Insider’s Guide to Automated Regression Testing Tools for Web Applications

Regression testing keeps you on track as your web application evolves. This process of checks and balances offers reassurance that the software improvements you have made are going to translate into a better user experience. You cannot innovate without risk, but regression testing balances out that risk.

That is why choosing the right automated regression testing tools for web applications is so critical. You need a tool that will fit seamlessly into your dynamic test environment and not lead to lengthy delays or unnecessary back and forth between the development and QA teams. The right tool will bring strong, stable functionality and time and resource savings.

The high-volume, high-repetition nature of regression testing lends itself particularly well to automation testing. As a result, there are a number of tools on the market competing for your attention. To help you select the right tool for your web application, we have outlined some of the advantages of the more reliable options.

As always, though, we advise that you consult closely with your expert QA team before making a final decision. Every project is different, and it takes an experienced, tool-agnostic mind to make sure your regression testing consolidates all the improvements your development process has hit upon.

Keeping Pace with Product Development

It is important to integrate a regression suite early in the web app development process. Your application will go through several changes in its lifecycle. Every time the code changes, a bug is fixed or new functionality is implemented, you must perform regression testing. That introduces a range of maintenance and time constraints on your overall project.

Therefore, it is vital that regression testing is built into your test plan. With an experienced QA team as your guide, you should define your entire regression strategy, including the potential need for manual testing, necessary workflows and clear entry and exit criteria.  Maintaining this regression complexity is an ongoing feat that should be left to experts so that your own development team can continue to refine and improve the overall product as it evolves.

Your QA partners can also help you test more effectively, eliminating the need for what can seem-from a business perspective-to be endless cycles of repeated testing. Instead, you can prioritize test cases that:

• Have had a high frequency of defects in past release
• Cover core features and areas of integration
• Have high end-user visibility
• Stem from production or customer issues

Just as important as the execution of regression testing is the initial tool selection. Your QA experts should have an agnostic approach to tool selection and the experience to analyze your product’s needs and correctly identify which tool will work best.

With the right QA partner, you can choose from any of the leading regression tools outlined below.

Automated Regression Testing Tools for Web Applications

The list below is not exhaustive. It represents the most powerful, reliable and versatile tools currently available. These tools will produce workflow efficiencies and provide the kind of comprehensive test coverage results in stable product evolution.

In each case, you will need to consider the following product circumstances:

• Platform compatibility
• OS compatibility
• Versatility
• Required user experience
• Supported scripting languages
• Record and playback
• Controls and objects
• Result logs
• Ease of maintenance
• Tech support
• Cost

There are enough quality options listed below that you should not have to compromise-the right tool for your unique product is out there.

Ranorex

An all-around automation testing leader with a code-less interface, Ranorex can be run by anyone associated with your Agile test team, from novice to expert. It executes data- and keyword-driven tests, and it has a customizable test report system and reusable code modules.

It supports .NET, WPF, Windows Forms, Qt, Java, SAPgui, Delphi, HTML5, Flash, Flex, Silverlight, iOS, Android, Windows Apps (Native / Hybrid / Mobile Web) and many more.

Selenium

One of the most popular automation tools currently available, this open-source web application testing platform is known for its versatility. Tests can be written in Java, C#, Python, Ruby, PHP, Perl and JavaScript. It can automate across multiple OS, including Windows, Mac and Linux. It supports browsers such as Firefox, Chrome and IE.

There is nothing in the way of tech support, and the learning curve is steep for non-engineers, but it is free, reliable and comprehensive.

TestComplete

Expensive and limited to Windows OS, TestComplete from SmartBear is, nonetheless, a versatile regression testing solution for web applications. It supports IE, Firefox, Chrome, Flash, Flex, AIR, Silverlight, Java, .NET compilers (Visual C# Visual Basic .NET, Visual C++ .NET) and various third-party controls.

UFT

Formerly known as Quick Test Professional, UFT performs functional and regression testing on a variety of software applications and environments. It is a data- and keyword-based tool that uses the older tech of VBScript for automation and is object-identification enabled. UFT helps record and automate actions on a web- or client-based app and test them across different accounts, data sets and Windows operating systems. Be aware that UFT supports limited browsers and operates only in Windows.

Telerik Test Studio

Considered one of the better performed tools to automate a client/server application, Telerik can automate tests for a broad range of technologies, including HTML5, AJAX, JavaScript, Silverlight, WPF, MVC, Ruby, PHP, iOS and Android. It also supports two languages, C# and VB, and can be used with Chrome, IE, Safari and Firefox browsers.

The ultimate decision to implement any of these automated regression testing tools will rest on the specifics of your project. Early and detailed test planning will reveal which tool best suits your environment, team and domain.

Preserve Your Product Through Its Evolution

Every product undergoes an evolution as it passes through development and testing. Regression testing ensures that the necessary innovations and refinements for an improved user experience do not break the application in the process.

The right automated regression testing tools for web applications act as a safeguard. With expert QA guidance, you can realize the full potential of your ideas without fear of introducing time- and resource-consuming delays.

QASource engineers are experts at creating regression test suites for complex web application development. Equipped with more than 1,000 years of combined experience and having automated more than 1 million test cases, they can show you how to pair your product with the perfect automation tool. Let our QA experts guide you through all test tool options with a free quote, or call +1.925.271.5555 today.