Top Mobile App Testing Tools For Testers

Mobile app testing is very popular among businesses as testing can help businesses sieve out the best outputs for all types of business sectors. The  mobile app testing strategy is one aspect that all effective mobile application development processes share. It makes sure that both company and customer requirements are met by the mobile application. Before being released, mobile apps must pass a stringent test. 

If not done carefully, testing for mobile apps can be expensive and prone to mistakes. Mobile app testing can seem like a difficult undertaking because there are so many things to take into account, including various operating systems, device sizes, and other situations. In order to ensure that the mobile app testing process is streamlined and effective, there should be a few good practices. To make this process simpler and more effective, different mobile application testing tools are introduced in the market. Each one of these mobile app testing tools is distinct and automated.

Best Mobile App Testing Tools

Appium

The foundation of Appium is the notion that recompiling or integrating an SDK into your app is unnecessary when testing native apps. Additionally, you need to be able to utilize your preferred test methodologies, frameworks, and instruments.

The open source project Appium made design and tool choices to support a thriving contributing community. One of the most well-liked open-source frameworks for test automation is Appium. Both native and hybrid mobile apps are compatible with it. Appium uses the Selenium WebDriver protocol to run iOS, Android, and Windows programs. The Selenium client libraries are available for all programming languages, including Java, C#, and JavaScript. 

Multiple features of Appium include

• Supports multiple languages
• Does not need access to the source code
• Able to write cross-platform scripts
• Possesses broader support on the internet
• Supports apps built on both Android and iOS apps.
• They are consistent but at times their versions are unreliable versions for the Appium server desktop application are limitations.

The Application Server desktop application for Windows OS does not support script recording.

Test Rigor

You can directly describe tests as plain English executable specifications using testRigor. Users of all technical levels can create end-to-end tests that encompass mobile, web, and API processes in a single test and can range in complexity. Instead of depending on implementation-specific features like XPaths or CSS Selectors, test steps are described at the level of the end user.

There are two primary advantages to writing exams in plain English with testRigor:

Test automation can be created by manual testers 12 times more quickly than with Selenium.

In comparison to Selenium users, their customers spend 100 times less time. Tests are conducted from the viewpoint of the end user, which is particularly important for a product that changes quickly. Finding and replacing the outdated component makes it simple to adapt to new functionality.

Features of TestRigor include

• Almost all browsers on various OSes, such as Internet Explorer on Windows and Safari on Mac and iOS, support web testing on desktop and mobile devices.
• Assistance with mobile testing, including testing of hybrid apps and testing of mobile apps on actual physical devices through our partners
•  API Testing
• Spoofing API calls
• Ability to use OCR to deal with text in images Ability to use machine learning to classify images and refer to buttons and text Ability to operate with numerous tabs at once Ability to use multiple devices and browsers simultaneously running separate sessions
• Possibility of publishing test results to any test case management system, as well as to Slack, MS Teams, emails, etc.
• Iframe, shadow DOM, and hybrid app transparency support
• Utilizing Geolocations to move virtually from one location to another

Kobiton

In terms of pure-play mobile test automation and mobile continuous testing, Kobiton is the market leader. Any mobile development or testing team can benefit from Kobiton’s solutions for test authoring, execution, and remediation because they enable both AI-driven scriptless and AI-assisted script-based techniques. Testers can access real devices through Kobiton’s user-friendly platform for manual and automated testing. Complex gestures, ADB shell commands, geo-location, and device connection management are all supported by Kobiton.

The best approach to comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of Kobiton automated testing is to divide them into two distinct workflows: scriptless and script-based. Additionally, it provides real-time insight into logs that customers may examine and download in order to find and fix problems.

Features of Kobiton

• Scriptless automation is scalable and is simple to run in parallel across various devices when using a manual “Capture and Execute” approach. As a result, every Kobiton scriptless automation test you run can include baked-in Compatibility Testing.
• Through the simple re-running of one manual test across your collection of actual devices, Manual Capture and Execute enables “Run once, test anywhere.”
• Kobiton’s Appium Export solution is 100% open-standard, allowing users to transition from manual testing to Appium automation without writing any code.
• Every scriptless test from Kobiton has built-in Visual, Text, Performance, Crash, and UX Design assertions. This eliminates the need for three to four separate types of testing, which is what would typically be required.

TestComplete

Another excellent mobile app testing tool is TestComplete. It is a SmartBear automated UI testing framework. You can build, maintain, and run user interface (UI) tests for desktop, mobile, and web applications with TestComplete. It enables the testing of native and hybrid apps. On actual or virtual devices as well as emulators, TestComplete can perform tests. It is a versatile mobile testing tool with possibilities for scripts and scriptless use.

Several features of Test Complete include

• To quickly construct automated UI tests, use the scriptless Record and Replay or keyword-driven tests. Once you’ve recorded your tests, you can replay them in a variety of desktop, web, and mobile applications.
• By correctly detecting dynamic UI elements with both property-based and AI-powered visual recognition, tests can be created and maintained more quickly. Control objects from a single source, then install them locally.
• To make maintenance activities simpler, separate data from test commands. To expand coverage, run automated desktop, web, or mobile UI tests using several sets of input data.
• From a single interface, get real-time updates on the status and progress of your desktop, online, or mobile user interface tests. Connect easily to well-known defect tracking programs like Bugzilla for feedback and consistent learning.

Robotium

A framework for automated Android testing called Robotium is available for both native and hybrid apps. On our list of open-source mobile application testing tools, it is the last item. It helps with comprehensive automation test scripts for Android applications that are simple to write. Automation testers can create functional, system, and user acceptability test cases with the aid of Robotium.

The most popular Android testing tool is Robotium, and both an Android emulator and an actual Android device can be used to run its test cases. Mobile application developers frequently use Robotium to test Android devices because it officially supports Android versions 1.6 and higher. Also fully supported by Robotium are activities, conversations, toasts, menus, and context menus. It may be used to test programs where the source code is available as well as those where only the APK file is. In essence, Robotium offers an easy-to-use API for developing User Interface (UI) automated test scripts for Android applications. Some of the most interesting Mobile app testing tools are Robotium.

 Robotium includes cutting-edge features such as

• Robotium is capable of managing many Android tasks.
• provides strong test coverage and performance.
• Simple and reliable test cases are used.
• works seamlessly with Maven, Gradle, or Ant.
• Super accelerated test execution.
• Some understanding of the application being tested is necessary.

Katalon Studio

A powerful mobile automation tool with a Selenium-based engine, Katalon Studio was first made available in January 2015. Katalon is primarily made to allow non-programmers to write and reuse automated UI test scripts. Pop-ups, iFrames, and wait-time are just a few of the UI elements that can be tested automatically using Katalon Studio. Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows all support starting the tool.

Compared to Selenium, the market leader, Katalon has a greater range of integrations and is easier to set up. For customers with varying levels of coding expertise, Katalon offers two scripting interfaces. As a result, testers with no programming experience can use a user interface that is easier to use.

The option for more experienced users offers debugging code suggestions, and scripting with syntax highlighting. A variety of test cases, test suites, test objects, and reports have pre-defined templates in Katalon Studio’s predefined artefact structure. Both local and remote testing, as well as concurrent and sequential executions, are supported by Katalon Studio. Groovy, a Java programming language, is used to run it.

Several key highlights of  Katalon studio’s attributes include

• There is no need for a sophisticated setup or programming languages knowledge.
• Flexible automated test design with record and playback, integrated keywords, pre-defined project templates, and an intuitive user interface.
• Cross-environment testing using Kobiton, Perfecto, BrowserStack, and other integration platforms on real devices, emulators, or cloud-based devices.
• With the aid of an effective object spying tool, maintenance efforts can be reduced.
• Modern graphs that provide crucial information and real-time alerts following each execution

Perfecto

With the most secure and scalable cloud-based lab in the world, Mobile Application Testers seeks to advance mobile app testing. With Perfecto mobile performance testing, we can easily develop and run test cases. It nicely complements the most popular automation frameworks, enabling us to test using Appium and BDD. Perfecto provides hassle-free access to a wide range of mobile devices and web surfing environments right from the IDE. This will make it easier for development teams to resume coding right away. It is crucial for validating code work on live platforms prior to check-in.

The platform for testing mobile apps, Perfecto, is the most intelligent and quick. Mobile application testers may test mobile apps using Perfecto at an unmatched rate of speed. It gives the answer to how to combine test creation, test execution, and test analytics all in one location to enable continuous testing. Thousands of actual mobile devices have been tested by Perfecto, and it offers a simple perfecto mobile testing tool instruction for all of your challenging testing issues.

Some of the features of Perfecto are:

• Unified Test Platform is offered, covering test creation, execution, and analysis in the lab.
• High-Quality Security: Your data will be kept secure at six highly dependable, globally distributed data centres.
• With smart reporting, you can test mobile applications with fewer false negatives and gain more information for quick changes.
• Tests on Actual Mobile Devices: Tests on Thousands of Actual Mobile Devices in One Location.

The most intelligent and quick platform for testing mobile apps is Perfecto. Using Perfecto, mobile applications are examined by mobile application testers at an unmatched speed.

Espresso

Espresso is a test automation framework for Android that makes it possible to create and run UI tests. Developers can use this mobile application testing tool to build test scenarios and record their interactions with mobile devices. By taking screenshots, developers can use the analysis to validate the behavior of the UI elements. 

Some of the major reasons for businesses to consider Espresso include

• For automated android UI tests, Google has created an open-source native app testing tool.
• Enables mobile testing of individual components as well as black boxes.
• Both native Android apps and hybrid web apps are testable.
• In Java or Kotlin, test cases can also be created.
• straightforward setup and synchronized test executions are provided.
• Make test recordings using the Espresso recorder.

Calabash

Calabash is an open-source framework for acceptance testing that enables you to create and run tests  for iOS and Android applications. All the information pertaining to Android is covered in this article.

Calabash is behavior-driven development and is used in Calabash. It is similar to Test Driven Development (TDD), except application behavior is specified rather than tests being written to describe the structure of APIs. In the BDD process, various stakeholders contribute to the development of a shared understanding of what needs to be built. Building the appropriate software and designing from the viewpoint of the business owner are both aided by BDD.

Features of Calabash

• Calabash can easily work with any test framework based on Ruby. The most well-liked and practical method of creating tests for Calabash, Cucumber, will be covered in this post.
• Be certain that Ruby is set up on your computer before continuing if you want to try Calabash as you read the rest of the tutorial.
• With the benefits it offers, Calabash eliminates any excuses for not developing automated UI tests for your mobile apps, whether it is the testing solution your app requires.
• Calabash may fall short if your app strongly relies on specific device functionalities (like the camera), but it still makes it considerably simpler to write tests for the bulk of apps.

UI Automator

A framework for functional cross-app UI testing across the installed apps is called UI Automator. UI Automator’s APIs let you interact with visible device elements regardless of whatever Android Activity is the primary focus. This enables you to conduct actions on a test device like opening the Settings Menu or the App Launcher.

The application’s source code is not required for UI Automator to function. This enables the script to interact and browse the program tray, settings, third-party apps, and any other apps you choose.

The performance of the UI Automator Test Framework is superior for Android apps. Accessibility support does not need to be included when UI components of type view are used from the SDK because these classes have already taken care of that. Some programs that employ distinctive UI elements won’t provide accessibility assistance.

Selendroid

The user interface of native and hybrid Android programs (apps) and mobile webpages serves as the basis for Selendroid, a framework for test automation. The Selenium 2 client API is used in test writing. Additionally, Selendroid is an open-source framework that supports simultaneous communication with a number of devices and emulators.

Because native, hybrid, and mobile web apps’ user interfaces are what drives it, the test should be written using the Selenium 2 client API.

Using Selenium 2 and the WebDriver API, Selendroid’s test code is created. Let’s focus on introducing Selendroid to you now that we’ve established the background. The project is utilized by numerous businesses and satisfies the aforementioned standards. 

Selendroid’s key attributes include:

• A built-in Android driver web view app is used to test the mobile web.
• Native or hybrid programs can be automated using the same principle.
• Supported gestures are: API for Complex User Interactions
• Selendroid can communicate simultaneously with a number of Android devices, including emulators and hardware.
• Automatically starting up existing emulators
• Devices can be connected to Selendroid while still hot.
• Full compliance with JSON Wire Protocol.
• The automated test program doesn’t need to be changed in any way
• Here Selendroid offers various sorts of locators that you can find in UI elements.
• Selenium Grid Testing is used for scalable and concurrent testing and complete integration as a node.

Frank

When in use, Frank consists primarily of two parts. There is a tiny objective-C server included in the iOS application that you want to automate. Then, you use a remote driver to send automation commands to the Frank server and decode the responses received from within your chosen automated testing framework.

If you need to test iOS-based software end-to-end and wish to use Cucumber and BDD, FRANK is the best iOS test automation solution (Behaviour Driven Development). The program gives us the ability to create feature files, acceptance tests, and requirements through Cucumber. The FRANK test automation tool enables us to run our BDD test cases on our iOS-based application because it serves as an adaptor to link the iOS app to the cucumber framework. Cucumber makes it easy to connect to the Frank tool and helps automate test scenarios to adhere to BDD requirements.

Conclusion

There are many names that may come into your mind when it comes to mobile app testing tools for android and ios devices. These mobile testing tools act as a great fit for all mobile platforms. We have ensured multiple options that fit in the list of best mobile application testing tools. Depending on your need and usage, you can select one of them, some of these would be expensive while others would be free/open-source mobile testing tools. Most of them are used as automated mobile app testing which is easy, quick and fully functional for high-performing apps and devices.