Featured image for Manual Testing VS Automated Testing: Difference, Definition, Tools

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Manual Testing VS Automated Testing: Difference, Definition, Tools

Featured image for Manual Testing VS Automated Testing: Difference, Definition, Tools

Regardless of the project type, a website, SaaS platform or a mobile application, you need to decide what testing to choose. Manual or automated testing? There is a huge number of different types of testing, which apply to both manual and automatic. First, let us find out what automated testing is in web development.

Automated Testing Definition in Web Development

Automated testing is processes that run programs and scripts to test individual modules using repetitive actions. In fact, this means that the program runs certain scripts to check all the components of the project test them out and find errors.

In order to create a testing program, certain resources are required. There should be a QA to create the program and run it. The most popular automated testing tool is the Selenium Web Driver IDE for the web applications. Using the Java or Python language, you can start coding. By the way, these two languages are in the list of programming languages of 2020.

Pros of Automated Testing

1. Quality
The accuracy of the test results directly depends on the level of the QA engineer. However, for the most part, the accuracy is close to 99.9%. Virtually all possible options, for example, form validation, can be covered by writing 5 lines of code. It is a huge advantage of automated testing.

2. Auto run
Technology does not stand still, and if earlier the programmer had to write the test program and run it manually - now it can be fully automated. It is a well-known fact that in the period from 2 am to 5 am the server load is minimal. This is the most optimal time to run tests. After all, QA engineer did not have to come in the office at 3 am or, at all, to spend the night and live there?

3. Cost-efficient
Complex and large projects, especially with high-load are in extreme need of increased attention and quality. In the long term, only automated testing will be beneficial for both the financial project, e-commerce site and web casino project. Stay tuned to ecommerce trends 2020.
Moreover, according to statistics, from 3 to 8 manual quality assurance engineers (QA) are required to replace one automated QA. The average cost of an automated QA engineer is $25 per hour working with the East European company. Agencies from the US take from $55 per hour.

4. Exciting
Unlike manual testing, automated is considered creative. Because QA engineer in this role acts as a developer.

5. Results visibility
Manual testing is subjective. The visibility of the results, effectiveness, and statistics, before each release, are important features of automated testing. Reports are also generated automatically.

6. Extended functionality
Automated testing is directly related to the website. Automated testing is kind of a hidden dark side. You have access to the backend and can evaluate almost any parameters. Max load, bandwidth, build forecasts. Working with analysts, and data science engineers will be a great benefit to the fast-growing company.

Manual Testing VS Automated Testing: Difference, Definition & Tools

Cons of Automated Testing

1. Price
Paying attention to the fact that in this case, QA is a developer, then his costs higher.

2. Time
The time for launching tests, like their duration, is extremely important for business and web development. However, it takes some time to code same tests. Therefore, web development phases include testing and goes literally side-by-side with developing. Meanwhile, the QA codes autotests to cover the workings parts of the code.

3. UX testing
You can never test the site through the user's eyes using automated testing. The answer is simple - the program creates reports. QA just running it and controlling the work.

4. Limitations
Limitations in the inability to test colors, gamma, and UX. These items, although they are secondary, but without due attention to them, your users are unlikely to be able to enjoy the platform 100%.

Manual Testing Definition in Web Development

Manual testing is a process through which developers or manual QA engineers test a digital product: a business website, SaaS platform, and something else to find defects and errors. Manual testing is ideal for projects with a small budget or short-terms (up to 2 months).

Manual testing takes place on behalf of the QA who acts as the end-user of the system. Checks all features, links, menu items, etc. To avoid broken links either functionality. QA engineers use several browsers to assure that web project is cross-browser compatible. For example, the most popular are Chrome, Firefox, Safari, IE11, and Edge. With mobile devices, everything is slightly simpler - just Google Chrome and Safari for iOS devices. However, the question - is it worth starting with a website or mobile application? Alternatively, both at the same time?

Pros of Manual Testing

1. Low costs
In the short term, this is a financially advantageous solution.

2. UX
QA engineer, this is primarily a programmer. Having knowledge in interface design, graphical interface, backend part, frameworks and their interaction. Engineer goes around the site having all these skills.

3. Flexibility
If the project managing and developing using the scrum methodology, flexibility, perhaps, is the greatest advantage. Rapid feature implementation and the need to be sure that they work correctly. Manual testing allows you to do this quickly.

Cons of Manual Testing

1. Limitations
Unfortunately, you cannot check everything manually. For example, load testing is almost impossible. To find out what web server can withstand the load - you actually need to give this load.

2. Boring
Generally, it refers directly to the QA itself; however, the repetition of the same actions can be somewhat boring for a person.

3. Quality
Manual testing loses its quality on the large and complex projects. Lack of time and dispersion of attention are at the top of this list.

Manual Testing vs. Automated Testing – What to choose?

First, to you, as to the project owner, there are following questions:
1. What is the duration and scope of your project?
2. Does the platform maintenance matter?
3. Are you looking for a cost-efficient and affordable testing solution?

If at least one of the questions you answered positively, then you probably will be happy with automated testing. Relying on our experience, achieving the best result is possible only by combining both types of testing. This will minimize risks, mitigate costs and produce the desired product shortly. Especially since you also solve the visual component, the trends of the web design 2021 will help you.

Who Needs Automated or Manual Testing Services?

The first echelon consists of SaaS platform and those who "make money" from their website, whether it is an online store or online casino. Highly loaded projects from any industry also need automated testing.
Manual testing is ideal for websites for small businesses, personal websites and other small web projects.

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