Finding a test automation tool that will work for you is no small task, so check out our evaluation checklist to get you started!
Choosing a test automation tool that's right for you can be a tricky and daunting task. After all, with all the different methods of automated testing and types of tests that you can run, how are you supposed to know what to pick? Don't worry! We're here to guide you through it.
The first thing to consider is what your requirements look like. Do you need API testing or just functional testing? What about load testing to see how many users your web application can handle? Or maybe you need end-to-end testing to replicate your user journeys? Knowing what kind of testing you need in order to best test your application is the first step in knowing which automated testing tool is best for you.
This point is going to be high on your list, and it's really something that only you can figure out. How much are you allocated to maintenance costs, and how much is dedicated to your product quality? Don't stress, there are tools dedicated to seeing how automation can impact your budget. An ROI calculator is handy for knowing exactly how much you'll be saving based on how many tests you run, whether you're currently using manual or automated tests, and how large your testing team is. And speaking of your testing team:
The key is finding a testing tool that will fit your team, and what that fit looks like depends on both the size and skill set of your QA team. Teams with higher technical skills, like knowledge of programming languages, tend to be mid-sized. Testing frameworks that require coding take longer for the tests to be authored, especially when test reusability is lower. Manual testing teams are even larger, since each tester has their own test suite they have to run, and manual tests take the longest to run. Then there are teams that have basic technical skills and are familiar with no-code tools that record and replay or create tests with building blocks.
Another thing to consider is how fast you need testing. If you have more time to set up your testing suite, then a coded framework that takes longer to set up would be acceptable, but no one really wants to wait weeks or even months for a full test suite to get set up. Codeless automation tools take much less time to get rolling, and some even allow you to get full test coverage within your sprint. Plus you have to think about how long the learning process is going to take, especially if you're striving to give a low-tech team programming skills.
When choosing a tool, you need something that will fit snugly into your tech stack. Do you use CI/CD tools like GitHub or Jenkins? How about some notifications from Slack? Some businesses have authentication needs or workflow integrations. Some tools have out-of-the-box integration while others allow the building of custom integrations for whatever you need.
This isn't a comprehensive list of things that should show up on your test automation tool evaluation checklist, but we think it's a great place to get started! If you want to get more in-depth into the specifics that every smart automation tool should offer, then you can check out our guide here! But when it comes to choosing a tool, consider Virtuoso. We've already pitched you our ROI calculator, and this shows you how much you could be saving by switching. Our tool works with teams of every skill level, and you can get your test suite up and running in one sprint. Plus with visual regression testing, Continuous Testing, snapshot testing, functional UI testing, and even some API testing in the mix, you'll get full test coverage. Sign up for our two-week, free trial version to see how you can start authoring your test in fifteen minutes!
