What Are the Different Testing Tools for Web Applications

The world of testing tools for web applications is vast. So what should you be looking for in your web app automation testing tool, and what are the different options? 

In this short post, you’ll find information on the types of testing tools for web applications. You’ll also learn why and how automation will help do web application testing faster and smarter.

A side note: we’re writing from the perspective of a tool for functional GUI testing, not unit testing or testing that requires you to test on a code level. 

Web application testing tool categories

There are three categories of testing tools: code-based frameworks, low-code tools, and visual solutions. 

Code-based frameworks

Selenium is an example of a code-based framework that only automates web applications. 

It’s the most common framework because it’s open-sourced making it free and easily accessible to those who want to get started.

There’s one catch - you have to be a programmer to use it. 

That’s great for the teams with highly-skilled programmers - but the reality is - most Quality Assurance teams don’t have these people on board. 

And if they do, they’re not going to want to spend their professional day building tests in Selenium, because:

1. There is a huge maintenance burden that comes with managing a test suite in Selenium, and
2. The sheer time it takes to build a test suite vs. the actual return on investment on the time you spent building it

Read more: 4 Steps Businesses Miss When Calculating the ROI of Test Automation

So, what alternatives are out there? 

The answer is low-code, and visual solutions that don’t require any coding. 

Low-code test automation

Low-code enables people to automate processes with some coding knowledge. In most cases, components that are used frequently are built as visual modules so that users who can’t code can build automated tests. 

For the more complex tests, they will have to be coded. 

While some non-technical users might use the solution, the ability to use the automation will rely on having a person who can code at hand. 

Related reading: Low-code vs No-code - The Differences

No-code test automation

Technical and non-technical users can automate tests through a graphic user interface (GUI), rather than through code. 

Usually, this involves drag-and-drop boxes that turn users' actions into automated steps. See an example of how this looks in Leapwork below. 

No-code speeds up testing

With a no-code approach, you can speed up the process of testing. And, you open automation up to a wider pool of people - like business users.

For example, Ascensus - a leading third-party administration company shifted its automation approach to reduce its technical debt. 

With their current setup, business analysts, developers, and QA analysts drive automated testing. They’ve increased their headcount efficiency by 10% and reduced their bugs by 90%. All by using the visual solution pictured above - Leapwork.

So what’s the overall benefit of no-code?

In short, constraints like limited resources and time will no longer hold you back. And budget issues can be easily quelled by the quick return on investment that can be seen in a matter of months.

Related reading: Why No-code Test Automation Has The Best ROI 

Using Leapwork, even complex tests can be automated, like tests between applications and platforms. 

If you want to learn more about the difference between testing tools for web applications, download our free comparison chart. You’ll find information on how the most popular code-based, low-code, and no-code test automation solutions compare.