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User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Usability Testing &#8211; these terms might sound similar but different. This blog will guide you about User Acceptance Testing vs. Usability Testing.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/UAT-UT_in-article.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28137" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Usability_Testing">1 What is Usability Testing?</a><ul><li><a href="#Why_do_you_need_Usability_Testing">1.1 Why do you need Usability Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#When_should_you_do_Usability_Testing">1.2 When should you do Usability Testing?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#What_is_User_Acceptance_Testing">2 What is User Acceptance Testing?</a><ul><li><a href="#Why_do_you_need_user_acceptance_testing">2.1 Why do you need user acceptance testing?</a></li><li><a href="#When_should_you_do_user_acceptance_testing">2.2 When should you do user acceptance testing?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Usability_Testing_vs_User_Acceptance_Testing_Key_Differences">3 Usability Testing vs User Acceptance Testing: Key Differences</a></li><li><a href="#Can_they_be_automated">4 Can they be automated?</a></li><li><a href="#Some_tools_for_automating_your_UI_testing">5 Some tools for automating your UI testing</a></li><li><a href="#Summary">6 Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">7 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#How_many_types_of_UAT_are_there">7.1 How many types of UAT are there?</a></li><li><a href="#Is_UAT_black_box_testing">7.2 Is UAT black box testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_four_types_of_usability">7.3 What are the four types of usability?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-usability-testing">What is Usability Testing?</h2>



Usability testing is when people try out a product, website, or app to see how easy it is. The testing aims to identify users&#8217; issues or problems while using the product. Usability testing can help improve the overall user experience and increase customer satisfaction. 



During usability testing, participants are given specific tasks to complete while using the product. The testers observe and take notes on how the participants interact with the product, noting any areas of confusion or difficulty. 



After the testing, the results are analyzed, and changes can be made to improve the product&#8217;s usability. Usability testing can be done at any stage of the product development process, from early prototypes to finished products.



For example, a company has developed a new mobile app. Before launching it to the public, they conduct usability testing by inviting individuals to use the app and provide feedback. The testers are given specific tasks to complete, and their interactions with the app are observed and recorded. The company can make necessary changes based on feedback to improve the app&#8217;s usability and ensure a better user experience.



Read all about &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/usability-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Usability Testing</a>.



<h3 id="h-why-do-you-need-usability-testing">Why do you need Usability Testing?</h3>



There are several key reasons why usability testing is important in software development:



<ul><li>Identify usability issues: When we do Usability Testing, we determine if any issues may hamper users&#8217; use of the product effectively. For example, the layout or navigation should not be confusing for the user.</li><li>Create a user-friendly product: Usability Testing can help developers create a user-friendly and efficient software product. This can lead to higher user satisfaction.</li><li>Validate design decisions: Usability Testing provides valuable insights into how users interact with the software, validating design decisions and helping developers avoid unnecessary changes.</li><li>Improve software performance: It means ensuring your software runs smoothly and efficiently and does not have issues like page loading too slowly or too many pop-ups to click for the user &#8211; such issues can make the user leave your application and never return.</li><li>Increase productivity: A product with good usability can increase end-user productivity, reducing errors and minimizing the need for technical support.</li><li>Meet business objectives: Conducting Usability Testing can help businesses ensure the software meets their requirements.</li></ul>



Usability testing is essential for developing a high-quality software product that meets business requirements, is user-friendly, and delivers a positive user experience.



<h3 id="h-when-should-you-do-usability-testing">When should you do Usability Testing?</h3>



Usability Testing is performed at several key stages throughout the software development life cycle.



<ol><li>Early-stage testing: You should conduct usability testing in the early stages of software development before completing any significant design and development work. This allows for identifying usability issues early on and addressing them before they become too costly or time-consuming to fix.</li><li>During development: Usability Testing should be conducted regularly throughout the software development process. This ensures that any changes or updates made to the software do not introduce new usability issues. Testing the software while developing it allows for real-time changes to enhance usability.</li><li>Pre-launch: Usability Testing should be conducted just before the software launch to ensure that all usability issues have been identified and addressed. This can help ensure the software delivers a positive user experience and achieves business objectives.</li><li>After launch: After launching the software, Usability Testing can continue to monitor ongoing user satisfaction and identify any issues that may arise.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-what-is-user-acceptance-testing">What is User Acceptance Testing?</h2>



User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is testing that end-users or customers perform to ensure that the software or application meets their specific requirements and expectations. It is usually the last testing stage before the product is released. 



During UAT, users go through required test scenarios and perform various tasks and actions to ensure the software works in different scenarios. They also report any issues or bugs they encounter during testing, and then the team works on fixing those issues.



Read all about &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/uat-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">User Acceptance Testing</a>



<h3 id="h-why-do-you-need-user-acceptance-testing">Why do you need user acceptance testing?</h3>



User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is essential in software development for several reasons:



<ol><li>Measure software performance from the user&#8217;s perspective: By having real users test the software in a realistic environment, you can get valuable feedback on its performance.</li><li>Identify usability issues: UAT tests the software&#8217;s usability and user experience. This helps identify and address any usability issues that could impact end-user adoption.</li><li>Gain user feedback: UAT gathers feedback from end-users or business representatives. This helps software developers to make necessary changes before releasing the software into production.</li><li>Ensure customer satisfaction: UAT helps ensure customer satisfaction by validating that the software meets the end user&#8217;s expectations.</li><li>Avoid financial loss: UAT helps to avoid financial loss by detecting and correcting any usability-related issues before releasing the software into production. This reduces the costs associated with fixing defects after release.</li></ol>



In summary, UAT is a vital process in software development that helps ensure that the software is of high quality, and satisfies the users&#8217; requirements while meeting the business objectives, ultimately resulting in higher customer satisfaction and reduced costs.



<h3 id="h-when-should-you-do-user-acceptance-testing">When should you do user acceptance testing?</h3>



Carry out User Acceptance Testing (UAT) towards the end of the software development life cycle after completing functional testing and other <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/phases-of-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing phases</a>. Here are some key points to consider about when you should do user acceptance testing:



<ol><li>Testing readiness: Before starting UAT, the development team should fully develop, integrate, test for defects, and consider the software &#8220;stable.&#8221;</li><li>Requirements Completion: All requirements outlined in the software specification should have been implemented. The software should also meet the acceptance criteria agreed upon for release.</li><li>Realistic scenarios: We need to define realistic business scenarios that users will perform using the software to ensure that the testing matches the real-world use of the software.</li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test planning</a>: You should plan UAT, allowing sufficient time for testing, identifying, and fixing defects.</li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testing environment</a>: The UAT environment should match the production environment as closely as possible to ensure the software operates as intended.</li></ol>



In summary, the development team should carry out UAT during the final stages of preparation before releasing the software to the end users.



<h2 id="h-usability-testing-vs-user-acceptance-testing-key-differences">Usability Testing vs User Acceptance Testing: Key Differences</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Features</td><td>Usability Testing</td><td>UAT</td></tr><tr><td>Definition</td><td>Evaluates software&#8217;s ease of use and efficiency, including its interface, navigation, and user experience elements.</td><td>Verifies and validates that the software meets the user&#8217;s requirements and functions as intended in terms of functionality, usability, and performance.</td></tr><tr><td>Goal</td><td>Identify usability issues and enhance the software&#8217;s design and user experience.</td><td>Ensure that the software meets the business requirements and achieves the desired outcomes.</td></tr><tr><td>Testing time</td><td>It is done at all stages of software development.</td><td>This testing is conducted towards the end of the software development life cycle.</td></tr><tr><td>Testers</td><td>Usability experts, UI designers, and end-users who may interact with the software.</td><td>Actual end-users, business representatives, or subject matter experts who will perform real-world tasks.</td></tr><tr><td>Feedback</td><td>Focuses on subjective feedback, including user satisfaction, frustration, and experience.</td><td>Focused on objective feedback, including defects, issues, and discrepancies.</td></tr><tr><td>Tools</td><td>Various tools, such as mockups, wireframes, and design prototypes to observe user interactions and record observations.</td><td>Test management software, test automation frameworks, and API testing tools to verify functionality and check for defects.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="h-can-they-be-automated">Can they be automated?</h2>



Some aspects of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/usability-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Usability Testing</a> can be automated using various testing tools, notably the software&#8217;s user interface (UI) component. However, it is necessary to note that both UAT and Usability Testing rely heavily on subjective evaluation by human testers, which makes complete automation difficult. 



For example, <a href="https://testsigma.com/user-interface-testing-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UI testing tools</a> like Selenium or Testsigma can automate functional testing in UAT and simulate user interactions for Usability Testing. These tools can check if the software functions as intended and whether the user interface meets the usability standards.



<h2 id="h-some-tools-for-automating-your-ui-testing">Some tools for automating your UI testing</h2>



Here are some popular automated UI testing tools that you can use to automate your UI testing:



<ul><li>Testsigma: This <a href="https://testsigma.com/tools/automation-testing-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test automation tool</a> is a low code/no code test automation where test automation is as easy as writing sentences in English. It lets you automate for web, mobile, APIs, and desktop from the same place.</li><li>Selenium: One of the most popular and widely used UI testing tools, Selenium helps automate user workflows on web browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge.</li><li>Appium: Appium is an open-source automated testing tool for mobile applications. It supports testing native, hybrid, and mobile web apps. It can be carried out for both iOS and Android platforms.</li><li>TestComplete: TestComplete is a UI automation tool that helps create and execute tests on various desktop, mobile, and web-based applications.</li><li>Katalon Studio: Katalon Studio is a free, all-in-one test automation solution for mobile and web applications. It supports both manual and automated testing and enables scriptless automation for non-programmers.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-summary">Summary</h2>



Alright, folks! So, we&#8217;ve talked about UAT, Usability Testing, the differences between User Acceptance Testing and Usability Testing, and how important they are for a successful product launch. 



User Acceptance Testing aims to ensure that the product meets stakeholders&#8217; requirements, while Usability Testing aims to ensure the product is easy and intuitive for end-users. And lastly, we also discussed some tools that can help us automate some UI tests that would be executed as part of usability and UAT testing. 



 <button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="display: block;
 margin: auto;"><a href="https://github.com/testsigmahq/testsigma" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Start automating your web, mobile, APIs, and desktop UI tests with Testsigma.</a></button>



The best part is that it is no code, and you write your test cases as if you are writing them in English. 



Testsigma is also open source.



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



<h3 id="h-how-many-types-of-uat-are-there">How many types of UAT are there?</h3>



There are five types of User Acceptance Testing methodologies which are as follows:



1. <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/alpha-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alpha Testing</a>: The development team conducts this type of UAT in-house to identify and fix any issues before releasing the software to external users.



2. <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/beta-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beta Testing</a>: This type of UAT is conducted by a group of external users who test the software in a real-world environment and provide feedback to the development team.



3. Contract Acceptance Testing: This type of UAT ensures that the software meets the requirements outlined in the contract between the client and the development team.



4. Regulatory Acceptance Testing: This type of UAT is conducted to ensure that the software meets the regulatory requirements of the industry or country where it will be used.



5. Operational Acceptance Testing: This type of UAT ensures that the end-users can operate and maintain the software.



<h3 id="h-is-uat-black-box-testing">Is UAT black box testing?</h3>



Yes, UAT is a type of black-box testing. In UAT, the testing is done based on the external behavior of the application/system. The tester is not concerned with the internal workings of the application.



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-four-types-of-usability">What are the four types of usability?</h3>



Four types of usability tests are as follows:



<ol><li>Explorative Usability Testing</li><li>Comparative Usability Testing</li><li>Assessment Usability Testing</li><li>Validation Usability Testing.</li></ol>

user acceptance testing vs usability testing

User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing

We are thrilled to announce the launch of API testing capabilities in Testsigma’s low-code, test automation platform. With this new addition, Testsigma’s customers can now automate APIs along with web, mobile, and desktop applications without the coding expertise that would otherwise be required while using traditional test automation frameworks and solutions.



At Testsigma, everything we build is to democratize software testing. We believe software testing should be a function of curiosity and an empathetic understanding of the user behavior, and not a function of coding knowledge. Plus, we strongly believe that the software testing org should be viewed as the enabler for quality software and amazing customer experience and not a gatekeeper. <gwmw style="display:none;">



Most of our customers have replaced multiple tools and frameworks with Testsigma’s unified platform for their test automation needs. And one feedback we kept receiving was for the need for API testing capabilities. As we began our research over the last few months, we recognized that automated API testing relies on a broken toolchain. After talking to hundreds of QA leaders across the world, the need was clear &#8211; QA leaders needed a solution that would simplify the API testing process and make it more accessible to QA teams.&nbsp;



We built this, as we build everything &#8211; to simplify testing and to make it easier for even non-technical users to create and maintain automated standalone and integrated API tests. Our new interface eliminates the need for multiple tools and scripting knowledge, making it easier than ever to test APIs.



<h2 id="h-a-new-api-testing-experience-without-the-code">A new API testing experience—without the code</h2> 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper" style="max-width: 100%;">
<div style="width: 640px;" class="wp-video"><video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-28095-2" width="640" height="360" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://23341221.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23341221/API-Launch-Campaign-Assets/API%20Testing%20-%20Overview%20-%20Testsigma.mp4?_=2" /><a href="https://23341221.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23341221/API-Launch-Campaign-Assets/API%20Testing%20-%20Overview%20-%20Testsigma.mp4">https://23341221.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23341221/API-Launch-Campaign-Assets/API%20Testing%20-%20Overview%20-%20Testsigma.mp4</a></video></div>
</div></figure>



 <ol><li>Simplify API Test Creation: The low-code test editor in Testsigma makes it easy to create API tests without needing any coding expertise. Simply enter the endpoint, choose your API method, add your header content, set your status code, and run the test. </li></ol>



<ol start="2"><li>Test Different API Methods: Testsigma allows you to validate APIs using different REST API methods (GET, PUT, POST, DELETE, PATCH), providing comprehensive coverage of your APIs.</li></ol>



<ol start="3"><li>Validate API Responses in Real-Time: Create API test assertions without writing any script by specifying the expected response of the API. Testsigma will compare the actual response with the expected response to determine the status of the test.</li></ol>



<ol start="4"><li>Create Data-Driven API Tests: Create data-driven API tests from multiple data sources, such as XLS, CSV, and databases, saving time and effort. Plus, you can save and reuse test parameters as data profiles and test multiple data sets without making script changes manually.&nbsp;</li></ol>



<ol start="5"><li>Seamless CI/CD Integration: Testsigma integrates seamlessly with your development and delivery toolchain, making it easy to test your APIs as part of your deployment pipeline, ensuring that your APIs are always tested.</li></ol>



<ol start="6"><li>Achieve Higher Test Coverage: Integrate API tests along with your Web/Mobile UI tests to validate whether they are working together as expected. Get insights into the coverage and functionality of both GUI and API tests, helping you to identify any issues early in the cycle and fix them quickly.</li></ol> 



To learn more about API testing on Testsigma, please <a href="https://testsigma.com/docs/test-cases/create-steps-restapi/restful-api-overview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visit the documentation page</a> for API testing with Testsigma. If you’d like a demo, you can do so <a href="https://testsigma.com/request-demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. 



Don&#8217;t miss our upcoming Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Testsigma’s product engineering team on 28 April 2023, where you will get an exclusive walkthrough of the latest API testing functionality. <button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="display: block;
 margin: auto;"><a href="https://events.testsigma.com/api-testing-ama-webinar" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Register now</a></button>

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<a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-api-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">API testing</a> is essential to ensure that APIs are functionally correct and reliable. This article aims to introduce performance testing for APIs.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_API_Performance_Testing">1 What is API Performance Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_Performance_Test_Your_API">2 Why Performance Test Your API?</a></li><li><a href="#API_Performance_Testing_Types">3 API Performance Testing Types</a></li><li><a href="#Ways_of_Measuring_Your_API8217s_Performance">4 Ways of Measuring Your API&#8217;s Performance</a><ul><li><a href="#Passive_API_Monitoring">4.1 Passive API Monitoring</a></li><li><a href="#Active_API_Monitoring">4.2 Active API Monitoring</a></li><li><a href="#API_Load_Testing">4.3 API Load Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Recommendations_for_API_performance_testing">5 Recommendations for API performance testing</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">6 Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">7 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Which_tool_is_best_for_API_performance_testing">7.1 Which tool is best for API performance testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_difference_between_API_load_testing_and_performance_testing">7.2 What is the difference between API load testing and performance testing?</a></li><li><a href="#How_do_I_test_REST_API_performance">7.3 How do I test REST API performance?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-api-performance-testing">What is API Performance Testing?</h2>



API performance testing evaluates an application programming interface (API) to assess its ability to handle high loads. Also, to maintain high-performance levels under varying conditions.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/api-performance-testing_in-article.jpg" alt="API Performance Testing" class="wp-image-27944" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



Here are some key points related to API performance testing, that you know about:



<ol><li>Goal of API performance testing: API performance testing evaluates the API&#8217;s responsiveness, throughput, resource utilization, and scalability. This ensures it can meet the expected load and maintain stability and reliability.</li><li>Environment’s role in testing: Testers simulate high loads and extreme conditions to analyze the API&#8217;s performance. Tester also tests if it is scalable and optimized to handle such loads.</li><li>Various Testing methods: Testers use performance testing tools that simulate user loads, monitor network traffic, analyze response times &amp; other metrics, and identify bottlenecks.</li><li>Metrics: Testers measure the API&#8217;s performance based on various metrics, including response times, request volumes, error rates, and other characteristics associated with the application and user behavior.</li><li>Importance: API performance testing helps improve the application&#8217;s overall performance and stability.</li><li>Role of Analysis and reporting: Testers analyze API performance data and generate reports. It provides valuable insights into the API&#8217;s overall performance, identifying areas of strength and weakness.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-why-performance-test-your-api">Why Performance Test Your API?</h2>



When learning something new, asking a &#8220;why&#8221; question is beneficial. Doing so can help to facilitate further research and understanding. Today, as we learn about API performance testing, it is essential to recognize the significance of this process.



<ol><li>It can help you identify and troubleshoot bottlenecks, discover performance issues, determine the impact of changes, and measure overall performance.</li><li>It can also help you understand how your API will handle different types of traffic. This enables you to anticipate and plan for peak loads.</li><li>By testing your API before deployment, you can ensure that your API is flexible and can handle the demands of the real world.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-api-performance-testing-types">API Performance Testing Types</h2>



It is time to learn about the various types of API performance testing. Here we go:



<ol><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/load-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Load Testing</a>: In this testing, the maximum operating capacity of the application was identified. The testing involved analyzing the application&#8217;s performance when exposed to a specific load.</li><li>Endurance Testing: The stability and reliability of an application are set through Endurance Testing, also known as <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/soak-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soak Testing</a>. It helps to determine if the application can handle continuous usage without any problems for long durations.</li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/software-stress-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stress Testing</a>: We understand how an application behaves when pushed further to its normal capacity by performing stress testing. It helps to identify the breaking point of an application and determine if it can handle extreme loads.</li><li>Spike Testing: This type of performance testing evaluates how an application responds when a sudden increase or decrease in user load. This often happens during promotional campaigns or holidays.</li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/volume-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Volume Testing</a>: This type of performance testing evaluates how an application performs when large amounts of data are processed simultaneously. It can happen during data migration or bulk uploads/downloads from databases.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-ways-of-measuring-your-api-s-performance">Ways of Measuring Your API&#8217;s Performance</h2>



API performance can be measured by:



<ul><li>Tracking response times,</li><li>Monitoring errors and latency,</li><li>Testing for scalability, and</li><li>at last, is using analytics tools to track usage.</li></ul>



Let&#8217;s have a look at these metrics briefly.



<ol><li>Response time is one of the most important metrics for measuring API performance. Because it provides insight into how quickly the API can respond to requests.</li><li>Monitoring errors and latency can also provide valuable insights into the performance of the API. Tracking errors allows testers to identify user experience issues and ensure that the API functions consistently and correctly.</li><li>Testing for scalability allows you to ensure that your API can handle increased traffic or usage without becoming overloaded. (Slowing down)</li><li>Finally, the analytics tools can track usage patterns. This helps to identify areas for improvement.</li></ol>



By utilizing these methods, you can better understand your API&#8217;s performance and make any required adjustments to improve its performance.



<h3 id="h-passive-api-monitoring">Passive API Monitoring</h3>



Passive API monitoring analyzes the network traffic and data transactions within an API to identify potential issues, bottlenecks, and security threats. Unlike active testing, passive monitoring does not involve sending traffic to the server, reducing the risk of introducing unintended consequences.



For example, One example of passive API monitoring involves using network monitoring tools to capture and analyze network traffic in real time. This approach enables testers to gather information about



<ul><li>the API&#8217;s behavior,</li><li>including the number of requests,</li><li>the response time, and</li><li>shared data.</li></ul>



Testers can use this data to identify performance issues, network lag, or other performance issues and investigate the potential causes to address them.



So if you want to ensure that your APIs are operating smoothly and efficiently, consider using passive API monitoring as part of your solution.



<h3 id="h-active-api-monitoring">Active API Monitoring</h3>



Active API monitoring sends traffic to the server to determine how it responds to different requests under different load conditions. Unlike passive monitoring, active monitoring involves



<ul><li>generating traffic by running automated tests,</li><li>simulating user behavior or scenarios, and</li><li>monitoring the results in real time.</li></ul>



It provides rich metrics on the application&#8217;s behavior and can help testers identify areas requiring detailed analysis.



Here is an example that explains Active API monitoring easily.



Let&#8217;s say you are a tester working on a <a href="https://testsigma.com/mobile-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mobile app </a>that relies heavily on an API to fetch data from an external server. You have implemented Active API monitoring to ensure the API is always available and functioning correctly. 



To do this, you have set up a monitoring system that sends ten requests to the API every second. The monitoring system checks if the API responds correctly and if the response time is within acceptable limits. 



If the monitoring system detects issues, such as the API taking too long to respond or returning errors, it immediately triggers an alert. This alert can be an email or a Slack message to the development team, notifying them of the issue. 



The testers can then investigate and fix the issue before it causes any major problems for mobile app users. This helps ensure that the app provides a seamless experience for users at a decent load, with minimal disruption caused by backend issues.



<h3 id="h-api-load-testing">API Load Testing</h3>



In software development, load tests simulate the number of users accessing a system or service. For example, load tests can be used to evaluate the performance of a website or application under different user loads. To put it in simple words,



<ul><li>API load testing ensures the API can handle the expected traffic levels during peak usage.</li><li>This helps reduce the risk of service trouble or performance degradation when the API is used in high-volume applications.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-recommendations-for-api-performance-testing">Recommendations for API performance testing</h2>



Here are some recommendations for API performance testing that will help ensure that the APIs are reliable, responsive, and readily available.



<ol><li>Decide the testing strategy according to the type of application: Different applications require different performance levels and <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/the-different-software-testing-types-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing types</a>. For example, a video streaming service may need to test against high network throughput, while a financial trading platform may need to test against low latency.</li><li>Understand the end-to-end flow of the application: This is essential to get an accurate picture of overall performance. This will help ensure no bottlenecks or disconnects along the way.</li><li>Remember the underlying technology: API performance testing can reveal issues with underlying technologies, such as hardware or software, that could affect performance. For example, if an API is running on a server with outdated hardware, it could cause slowdowns or crashes in the API.</li><li>Test in different conditions: It&#8217;s essential to test under various conditions, including network conditions (e.g., WiFi vs. cellular), device settings (e.g., tablet vs. desktop), and time of day (e.g., peak vs. off-peak).</li></ol>



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<h2 id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



API performance testing allows developers to ensure that their APIs can handle the load and are reliable and secure. Testers and developers can create an effective API performance testing plan by following the steps outlined in this guide. With a well-designed testing plan, developers can ensure that their APIs are performing to their best potential. This provides a great user experience.



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



<h3 id="h-which-tool-is-best-for-api-performance-testing">Which tool is best for API performance testing?</h3>



Various tools are available for API performance testing, and the best tool for you will depend on your specific needs, expertise, and budget. The most popular tools include Postman, LoadRunner, SoapUI, and Apache JMeter.



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-difference-between-api-load-testing-and-performance-testing">What is the difference between API load testing and <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/performance-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">performance testing</a>?</h3>



API load testing focuses on testing the performance of the API under varying levels of load, while performance testing focuses on ensuring the application meets specific performance criteria.



<h3 id="h-how-do-i-test-rest-api-performance">How do I test REST API performance?</h3>



Testing REST API performance involves several steps, including: 



1. Identify Performance Metrics 



2. Choose a Testing Tool 



3. Define a <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Plan </a>



4. Set Up <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Environment </a>



5. Execute <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/what-is-test-case/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Cases </a>



6. Analyze Results 



7. Optimize Performance

API Performance Testing A Step-by-Step Guide