Mobile Testing Tools (Part 1)

Mobile phones are among the most common gadgets today. They have become a necessity for everyone, from children to seniors. A mobile phone without any installed applications is considered impractical. Nowadays, there are numerous applications available for various purposes that can be installed on mobile devices. Apps have made life easier and have become more indispensable assistants than ever before.

However, competition among applications is growing, and users are becoming more demanding. Many apps receive poor reviews due to inefficiency and glitches. Therefore, even if the program is extremely cool, but lacks functionality, users are likely not to use it. Consequently, many companies invest in application testing to provide end users with reliable software.

What is mobile app testing? 

Mobile app testing is a method of performing several tests to ensure that it is fully functional, usable, meets user requirements, and is ready for launch in the market. In other words, a mobile app is assessed for its compatibility, usability, and functionality. 

App testing is important to reduce typical problems in hybrid and native mobile apps, such as low performance, loading issues, unresponsive elements, etc. Any mobile program that causes errors and delays after launch can get more negative feedback. People do not use apps that have negative reviews or one- or two-star ratings.

What to consider in mobile app testing tools?

A good application testing tool should enable the establishment of sensible testing strategies and clear objectives before conducting actual testing. Finding the right program for scenario generation is the first step toward automated testing. Once the tool is selected, one can proceed with configuring the testing environment. 

Certain features of the tools should be noted and considered in the selection process:

• Support for multiple programming languages. Mobile applications can be developed using any programming language depending on cost, requirements, and target audience. However, it is better to choose a mobile application testing tool that allows the tester to write test cases in different programming languages. 
• Integration with third-party software for a robust automation system. For instance, a powerful tool can be integrated with several third-party developer applications to achieve different goals, including execution, view control, testing management, recording, and defect verification. 
• Providing codeless options for test creation and execution. Creating tests without code is quick, easy, and great for testers who do not have programming skills. The product can reduce the time spent on repetitive tests. 
• Support for multiple operating systems. An efficient option that significantly saves time and resources. 
• Recording and playback parameters. The program should be able to record, play, and automate every action of the testing scenarios.
• Logs and reports. Any mobile QA tools should be able to document testing reports.

Why mobile app testing tools?

One of the common elements of the successful development of any mobile application is the creation of the best testing strategy. It is based on various mobile QA tools, which are more reliable and cost-effective.

Advantages of using mobile app testing tools: 

• automated and cross-platform testing; 
• long-term cost reduction; 
• easy interpretation of test results; 
• time saving.

Challenges in mobile app testing you may encounter: 

• selecting the right mobile app testing tool; 
• selecting devices; 
• device fragmentation and various OS platforms; 
• different mobile user interfaces.

Some other factors to consider before choosing a mobile app testing tool: 

• compatibility with browser, network, and device; 
• bandwidth and security; 
• user expectations; 
• software updates.

There are several mobile QA tools that you can choose to implement in your testing practices. These tools help automate the testing of your Android and iOS apps, as well as reduce the time required for the testing process.

Mobile app testing tools

TestComplete

TestComplete is a comprehensive mobile testing automation platform that enables users to create and conduct user interface tests on any mobile phone. The program can run tests on real or virtual devices and emulators. It is a flexible tool that offers various testing scenario options, as well as the ability to test without scenarios. The tool is valuable for its capability to quickly create code or codeless automated mobile tests, making prior automation experience unnecessary.

Advantages of using TestComplete: 

• support for multiple mobile platforms; 
• support for JavaScript, JScript, DelphiScript, Python, VBScript, C# and C++; 
• provides test execution functionality without requiring any code writing; 
• integration with defect management tools, source control systems, and management solutions (JIRA, GIT, etc.); 
• creation of tests on real mobile devices locally or in the cloud; 
• parallel execution of tests on multiple devices and operating systems.

Pricing: The tool is paid, there is a free trial period – 30 days.

Appium

Appium is an open-source tool for testing a wide range of applications, including mobile web apps, and native and hybrid apps. It supports many programming languages such as Java, Ruby, C#, and others that are in the WebDriver library and uses the WebDriver interface to execute tests. 

Appium supports the latest updates as it relies on a powerful community of active users on GitHub. This is a comprehensive solution for automated testing, although its complex user interface makes it somewhat cumbersome. 

Appium is based on the Selenium toolkit, which is used by testers for automation. Therefore, if you're familiar with Selenium, using Appium shouldn't pose difficulties.

Advantages of Appium:

• allows testers or users to access test code databases and internal APIs;
• uses any languages compatible with the web driver (Java, Objective-C, JavaScript) to write a test case;
• supports any framework;
• easy configurable on various platforms;
• supports multiple languages such as Ruby, Java, PHP, Node, and Python;
• no need to modify the application;
• can use the Selenium Webdriver JSON wire protocol;
• no need to recompile the mobile application on a different platform;
• can be integrated with other tools using Java.

Pricing: free to use and open source.

Katalon Studio

It is one of the best no-code automation testing tools, built on Appium and Selenium-based engines. It provides full platform support, capable of running tests on all types of operating systems, browsers, and devices. It also utilizes charts, graphs, and reports for visualizing testing data and execution results. Additionally, it can work both in cloud and on-premises environments.

Advantages of using Katalon:

• no-code testing;
• easy setup and creation of tests that use keywords, images, recording, and playback functions;
• flexible possibility of reusing tests on API, web, and mobile platforms;
• built-in integration with popular project management tools;
• test execution in various environments, including remote testing using simulators, real devices, and cloud platforms.

Pricing: The tool is conditionally free, with additional features available for a fee.

Perfecto

Perfecto is a leading cloud-based solution for mobile app testing. Its technology can address the most complex challenges that arise during the testing of mobile and web applications. In addition, it has the feature of parallel testing execution on virtual and real devices. Perfecto also supports test analytics, continuous testing, functional testing, performance testing, regression testing, and much more.

Advantages of Perfecto:

• coverage across different platforms and testing scenarios;
• intelligent analytics for faster feedback and changes;
• unified cloud platform for testing web and mobile applications;
• reliable integration with testing platforms and tools;
• quick access to new devices, operating systems, etc.;
• corporate level security and scalability.

Pricing: The tool is paid, and there is a free 14-day trial period.

Kobiton

Kobiton is a cloud platform that allows real devices or emulators to run both automatic and manual testing of mobile applications. It works well with Android and iOS. Tests can be performed without AI-based scripts and/or using favorite open-source tools or script-based scenarios. Also, Kobiton records all actions performed during a testing session to identify and resolve issues faster.

Advantages of using Kobiton:

• the latest real cloud devices and configurations;
• centralized testing history and data logs for enhanced collaboration;
• internal device lab management;
• Appium support;
• simplified user interaction for optimizing testing sessions.

Pricing: the tool is paid, and there is a free trial period.

EggPlant

EggPlant is a commercial automation platform with artificial intelligence support for web, desktop, and mobile applications, developed by TestPlant. It is effective for both Android and iOS. The AI-driven approach of EggPlant uses scriptless models and supports the entire testing process, from creating test scenarios to analyzing results. Users can install EggPlant on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It does not require creating different tests for various platforms and devices; a single script is sufficient for all platforms or devices.

Advantages of EggPlant:

• utilizes artificial intelligence technology to ensure continuous testing during remote cloud-based operations;
• scalable web presence through efficient load testing;
• testing of business applications during modernization and transition to cloud for remote work;
• uses a single set of test models for testing applications on different devices, operating systems, browsers, and screen sizes;
• easy integration with defect management tools, version control systems, and decision-making solutions for management.

Pricing: The tool is paid, with the option to request a trial version.

Ranorex Studio

Ranorex Studio is an all-in-one solution for mobile app testing. It is beginner-friendly with a no-code interface but powerful for automation experts. It supports a wide range of testing formats, including desktop, mobile, and web applications.

Advantages of Ranorex Studio:

• reliable object identification, even for web elements with dynamic identifiers;
• shared repository of objects and code modules for reusability, efficient test creation, and maintenance reduction;
• execution of parallel tests across devices;
• test report with execution video playback (for reviewing test runs without re-running tests);
• integration with tools like Jira, Jenkins, TestRail, Git, Travis CI, etc.

Pricing: The tool is free.

TestProject

TestProject is a free cloud-based test automation platform that allows users to effortlessly test web applications, Android, and iOS on all operating systems. It's easy to collaborate with your team using Selenium and Appium to ensure testing quality and speed.

Advantages of TestProject:

• easy to set up;
• no coding skills required;
• test sharing and reusability;
• detailed report dashboards;
• full integration with CI/CD workflows.

Pricing: The tool is paid, and you can register for a trial version.

This is just a small part of a broad list of application testing tools. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, other products that are no less interesting will be considered in the following articles. Choosing a mobile testing tool can help your team optimize work, and test faster, and more efficiently.