieved using plug-in, Grails, Gradle along with Jenkins Gradle plug-in       
  • Tools Support/Usage: 
  • Browser Support: Firefox, Chrome, Opera, IE, Safari      
  • Operating System Support: Linux, Windows7/Vista/XP, DOS (OS Support Depends on Web-driver Availability)      
  • Device Support: Driver available for iPad and iPhone 

Second Factor: Understand Different Types of Automation Testing Tools   

Three types of automation testing tools are very popular that you can check below with their short descriptions:  

  • Open-Source Tools: These tools are available for free to access and use source code, which is easy to modify from its original design. Similarly, Open-source tools are suitable for any stage of the testing process like bug tracking, test case management, debugging, etc.,   
  • Commercial Automation Testing Tools: These tools are specially designed and manufactured for commercial purposes. Some large companies like Samsung, IBM & Amazon use commercial automation testing tools, including CrossBrowserTesting, LambdaTest, and Browserstack.  
  • Integrating Multiple Libraries to Develop Custom Framework: For niche-based testing projects, there are specific attributes for the testing environment and testing process, which cannot be met by commercial or open-source automation testing tools. At such point, it gets necessary to consider the development of a custom tool. Therefore, when you feel that your requirements will never be fulfilled by available open-source or commercial automation testing tools, you can create your own custom framework and design and develop it according to your test project requirements.   

Third Factor: Best Practices to Choose the Right Automation Testing Tools   

Whatever the requirements you have to fulfill for your automation testing tool, it doesn’t matter until if you don’t have the Best Automation Testing Tool. Thus, if you are planning to perform testing with automation techniques or want to do the business of automation testing services, you must have a simple & effective approach with the list of some right automation testing tools to ensure that customers will get a satisfying testing experience and the products are tested well in terms of functionality, reliability, security, and performance. In case, you don’t have any selection criteria to choose the right automation testing tool, you can follow the given approach:  

Analyze your Project Requirements: Before implementation, you must have clarity of project requirements like   

  • What is the project type? Is it a desktop/web/mobile application or any other project?  
  • What is the scope of the app/product after its launch?  
  • Figure out the strength of your testing team in a programming language before starting the process  

Consider the Blend of Manual & Automation Testing: Having a combination of Manual and Automation Testing Tools is crucial when it comes to testing of desktop, mobile, and web applications. Well, manual testing is time-consuming, and it can require a huge budget from the customer. However, if the customer wants to deliver their product before the expected time and save a lot in terms of money, you can go with the tools that are easy to integrate with project planning & test management, plus ideal for easy to use.   

Have a Detailed Knowledge of High-Rated Automation Testing Tools: Tools like Lambda Test, Ranorex Studio, Tricentis, Katalon Studio, CrossBrowserTesting are some of the best & High-Rated automation testing tools that you can choose from. Also, you can consider the tools mentioned above like Selenium, Watir, etc. Make sure all testing tools come with different features, and it can vary as per different testing types like functional testing, non-functional testing.  

Besides, while choosing an automation testing tool, you must check whether the tool is able for test reports generation, test cases execution, and support for all three platforms, like web, desktop & mobile applications. It should also be compatible with a wide array of browsers, platforms, required languages and suitable for continuous testing, screenshot testing, visual appearance & real-time testing.   

Thence, following the afore-mentioned guide and tactics, you can easily shape the conclusion and choose the right test automation tool for software testing & QA services. Lastly, don’t make any decisions in a hurry. Always select the tool as per your project type, budget, requirements, customization needs. Yet, ensure that it should be easy to use and adopt to satisfy the unique needs of several industry verticals.