10 Testim Options (Including a True Non-code Option)
Estimat is an automated software test tool. It was created with artificial intelligence (AI) in mind to make test writing and maintenance simpler.
Testim is a popular choice for automated software testing by many teams for two reasons.
- The record-and-playback feature allows non-technical members of the team to assist in creating tests.
- The tests are less likely to be affected by minor changes in the code because they use AI-based Smart Locators.
Teams using Testim may eventually encounter one of these issues:
- Record-and-playback can only support simple test scenarios. Only someone who is proficient in JavaScript can create more complex use cases.
- The tests could miss visual bugs that real users might notice if "Smart locators are" activated. If "Smart locators are disabled," the tests could easily break due to minor changes in the underlying code. This can lead to additional maintenance.
- Because of their pricing structure, it can be difficult for them to scale up. They limit the number of simultaneous tests and the number of tests they can run per month.
This post compares 10 Testim alternatives, starting with QA. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each solution, as well as share some additional features.
QA allows you to run five hours of automated functional testing without any code every month. After that, it's just $5/hour.
1. QA: No-Code Scalable Testing for All Teams
QA automates software testing by mimicking real user interactions on the visual layer.
Let's look at how we can address the three issues above.
Anyone can create complex test cases -- even without code
Testim, a record-and-playback tool, is best suited to testing the basic navigational elements of a website. This includes clicking on buttons or following links. It can sometimes be difficult to see what is actually being tested for each step.
A test that is written using a record-and playback tool might look like it is verifying that a page has been loaded, but in fact it is simply waiting for the predetermined time before proceeding to the next step. A developer will usually need to manually add additional code to the test in order to verify that a page has loaded.
Recorders also create test scripts that are larger than those written by hand. This means they are slower to execute and contain lots of redundant code. It is very time-consuming to debug test scripts. This can be a problem that only programming skills can solve.
This means that you will often need a quality assurance engineer full-time to write and maintain your tests.
QA's automated system uses a unique approach. Anyone can write a test with our visual test writer, instead of using a code editor or a recorder.
How it works:
You can write or edit a test-step by selecting from a list of actions (e.g. Click, 'observe', 'fill' and 'click' are all options. Next, click-and drag your mouse to take a screenshot the element that you wish to apply the action.
For example, you can add additional wait times and the exact text that you want to type into a text field. QA provides a database of random data that can be used to generate names, credit card numbers, and email addresses. This saves testers time and effort that would have been required to create the data.
Moreover, anyone can view the test steps on either side of the screen to see exactly which actions are being tested.
embedded tests can be used to speed up test writing.
You can create a sequence of frequently used test steps once and embed it into any test that requires it (e.g. A signup sequence.
You can launch a set test from the platform, or within your CI/CD pipeline using our API, CLI or CircleCI Orb. You can run hundreds of tests simultaneously with our virtual machines network.
Test What Real Users See to Save Time and Money on Maintenance
To interact with elements and perform tests, most code-based tools rely upon element locators in an application's underlying code. Your test may fail if the element locators are changed by just one character.
Testim has developed a solution called Smart Locators. Smart Locators can ignore minor changes and still continue the test, even if the locator of an element has changed. While this is a good way to keep the tests running smoothly, it can also cause problems. Smart Locators might pass the test even if there was a critical visual bug in the locator.
We believe it is better to use pixel matching to test the UI rather than the underlying code. This prevents tests from breaking because of minor code changes behind-the scenes and helps you spot visual bugs. is an good visual regression test option.
Text-matching is a great option for situations when you just want to be sure that someone can find and use the element.
Text-matching is not about looking for the perfect match to a screenshot of an element. It looks for specific text on the screen.
The buttons shown in the picture below are different in terms of their colors, shapes, font sizes, etc. Both buttons however have the words "Buy Now" Text-matching enabled, the test will pass with either button.
Scale up in a flash (and only pay for what you need)
Testim offers a free Tier of their service that includes 1,000 test runs per Month. This level allows you to only run one test per month and is limited to one account per company.
After your testing efforts have grown beyond the free tier you can opt in for a paid contract tier. Each tier has different limits for how many tests you can run per month and how many can be run simultaneously.
QA on the other hand makes software testing affordable to everyone through a simple, scalable pricing model.
You get 5 hours of automated testing each month with our professional plan. After you have used 5 hours of automated testing, the $5/hr charge applies to any additional time spent on tests. For creating/editing test results, viewing them, and managing your test suite, you won't be charged.
There is no limit to the number of tests you can run per month, nor how many users you may add. It's possible to run hundreds of tests at once. You won't be tied to a contract so you can scale up or down testing to meet project needs.
Our Professional plan includes everything you need to run, manage, and write a complete suite of functional tests. This includes access to a large network of virtual machines that can be configured with virtually any combination of the four major browsers, Mac or Windows operating system, and integrations with communication tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Bonus: Quickly Triage Test Results With Video Replays
Testing is difficult because it requires you to understand why the test failed.
Testim is used by many teams because it requires JavaScript knowledge to triage test results. Testim also limits the time you can access test results and test histories. Their free tier allows you to keep test results for seven calendar days, and test history for one year. This is a problem for flaky tests, as it can often be difficult to compare test results to previous runs in order to understand the events.
It can be difficult to spot trends in tests failing or breaking, so it is important to have a test history.
QA doesn't require you to be proficient in coding to determine why a test fails. You'll have full access to test results and history.
Here's how it works.
QA records a video every time a test passes or fails. Any failed step in a test will be highlighted in red and accompanied by a brief explanation.
You'll find an investigate action’ button under each test step. This will give you more information about why the test failed, including the closest match.
You will also receive HTTP logs as well as browser logs, which can be used to determine if your test failed due to inconsistency within the test environment.
Once you have identified a bug, you can use the Jira integration and create a ticket that you can send to our development team. The Jira ticket will contain the failed test steps, the screenshot of the failed step, HTTP logs and a link to the complete test results and video recording.
Are you ready to get started with software testing? Register with QA now.
2. Selenium IDE
Selenium is the most popular solution for automating web browsers to do web testing. Selenium IDE serves as their record-and playback tool. Selenium IDE may be liked by teams that already use Selenium, but it will still have the same drawbacks as other record-and-playback solutions.
Selenium offers a WebDriver, which supports multiple programming languages, including Java, Python and Ruby, C# and JavaScript. It is compatible with Selenium's IDE.
Selenium is used in many software testing tools, including the ones listed here. We have written more about Seleniums drawbacks. However, Selenium's downsides look very similar to all other tools -- including Testim -- which interact with the underlying codes of an app (or theDOM) rather than the visual layer of user interface.
3. Mabl
Mabl, a SaaS platform that integrates software testing in developers' workflows, is called Mabl. The test authoring tool uses record-and playback technology, just like many others. It is available as a Chrome extension and has the same limitations that other record-and–playback tools. You can record tests only in Chrome. However, you can also run them in Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. Common test sequences can be saved as "reusable flows" to be used in future tests. This saves time and helps you save time when creating them.
Mabl, unlike many other tools, provides detailed information about passed and failed tests as well as JavaScript errors, broken hyperlinks, and visual changes.
4. Katalon Studio
Katalon Studio, a record-and playback tool built on Selenium WebDriver, also supports Java and Groovy. Katalon Studio allows developers to stop and start a recording at any stage of test creation or execution. This is unlike other record-and-playback software. It's much easier to create test cases and fix bugs, but you will still need software engineers for test authoring.
Learn more about Katalon by reading our article that compares Katalon with Selenium vs. Cypress and Qa.
5. Cypress
Cypress.io provides a tool for automating JavaScript test authoring. Preset actions reduce the amount of code required to write manually. The Cypress software can be installed on your hard drive. You can see the actions and the corresponding code lines in real-time in the Test Runner Browser.
Although they offer an open-source version, most agile teams eventually find that they must upgrade to a paid product to keep up with their testing.
6. Ranorex Studio
Ranorex can record and playback desktop, mobile, and web apps. Record-and-playback will generate code for your device just like other codeless tools. However, you can add screenshot verifications to verify steps.
To compare screenshots, you can select from a variety of settings such as pixel-by-pixel or overall shapes. You can choose to have the screen look like a specific area or all of it.
7. Appium
Appium modifies Selenium to allow you to test browsers on mobile devices, instead of desktops. It supports all mobile testing platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows apps. Appium, unlike many other tools in this list that offer low code options, is completely dependent on programming skills.
Appium can be used to create native, hybrid, and web-based mobile apps. Appium is highly customizable and can be integrated with almost any software development tool.
Appium allows you to configure Appium so that Appium can take a snapshot at the point where break occurs to assist with debugging. This will help to identify why a test failed.
8. Leapwork
Leapwork was designed with IT professionals in mind. Users will find the interface confusing unless they have a lot of technical knowledge.
They are available for desktop and web application testing.
Leapwork does not provide pricing information. You can instead reach out to the team to discuss a custom contract.
9. Tricentis Tosca
Tricentis Tosca, an end-to–end testing tool for agile teams, is designed by developers. They allow continuous testing and integrate with various development tools. Many users say that test management features increase productivity.
Tricentis Tosca has many features that can be used to assist with cross-browser test, such as self-healing technology. Tricentis Tosca offers real-time risk assessments of business processes, so you can determine which testing is most important at any time.
10. UI Vision
UI Vision automates web browsers to test web applications, much like Selenium. Their robotic process automation plugin (RPA), however, allows testers to perform UI testing on desktop apps.
They offer screen scraping and codeless UI testing. They offer three packages for a one-time fee and an open-source Tier. There are limitations to the number of drag-and-drop or preset mouse events that you have access to in each tier for testing. All tiers, except the highest, offer no community support.
The Right Testim Alternative
Because Testim requires programming skills, is difficult to maintain, and scales poorly, it may not be the right platform for every company.
QA is a solution to these problems. It allows anyone to manage testing and reduces time spent maintaining software.
QA allows you to run five hours of automated functional testing without any code every month. After that, it's just $5/hour.
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