Imagine yourself at the grocery store, your head spinning from all the choices. That’s how it can feel to a tester to decide between automated and manual testing. However, they know testing is crucial for ensuring the software’s proper functioning and providing a seamless user experience. But they can’t decide when to use which method for their software. Because the landscape of testing is vast and comprises several tests, some of the tests produce better results with human intervention. At the same time, others work best with automated mechanisms.
Manual software testing involves a human tester and is time-consuming. However, automated testing is faster and requires software. Further automated testing enhances efficiency and makes teams more productive. If you need help deciding which testing method to pick, this blog is for you. We will break down this complex decision-making process by letting you understand the pros and cons of automated and manual testing.
What Is Manual Testing?
It is the traditional form of testing that has been in the market for several decades. During this testing process, human testers manually check the application’s functions. They step into the shoes of users and operate the website or app. In case they find discrepancies, they report the bug to the developers.
Pros
- These tests produced more accurate results.
- Manual testing is best for new testers.
- Best for testing GUI designs.
- It ensures a hundred percent bug-free applications.
- It is cost-effective in the long run.
Cons
- It is time-consuming.
- Manual testing consumes ample human resources.
- The testers’ abilities are directly correlated with the test results.
What Is Automation Testing?
Automated test scripts using specialized software are used in this testing to run predefined test cases. These scripts simulate human interactions to test the application’s functionality. The software identifies bugs in the early development stage to ensure the software’s stability.
How Does Test Automation Work?
To begin with automated testing, an automation company needs to select the right tool. Subsequently, they should identify the test scenarios they want to automate. Next, the tester creates the test script, outlining the steps to be executed during the process. The QA automation company team must also be equipped with adequate test data, vital for producing reliable test results. Configuring the test environment is the next crucial step.
Setting up the necessary elements and circumstances for the test is a crucial prerequisite. Only after this step can test engineers execute the test. Finally, the process concludes with result evaluation and report generation. These reports serve as a guiding tool to help identify any bugs within the application.
Pros
- It can identify more bugs.
- The entire process is efficient and quick.
- It is an easy process and works without fatigue.
- It produces accurate test results.
- It makes the team more productive.
- It supports various applications.
Cons
- It can be more costly when compared to manual testing.
- It needs to produce insight into the UI aspects of the application.
What Are The Types Of Automation Testing?
Unit Testing
This process tests the individual function, class, or module of software. This way, it helps in identifying the bugs at an early development stage. The organization not only saves money, but the development process moves more quickly. The core feature of this test is that it enables code reusability and code migration.
Security Testing
This test assists test engineers in determining the application’s vulnerabilities. This test protects the application from potential threats or unauthorized access. The testers can leverage automated tools to scan the application. Thus, this test contributes to the overall security and integrity of the software.
Regression Testing
Modern-day application needs frequent updates, and it is precisely where automation testing companies need regression testing. It helps them check the complete functionality of the newly added function. Ensuring the stability of the application. Thus, it helps the team identify defects in the early development stage. It boosts their confidence and improves the overall quality of the app.
Integration Testing
The main objective of performing this test is to ensure a smooth transition between different modules. This test adds a separate layer over the unit test to ensure the proper functioning of the app’s logic. This test becomes more significant when modules interact with the third-party API because a change in the API may cause the failure of your entire application.
Performance Testing
It evaluates the application’s functionality in a range of scenarios. It is essential to the process of QA automation testing. The core functionality of this test is to measure the system’s behavior in terms of speed. This test uncovers various issues in the production environment. That helps in optimizing the software’s performance and reliability.
Manual Testing vs Automated Testing – Key Differences
| Criteria | Automation Testing | Manual Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | It is faster because it uses software for testing. | It involves humans, and therefore, it is slow. |
| Accuracy | Higher accuracy of the test results. | Since it involves human testers, the accuracy can be poor due to the high possibility of human errors. |
| Processing Time | Automate Testing has a faster processing time. | Manual Testing is a consuming process as an engineer manually checks all the features. |
| Exploratory Testing | Since this test uses automated test scripts, therefore random Testing is not possible. | As human testers perform the test, random Testing is possible. |
| Testing at Scale | Automated Testing can be easily performed on a large scale. | It requires significant time to perform Testing at a large scale. |
| Investment | The initial investment is higher as companies have to invest in the software. | The lower initial investment when compared to automated testing. |
| Turnaround Time | The turnaround time of automated testing is lower. | The longer time required to complete a cycle. Therefore, it has a higher turnaround time. |
| Test Reports | In this testing, all stakeholders can view test reports while logging into the system. | In these testing tests, reports are usually exported in Word or Excel formats. Due to this, it becomes difficult for stakeholders to analyze the test reports. |
| User Experience | The user experience is not good due to the lack of human intervention. | This test is generally performed under human observation. Hence, it produces a high-end user experience. |
| Reliability | This test is more reliable as an automated testing script performs it. | As it is prone to human error, the result may not be reliable. |
Can Test Automation Replace Manual Testing?
Even though automated testing offers various advantages, it cannot replace manual tests as automated tests have their specific limitations. Developers prefer manual tests because they come in handy while testing complicated scenarios. Human intelligence is involved in a manual test, essential for decision-making. A few other reasons why manual testing is an integral part of the SDLC are:
Flexibility: Manual tests can allow QAs to see the test results immediately. It allows them greater flexibility and a clearer picture of the circumstances.
Short-Term Project: Manual tests are preferred for short-term projects because automated testing requires a significant budget. Manual tests allow developers to focus on minor features of the application.
GUI Testing: Developers prefer manual tests over automated tests when the app’s UI is a priority.
Which Approach Is Better For Your Business: Automation vs. Manual Testing?
Once you have understood the difference between the two testing approaches, it’s time to choose the best approach for your application. On one side, the manual test helps your team identify minor issues within your application and is cost-effective. However, automated testing provides accuracy, dependability, and efficiency. It makes your team productive and faster in your development cycle.
Automated testing incorporates the CI/CD principles suitable for rigorous and regular testing. However, no developer can rely on only one approach to ensure the application’s stability. To create a robust and seamless user experience, the developer must create an equilibrium between the two testing processes.
Wrap Up
In the grand chessboard of business testing, manual and automated methods have their squares of dominance. While automation offers speed and scalability, manual testing brings a human touch that is invaluable for nuanced user experiences. For a business to truly excel, it’s not about choosing one over the other but mastering the symphony of their combined strengths.
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