Chris Schwartz
Regression testing has been the bane of many IT projects as updates and changes break business continuity. Tools for automating regression testing are a game-changer as they enable continuous testing after updates or changes. Check out our list of the best tools available in 2024 based on key criteria and user reviews.
Skip ahead to:
What are regression testing tools?
How to choose regression testing tools: the main criteria
Best regression testing tools: Top 8 list
Keep learning about regression testing
What are regression testing tools?
Regression testing tools play a crucial role in managing the regression testing process by streamlining and automating repetitive tasks.
When developers introduce new features or make changes to an application, there's always a risk that these changes could throw a spanner in the works and inadvertently affect existing functionality.
This could lead to new bugs or vulnerabilities, potentially compromising the stability or security of the system, which could prove very costly.
Regression testing tools help identify these issues by automatically rerunning a set of predefined tests to verify that changes have not adversely affected existing functionality.
These tools can be particularly beneficial in continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) environments, where changes are made frequently and there's a need for constant testing to maintain software quality.
Related reading: A Guide to Continuous Testing in Agile
Regression testing can be performed both manually and through automation, but due to the labor-intensive nature of manual testing and the potential for human error (all humans make mistakes), automated regression testing tools are becoming more popular.
Automation enables teams to run extensive test suites quickly and frequently, which is essential for rapid development cycles.
How to choose regression testing tools: the main criteria
Choosing the right regression testing tool involves considering several critical criteria.
Ramping up
- Ease of use: How user-friendly the tool is, particularly for testers who are typically non-technical users.
- Ramp-up time: The ease and speed a team can adopt and start using a tool.
Scaling up
- Collaboration: Whether the tool supports multiple users collaborating.
- Support: The level of customer support provided for global teams.
- Maintenance: How demanding the tool is in terms of upkeep and updates.
End-to-end capabilities
- Applications supported: The tool's ability to support testing across different applications and technologies, indicating its versatility and comprehensiveness.
User reviews
- We included G2's database of user reviews and ratings in our research process to make sure we also had real-world feedback on the best regression testing tools.
Best regression testing tools: Top 8 list
1. Leapwork
Leapwork is a visual test automation platform powered by AI, making it accessible for users without coding skills. Leapwork scores highly on user-friendliness and support, which makes ramp-up and day-to-day management easy. It also supports end-to-end testing across various applications, including web and desktop.
- Ramping up: Easy (intuitive visual platform, templates, and professional services)
- Scaling up: Easy (flexible and scalable architecture with minimal maintenance, made for enterprise teams)
- Application support: Extensive (covers web, mobile, desktop, and virtual environments)
- G2 rating: 4.5/5
2. Katalon
Katalon provides an automation solution for web, mobile, and desktop testing. Users can use the tool to carry out basic automation through it’s no code interface, but it requires scripting for more complex scenarios, making it harder to use for non-technical users.
- Ramping up: Easy to moderate (intuitive for developers)
- Scaling up: Moderate (supports codeless automation but requires scripting for complex scenarios)
- Application support: Extensive (covers web, mobile, and desktop applications)
- G2 rating: 4.5/5
3. Tricentis Testim
Tricentis Testim leverages AI to enhance the speed and stability of tests. It's designed to simplify the creation and maintenance of automated tests through an intuitive technical interface. Tricentis offers comprehensive training services, but doesn’t offer live support.
- Ramping up: Easy to moderate (has smart features for fast test creation, but is technical)
- Scaling up: Easy to moderate (AI assists in maintaining tests, made for enterprise teams, but complex scenarios require deeper customization)
- Application support: Broad (covers web applications and mobile testing)
- G2 rating: 4.5/5
4. Selenium WebDriver
Selenium WebDriver is a robust tool primarily designed for web application testing. Selenium is an open-source tool that caters to users comfortable with programming. It's highly versatile but requires technical proficiency that may not suit all users. Its open-source nature ensures a vast community support network, although it lacks direct customer service.
- Ramping up: Variable (depends on developer resources and their familiarity with tool and web technologies)
- Scaling up: Difficult (requires code modifications and only community support available, doesn't have built-in collaboration features)
- Application support: Limited (web applications only)
- G2 rating: 4.5/5
5. Rainforest QA
Rainforest QA utilizes AI and crowd-sourced human testers to provide rapid, on-demand regression testing services. This platform is ideal for growing teams needing quick feedback on their apps' functionality across various devices and operating systems, but may not be suitable to enterprise use cases.
- Ramping up: Easy to moderate (intuitive platform with minimal setup required)
- Scaling up: Easy to moderate (uses crowd-sourced testing so complex tests may need careful management)
- Application support: Moderate (web applications with some support for mobile applications)
- G2 rating: 4.4/5
6. TestComplete by SmartBear
TestComplete enables automated testing across multiple platforms and environments through powerful scripting capabilities. It offers robust record and replay features, along with a flexible scripting language that accommodates testers of varying skill levels. TestComplete is supported through documentation and community support.
- Ramping up: Moderate (intuitive interface but requires coding)
- Scaling up: Moderate (made for enterprise teams but can only handle complex scenarios with advanced scripting)
- Application support: Extensive (covers web, mobile, desktop, and virtual environments)
- G2 rating: 4.2/5
7. Ranorex Studio
Ranorex Studio is a well-rounded automation testing tool that facilitates testing for web, desktop, and mobile applications. The tool offers a blend of codeless test creation for beginners and customizable scripting options for advanced users. Ranorex Studio is made for technical teams and can’t be managed without a team of developers.
- Ramping up: Moderate (intuitive design but comes with learning curve for those new to automation)
- Scaling up: Moderate to difficult (provides robust tools for managing complex test suites, but requires skilled technical resources to maintain)
- Application support: Broad (covers web, desktop, and mobile platforms)
- G2 rating: 4.2/5
8. Watir (Web Application Testing in Ruby)
Watir is an open-source, lightweight tool specifically designed for automating web browser actions. It is favored by test engineers and developers who prefer Ruby for writing their test scripts. It's distinguished by its simplicity and effectiveness in simulating real user actions on web browsers.
- Ramping up: Variable (depends on programming skills and familiarity with Ruby)
- Scaling up: Difficult (while Watir supports complex test scenarios, extensive Ruby knowledge can be required for advanced features, doesn't have built-in collaboration features)
- Application support: Limited (just web applications)
- G2 rating: 3.8
Keep learning about regression testing
Each tool in this list offers unique strengths, making them suitable for various testing scenarios and requirements.
When choosing a regression testing tool, consider your project's specific needs, including the technical proficiency of your team, the types of applications you're testing, and your long-term maintenance capabilities.
If you’re interested in learning more about regression testing, you can dive deeper through our webinar Automate to Innovate: Mastering Regression Testing with Leapwork.
