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Top 10 Automated Regression Testing Tools for 2023

Jul 14, 2023

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Regression testing is an essential practice in software development, involving the comprehensive execution of functional and non-functional tests to validate that the existing functionality of a system remains intact after the introduction of a new build or the implementation of changes. The objective is to identify any unintended side effects or regressions that may have occurred during the development or modification process.

By running a full suite of tests, including functional tests that verify specific features and non-functional tests that assess performance, security, usability, and other aspects, regression testing aims to ensure that the previously working functionality of the software is not adversely impacted. This rigorous testing approach provides confidence in the system's stability and helps maintain a high level of quality.

What is Regression Testing?


Regression testing is a crucial phase in the software development process that aims to verify the stability and integrity of a software system after modifications have been made. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the changes or enhancements introduced in the software do not inadvertently impact the existing functionality or reintroduce previously fixed bugs.

The main goal of regression testing is to identify any unintended side effects or regressions caused by the changes made during development. It helps ensure that the software continues to perform as expected and maintains its desired level of quality, even after modifications have been implemented.

By conducting thorough regression testing, developers can gain confidence in the stability of the software and mitigate the risks associated with introducing new changes. It allows them to identify and fix any issues that may have been introduced, ensuring that the software remains reliable, functional, and delivers the intended user experience.

When should I apply regression testing?


Rectifying a bug


Whenever code is added or edited to correct a bug, we must run regression testing to ensure that previously stable code is still stable. In such situations, regression testing becomes even more critical, as there is a heightened possibility of bugs emerging due to regression failures. Conducting thorough regression testing helps ensure that any identified bugs are appropriately addressed and fixed with precision.

Changing the existing code


When existing code changes due to a change in previous requirements or some new requirement, we need to run regression tests and check the new code's compatibility with older test cases.

Changing any platform specifications


Suppose the application has not changed, but the change is in the platform specifications on which the app will run. In that case, regression tests should be executed to make sure the new specs satisfy the application's behavior and functionality.

Factors to Consider When Selecting the Best Regression Testing Tool for Your Team


Regression testing is a critical aspect of software development, ensuring that code changes, such as new features or design modifications, do not adversely impact existing functionalities in an application. While manual regression testing involves testers manually interacting with the application to verify functionality and appearance, automation aims to replicate this process at scale while minimizing setup and maintenance efforts.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a regression testing tool that will save time and help identify more bugs:

  • Functionality and Visual Layer Testing Most regression testing tools primarily interact with the underlying code (DOM) of an application, assuming that the visual layer is rendering correctly. However, it is crucial to ensure that the tool can test both the functionality and visual aspects of the application. This includes checking if buttons work as intended and validating the visual appearance, including colors, fonts, shapes, positioning, and more.

  • Programming Skills Requirement Traditionally, regression testing tools like Selenium required programming skills to create test scripts. However, there are now no-code and low-code tools available that allow users to create Selenium test scripts without writing code directly. Consider whether the tool requires programming skills or offers a no-code automation solution.

  • Integrated Management of Manual and Automated Tests While automation saves time and effort, not all test cases can be automated. It's important to have a single platform that allows the management of both manual and automated tests. This integrated approach helps save time and ensures efficient test case management.

  • Effective Test Failure Identification When automated regression tests fail, it is not always an indication of a software bug. Tests may fail due to outdated test scripts or false failures. The tool should provide effective ways to identify the reasons for test failures. Video replays of the UI during the test can be particularly helpful in debugging failures.

  • Minimization of False Failures Minimizing false failures is crucial for efficient regression testing. Different tools have various features to prevent tests from breaking due to minor code or UI changes. Consider whether the tool is more sensitive to code changes or UI changes, and choose based on your organization's needs.

  • Flexibility and Scalability Consider the tool's flexibility to adjust the amount of testing based on your evolving needs. Ensure the tool provides infrastructure for running tests on different devices, including options to manage your test suites. Usage-based pricing models can offer more flexibility, allowing you to pay based on your actual testing needs.


By considering these factors, you can select a regression testing tool that meets your team's requirements, saves time, and facilitates the effective identification of potential bugs.

Regression Testing Tools



  1. Selenium: Selenium is a widely recognized and extensively used open-source automation framework specifically designed for web application testing. Its robustness, flexibility, and extensive capabilities make it a popular choice among developers and testers. Selenium allows for functional testing, regression testing, and cross-browser testing, making it a comprehensive solution for ensuring the quality and functionality of web applications across different platforms and browsers.


For effective cross-browser regression testing, Selenium can be integrated with cloud-based digital experience testing platforms like LambdaTest. LambdaTest presents a cloud-based infrastructure that can seamlessly adapt to your testing requirements, offering a solution to various challenges you may encounter. By utilizing LambdaTest, you can effectively carry out your test automation needs using their cloud-scalable infrastructure, which encompasses an extensive range of over 3000+ real browsers, devices, and operating system combinations.

By leveraging LambdaTest, you gain access to their online Selenium Grid, simplifying the execution of numerous parallel tests. This approach significantly reduces the overall time required for test execution, enabling faster feedback on code modifications. With the capability to execute tests in parallel, LambdaTest empowers you to optimize your testing process and expedite the overall development lifecycle.

2. Appium: Appium is a renowned open-source automation tool specifically designed for mobile application testing. It focuses on providing a unified solution for testing mobile apps on both the Android and iOS platforms. With Appium, developers and testers can perform regression testing on mobile applications across a wide range of devices, ensuring consistent functionality and quality across different platforms. Appium's cross-platform compatibility allows tests to be written once and executed on multiple platforms, saving time and effort for regression testing.

3. Ranorex Studio: Ranorex Studio is a powerful commercial tool that offers a comprehensive solution for regression testing. It provides a wide array of features and capabilities to automate regression testing efforts effectively. With a user-friendly graphical interface, testers can create and execute automated test scripts without extensive coding knowledge. The tool supports various programming languages, enabling testers to leverage their preferred language for scripting test scenarios.

4. Watir: Watir, an open-source tool, specializes in automating web browsers and is specifically designed for regression testing web applications. It offers a simple and flexible interface, making it easier for testers to automate their testing efforts. Watir's Ruby-based framework allows for concise and readable code, contributing to faster test script development and ease of collaboration among team members. It provides seamless interaction with web browsers, enabling comprehensive regression testing of web applications.

5. Rainforest QA: Rainforest QA offers a unique approach to regression testing by seamlessly blending manual and automated testing methodologies. The cloud-based platform provides flexibility and scalability, allowing testers to access the platform from anywhere without the need for a complex infrastructure setup. Rainforest QA enables comprehensive test coverage and expedited feedback on application quality, making it a valuable tool for regression testing.

6. TestComplete: TestComplete offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface, simplifying the creation and execution of regression tests. Testers can record and playback test scripts, capturing user actions and verifying expected results. Supporting scripting languages like JavaScript, Python, and VBScript, TestComplete provides flexibility for testers to write custom scripts for advanced test scenarios. Its robust support for functional testing ensures that the application functions as expected after changes or updates.

7. Serenity: Serenity is an open-source test automation framework that offers a comprehensive solution for automated testing. It works seamlessly with popular tools like Selenium and Appium, enhancing the testing experience for regression testing scenarios. Serenity emphasizes generating detailed and insightful test reports, capturing comprehensive information about test execution. The visually appealing reports provide valuable insights into the quality and behavior of the tested application.

8. Tricentis Testim: This is a regression testing tool that excels in organizing test cases within a unified visual editor. With its test recorder feature, you can capture manual tests executed within your application, ensuring accurate and efficient test creation.

Testim Automate, the automated testing platform offered by Tricentis Testim, enables fast authoring of stable tests powered by AI. The platform provides tools to help you scale the quality of your tests. By utilizing AI, Testim identifies and locks in visual elements, enhancing the stability of UI functional tests. Additionally, the platform allows you to extend your tests with custom JavaScript, which can be executed both within and outside the browser environment.

8. Sahi Pro: Sahi Pro is designed for people who value minimizing test automation setup time. It provides functionality testing capabilities, record-and-playback features, and suite analysis tools. However, users should have some coding experience, and manual testing is not supported. Sahi Pro offers an all-in-one solution with separate pricing for different testing domains.

9.  Katalon Studio: Katalon Studio leverages the Selenium WebDriver for test script creation and promotes collaboration between developers and non-developers. While it focuses on functional testing and does not test the visual layer, it provides features such as video replays and code snapshots for test failure analysis. It offers a self-healing feature and requires coding skills for more complex scenarios. Katalon Studio serves as an all-in-one test automation solution with yearly contracts.

Conclusion


Software development encompasses numerous tasks performed by various teams, each consisting of numerous members. In large corporations, a substantial number of code changes are deployed to production on a daily basis. Due to the extensive codebase, our review is typically limited to ensuring syntactical correctness and leveraging our experience to anticipate potential issues that may arise from pushing the logic to production. However, it is impossible for us to predict the impact on every functionality, regardless of its size, within our software.

Regression testing addresses this gap and provides a means to ensure that our functionalities remain unaffected by new code. To conduct efficient regression testing, we require tools that can accelerate the process as it scales. In this post, we have compiled a list of ten diverse regression testing tools that will assist you in analyzing the best options available on the market. By considering this list, you can accurately select the tool that aligns best with your project's requirements.