9 Major Differences between Selenium and QTP/UFT

Testers have been debating for years over which test automation tool is superior – QTP/UFT or Selenium. Knowing the difference between Selenium and QTP/UFT also helps you choose better tool. There are also many new tools in the market to compete with these two.

Through this blog post, I will compare two tools and help you make an informed decision about which one is more suitable for your needs. Additionally, I will discuss a new, more effective automation tool.

Why 

When we talk about testing a web-based application manually, we know it is a time-consuming and resource-intensive task. This can also be quite costly. Relying solely on manual testing can also slow down the process of testing an application. 

To speed things up, automation came into play. This is employed to minimize manual testing as much as possible. 

What is Selenium?

Selenium is an open-source test automation framework that can automate web applications. It is a popular choice for testers because it is free to use and supports many programming languages, including Java, Python, Ruby, and C#. 

Selenium allows scripting as well as record-and-playback via selenium IDE. Also, Selenium provides many powerful features, such as support for parallel testing and distributed testing.

What is QTP/UFT?

Okay, there is small history to know about QTP and why it is now called UFT. 

QTP stands for QuickTest Professional, released by Mercury Interactive in May 1998, then later acquired by HP in 2006, and now Micro Focus.

When acquired by HP, QTP was renamed UFT, which stands for Unified Functional Testing.

• It is a powerful and universal tool that can be used to automate a wide range of applications, including web, desktop, mobile, and API applications. 

• UFT is a record-and-playback tool, meaning testers can record their actions on an application and then generate test scripts from the recording. 

• UFT also has a built-in object repository, which makes it easy to manage and reuse test objects.

Key Comparision- Selenium and QTP/UFT for Automation Testing

Selenium and QTP/UFT are both widely used automation testing frameworks, but they have different strengths and weaknesses.

 QTP/UFT is a commercial tool that is more powerful and feature-rich than Selenium. It can be used to automate a wider range of applications, including desktop and server-side applications, in addition to web applications. QTP/UFT also has a built-in object repository, which can make it easier to create and maintain test scripts. However, QTP/UFT is also more expensive than Selenium and only supports VBScript as  a programming language. 

Selenium is an open-source framework that is free to use and supports a wider range of programming languages, including Java, Python, C#, and Ruby. Selenium is also more flexible and scalable than QTP/UFT.

For beginners in automation testing, Selenium is generally recommended over QTP/UFT because it is free, open-source, and supports multiple programming languages. This makes it easier to learn and use Selenium, and it gives testers more flexibility in their choice of programming language.

Selenium VS QTP/UFT Comparison Table

Here is a table comparing QTP/UFT and Selenium on a number of key factors:

Factor	QTP/UFT	Selenium
License	Commercial tool and you have to purchase the license.	It is an Open source tool.
Programming language	Supports VBScript	Supports Java, C#, Ruby, Python, Perl, PHP and JavaScript
Operating system	Works only on Windows	Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, UNIX
Supported browsers	Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari	Runs across all major browsers
Record-and-playback	Yes	Yes
Object repository	Yes	No
Parallel testing	Yes	Yes
Flexibility	QTP/UFT is user friendly.	Selenium is less user friendly.

Is Selenium better than QTP?

This question pops into everyone’s head when there are two or more best tools in the market. 

The best test automation tool for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements. If you are looking for a commercial tool with a wide range of features and support for record-and-playback, then QTP/UFT is a good choice. 

If you are looking for an open-source tool that supports a wide range of programming languages and operating systems, then Selenium is a good choice.

For example, let me say your team is already familiar with VBScript and the Windows operating system. Here QTP/UFT may be a better choice. On the other hand, if your team is more experienced with other programming languages and operating systems, Selenium may be a better fit.

Testsigma: An Alternative to Selenium and OTP!

If I told you there is an alternative automation testing tool, what would your response be?

Testsigma is an easy-to-use and affordable tool to automate your testing, a good option to consider. Let me explain why.

Advantages of Testsigma over Selenium and QTP

• Codeless test creation: Testsigma allows users to create and execute tests without writing any code. It also supports record and playback. This makes it a good choice for testers of all skill levels, including those with no coding experience.
• Cloud-based platform: Testsigma is a cloud-based platform, so there is no need to install or maintain any software. This makes it easy to get started and scale up or down as needed.
• Features: Testsigma offers a complete set of features for test automation, including:
  • Support for web, mobile, and API testing
  • Parallel test execution
  • Data-driven testing
  • Visual testing
  • AI-powered test maintenance

Conclusion

Both Selenium and UFT are powerful automation testing frameworks with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The best tool for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements. Consider the factors discussed above when making your decision.

Happy Testing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is easier to learn Selenium or UFT?

Selenium is easier to learn than UFT because it is open-source and has a large community of users. Selenium also supports multiple programming languages, while UFT only supports VBScript.

What is the difference between Selenium and UFT automation?

The key difference between Selenium and UFT automation is that Selenium is an open-source framework while UFT is a commercial tool. Selenium also supports a wider range of programming languages and operating systems than UFT.