Regression Testing Tools: Comprehensive Guide on Features & Benefits

Regression testing tools are necessary for having an efficient and reliable process in place to catch bugs and issues early on. These specialized tools automate the tedious and time-consuming regression testing tasks, allowing teams to focus on creating great software while ensuring its quality. In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the world of regression testing tools, introducing you to the most popular and relevant options, discussing their features, drawbacks, and pricing.

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1. Functionize

Functionize is a software testing company that specializes in providing an AI-driven test automation platform for regression testing. Their platform uses advanced AI and Machine Learning techniques, to analyze vast amounts of web application data and build more stable test cases. This allows for the test cases to self-heal and break less frequently, reducing the need for manual maintenance. Additionally, the platform makes editing test cases much easier than other platforms through features such as being able to edit screenshots and “SmartFix” one-click updates. This allows for a more efficient and streamlined regression testing process.

Drawbacks

• Might be overwhelming for some!

Platform

• Web-based

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2. Selenium

Selenium is a popular open-source framework used for automating web browsers. Its key component, Selenium WebDriver, provides a simple API for interacting with web elements, allowing developers to automate tasks like clicking buttons, filling forms, and navigating pages. With support for multiple programming languages and browsers, Selenium is widely used for web testing and automation.

Benefits

• Open source
• Cross-Platform testing
• Language support such as Java, Python, C#, Ruby, and JavaScript
• Cross-browser compatibility

Drawbacks

• Limited support for non-web-based applications
• Steep learning curve for beginners

Platform

• Primarily web-based

3. Watir

Watir, which stands for Web Application Testing in Ruby, is an open-source testing framework that focuses on automating web browsers using the Ruby programming language. It offers a user-friendly and intuitive API, leveraging Ruby's expressive syntax, to interact with web elements and simulate user actions like clicking buttons and filling forms. Watir's key point of differentiation lies in its seamless integration with Ruby, making it a favored choice for testers and developers who prefer the elegance and readability of Ruby code. With its powerful features and strong community support, Watir excels at enabling efficient and reliable web application testing in a Ruby-centric environment.

Benefits

• The library offers a robust API for web automation
• It includes a user-friendly 'Simple' class tailored for non-technical users
• Watij and Watin, which are libraries for Java and .NET respectively, provide a more stable and straightforward experience by automatically waiting for page loading and detecting when Watir's API is ready. This makes Watir more feature-rich compared to Selenium

Drawbacks

• Limited language support
• Limited cross-browser compatibility

Platform

• Web-based

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4. Sahi Pro

Sahi Pro is a robust commercial testing tool designed to automate web applications and provide comprehensive testing solutions. It offers a wide range of features that simplify the process of web application testing, including record-and-playback functionality, powerful scripting capabilities, and excellent cross-browser compatibility. One of the main benefits of Sahi Pro is its ability to handle complex web applications with dynamic elements and AJAX calls seamlessly. It provides reliable test automation across different browsers, operating systems, and devices, ensuring consistent testing results. Additionally, Sahi Pro offers features like data-driven testing, parallel execution, and integrations with CI/CD systems, enhancing efficiency and enabling seamless integration with existing development processes.

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Benefits

• Parallel and distributed execution capabilities
• Seamless integration with continuous integration systems
• Ability to test any browser across various operating systems
• Capability to test Windows desktop applications
• Built-in Excel framework allowing non-technical professionals and business analysts to participate in testing
• User-friendly and robust APIs

Drawbacks

• Limited community support
• Commercial license cost
• Limited integration options

Platform

• Web-based

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5. IBM Ra­­­­tional Functional Tester

IBM Rational Functional Tester is a feature-rich automated testing tool designed to efficiently test a variety of applications, including web, mobile, and desktop, offering comprehensive testing capabilities and robust test automation.

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Benefits

• Html-formatted execution log providing a record of verifications, actions, and screenshots with timestamps
• Comprehensive support for detailed information on verifications, actions, and screenshots, including timestamps
• Responsive and helpful customer support
• A reliable object inspector, playback monitor, and a wide-ranging functional library

Drawbacks

• Costly commercial licensing
• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Resource-intensive tool
• Limited community support for troubleshooting and knowledge sharing

Pricing

• Pricing is available upon request

Platform

• Desktop-based

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6. Katalon Studio

Katalon Studio is an automated testing solution that utilizes Selenium and Appium frameworks for web, API, mobile, and desktop testing. It has gained recognition and positive feedback, being recommended as a top Customer's Choice by Gartner Peer Insights. Katalon Studio's integration with Selenium and Appium allows users to leverage their capabilities while providing additional features and an integrated environment for comprehensive test automation.

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Benefits

• Comprehensive support for end-to-end testing across web, API, mobile, and desktop applications
• User-friendly interface with powerful spying and recording capabilities, suitable for beginners
• Flexible support for different testing methodologies, including keyword-driven, data-driven, and TDD/BDD testing

Drawbacks

• Limited customization
• Learning curve for advanced features
• Commercial licensing

Pricing

• Free and Paid plans

Platform

• Both cloud-based and on-premises

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7. TestComplete

Developed by SmartBear Software, TestComplete is an automated UI testing tool that enables the creation of automated functional tests for desktop, web, and mobile applications. Additionally, it provides native support for Behavioral Driven Development (BDD) practices.

Benefits

• Automate scheduling and execution of regression tests without manual intervention
• Support testing of desktop, web, and mobile applications
• Valuable for GUI testing
• Substantially reduce training costs and testing time

Drawbacks 

• Insufficient documentation for scripting, script extensions, and plugins
• Limited beta testing
• May require some manual steps where you have to update test cases

Platform

• Local install (Desktop or VM)

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8. SilkTest

SilkTest is a versatile testing environment that caters to various applications such as desktop, mobile, web, and enterprise systems, including SAP and .NET. It enables parallel test execution for faster feedback and offers a user-friendly interface for organizing complex test plans. SilkTest facilitates collaborative test case creation with stakeholders, making the process efficient and clear.

Benefits

• Strong and adaptable tool for automating tests in various types of software applications, including web, native, and enterprise
• Low complexity and cost 
• Quick and Easy Documentation
• Domain-Specific Languages (DSL)

Drawbacks 

• Time-consuming feature file creation and maintenance 
• Communication intensity in writing feature files 
• Importance of preserving BDD documents
• Increased automation code development time

Pricing

• Pricing is available upon request https://www.microfocus.com/en-us/products/silk-test/overview

Platform

• Local Install

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9. Telerik Test Studio

Telerik Test Studio, developed by Progress, is a software test automation tool designed for web and desktop applications. It offers support for functional testing, software performance testing, load testing, and RESTful API testing. The tool is specifically built for Windows and aims to streamline the testing process for improved software quality.

Benefits

• Is highly user-friendly and simple to learn
• Acomprehensive HTML and Silverlight control suite

Drawbacks 

• Limited element reusability 
• Limited support for Android and desktop app testing 
• Telerik Test Studio is not a free tool and can be considered relatively expensive
• Running all the capabilities of Telerik Test Studio may require powerful computers

Pricing

• Enterprise

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10. Subject7

Subject7 is a powerful regression testing tool that is designed for use by software developers and QA teams. It is built on the Selenium WebDriver framework and supports a wide variety of browser and device configurations. One of its key features is its ability to create and manage test cases using natural language, which makes it easy for non-technical users to understand and work with.

Benefits

• Enables technical and non-technical users to create and execute robust test flows
• Integrates seamlessly with DevOps and Agile tooling through native plugins, in-app integrations, and open APIs
• Supports high-scale cross-browser parallel execution in secure public cloud, private cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments
• Provides flexible reporting of success/failure and captures video results for persistent defects
• Offers simple, non-metered pricing for scalability and predictability
• Complies with SOC 2 Type 2 standards and features enterprise-grade security

Drawbacks

• Steep learning curve
• High price point

Platform

• Web-based

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11. Cerberus Testing

Cerberus Testing is a cloud-based regression testing tool that is designed to simplify the testing process and help teams improve the speed and quality of their testing efforts. It has a user-friendly interface and offers a wide variety of test automation features, including automated test case execution, test case management, and reporting.

Benefits

• User-friendly web interface accessible to cross-functional teams for easy usage
• Low-code test library for various software types such as web, mobile, API, desktop, and database
• Ability to reuse test modules, components, and test data, enhancing efficiency
• Swift iterations between test repository, execution, and reporting for faster feedback loop
• Parallel execution on both local and remote testing farms, enabling faster testing cycles
• Continuous testing capabilities with scheduler, campaign, and CI/CD integration
• Support for web performance and monitoring to ensure optimal application performance
• Built-in test dashboards and analytics for comprehensive visibility into test results

Drawbacks

• Limited browser and device support
• Limited reporting and analysis capabilities

Pricing

• Cerberus Testing offers a free plan, and prices for additional features are available upon request

Platform:

• Cloud based

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12. Testimony

Testimony is a scriptless, AI-powered regression testing tool that is designed to help teams speed up their testing cycles. It provides a wide variety of test automation features, including automated test case execution, test case management, and reporting. One of its key features is its ability to use machine learning to identify and test potential areas of risk within the application, which can help to identify and fix bugs more quickly.

Benefits

• Regression tests become faster and more frequent
• Test library creation, execution, and updates are automated
• Delivery of innovation, projects, upgrades, and updates is accelerated
• Development efficiency increases by shifting regression testing earlier
• Testing costs are reduced and functional experts are liberated
• System-wide tests can be run within a few days of full configuration
• Confidence is increased and risk is reduced by testing beyond the user interface (BAPIs, batch jobs, etc.)

Drawbacks

• Limited browser and device support
• High price point

Pricing

• Testimony pricing is available upon request

Platform

• Web-based

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13. Digivante

Digivante is a cloud-based regression testing tool that provides an easy way to test web and mobile apps across different browsers, devices, and platforms. It offers a wide variety of features, including automated test execution, test case management, and reporting. One of its key features is its ability to test web and mobile apps across different browsers, devices, and platforms.

Benefits

• Provides comprehensive managed functional testing services to ensure your software product meets customer expectations
• Is able to accommodate large-scale testing or specific areas of your application that require testing
• With Digivante, you can expect a complete audit test to be conducted and delivered within a timeframe of 72 hours

Drawbacks

• Limited reporting and analysis capabilities
• High price point

Pricing

• Digivante pricing is available upon request

Platform

• Cloud-based

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14. Testsigma

Testsigma is a cloud-based regression testing tool that is designed to help teams speed up their testing cycles. It provides a wide variety of test automation features, including automated test case execution, test case management, and reporting.

Benefits

• Simple and intuitive scriptless testing in plain English
• Periodic executions without the need for manual intervention
• Generation of detailed reports for regression test executions on multiple device configurations simultaneously
• Prioritized test runs with custom filters to create lean and optimized regression test suites
• Integrations with popular CI/CD tools like Jenkins, JIRA, Slack, and more

Drawbacks

• Limited browser and device support
• Limited reporting and analysis capabilities

Pricing

• Testsigma offers a free trial, and prices for additional features are available upon request

Platform

• Cloud-based

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15. TimeShiftX

TimeShiftX is a great regression testing tool that allows users to easily test the behavior of their systems in different time zones and daylight saving scenarios. It supports a wide variety of programming languages, including Java, .NET, and Python. One of its key features is its ability to manipulate the system clock and validate the behavior of the system under test.

Benefits

• Utilizes virtual time, eliminating the need for system clock changes
• Facilitates time travel within domain authentication protocols like Active Directory, Kerberos, LDAP, and more
• Enables time shift testing for various applications and databases, including SAP, SQL, Oracle, WAS, and .NET
• Supports multiple platforms and operating systems, and can be executed in the cloud or containers

Drawbacks

• Limited browser support
• Limited test case management

Pricing

• TimeShiftX pricing is available upon request

Platform

• Windows

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16. Appsurify TestBrain

Appsurify TestBrain is an AI-powered regression testing tool that helps teams quickly identify and fix bugs in their software. It uses machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) to understand and execute test cases, and can adapt to changes in the application over time.

Benefits

• Significantly reduces regression test completion time by 90%
• Maximizes test coverage for comprehensive testing
• Prevents flaky tests from causing build failures
• Compatible with existing test practices for seamless integration

Drawbacks

• Limited browser support
• High price point

Platform

• Cloud-based

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17. Avo Assure

Avo Assure is a complex regression testing tool that uses a combination of automated and manual testing methods to help teams identify and fix bugs in their software. It supports a wide range of environments and tools, it comes with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to create and manage test cases, and offers a wide variety of reporting and analysis features.

Benefits

• Achieves up to 90% expanded test automation coverage through repetitive execution of end-to-end regression tests
• Seamlessly integrates with various SDLC and Continuous Integration solutions like Jira, Sauce Labs, ALM, TFS, Jenkins, and QTest
• Analyzes reports easily with clear screenshots and videos of test case execution
• Efficiently executes multiple scenarios simultaneously using the Smart Scheduling and Execution feature

Drawbacks

• Limited browser support
• Limited reporting capabilities

Pricing

• Avo Assure pricing is available upon request

Platform

• Web-based

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18. Appium

Appium is an open source tool for automating native, mobile web, and hybrid applications on iOS and Android platforms. It is based on the WebDriver protocol and can be used for regression testing by automating the execution of test cases and comparing the results to expected outcomes.

Benefits

• Supports native apps, mobile web & hybrid applications of both Android and iOS
• Is based on Selenium using HTTP protocols
• Supports most of the scripting languages like Java, Ruby, Java script
• Can be integrated with CI tools

Drawbacks

• Limited reporting and analysis capabilities
• Complex setup and configuration

Pricing

• Free

Platform

• Cross-platform

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19. Akamai CloudTest

Akamai CloudTest is a cloud-based regression testing tool that is designed to help teams quickly and easily create and run performance, load, and functional tests. It offers a wide variety of features, including test case management, automated test execution, and reporting.

Benefits

• Intuitive interface and straightforward setup process 
• Global distribution capabilities 
• All-inclusive platform for validating the entire system across diverse use cases

Drawbacks

• Limited browser and device support
• High price point

Platform

• Cloud-based

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20. Micro Focus UFT

Micro Focus UFT (formerly known as HPE Unified Functional Testing) is a regression testing tool that is designed for automating functional, regression, and GUI tests. It supports a wide variety of languages, platforms, and tools, and offers a wide range of test automation and reporting features.

Benefits

• Maintenance time is reduced with the help of new AI element identification features
• The image recognition engine is improved through AI feedback
• Cross-browser support is provided for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari (Windows)
• UFT Developer enables speedy testing in Java, JavaScript, and .Net.
• Strong integration with Jenkins, Quality Center, ALM, and TeamCity ensures robust continuous integration
• Wide support is offered across different applications and environments
• AI-based suggestions are provided through the Object Spy feature
• Embedded Excel data tables facilitate iterative testing at a global and test-specific level
• The Test Combination Generator creates various types of mock data for extensive testing
• No special firewall rules are required

Drawbacks

• Complex setup and configuration
• High price point

Pricing

• Micro Focus UFT pricing is available upon request

Platform

• Windows

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FAQ about regression testing tools

Below are some frequently asked questions that may help you better understand how to use and make the most of these regression testing tools deployment efforts:

How is selenium used for regression testing?

Selenium is a widely-used open source tool for automating web browsers, which can be used for regression testing by automating the execution of test cases and comparing the results to expected outcomes. Selenium can be used in conjunction with other testing frameworks and tools, such as JUnit and TestNG, to create comprehensive and effective regression test suites.

Is regression testing done in UAT?

Regression testing is typically done in the later stages of the software development process, such as during the UAT (user acceptance testing) phase. However, it is also often done during development, in order to catch any issues early on and prevent them from becoming major problems later.

What are the 3 techniques of regression testing?

The 3 regression testing techniques are retest all, regression test selection, and prioritization.

1. Retest all: 

This technique involves testing all parts of the system to ensure that no issues have been introduced by the changes made. This is a comprehensive approach, but it can be time-consuming and may not be necessary if only certain parts of the system were changed.

2. Regression test selection: 

This technique involves selecting a subset of the system to test based on the areas that were most likely to be affected by the changes made. This can be more efficient than retest all, but it requires a good understanding of the system and the changes made to it.

3. Prioritization: ‍

This technique involves prioritizing the tests to be run based on their importance or risk. This allows teams to focus their efforts on the most critical parts of the system first, and can help to identify and fix issues more quickly.