The test planning and test cases help to make the automation testing easy. However, with the help of automation testing tools help perform testing in a procedural and faster way. There are different types of testing for various software requirements.
With testing techniques, testers can analyze the system on the fly. The testing allows the developers to perform test creation and execution simultaneously without extensive planning. Exploratory testing helps uncover the edge case scenarios and hidden flaws in the system.
Exploratory testing is simultaneous learning, test design, and test execution. It is the heart of manual testing. Exploratory testing tools make the process of exploratory testing more effective and efficient.
This article will discuss the best exploratory testing tools for 2024, which are expected to dominate the market and enhance automation testing processes. Before that, let’s briefly understand exploratory testing.
What is Exploratory Testing?
Exploratory testing involves simultaneously developing and executing tests without following any strict documentation or process. It is result-oriented and encourages creativity. In exploratory testing, test cases are defined in sentences. Furthermore, exploratory tests are a manual approach to exploring an application without test scripts or pre-deliberate input definitions.
Rather than following the user ‘happy trail’ typically wrapped in scripted testing, the developer envisions alternate ways where users do unexpected things. It could be repeated button-clicking, inputting non-spec data, or following a non-standard flow. Users may also cause errors through structural module deficiencies or configuration requirements.
During exploratory testing, a tester must remember the process that causes an error and the results of the error. It can be efficiently accomplished by detailed note-taking. With the help of proper documentation, exploratory test notes can become prospective test cases. Furthermore, testers must think of ways to create tests to return actionable data and analyze issues more deeply. Documenting actions and devising tests are the two areas where the exploratory testing tools come in!
What are Exploratory Testing Tools?
Exploratory testing tools are software that supports the exploratory process in software testing. This testing method emphasizes simultaneously test design and active learning, allowing testers to explore, comprehend, and test the software in an interactive, dynamic manner. These tools assist in documenting the procedure, capturing test insights, and handling the amorphous nature of exploratory testing.
Exploratory testing tools offer increased test coverage and enhanced defect detection capabilities. This approach allows testers to go beyond predefined test cases, enabling them to uncover issues that may be overlooked in scripted testing scenarios. These tools facilitate a deeper understanding of the application and encourage testers to think creatively and critically.
The tools also promote efficient time usage, quickly adapting to new findings and modifications in the software. Furthermore, exploratory testing tools facilitate enhanced documentation and collaboration among testing teams, enabling the capture of intricate details and nuances inherent in the exploratory testing process.
Best Exploratory Testing Tools For 2024
Exploratory testing tools concentrate on delivering support to the tester. Unlike automation testing tools, it does not perform or execute any testing. Here are a few exploratory testing tools that are set to dominate the market in 2024:
LambdaTest
LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform that lets you run manual and automated tests at scale with over 3000+ real devices, browsers, and OS combinations. It facilitates seamless and efficient running of manual and automated tests on a large scale. Focusing on providing a versatile testing environment, it empowers users to conduct real-time and automated testing across an extensive array of environments, encompassing over 3000 configurations, including browsers and real mobile devices.
One of LambdaTest’s standout features is its ability to scale testing operations. Whether manual testing is performed in real-time or automated tests run across various environments, it provides the infrastructure and resources to accommodate testing needs at scale.
Testpad
Testpad helps develop flexible test plans. The tool offers checklists, adding new tests, simple texts, and writing notes. It allows for organizing tests on the go and presents a great way to track exploratory testing.
Testpad has a slick user interface with keyboard-driven editing. Reporting is simple yet effective. Further, there is lightweight integration with issue trackers, including JIRA. Testpad is a cloud tool and hence operates with any modern web browser.
A few prominent features of Testpad are that it:
- Maximizes productivity by delivering all viable options for exploratory testing.
- It allows developers and testers to copy content from different sources, such as Word, Excel, and Notepad.
- Can organize tests on the go.
- It is suitable for both small and large projects.
- Is keyboard-driven. Actions can be performed with keyboard shortcuts without using the mouse.
Bug Magnet
Bug Magnet is an open-source, web-based add-on testing tool for Firefox and Chrome. Developers are not required to undergo intricate installations. The tool effortlessly accesses the edge cases and limitations for exploratory testing. The tool facilitates the manipulation of web page elements for testing purposes.
There is a significantly small overhead per page in the Bug-magnet. The tool does not rely on any third-party libraries. The user can readily extend their file configuration through Bug Magnet. Furthermore, Bug-magnet works on the same domain text areas, multi-frames, and input fields.
Some of the pivotal features of Bug Magnet are:
- Easy to install for Chrome and Firefox plugin
- Open source tool with no add-on costs
- No third-party dependency
- Supports input fields, text areas, divs, and more
- Furnishes the feature to extend the configuration files
PractiTest
PractiTest is an end-to-end test management tool with exploratory testing features. The tool can record the findings, analyze them, and track the test cases. It documents different kinds of annotations, defines charters, and reports bugs directly from the test runs.
PractiTest has highly customizable dashboards. Additionally, it is configurable according to the user’s needs. Developers can add session-based testing to their testing efforts for complete quality assurance coverage. PractiTest requires a SaaS system only. The tool offers three pricing plans. It is $39 per user per month for professionals, $49 per user per month for enterprise, and for unlimited use, you need to get quotations from the PractiTest team. A free trial is also available.
A few features of PractiTest are that it:
- Easy to use
- Serves all testing activities
- Provides bug-tracking integration and third-party project management
Test IO
TestIO is a testing service software that provides quality assurance testing services. TestIisbe is an invaluable tool for meeting project deadlines efficiently and effectively when faced with a limited timeframe and resource constraints. Thousands of quality assurance testing experts are available on the TestIO platform to help when stuck.
TestIO offers testing solutions through various approaches, such as exploratory testing, usability testing, and more. Its testing solutions are available for wearable, IoT, mobile, and website testing platforms. TestIO delivers customized solutions for advanced quality assurance and workflow integration needs. Test IO tests the websites and applications on all devices, OS, and browsers.
Prominent features of TestIO are:
- Provides effective quality reports
- Provides community support to developers
- Testing is conducted promptly to ensure efficient processing of results
Exploratory Testing Chrome Extension
As the name suggests, Exploratory Testing Chrome Extension is a Chrome extension. It comes in handy to take session results, report bugs, ideas, notes, etc. Exploratory Testing Chrome Extension captures screenshots during the session. All these features make web exploratory testing easier.
The tool automatically tracks the URL. Exploratory Testing Chrome Extension authorizes developers to save and import the session. Furthermore, developers can export the session to CSV, JSON, or HTML. Exploratory Testing Chrome Extension is compatible with the Google Chrome web browser.
Some of the pivotal features of Exploratory Testing Chrome Extension are that the tool:
- Can report the bugs and ask queries readily
- Helps to capture screenshots during the session
- Save and import the sessions
- Jot down ideas to discuss them afterward
- Export the session to JSON, CSV, or HTML
- It is a free-to-use tool
Azure Test Plans
Azure Test Plan is a Microsoft testing tool. It offers numerous functionalities for manual and exploratory testing. It is also an easy tool for test management that provides end-to-end traceability.
Furthermore, the tool delivers a simple UI to record the steps and track the issues. Developers can design and execute tests simultaneously with Azure Test Plan.
A few of the prominent features of Azure Test Plan are:
- Easy to integrate with Azure DevOps
- Provides end-to-end traceability
- Capture scenario-wise details
- Used for test management
TestRail
TestRail is a comprehensive cloud web-based, user-friendly test case management exploratory testing tool. It authorizes teams to manage and monitor the testing endeavors. TestRail furnishes a collaboration feature that makes exploratory testing efficient.
TestRail can be installed directly on the server. Therefore, it utilizes the database to store app data. It allows testers to use agile methodology or other preferred testing approaches for their testing processes. The tool is customizable and easy to access. TestRail supports Linux-based OS, Windows OS, and Web-based applications.
A few features of TestRail are:
- Easy to collaborate
- A web-based tool requires no installation and infrastructure management
- Helps to track the individual tests and projects
- Integrates automation testing and manual testing under one app suite
- Users can execute test cases and track the result of the exploratory testing in real-time
Xray Exploratory App (XEA)
Xray Exploratory App is a desktop application that streamlines the exploratory testing procedure by providing users the tools to capture evidence and efficiently share insights with their team. The tool facilitates documentation by capturing video, audio, and screenshots to discover new testing scenarios, cover more untested code, and find hard-to-catch bugs. A few pivotal features of the Xray Exploratory App are that it:
- Create a “test charter” or test session to track time
- Test web, desktop, and mobile-based applications
- Do annotations, make screenshots, record videos, and take notes
- Export test sessions to PDF or directly to the Test Runs in Xray
- Export test sessions to PDF or directly to the Test Runs in Xray
- Use as a standalone desktop application or integrate with Xray and Jira
Tricentis qTest
Tricentis qTest is an agile test management platform that improves efficiency. The platform helps enhance collaboration, scale test automation, and increase speed to market. Additionally, it is an easy-to-use, powerful, and scalable test management tool that authorizes testers to consolidate and speed up test management.
Tricentis qTest can be used in the cloud or on-premise. The testing tool makes the quality assurance procedure uncomplicated and more effective. It helps with planning and managing testing activities according to project schedules. Furthermore, Tricentis qTest Explorer runs on all Windows OS.
Some of the prominent features of Tricentis qTest are:
- Centralizes test automation management
- Integrates with any proprietary test or open-source automation tool
- Simplifies developer-tester alignment with a real-time Jira integration
- Seamlessly integrated with DevOps and agile tools
- Create significant reports with Jira data
Conclusion
Exploratory testing allows for the uncovering of hidden defects in the system. It does not have boundaries or defined scope. Exploratory testing tools provide valuable support for documenting exploratory testing session activities, generating reports, and capturing evidence. However, while choosing the suited exploratory testing tool, the developers must evaluate it against the requirement that an excellent exploratory testing tool can boost the session’s outcome.
