Software testing is essential to software development, as it ensures the products’ quality, functionality, and reliability. It can also be challenging and time-consuming, especially when dealing with complex and dynamic applications. That’s why many software testers and developers use automated software testing platforms to automate and simplify their testing processes. As per Global Market Insights, the global automation testing market size crossed USD 20 billion in 2022 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 15% from 2023 to 2032, proving how widely it is adopted everywhere.
Two of the most popular software testing tools in the market, TestGrid and Katalon, are both comprehensive and user-friendly platforms for testing web, mobile, and desktop applications. But which one is better for you? In this blog post, we will compare TestGrid and Katalon based on their features, benefits, and drawbacks and help you decide which better suits your needs and preferences.
Understanding Katalon And Its Features
Katalon is a software testing platform that enables you to create, execute, and manage automated tests for web, mobile, and desktop applications. Katalon supports various testing types, such as functional, performance, security, API, and database testing. Katalon also integrates with popular DevOps tools like Jira, Jenkins, and GitLab.
Features of Katalon-
- Time Efficiency: Automation testing saves time by expediting the validation of new features, offering a quicker alternative to manual testing, especially for complex applications.
- Real-time visibility: Helps you deliver better products and make better decisions with real-time visibility and actionable insights
- Increased Test Coverage: It also broadens test coverage and allows you to run the right tests at the right time
- Ideal for all testers: It offers a low-code experience and easy-to-use features that make it suitable for beginners and experienced testers as well.
Every platform has its good and bad sides. Let’s take a look at the drawbacks of Katalon Studio.
- Limited Scripting Language Support: Katalon only supports Java and Groovy scripting languages, unlike other platforms that offer a broader range of scripting languages.
- Smaller Community Size: Developed in 2015, Katalon has a smaller community compared to more established competitors like Selenium, potentially resulting in a lack of support from peer testers and a smaller pool of available resources for problem-solving.
- Closed-Source Code: Katalon Studio’s closed-source code limits community involvement and customization options for developers. In contrast, open-source platforms like Selenium foster a larger and more collaborative developer community.
- Performance Issues: Users have reported performance issues with Katalon Studio, including bugs that impact testing speed, occasional freezing or lagging of the tool, and challenges in text and object verification, especially within iframes. Mobile testing is also considered more time-consuming due to the need for capturing and coding.
Understanding TestGrid
TestGrid is a cloud-based software testing platform that enables you to easily create, execute, and manage automated tests for web, mobile, and desktop applications. TestGrid supports various testing types, such as functional, cross-browser testing, visual testing, and API testing, and allows you to get valuable performance metrics. TestGrid also integrates with popular tools and frameworks like Selenium, Appium, JMeter, Jenkins, and Slack.
Some of the key features of TestGrid are
- Codeless test creation: TestGrid allows you to create automated tests without writing any code using its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. You only have to build a logical workflow, and TestGrid will generate the test scripts for you.
- Cross-browser and cross-platform testing: TestGrid enables you to test your applications across multiple browsers, devices, and operating systems using its cloud-based infrastructure. You can also run parallel tests to save time and resources and get real-time feedback on your test results.
- AI-powered test maintenance: TestGrid uses artificial intelligence to update and optimize your test scripts automatically based on the changes in your application. TestGrid also detects and resolves test failures, flakiness, and inconsistencies and provides actionable insights and recommendations.
- Real device testing: The platform provides a secure, cloud-based infrastructure where you can test applications across thousands of real devices and platforms, ensuring your finished products meet the expectations of users.
- Collaborative test management: TestGrid allows you to manage your test projects, test cases, test data, and test environments in a centralized and organized way. You can also share your test assets and results with your team members and stakeholders and collaborate with them using TestGrid’s built-in chat and comment features.
Why TestGrid Is The Best Katalon Alternative
Both TestGrid and Katalon are powerful and versatile software testing platforms that can help you automate and streamline your testing processes. But their differences may affect your choice depending on your specific needs and preferences.
Some of the main aspects that make TestGrid the best Katalon alternative are:
- Ease of use: TestGrid is designed to be easy and intuitive to use, even for non-technical users. TestGrid’s codeless test creation and AI-powered test maintenance make it a user-friendly and hassle-free platform.
- Scalability and performance: TestGrid is more scalable and performant, as it leverages its cloud-based infrastructure and parallel testing features to run your tests faster and more efficiently. TestGrid also uses artificial intelligence to optimize your test scripts and heal your test cases, ensuring the quality and reliability of your test results.
- Cost and support: TestGrid is more cost-effective and supportive, as it offers a free trial and a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which means you only pay for what you use. TestGrid also provides you with 24/7 customer support that can help you with any questions or issues.
Features that TestGrid offers that Katalon doesn’t:
- Mobile Cloud Infrastructure (Private): TestGrid supports private mobile cloud infrastructure, offering a dedicated and secure environment for mobile testing.
- Mobile Cloud Infrastructure (On-Prem): TestGrid provides on-premises mobile cloud infrastructure, allowing organizations to host their mobile testing environment locally.
- Browser Cloud Infrastructure (Private): TestGrid supports private browser cloud infrastructure, offering a dedicated and secure environment for browser-based testing.
- Browser Cloud Infrastructure (On-Prem): TestGrid provides on-premises browser cloud infrastructure, allowing organizations to host their browser-based testing environment locally.
- Device Reservation: TestGrid allows users to reserve devices, ensuring exclusive access for testing purposes.
- Virtual USB for iOS and Android Devices: It allows you to connect your dedicated devices on the cloud directly to your local machine through Virtual USB (Simulate USB Connection to Machine).
- Inbuilt Appium Inspector for Locators: TestGrid offers an inbuilt Appium Inspector for locating elements
- Real-time visual reporting: It offers real-time visual reporting that gives rich insights into the application under test
- Lesser maintenance costs: The annual maintenance cost is around 40% lower when using TestGrid
Conclusion
TestGrid and Katalon are excellent software testing platforms that can help you automate and simplify your testing processes. However, TestGrid has some capabilities and advantages that make it the ideal Katalon alternative for organizations.
Ultimately, the best software testing platform for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Try TestGrid to explore its codeless AI-powered capabilities and greater efficiency that can take your software development to the next level.
Source: This blog was originally published at medium.com
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