Types of Software Test Tools

We have several Test Tools available in the IT industry, we can segregate them in to three categories.

i) Vendor Tools

Some Companies (Ex: HP, IBM etc…) develop Test tools for commercial use, they sell license and provide technical support to their customers.

Advantages of using Vendor Tools:

• Vendor (Test tool developer, Ex: HP or IBM) provide Technical support if we raise any complaints.

• New features will work properly.

• Vendors update Test Tools frequently

• Provides sufficient Help documentation

Disadvantage of using Vendor Tools:

• License cost (we need to purchase license)

• Vendor Tools support some popular Operating and Browser environments only.

Vendor Tool Examples:

HP- UFT /QTP, LoadRunner, ALM/QC etc…

(UFT (formerly QTP) supports Functional & Regression Testing, LoadRunner supports Performance Test Automation and ALM supports Project Life Cycle Management)

IBM-RFT, RPT, QA director etc…

(RFT – Rational Functional Tester for Functional Test Automation, RPT – Rational Performance Tester for Performance Test Automation)

Micro Focus- SilkTest, Silk Performer etc…

(SilkTest for Functional Test Automation, SilkPerformer for Performance Test Automation)
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ii) Open Source Tools

Source code available on Internet, anybody can download and use, but no technical support for Open Sources Tools.

Advantages of using Open Source Tools:

• No License cost (any body can download and use)

• We can modify the Source code (if required)

• Open Source Tools usually support all popular Operating and Browser environments.

Disadvantages of using Open Source Tools:

• No reliable Technical support.

• New features may not work properly.

• Less Help document ion

Examples for Open Source Test Tools:

Selenium for Functional and Regression Test Automation

JMeter for Performance Test Automation

Appium for Mobile Testing

Bugzilla for Defect Management

Issue Tracker, PR-Tracker for Defect Management

Etc…
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iii) In-house Tools

Some Companies develop Test tools for internal use (Private use), those tools names also local.

Example:

Microsoft developed so many test tools for their internal use.

IBM developed so many test tools for their internal use.

Oracle Corporation developed so many test tools for their internal use.

Note: We no need to discuss about Advantages and Disadvantages of In-house test tools, because they are private tools (not commercial).
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