Leapwork vs Tosca – What are the Differences?

Test automation has evolved significantly from its early days in computing. This concept dates back to the 1970s when the first practical implementations of automated testing began to take shape. Fast forward to the 2000s, the emergence of various testing tools revolutionized the way teams handle software quality, offering greater speed, consistency, and efficiency.

If you’re currently exploring automation tools, it’s essential to understand the key differences between popular options like Leapwork vs Tosca. Additionally, there’s another tool worth mentioning – Testsigma. 

Leapwork:

• Leapwork is an AI-driven visual test automation platform. 
• It allows users to create and run automation flows for test and process automation using a smart recorder that captures UI elements with just a click. 
• The automation flows can be scheduled and executed on various platforms, The platform uses visual building blocks, each performing specific tasks like clicking elements or starting applications.
• This platform supports automating software on desktop apps (e.g., SAP), web/mobile apps, and virtual machines like Citrix and Remote Desktop.

Tosca:

• Tricentis Tosca enhances end-to-end testing with its codeless, AI-powered framework, reducing delays and risks in software development.
• Tosca uses a model-based approach to design test cases and automate processes.
• This method creates reusable test modules that reflect the structure of the application for codeless or low-code test creation.
• It is available both as a cloud service and for local deployment, Tosca allows for rapid test creation and execution in a flexible environment. 
• It also supports a wide range of testing types such as accessibility, functional, regression, API, UI, and system integration, along with performance testing via its integration with NeoLoad. 

Testsigma:

• Testsigma is a cloud-based test automation platform, it is  designed to simplify end-to-end testing. 
• It allows the  users to write tests using plain English or GenAI, making automation accessible even for those without coding expertise. 
• Tests can be run across 3,000+ browsers and devices, offering wide coverage.
• This platform unifies web, mobile, desktop, API, and Salesforce testing into one system, streamlining test management.

What does Leapwork offers ?

Leapwork simplifies test automation by allowing users to create automation flows visually, making it accessible even for non-technical users. With the help of Smart Recorder, users can capture interactions with desktop and web applications to build automated processes without the need for code.  Additionally, the platform supports cross-browser testing, ensuring consistency across different platforms and browsers.

1. Visual Test Creation

• Users can build automation flows without needing any coding skills.
• Tasks like adding items to a shopping cart and checking out can be automated through simple screen recordings.
• Even non-technical users can design tests by interacting with the application.

2. Data-Driven Testing

• Tests can be run with different data sets, like checking pricing for members vs. non-members.
• This allows thorough validation of different scenarios using the same test flow.

3. Reusable Components (Sub-Flows)

• Sub-flows enable users to create reusable automation blocks, such as login/logout functions.
• These can be reused in different test scenarios, saving time and reducing maintenance.

4. Cross-Browser and Cross-Platform Testing

• Tests can be executed across multiple browsers like Chrome, Safari, etc., ensuring consistent results on different platforms.
• This enhances test coverage across various devices and operating systems.

5. Smart Recorder

• The Smart Recorder captures interactions with web and desktop applications, making it easy to automate tasks.
• This streamlines the process of building automation flows. 

6. Automation Scheduling

• Automation flows can be scheduled to run on various platforms.
• This allows users to automate repetitive tasks and focus on other priorities while the system handles testing.
•  Users can set up visual dashboards to track the status and outcomes of automation flows.

Where does Leapwork falls short? 

1. Debugging Complexity

• Leapwork’s debugging capabilities are often challenging when dealing with complex flows. When bugs occur within nested sub-flows, it’s difficult to trace the exact point of failure. 
• Users lack the ability to inspect context-specific data feeding into or out of problematic blocks, making troubleshooting time-consuming. Unlike traditional code-based environments where you can set breakpoints and inspect variables in real time, Leapwork’s visual flow needs the  users to manually trace each step, which slows down the debugging process.

2. Sensitivity to UI Changes

• Leapwork’s automation flows are highly sensitive to changes in the user interface (UI). Even minor changes, like renaming a button from “Add to Cart” to “Add Item,” can cause all related test flows to fail. 
• This reliance on visual recognition means every small UI update can trigger a need for manual flow adjustments, requiring extensive retesting and increasing the overall maintenance effort.

3. Image Recognition Issues

• Leapwork’s image recognition struggles with certain tasks, particularly electronic signature recognition, which is reported to be slow and prone to timeouts. This limitation can lead to delays and inefficiencies when running automated tests that involve images or signatures.

What does tosca offers ?

Tricentis Tosca is a no-code automation tool that makes testing faster and easier across digital applications. It removes common bottlenecks and reduces risks in software releases.

1.Comprehensive Object Repository

• Tosca’s object repository stores UI elements, ensuring reusability and consistency across tests. For example, you can define a “Login Button” once and reuse it in different test cases.
• Tosca’s Comprehensive Object Repository acts as a central hub for managing all UI elements in your test cases. For instance, while testing an online banking app, you can store crucial UI components like the “Login Button” here. 
• This means you only need to define it once—if its design changes, a single update in the repository ensures all tests reflect the new design. This significantly cuts down on maintenance time and guarantees consistency across your testing efforts.

2. Model-Based Testing

• With Tosca’s model-based testing, Tests are created visually using flowcharts or JSON, making it accessible to non-technical users. 
• Imagine testing an online shopping platform; you can effortlessly map out the process of adding items to the cart and checking out—all without writing a line of code. This visual approach not only simplifies the testing process but also makes it easier for team members with varying technical backgrounds to contribute.

3. Integrated Reporting

• Tosca provides built-in reporting tools that generate clear, detailed feedback after tests. This allows teams to quickly identify and fix issues, improving the software quality. 
• For example, after running tests on the shopping platform, you’ll receive clear and concise reports that indicate which tests succeeded and which didn’t. This immediate feedback enables teams to swiftly pinpoint and rectify issues, enhancing the overall quality of the application and boosting confidence in the release process.

4. Tosca Copilot

• Tosca Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that boosts productivity by helping users manage and optimize test assets. It makes onboarding faster and reduces redundant efforts.

5. Service Virtualization

• Tosca simulates system responses, allowing tests even when systems are not accessible or haven’t been built yet.

Pitfall of tosca:

1. Steep Learning Curve

• Tosca is a powerful tool, but it’s not the easiest to learn. Just like a programming language, there are many ways to achieve the same goal, which can be overwhelming for new users. Without regular practice, it’s easy to forget how to perform tasks, making it necessary to stay active in the tool to retain knowledge.

2. License-Heavy

• Tosca requires multiple licenses to access its various features, and a single license often isn’t enough to solve all your needs. You have to activate each feature in the settings, which can be time-consuming and adds an extra step before you can start working.

3. Performance Limitations

• Tosca’s performance can slow down when handling applications with many elements. Before running tests, Tosca scans and stores each UI component, which can take extra time, especially for complex applications like retail websites with many product listings. This leads to longer execution times, impacting efficiency in larger projects.

These limitations show that while Tosca is feature-rich, it requires a significant investment in time, training, and licensing to use effectively.

What sets Testsigma apart:

Debugging Made Simple

Testsigma’s interactive debugging feature lets the user pause tests at specific steps, making it easier to pinpoint issues. It provides detailed resources like step results, screenshots, and metadata, you can accurately diagnose problems without wasting time sifting through logs. This saves both time and ensures more reliable test results.

Visual Testing for UI Consistency

With Testsigma’s Visual Testing, you can check how your app looks during tests to spot any design changes early. You can also apply visual testing to multiple steps at once, saving time and reducing redundant efforts.

AI-Powered Test Generation with Copilot

Testsigma Copilot is your AI assistant, generating test cases and scenarios from inputs like user stories, designs, or even screenshots. Copilot helps create comprehensive tests in seconds, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality software faster.

Natural Language Testing

With Testsigma’s Natural Language Processing (NLP) allows anyone, technical or non-technical, to participate in the testing process. It’s an easy and accessible way to foster collaboration across your teams.

Real-Time Collaboration and Cloud Accessibility

Testsigma supports real-time collaboration, so developers, testers, and operations teams can work together seamlessly. Whether you’re working remotely or on-site, the cloud-based platform allows everyone to access and update tests from anywhere. It keeps all team members on the same page with the latest versions of test cases and results.

Integration and Reporting

The platform also connects with various CI/CD tools and project management platforms, streamlining your workflow. Its robust reporting capabilities provide clear insights into test results, enabling quick decisions and continuous improvements.

Feature	Testsigma	Leapworks	Tosca
Ease of Use	NLP-based, easy test creation in plain English	Visual-based, easy for non-coders but hard to debug	Steep learning curve, needs regular use to master
Debugging	Step-by-step debugging with detailed insights	No step-by-step feature, manual flow analysis	Hard to pinpoint issues in complex flows
Api testing	Supports automated API testing with extensive reporting features without needing to code	Visual API Testing (No coding required, API requests built via graphical interface)	Model-Based API Testing (API requests created through model-based approach, integrating into wider tests)
Integration	Extensive integration with CI/CD, cloud services, and project management tools	Limited integrations, primarily focused on visual automation	Offers integrations but may require additional setup
Reporting	Detailed reporting and analytics for insights	Basic reporting; lacks extensive analytical capabilities	Offers reporting but may require additional configuration
Cloud-Based Access	Fully cloud-based, allowing easy access for distributed teams	Primarily desktop-based with some cloud features	Desktop-based, may require local setup for full functionality

Conclusion:

When comparing Leapwork, Tosca, and Testsigma, each tool has strengths and limitations. Leapwork’s visual flows are intuitive but can be hard to debug, while Tosca’s powerful features come with a steep learning curve and licensing complexity. Testsigma, however, balances ease of use with advanced features like AI-driven test generation and cloud-based accessibility. It integrates well with popular tools and simplifies the testing process, making it a strong choice for teams seeking efficient test automation. If you’re looking for a modern solution, Testsigma is definitely worth a try.