Cloud-based testing has become quite integral these days. Most businesses have already done the shift towards cloud-based testing. The main reason is &#8211; it is faster, inexpensive, flexible, and requires no maintenance. 



The best part is that we do not own it, can easily lease it from a service provider, can easily scale up and scale down according to requirements and only have to pay for the amount of time we use the cloud resources. 



&nbsp;The traditional testing that was done on the software installed on local servers is now slowly fading away. With cloud-based testing, everything resides on the cloud and therefore the testing approach also changes where all testing related activities are done on the cloud and IT is delivered as a service. However, the primary goal of traditional testing and cloud-based testing remains the same i.e., to deliver high-quality and efficient software.&nbsp; 



Cloud-based testing comprises cloud-based test automation as well. To facilitate cloud-based test automation, there are different types of tools. Here is an article that will help you ascertain if you need to implement cloud-based test automation in your organization: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/signs-you-need-to-invest-in-a-cloud-based-test-automation-tool/" target="_blank">6 signs you need to invest in a cloud-based test automation tool</a>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#How_is_cloud-based_testing_different_from_traditional_testing">1 How is cloud-based testing different from traditional testing</a></li><li><a href="#When_to_move_to_cloud_testing">2 When to move to cloud testing</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_start_with_cloud-based_testing">3 How to start with cloud-based testing</a></li><li><a href="#What_Roles_and_responsibilities_are_required_for_the_success_of_cloud-based_testing">4 What Roles and responsibilities are required for the success of cloud-based testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Testsigma_as_a_cloud-based_test_automation_tool">5 Testsigma as a cloud-based test automation tool</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">6 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-how-is-cloud-based-testing-different-from-traditional-testing">How is cloud-based testing different from traditional testing</h2>



Let’s see the differences between cloud-based testing and traditional testing in detail:&nbsp; 



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;">Traditional testing</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;">Cloud-based testing</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;">Configuration may take many days.</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;">No configuration required, just choose the environment and start testing.</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;">Set-up is manual and susceptible to human errors.</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;">Set-up is automatic and free from manual errors.</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;">Expensive as real devices are purchased.</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;">Inexpensive as real devices are not purchased.</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse;">Executed on the local servers of the organisation.</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;
 border-collapse: collapse;">Executed on third-party servers of the service providers.</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse;">Data is present on the local server and hence cannot be accessed from everywhere.</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse;">Data is present on the cloud hence can be accessed from any location.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Let us explore the advantages and disadvantages of cloud-based and traditional testing. 



Cloud-based testing advantages



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>The environment is dynamic and scalable.</li><li>Provides better testing speed, since it can run 24*7.</li><li>Services provided by a cloud-based vendor are inexpensive.</li><li>It provides better and simple disaster recovery because the process is automated.</li><li>Accessible from any location hence supports mobility.</li></ul>



Cloud-based testing disadvantages



<ul class="list_stye_disc"><li>Bandwidth can be an issue because the cloud servers are shared resources.</li><li>May pose security issues, since the data is handed over to a third party during testing.</li><li>Requires very good internet connectivity.</li><li>Limited control and dependency on the service provider.</li></ul>



Traditional testing advantages



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Secure since it is executed on local servers.</li><li>No internet connectivity is required for testing since it is executed locally.</li><li>Provides full control and there is no dependency on third-party service providers.</li></ul>



Traditional testing disadvantages



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Expensive because real devices are purchased.</li><li>Scalability is an issue since it needs to be addressed manually.</li><li>Can not be executed from global locations.</li><li>Configuration of the real devices and environment is time-consuming.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-when-to-move-to-cloud-testing">When to move to cloud testing</h2>



Every project/ software/organization is different and have different requirements. We need to answer the below questions when we think about adopting cloud testing in a project. 



1. Is there a possibility that moving testing to the cloud may lead to a change in the test strategy or foundation of testing? The Foundation of testing is always going to remain the same &#8211; the testing skills, curiosity, enthusiasm are a few of them.2. Do we need to learn new skills? Definitely, cloud testing will involve some new technology and the testers will need to learn them.3. How is it going to affect the current testing tasks? Will it be beneficial or pose problems?4. What are the different testing types that will be needed to execute?5. What are the tools that will be required to perform cloud testing?6. What risks should be considered?







<h2 id="h-how-to-start-with-cloud-based-testing">How to start with cloud-based testing</h2>



When we decide to start cloud-based testing in a project then we need to decide how we are going to manage the whole process of cloud-based testing. What are the areas which will be affected and need proper planning and management during this process? Few major points to think about will be: 



1. Process: Chalking out the strategy to make a move to cloud-based testing.



2. Activities: Evaluation of the testing activities that will need to move to the cloud. Examples are Agile testing, TDD, automation testing, regression testing, etc. Together with the evaluation of the testing activities, we need to estimate the cost involved as well.



3. Technology: We need to decide what technologies we will be using for cloud testing. Examples are DevOps, AWS, Big Data, Testing as Service, testing environments.



4. People: What people in the team will need to quickly adapt to cloud testing by learning new technologies. Testers need to perform testing on many levels &#8211; unit, integration, UI, services, security, governance. It becomes necessary to provide them with proper training and knowledge to be a perfect fit for starting cloud testing.



<h2 id="h-what-roles-and-responsibilities-are-required-for-the-success-of-cloud-based-testing">What Roles and responsibilities are required for the success of cloud-based testing?</h2>



With the advent of cloud testing, we will require below roles and responsibilities in the team. However, they may differ from organization to organization but these are the standard ones: 



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Developers: To perform unit and integration testing, apart from development.</li><li>Test Analyst: To implement the cloud testing strategy in the project</li><li>Technical test analyst: To perform the actual manual/automated testing of the applications</li><li>Customer: To perform acceptance testing</li><li>IT department: To monitor, analyze the cloud and they will act as a point-of-contact to the cloud provider</li><li>Cloud provider: To provide the service level agreements, services testing</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-testsigma-as-a-cloud-based-test-automation-tool">Testsigma as a cloud-based test automation tool</h2>



To ease the process of using and setting up cloud-based testing, we should use tools that mitigate the complexities involved. The inconvenience of setting up a test lab all by ourselves is real and should be avoided if possible. 



By using cloud-based testing tools like Testsigma, which provide an easy use cloud-based test automation tool that also integrates with different device labs on the cloud, we can save ourselves from exorbitant prices and set-up time. 



Testsigma is an AI-driven, cloud-based testing tool that is built for DevOps and Agile teams. It is a unified platform for running the below types of testing parallelly on browsers and mobile devices, without any installation or set-up.



<ul><li>Continuous testing</li><li>Web application testing</li><li>Mobile app testing</li><li>Regression testing</li><li>Cross-browser testing</li><li>Data-driven testing</li><li>Functional testing</li><li>Regression Testing</li></ul>



Testsigma provides the below benefits during cloud-based testing:



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Pay according to the environment and time period of usage.</li><li>All environments/ resources are available 24*7.</li><li>Can be accessed from anywhere in the World, the team can be present in different geographical locations.</li><li>Provides scalability since the environments are on the cloud and there is no limit to them.</li><li>Parallel testing can be done 24*7, which results in faster delivery.</li></ul>



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



Cloud-based testing solves the problem of remote testing very conveniently since we are relying on cloud computing here. This type of testing accelerates the testing process immensely, which is the need of the hour. 



One example of a cloud-based testing tool is Testsigma which is a SaaS(Software as Service) based unified platform. Where the users can directly write the test cases using plain English.

Cloud-Based Testing - A tester's perspective

Cloud-Based Testing – A tester’s perspective

How to automate your web testing on real mobile and desktop browsers

Getting Started with Automated Web Testing on Mobile and Desktop

We, engineers, love automation! We love it so much that we devise new ways all the time to incorporate automation in each and every field of software development. Today, automation is like the fuel that keeps the project going and helps us finish within deadlines and allotted budget. 



But automation is most needed to manage the responsibility of something that is <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/245501/multiple-mobile-device-ownership-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">14.9 billion in number</a> and has become the part and parcel of our lives; the mobile phone. Mobile applications are taking the world by storm. 2021 alone is seeing <a href="https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1262892/mobile-app-revenue-worldwide-by-segment">693 billion USD</a> in revenue from mobile apps. 



Web developers are moving their focus from desktop-first to mobile-first web design which further solidifies our understanding of how important this pocket device has become.



 When something steals the show by this nature and everyone begins to notice, it results in fierce competition and a race to be the most popular, on top, and the best! The frequent mobile app updates are living evidence of this claim. What could be the best choice to cut down the costs and gain speed to move the pipeline faster than test automation? 



Mobile devices are the most fragmented thing you will ever work with while developing software. From operating systems to versions to hardware specs, mobile devices stand unique even after being billions in number. 



Such a fragmented world is impossible to <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-to-convert-manual-test-cases-into-automated-test-cases-and-why/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">test through manual work and hence the call for test automation</a> in mobile becomes a necessity while developing an application. But this is not as easy as it may sound. 



Automation does bring out some fruitful benefits that reap throughout the season but implementing mobile test automation also puts up some roadblocks that are best to be considered before initiating the process. 



In this post, we shall go through the same challenges that <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank">mobile test automation</a> brings with itself and analyze the methods by which we can tackle them.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Variety_of_Device_Settings">1 Variety of Device Settings</a></li><li><a href="#Moulding_Automation_Approach_with_Application">2 Moulding Automation Approach with Application</a></li><li><a href="#Training_and_Selecting_Right_Tool_Stack">3 Training and Selecting Right Tool Stack</a></li><li><a href="#Collaboration_with_Multiple_Teams">4 Collaboration with Multiple Teams</a></li><li><a href="#Too_Frequent_Versions">5 Too Frequent Versions</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="variety-of-device-settings">Variety of Device Settings</h2>



Test automation in conventional software is straightforward. With fixed targets and no external factor to depend on, writing automation test scripts becomes easy. A mobile device is a different story though. 



The functionality and usability of applications on mobile devices can be influenced by multiple other factors. For example, checking the impact on functionalities because of the change in network bandwidth is an important scenario to judge the mobile application’s performance, and including it in the automation script could be a tough job. 



But testing this is essential too because data communication over the network cannot be eliminated by putting all the files into the device storage. That way the application becomes a heavy download (and update) for the user and also occupies a big space on one of the most precious things on a mobile device: the storage space. Some such similar challenges are: 



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Network Related Settings</li><li>Orientation Settings.</li><li>Side-By-Side View for multi-tasking.</li><li>Accessibility settings for challenged users.</li></ul>



Also, along with it, some mobile devices offer specific settings such as adjustable windows, etc.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zlElgfgNSIp63V48hLIcAe5e0JYi2i9HUkDHVrfncT00QNPyZLAjF0oKsT_1r9meVZKjQCWaxSr_wHj8uYaNm4VSY0AfNe6DnGD0QoZXf9JM9Bp2Ygu0WL_mkrmtraNsiLo0NSsE" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform"/></figure>



Source: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.norebbo.com/google-android-illustrations/" target="_blank">https://www.norebbo.com/google-android-illustrations/</a>



Can we tackle this challenge in mobile test automation? Actually, only partially. Mobile devices are very diverse and so is their settings list. Practically, these settings are one of the top reasons that have kept manual testing alive in this area. 



But, on the other hand, things are progressing too. Online mobile test automation tools have started to develop setting-based software through which we can write scripts of network bandwidth being “4G” and for orientation of the mobile device. One such tool that can help you achieve the above tasks is <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank">Testsigma</a>. 



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With its latest release, Testsigma is set to change mobile test automation forever. Witness the change live on 11th August 
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To read more about mobile testing, check out the <a href="https://testsigma.com/mobile-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">mobile testing guide here</a>. 



<h2 id="moulding-automation-approach-with-application">Moulding Automation Approach with Application</h2>



An important part of working in an organization based on a mobile application is that feedbacks are prompt and the team cannot ignore them. With such high competition in every field, the one who works on feedbacks leads the race in the market. 



To gather more and more feedback from the user, developers often use multiple ways for the same. For example, prompting the user regularly with a pop-up, emailing them regularly for feedbacks or picking the feedbacks from app hosting platforms such as the play store.&nbsp; 



An important part of working in a team that works on developing a mobile application is that the mobile application goes through multiple changes quickly. These changes are driven by user needs and feedback and are essential to keep up with the competition.



So, how does test automation relate here? When we work regularly on adding updates/feedbacks for a long time, the application might take a new form. There will be a lot of arrangements, new additions, deletions etc.



 With such a reformed application, the older automation scripts will not work properly. As a result, we can relate the test automation to a machine that needs servicing regularly with regular checks and regular updates into the system. 



If the feedbacks are too much, the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/top-test-automation-challenges-to-look-out-for/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">automation changes regularly and thus become a challenge for the organisation slowing</a> down every other process in the pipeline.&nbsp; 



This challenge is the easiest to tackle among all the others. The basic thing to remember is to write minimum cases and scripts that can easily be changed later to change to accommodate new changes. 



Practically, we can’t write cases that will never be changed even if the application has reformed with time. But keeping them to a minimum is the best way to go. 



Also, list down all those cases that have the potential to be changed later and the cases that have dependencies on them. Too many dependencies can lead to the same disastrous consequences that we are trying to avoid from the beginning.



<h2 id="training-and-selecting-right-tool-stack">Training and Selecting Right Tool Stack</h2>



Automation in mobile testing is a bit tough, as already portrayed in this post. It takes a bit of cost in the beginning too and the device settings make it more troublesome. Therefore, it is extremely important to <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-open-source-test-automation-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">choose the tool stack that can fulfil all your mobile application test automation</a> needs. 



But there is a dilemma here. We cannot go ahead and choose the first tool we see as best. What if no one in our team is trained to operate on the tool? That’s an extra cost of training and delayed project deadlines right there!&nbsp; 



So the dilemma comes down to should we go ahead and choose the best tool and put a cost on training? Or should we choose the most known tool and put a cost on manual testing? 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Rj9xKfh7Rv60-HvV3SR10nRnB6GFowmWyuxqb8Fz8wZOqhkV0EJlMhW_8FpwFvOHeYyu1xI45yDd9SBzpSfs1MOPqHqn-xZvarSe5yK5-k81krFJZunalhTG7PecSzeYnfGCgnfW" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform"/></figure>



Source: <a href="https://www.greymatterrecruitment.co.uk/blog/only-half-of-marketers-have-training-in-key-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">https://www.greymatterrecruitment.co.uk/blog/only-half-of-marketers-have-training-in-key-skills/</a>



Being in a good position in your testing team, such a question will definitely cross your path. The best method to tackle this challenge is to choose the best tool (because that’s the best bet in the long run) and the tool should have strong documentation that can help teammates learn on their own. 



Documentations are extremely important to pull you up whenever you get stuck in between or want to know what wonders the tool can perform. One such tool that can help you in mobile test automation and has solid documentation with step-wise processes is Testsigma. 



With Testsigma support, you can contact its support executives for any problems within seconds through the chat feature. Testsigma also gives you detailed documentation and examples to perform certain tasks such as creating a local tunnel etc.&nbsp;



<h2 id="collaboration-with-multiple-teams">Collaboration with Multiple Teams</h2>



As time passes, the mobile applications become complex and modules become diverse. As a result, the company hires more people and expands its wings in the market. These teams do not always know each other in person but a simple ticket is their only source of connection. 



In mobile test automation, while teams work on different modules, collaboration becomes a little difficult. There are a lot of people involved in writing the test cases, a different set of people setting them up in your CI/CD pipeline and then other people reading the error reports and working on them. All of them have to be in sync and hence it becomes a challenge for everyone.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/sRiCY21RJ25VJ-2TcDzdBb-tmJmx08DpD5XjAB0h94bkoP9T0fxsV8_dSTtmmS7X2tOHfsbtqV8wmB5T-zD-b20uzbI-dU_VdDRCSaoEGo1s1ttDdNE6irn4SdU0H1PtafNS3i45" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform"/></figure>



Source: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.twitter.com" target="_blank">www.twitter.com</a>



The best method to tackle this challenge is the tool you choose for mobile test automation. Tools have evolved over the years to not only support the capabilities of a mobile device but also the teams working behind it to make it better. Collaborative tools are one such solution. 



Collaborative tools perform mobile automation with multiple people together on a single problem such as improving or writing automation test cases. Collaborative tools also help in sharing the final test reports with other team members or having a single central repo where all of them can look into (if they have rights).&nbsp; 



A mobile test automation tool with collaborative properties is the best way to go, this tool should allow you to share the reports and help write tests together as well. TestSigma helps you in such regards by allowing you to give different rights to different people in a project.



 With Testsigma, mobile <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/ios-testing-frameworks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">test automation for iOS</a> as well as Android can be done from the same place. People<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/mobile-testing-tools" target="_blank"> can easily automate</a> and collaborate to work together as a team on different assigned projects, generate reports and share them automatically. Also, this is completely cloud-based and the test automation can be started within minutes of signing up. 



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<h2 id="too-frequent-versions">Too Frequent Versions</h2>



Automation is costly in nature. From implementing to licensing, automation can take up a huge cost in the beginning but it eventually evens out with time. The only thing that mobile test automation takes up more than automation is maintenance. 



Different mobile devices keep coming into the market. With each new device, a new screen size, new hardware, and other new specifications arrive that need testing.&nbsp; 



Even if we leave aside the multiple devices, each year Android gets its new update, then iOS and other open-source operating systems too. With each new version, loads of new features arrive for which newer tests need to be written. 



Also, as these operating systems arrive in the market, we need to delete the older operating systems and their tests too. All this becomes a heavy challenge in automation as maintenance becomes very high. 



Unfortunately, this is one such challenge we will face in automation that is not easy to tackle. There will always be an influx of operating systems and versions and they will always ask for optimizations. There will always be code that will be old enough to delete and there will always be newer features that will ask for new code. 



All we can do is to visit this issue regularly in the organization and do not let the work pile up. Hence, there is no shortcut to bypass this challenge and hence if we are dealing with mobile applications, we will have to deal with this too.



This brings us to the end of this post that took us through some of the challenges in mobile <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/top-automated-testing-practices-to-follow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">test automation and how they can be tackled using practical</a> examples. I hope with this post, you will be prepared better for your automation journey. 



Automation is a bit tricky but the results cut down our time and costs(which every organization loves). If you have any suggestions and comments, don’t forget to put them down below in the comment section. We will be happy to address them. Till then, happy mobile automation testing!!

Challenges of mobile test automation and how to tackle them?

Can Selenium Be Used for Mobile Testing? The answer would be &#8220;No&#8221;; we cannot directly use Selenium for automated mobile application testing. However, we have frameworks supported by Selenium to automate mobile application testing.



Selenium-supported frameworks for mobile test automation are:



1. Selendroid



2. Appium



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Should_You_Automate_Mobile_Application_Testing_Using_Selenium">1 Should You Automate Mobile Application Testing Using Selenium?</a><ul><li><a href="#Test_Script_Development">1.1 Test Script Development</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Management">1.2 Test Management</a></li><li><a href="#Backward_Compatibility">1.3 Backward Compatibility</a></li><li><a href="#Gestures_Testing">1.4 Gestures Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Selendroid">2 Selendroid</a><ul><li><a href="#Features_of_Selendroid">2.1 Features of Selendroid:</a></li><li><a href="#Components_of_Selendroid">2.2 Components of Selendroid:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Appium">3 Appium</a><ul><li><a href="#Features_of_Appium">3.1 Features of Appium:</a></li><li><a href="#Components_of_Appium">3.2 Components of Appium:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#How_to_Automate_Mobile_Application_using_Selenium">4 How to Automate Mobile Application using Selenium</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">5 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Can_We_Automate_Mobile_Device_Testing">5.1 Can We Automate Mobile Device Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Which_is_the_Best_Automation_Tool_for_Mobile_Testing">5.2 Which is the Best Automation Tool for Mobile Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_Difference_Between_Appium_and_Selenium">5.3 What is the Difference Between Appium and Selenium?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_Mobile_Testing_in_QA">5.4 What is Mobile Testing in QA?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Suggested_Reading">6 Suggested Reading</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="should-you-automate-mobile-application-testing-using-selenium">Should You Automate Mobile Application Testing Using Selenium?</h2>



Now we understand that directly we cannot use Selenium to write automated test scripts for mobile application testing. Hence, we need to use Selenium-supported frameworks like Appium and Selendroid.



The testing process for using Appium and Selendroid has the below steps:



<h3 id="test-script-development">Test Script Development</h3>



This step means writing the automated test scripts in programming languages. If you know Selenium, writing the test scripts will not require learning new skills. However, we know well that writing automated test scripts ourselves is time-consuming, and to receive ROI(Return On Investment), we need to wait longer.



<h3 id="test-management">Test Management</h3>



We understand that Selendroid and Appium are open-source automation tools. For this reason, the test management they provided is not so impressive.&nbsp;



Selendroid records the element clicked and then saves the locator and command. Appium also has a recorder that works only for iOS mobile applications.&nbsp;



Hence, we only receive the test locators and commands; in any case, test scripts are not recorded. Therefore, if we are using any of these two frameworks, then we need to add a third-party test management tool ourselves.&nbsp; 



<h3 id="backward-compatibility">Backward Compatibility</h3>



Appium works on Android devices with Android 4.0 and above. To solve this problem nowadays Appium comes integrated with Selendroid to provide backward compatibility. 



However, this is not as effective as the original Selendroid framework. So to provide backward compatibility for Android devices with lower API versions(API 10-17), we should use Selendroid.



<h3 id="gestures-testing">Gestures Testing</h3>



Mobile device applications work on hand gestures, and therefore Appium and Selendroid must recognize these gestures efficiently. The happy news is that they both do it effectively via dedicated APIs. Selendroid is a winner in this case because it provides ‘Advanced User Interactions API’ which is useful for complex gestures as well.



Efficient and seamless testing lies in embracing tools and methodologies that can alleviate the pressures of manual testing while enhancing the effectiveness of the process. <a href="https://testsigma.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> is a platform that simplifies testing with a low-code approach, making test automation accessible, fast, and efficient. With Testsigma, testers can automate most testing and free up time to focus on critical test cases that require expertise. The platform is backed by strong AI algorithms that enhance tester skills and efforts while providing direct access to thousands of environments without any setup hassles, thus saving the cost of setting up a cross-browser test lab.



Moreover, Testsigma cloud &#8211; supports the inspection and execution of mobile test cases without any setups. It <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automates mobile application testing</a> without coding and allows us to write test cases in plain English. The platform covers parallel and compatibility testing, making it ideal for various testing requirements. With Testsigma, you can redefine what&#8217;s possible in QA and achieve improved efficiency, coverage, and team collaboration while ensuring a high ROI.



 <button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff"> Automate Mobile App Tests 10x faster using simple english- on the cloud </a></button> 



Therefore, when deciding whether to automate mobile application testing, it is crucial to consider the specific requirements of your testing project and your team&#8217;s expertise. By doing so, you can make an informed decision that will improve the quality and speed of your testing process. If you are interested in learning more about Testsigma and how it can benefit your mobile application testing, feel free to reach out to our team for a demo



Let’s now learn about Selendroid and Appium tools in detail.



<h2 id="selendroid">Selendroid</h2>



Also known as ‘Selenium for Android’, this is used to test mobile applications for Android. It uses JSON Wire protocol and provides backward compatibility with the older Android versions. However, by using an iOS driver it can be used to test iOS mobile applications as well. 



<h3 id="features-of-selendroid">Features of Selendroid:</h3>



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Works on Android applications (Native, Hybrid)  and Mobile web applications.</li><li>Used for parallel testing of a mobile application on multiple devices simultaneously with the help of Selenium Grid.</li><li>It is open-source, hence free to use.</li><li>‘Hotplugging’ is a feature where Selendroid can detect and recognize new devices plugged into it. Hence, we can remove and add new devices on the go, i.e., while tests are running.</li><li>It can inspect the elements on the UI with the help of a built-in inspector.</li><li>It supports Selenium WebDriver compatible programming languages- Java, C#, Python, etc.</li><li>Provides a built-in Android Driver Webview App to test mobile web applications.</li><li>Supports testing of gestures on the mobile device via the Advanced User Interactions API. Example- single tap, double-tap, down, up, etc.</li><li>Selendroid can be used on emulators and real mobile devices for automated testing.</li><li>Supports ‘Dynamic Extendability’, which means that the test script can be added, edited, or modified while the tests are running.</li></ul>



<h3 id="components-of-selendroid">Components of Selendroid:</h3>



<ul><li>Web Driver Client&#8211; a Java client library that is installed on the computer where test scripts will be written.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Selendroid Server&#8211; Runs on the mobile device(real or emulator) where the application under test(AUT) is running.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Android Driver Webview App is a built-in driver to test the mobile web.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Selendroid-Standalone- It is used to install AUT and Selendroid Server.</li></ul>



Read detailed architecture <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="http://selendroid.io/architecture.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. 



<h2 id="appium">Appium</h2>



It is a more popular choice for mobile automation testing because it supports iOS, Windows desktop, and Android mobile applications. Appium has a built-in Selendroid mode for testing older versions of Android applications. It also uses the JSON Wire Protocol like Selendroid. 



<h3 id="features-of-appium">Features of Appium:</h3>



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Appium works on a client-server architecture.</li><li>It has an HTTP server written in Node.js and helps communicate between clients and mobile devices. The clients are Ruby, PHP, C#, Python libraries, which provide commands to the mobile device.</li><li>Provides automated testing for iOS and Android (Hybrid, Native, and Web applications). Also, it can be used for testing Windows desktop applications.</li><li>Since it works on iOS, Windows, and Android, it is used for cross-platform testing.</li><li>The same test scripts using the same API can be used for iOS, Windows, and Android. Hence, it allows code reusability.</li><li>Appium is more popular; hence it has a large and active user community.</li><li>If there is a small code change in the application, then we are not required to re-install the application for testing with Appium. The reason is that it does not access the application&#8217;s source code. Other automation tools such as Selendroid and Robotium require reinstallation/rebuild when any small changes are made to the application under test(AUT).</li><li>Appium also supports parallel testing of test scripts on multiple devices.</li></ul>



<h3 id="components-of-appium">Components of Appium:</h3>



<ul><li>Appium client&#8211; The automation test scripts written in Java, C#, Ruby, Python, etc. are clients for Appium.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Appium server&#8211; It is written using Node.js. It receives connection and command requests from the client written in JSON. After receiving the requests, it executes them on the mobile devices. Appium server creates sessions to communicate with the devices on which the mobile application is installed.</li></ul>



<ul><li>End device&#8211; These are the mobile devices (real or emulator), the automated test scripts are executed on the end device.</li></ul>





Now we know that Appium and Selendroid have their share of benefits and usage. They are used according to the specific project testing needs. Appium is a good choice for automating functional, regression, compatibility, and integration testing of Android and iOS applications. 



If we are testing Android version 10-17, we should use Selendroid since it provides backward compatibility. Also, if we need better community support, better would be Appium. 



If you are looking for an end-to-end automation tool for mobile testing with a stable mobile inspector, you may try Testsigma. You need not write the test scripts in programming language and will have many environments to choose from!







<h2 id="how-to-automate-mobile-application-using-selenium">How to Automate Mobile Application using Selenium</h2>



To automate mobile applications using Selenium, the following points should be kept in mind:



1. Install the Appium server: Appium is an open-source test automation framework that allows developers to automate mobile applications. To use Appium, you need to install the Appium server on your machine.



2. Install the Selenium client library: The Selenium client library is a set of libraries that allows developers to write scripts in their preferred programming language. These scripts can then be executed on the Appium server.



3. Set up the environment: Set up the desired capabilities for the mobile application that you want to test. Desired capabilities are a set of key-value pairs that define the properties of the mobile application that you want to test.



4. Write test scripts: Write test scripts using the Selenium client library. These scripts can be written in your preferred programming language and can be executed on the Appium server. The test scripts can interact with the mobile application and perform actions such as clicking buttons, entering text, and navigating through different screens.



By following these steps, developers can automate mobile applications using Selenium and ensure that their applications are thoroughly tested before their release



While Selenium is a powerful testing framework, it can be challenging for beginners to set up and use. Additionally, maintaining the test scripts can be time-consuming and require significant effort. Testsigma is a cloud-based testing platform that provides an intuitive interface for test creation and execution. 



It uses natural language processing to convert test steps into automated test scripts, making it easier for beginners to get started with test automation. Testsigma also offers advanced features such as cross-browser testing, parallel testing, and integrations with popular tools such as JIRA and Jenkins. 



With its ease of use, advanced features, and cloud-based architecture, Testsigma is a reliable testing solution that can help developers ensure that their mobile applications are of high quality..





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



<h3 id="can-we-automate-mobile-device-testing">Can We Automate Mobile Device Testing?</h3>



We can automate mobile devices using frameworks such as Appium. Using the WebDriver protocol, developers can automate the testing of native or hybrid iOS and Android apps. Or the easiest and most efficient way would be to use a unified automation testing platform like Testsigma, where you can automate your mobile devices in simple English with 3000+ devices to test on.



<h3 id="which-is-the-best-automation-tool-for-mobile-testing">Which is the Best Automation Tool for Mobile Testing?</h3>



The best automation tool for mobile testing is Testisgma, which supports API and Mobile testing with ease of setup, seamless integration with the CI/CD tools, and a scriptless option for test creation.



<h3 id="what-is-the-difference-between-appium-and-selenium">What is the Difference Between Appium and Selenium?</h3>



Appium is a mobile, web, and hybrid application testing automation tool. It is free and open-source software written in the C# programming language. Selenium is an open-source browser automation tool licensed under Apache License 2.0 that includes numerous libraries for web application testing. It can automate practically all web browsers.



<h3 id="what-is-mobile-testing-in-qa">What is Mobile Testing in QA?</h3>



QA engineers test the mobile app&#8217;s behavior against particular performance requirements and scenarios. QA specialists ensure that an app works under varying but expected load conditions.



<h2 id="suggested-reading">Suggested Reading<gwmw style="display:none;"></h2>



<customlinks>
<ts-link-item>
<ts-linktext-value>Challenges of mobile test automation</ts-linktext-value>
<ts-linkurl-value>https://testsigma.com/blog/8-challenges-of-mobile-app-testing-and-how-to-solve-them/</ts-linkurl-value>
</ts-link-item>
<ts-link-item>
<ts-linktext-value>mobile testing implementation</ts-linktext-value>
<ts-linkurl-value>https://testsigma.com/blog/signs-you-need-to-implement-mobile-test-automation/</ts-linkurl-value>
</ts-link-item>
<ts-link-item>
<ts-linktext-value>Appium Alternatives</ts-linktext-value>
<ts-linkurl-value>https://testsigma.com/blog/appium-alternatives/</ts-linkurl-value>
</ts-link-item>
<ts-link-item>
<ts-linktext-value>Automation Tools For Mobile Testing</ts-linktext-value>
<ts-linkurl-value>https://testsigma.com/mobile-testing-tools</ts-linkurl-value>
</ts-link-item>
<ts-link-item>
<ts-linktext-value>Perfecto Mobile Alternatives</ts-linktext-value>
<ts-linkurl-value>https://testsigma.com/blog/perfecto-mobile-alternatives/</ts-linkurl-value>
</ts-link-item>
</customlinks>



<gwmw style="display:none;">

Selenium and Mobile Test Automation - Can Selenium Be Used for Mobile Testing?

Selenium And Mobile Test Automation – Will Selenium Make The Cut?

Mobile Web Testing: Testsigma vs Appium

Mobile apps are not just the following (or current) big thing. They have become a part of our lives — in a way, steering our choices and decisions. By merely sitting on our couch, we apply for jobs, manage our projects, talk to our friends, order essentials, and even pay our bills. The need to test real mobile devices has rapidly increased with such a significant trend.



The convenience is unsurpassable, and thanks to the user-friendly functionalities, even our grandparents seamlessly book cabs, play games, and video calls us.&nbsp; 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CNtoN8LsTqrjsrblN0NGq9DOc28gg84HUAUyV9HBveUr3ZAR_03J6PmavsE_txxTim_3eUbchX4u5wolViDwPDPyT--7Lkg7VN30leFc7Kzhw7ibuzSFtyiy85yBHkMTpe8wcJlB" alt="Meme on Mobile app"/></figure></div>



Mobile apps are here to stay. Imagine the possibilities. According to GoodFirm’s <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.goodfirms.co/resources/app-download-usage-statistics-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global survey</a>, at least 31.85% of survey participants have 21-40 apps installed, while 8.87% have over 100 apps.&nbsp; 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TIohCgguMXGV3KWayGNrldFCEmW3oQ4CaP439ooZ0md7FXGy0_oJeQU9hAcVJ3H9o1q-Lc6ee5ZTm9U48AfdU7t5JFtdTOprmioLBb91zNiZkfcvtr37hY1ht2eLHSigcMIoyiu8" alt="No of Apps Installed in User's Mobile"/></figure></div>



The research also states that an average user consumes at least 13 apps in a day ranging from <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software testing apps</a> to <a href="https://pora.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin care apps</a> and more. Another interesting statistic to look at is the surge in the mobile app revenue. Moreover, the global revenue in 2018 was 365 billion USD, projected to be 693 billion USD in 2021, according to <a href="https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1262892/mobile-app-revenue-worldwide-by-segment">Statista</a>. 



Besides, global users have shelled out a total of 28 billion USD on mobile apps by the third quarter of 2020, says <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.marketingcharts.com/digital/mobile-phone-115281" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marketing Charts</a>. Take a look at the following chart for a better understanding. 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5RaOqWuL9F60xeRwXjfgmq_pjG9F-4BCFQjsQ3SRNhhy_rB2hsaPO_HldA3zbOlqtOd0Z49K-nvqrRsUaQykoupkmaM6rBer5tYAdJ2eQ79IvyLPY2gyhRETBeabTg-WhBdqrgkx" alt="Global Mobile App Spending and Downloads"/></figure></div>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Why_is_Mobile_Device_Testing_Important">1 Why is Mobile Device Testing Important?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_Do_You_Need_Real_Mobile_Devices_for_Testing">2 Why Do You Need Real Mobile Devices for Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">3 Conclusion:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-why-is-mobile-device-testing-important">Why is Mobile Device Testing Important?</h2>



Now that we&#8217;ve understood the big picture, knowing what goes into building a successful mobile app remains. Mobile app testing is unarguably an imperative process for apps to perform the way it&#8217;s should. M<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/testsigma-as-a-mobile-testing-tool-how-can-it-help-me-achieve-roi-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obile app testing</a> is unarguably a critical process. It fixes any potential errors before the apps go into the production server.&nbsp;



What could pose a challenge, though, is that users consume apps on different devices. Every device is differently wired, and some may not support a few apps due to outdated software, old processors, etc. 



A few mobile brands also have their software builds. According to <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/worldwide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Statcounter</a>, the worldwide market share of Android users is 72.48%, with iOS at 26. 91%. The <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/android/mobile-tablet/worldwide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stats</a> also show that Android versions like 4.4, 5.1, and 6.0 are still in use. 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZhvXjtu7mjwdvZ66XM3gLMRpxJ--RFpIDnlrVn-hMoT2Ja3yWGfdoLH_runM_TElbuImMUHsvTXkHZZ8ONhxcgjA2XbVPjaJNT-h_s6lVnvYC16zoJYv17PhdzMrGqtYo7yLwgLz" alt="Mobile and Tablet Android Version Market Share"/></figure></div>



You get the drift — the market is enormous. And you cannot possibly test your apps manually on different devices with different versions of OS. This is where automated mobile app testing comes to play. Offering you the flexibility to deliver faster in a test-driven development environment, automation testing is a proven work through. 



You can also read more details about Mobile testing in the guide <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/mobile-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



We&#8217;ve talked about automation testing of mobile UI and how to perform it in-depth <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-to-perform-mobile-automation-testing-of-the-ui/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. We recommend looking at it if you&#8217;re starting on automated mobile app testing.&nbsp; 



<h2 id="h-why-do-you-need-real-mobile-devices-for-testing">Why Do You Need Real Mobile Devices for Testing?</h2>



Finally, let&#8217;s get to the core of our conversation — do we need real mobile devices?&nbsp;



With the speed at which technology advances, mobile users have developed zero tolerance for slow or buggy apps. And remember that our users consume our apps on real devices, and factors like low battery, poor WiFi, and outdated software can affect the app&#8217;s performance. 



While a few argue that emulators serve the purpose of testing an app, unless you&#8217;re only testing the UI, they are not sufficient. If your apps use cameras, additional sensors like fingerprint, ambient light, etc., you must try them on real mobile devices. After all, what&#8217;s the point of having a feature that doesn&#8217;t support all devices? 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p2Om7HVKWJN15QnGoFJ2F0-B4KrRBiwSU-SBPqnl5Cg4krCc1QLXFY16QMcmQ-id8EInEp7BR17vc4LVCaX3DjvCHfU3FIf4agCEOmDs_9b-19TKkiRR66W8530iHiMipoKM4ujX" alt="Cartoon on Mobile App"/></figure></div>



It&#8217;s humanly impossible to test all the app features on different devices manually. Besides, it&#8217;s not cost-effective. Find this intimidating? Fret not — Testsigma offers a reliable <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated mobile app testing tool</a> with the option to execute your tests on thousands of real devices efficiently. Testsigma isn&#8217;t just a mobile app testing tool. It is a unified test automation ecosystem for your web, mobile apps, and APIs that handle more than just mobile app testing. 



Our no-code tool offers testers a simple way of writing test cases. The tool lets you automate test cases written in English and can be integrated with various project management tools.&nbsp; 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WmZ_MHdYJGjC20oOA78m2ypuzgGNxkoAYbd7s2rOtIH8Kd-CbAmSSZZFfnjpe_LtyPuGKoxvd5VRiimXXc4fED_qSAMLuCMA_rjdn-fJuvP9JeziTKeJMLi4Uc1ASMbPGonWPlNd" alt="Testsigma No Code Tool"/></figure></div>



We also recommend looking at our <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/mobile-testing-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blog post</a>, where we take you through automating mobile apps using Testsigma. It&#8217;s that simple. While launching an app is one thing, handling its updates is a different ball game altogether. 



We use an AI engine that can handle ongoing updates without affecting the app. This engine can also detect errors that are shared in real-time through email, Slack, Teams, etc. Besides, all tests are carried out on a secure and scalable cloud, so scalability isn&#8217;t a problem. 



<h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion:</h2>



In closing, real mobile devices are required for automated mobile app testing; otherwise, <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-for-automated-mobile-browser-testing-on-real-devices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">real mobile devices are necessary for automated mobile app testing</a>; otherwise, all our efforts and tests are fragmented and futile. <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> can empower you to build a competitive advantage in the evolving mobile app market.&nbsp; 



Sounds interesting? Let&#8217;s have a conversation; Testsigma is offering a free 21-day trial for you to experience the product. Check it out <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. 



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Easily execute your automated tests on thousands of real devices vv
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 <button class="btn cta-btn bg-white"><a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Signup Now</a></button></div>
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Automated mobile app testing - do you really need real mobile devices?

Automated Mobile App Testing – Do You Really Need Real Mobile Devices?

<p id="h-tired-of-spending-hours-and-days-manually-testing-every-module-of-your-android-app-s-user-interface-just-to-ensure-it-behaves-as-expected-bid-goodbye-to-traditional-testing-methods-and-say-hello-to-android-ui-testing-frameworks-they-are-the-real-superheroes-in-building-stable-and-quality-android-applications">Tired of spending hours and days manually testing every module of your android app&#8217;s user interface just to ensure it behaves as expected? Bid goodbye to traditional testing methods and say hello to Android UI testing frameworks. They are the real superheroes in building stable and quality Android applications. These frameworks save you time and help catch bugs in the early stages before they cause a wreck. This blog will list the top 4 Android UI frameworks you can use for automated mobile testing. 



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Android_UI_Testing_Frameworks">1 What is Android UI Testing Frameworks?</a></li><li><a href="#Top_4_Android_UI_Testing_Frameworks">2 Top 4 Android UI Testing Frameworks</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Testsigma">2.1 1 .Testsigma:</a></li><li><a href="#2_Appiumnbsp">2.2 2 .Appium:&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#2_Espresso">2.3 2 .Espresso: </a></li><li><a href="#3_UI_Automator">2.4 3 .UI Automator: </a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Why_the_Need_for_Android_UI_Testing_Frameworks">3 Why the Need for Android UI Testing Frameworks?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Select_the_Best_Android_UI_Testing_Frameworks_for_Automation">4 How to Select the Best Android UI Testing Frameworks for Automation</a></li><li><a href="#Which_Android_UI_Testing_Framework_Should_You_Choose">5 Which Android UI Testing Framework Should You Choose?</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">6 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="what-is-android-ui-testing-frameworks">What is Android UI Testing Frameworks?</h2>



Android UI testing frameworks allow developers and testers to create and run automated tests for UI of Android applications. These frameworks allow testers to simulate user interactions, like tapping buttons, entering text, and swiping gestures, to validate the behavior and functionality of their application&#8217;s user interface (UI).



Read here about <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/android-ui-testing-14-best-practices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Android UI Testing</a>



<h2 id="h-top-4-android-ui-testing-frameworks">Top 4 Android UI Testing Frameworks</h2>



Here are four popular UI testing frameworks for Android automation testing,



<h3 id="1-testsigma">1 .Testsigma:</h3>



Testsigma&#8217;s <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automation mobile app testing tool </a>is a tool you should check out for your Android UI automation needs. We&#8217;ve got thousands of real devices with various Android versions available for you to perform tests on.This is highly beneficial if you&#8217;ve got to test your app on older devices. Since older devices come with different screen resolutions, you can check out how the app’s UI looks and interacts in real-time with our repo of devices. This tool also takes screenshots and video recordings to report any bugs and unusual behaviour wherever necessary.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/Nnb37nBs2Bg7JQhTnv4QN9HRUb8gPvOd0yUAXPbpnaKTkkQoQGdkdrPY6fel8PxHvn9FDQNjV0JJYR6a823KeclS_qpKq2VhWWzaimSTmqRjEW3sGXkOOr3UkcOLNgMuyulFTqOt_1748947949.png" alt="Testsigma"/></figure>



The test cases can be written in simple English, and you don&#8217;t have to install anything on your device or desktop because our tool runs tests on a highly secure and scalable cloud. In this post, we&#8217;ve discussed automating mobile apps using <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> &#8211; Automating Mobile Applications.



Testsigma Pros



<ul><li>It&#8217;s a code-less testing tool that lets us write our test cases in simple English; beginners and intermediate testers with no prior experience in coding can quickly start automating test cases on this tool</li><li>The testing happens on a cloud, and based on the project requirement, it can be scaled up or down without any hassles to the user.</li><li>It offers more than 1,000 Android and iOS devices with several browser-OS-version combinations.</li><li>It can be seamlessly integrated with <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/ci-cd-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CI/CD tools</a>.</li><li>Supports parallel test execution.</li><li>Offers automatic bug reporting so you can collaborate with the team and fix the errors</li><li>Supports unlimited users</li><li>Even complex workflows can be automated</li></ul>



Testsigma Cons



<ul><li>It&#8217;s offers a 21-day free trial to experience the tool. Besides, unlike other tools, there are no hidden costs with Testsigma. For example, you can look at this comprehensive comparison between Testsigma and other tools &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/compare-test-automation-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma vs Selenium, Tricentis Tosca, Micro Focus UFT</a></li></ul>



<h3 id="2-appium">2 .Appium:&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="799" height="134" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/appium.jpg" alt="appium" class="wp-image-31357"/></figure>



An open-source framework with a rich <a href="https://testsigma.com/open-source-contribution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">open source community</a>, Appium is perhaps the most commonly used framework for automation testing mobile UI – Android andopen-source iOS. It can be used to test native and hybrid apps, and as it’s a cross-platform tool, the same test can be performed on various platforms. Appium allows us to write scripts in any language we choose, like Java, Ruby, C#, Javascript, PHP, and Python.



Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/appium-alternatives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Appium Alternatives&nbsp;</a>



The Appium UI Inspector helps testers identify UI elements and how they align with each other. Testers can also leverage the UI Automator framework or Instrumentation to test the Android app; its framework interacts with Selenium WebDriver and Node.js applications.



Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/detox-vs-appium/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Detox vs Appium</a>



Appium Pros



<ul><li>Easy set-up process, but it&#8217;s important to note that setting up Appium is easy for programmers only because it requires solid programming skills for configuring the server.</li><li>Cross-platform and cross-language support</li><li>Appium UI Inspector for scanning and analyzing various UI components within the app</li><li>No additional device installations</li></ul>



Appium Cons



<ul><li>Speed matters, and its architecture makes the Appium framework relatively slow. Besides consuming time to start the server, it also takes time to trigger actions.</li><li>Appium doesn&#8217;t support testing Android devices older than Android 4.2, a predicament because it cannot cover many devices.</li><li>Testers must manually enter <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/element-locators-automated-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">element locations</a> as Appium doesn’t fully locate elements or identify images automatically.</li></ul>



Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/appium-vs-selenium/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Appium vs Selenium</a>



<h3 id="2-espresso">2 .Espresso: </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="798" height="134" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/18115156/espresso-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-47979" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/18115156/espresso-1.png 798w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/18115156/espresso-1-768x129.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" /></figure>



Most Android developers across the world argue that Espresso is the best UI framework that there is! This open-source framework is developed by Google for Android, which makes it super convenient for writing solid and reliable Android UI tests. 



Test logic can be written close enough to the Android app&#8217;s logic, and the framework can be customised as per the developer&#8217;s need. Plus, it has a simple API. On the API level, it supports Android 8.0 onwards. 



With a dependency on the Hamcrest library, it supports Matchers from it, which most developers are familiar with. Using this library, developers can add custom actions for simplifying the testing process.



Espresso Pros



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Light, easy to learn, and compact API that is open for customizations. Managing Android UI tests is effortless.</li><li>It can be easily integrated with Android Studio — native Android development studio.</li><li>Simple set-up process and offers synchronization capabilities which means we don’t have to write any extra code for waiting until activity/fragment are loaded or completed.</li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/what-is-test-case/">Test cases</a> are executed fast.</li></ul>



Espresso Cons



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Espresso supports test cases that are written in Java and Kotlin. This limited tech stack is a disadvantage for many, especially for people with React-Native or Flutter app framework.</li></ul>



Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/appium-vs-espresso/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Appium vs Espresso</a>



<h3 id="3-ui-automator">3 .UI Automator: </h3>



Google&#8217;s testing framework — UI Automator allows us to practically test any app that&#8217;s installed on the device. But what makes this framework effective is it allows writing test cases without fully knowing the implementation details of the apps.



It can interact with various Android apps and its APIs help us perform tasks like rotating the screen on a test device or open Settings (or other menu items). The following piece of code is an example of how it can manipulate or trigger actions on devices.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/o-W8gyoBcX1xwn4c1CxsQGMNYMRETIMWBwARAIVsDmMV_tB6tMdJ6mFWn_CaOu3qwLcMglCDyJPoWTiJ4EkIIavkJ22LzI6FooSpQrSp85syrpqx7D-yRzf04lBQTznsH5fEp2lx_1748947950.png" alt="UI Automator"/></figure>



The test cases can be written in Java or Kotlin, and the framework comes with two sets of APIs — UIAutomator APIs and&nbsp; Device State APIs. The UI Automator API lets us manage the app’s UI components while the Device State APIs gives us access to operate the device. Plus, this framework has a UI Automator Viewer option that lets us study and analyze <a href="https://ionicframework.com/docs/components" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UI components</a> in mobile devices.



UI Automator Pros



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Supports testing on devices starting from Android version 4.1.&nbsp;</li><li>Simple API framework</li></ul>



UI Automator Cons



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Supports only Java and Kotlin</li><li>Doesn’t support web view</li><li>The API is complex while working with lists</li></ul>



<h2 id="why-the-need-for-android-ui-testing-frameworks">Why the Need for Android UI Testing Frameworks?</h2>



Android UI testing frameworks play a crucial role in ensuring the stability and reliability of an Android application&#8217;s user interface. Imagine what happens when your application&#8217;s UI breaks. I&#8217;m pretty sure the users will be frustrated and abandon using your app. And nobody wants that. That&#8217;s when Android testing frameworks become your superhero.



These frameworks help validate your application&#8217;s UI and functionality across different devices, screen sizes, resolutions, platforms, browsers, and versions &#8211; within a short span of time.



check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/android-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Android App Testing</a>



<h2 id="how-to-select-the-best-android-ui-testing-frameworks-for-automation">How to Select the Best Android UI Testing Frameworks for Automation</h2>



Some of the key factors to consider while selecting an Android testing framework are as follows,



1. Team skillset&nbsp;



Is your QA team skilled in programming languages to create test code? What languages are they expert in? However, if your QA team lacks experience in coding. The best solution is to opt for a scriptless testing tool like Testsigma that does not require any coding to automate <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/ui-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UI testing</a>.



2. Real device support



Check if the tool allows you to test your Android apps on real devices and platforms.&nbsp;



Testsigma allows you to execute your automated tests across 3000+ smartphones/tablets and 1000+ browser/OS combos.



3. Set up



Is the tool easy to install and set up? Traditional <a href="https://testsigma.com/user-interface-testing-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UI testing tools</a> like Appium require you to install, set up, and configure the framework to run the tests. However, with tools like Testsigma, you can run your mobile tests on the cloud.



4. Ease of use



Is the tool easy to use? Is it accessible to everyone? The major drawback of code-based testing tools is that everyone involved in testing must be well-versed in the programming language required for creating test scripts. However, low-code testing tools like Testsigma eliminate the need for coding, thereby making <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated testing</a> easy and accessible for everyone in the project.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfEcGn1lMcDaWMHh-ffDRokdVxF8FNaHzV-WHMbQapHS8_I3lfG4JP8Vwx4yTbeyvJkSCZ70eY6xoQUic7nhGIJ3hlionDmRBFe0kRZB6DQ_Qt-vvT49j4S3_UB3MZ9t6UkemYOG7JUP7uM-x1a_34-Zjeu?key=x9jjUFvtOltdXh6E6Bdi0A" alt="Android UI Testing Frameworks"/></figure></div>



The best Android UI framework for your application depends on your testing needs, budget, skillset, and business requirements. So, choose a tool that aligns with your application type and testing needs.&nbsp;



Choosing a unified test automation tool like Testsigma allows you to test both Android and iOS apps in one place.



<h2 id="h-which-android-ui-testing-framework-should-you-choose">Which Android UI Testing Framework Should You Choose?</h2>



Several considerations must be addressed while selecting a <a href="https://testsigma.com/user-interface-testing-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UI testing framework</a> for automation testing. First, evaluate the platform or technology on which your application is developed, as certain frameworks are designed to work only with specific platforms or languages. It&#8217;s also vital to examine the complexity of your application and the framework&#8217;s level of support and documentation.



Another important consideration is the extent of automation required. Some frameworks include more advanced automation features, such as continuous integration and visual testing, while others are more basic and may necessitate more manual intervention.



Finally, evaluate the framework&#8217;s pricing and licencing requirements, as certain frameworks may be more expensive or require specific licencing agreements.



When selecting a UI testing framework for automated testing, it&#8217;s critical to analyse your demands and select a framework that fulfils those objectives while providing essential capabilities and support.



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



Android UI testing frameworks are indispensable for modern mobile app development. They help developers and testers deliver high-quality Android applications by ensuring the reliability, consistency, and compatibility of their user interfaces across a wide variety of devices and screens.&nbsp;



Using Testsigma, you can automate both Android and iOS tests 10X faster across 3000+ devices/tablets and 1000+ browser/OS combos on the cloud without any coding.



Ready to automate your <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/android-device-testing-a-no-hassle-guide-for-testers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Android devices tests</a>? You can sign up for a <a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">free trial</a> or chat with us for more details.





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Top 4 UI Frameworks For Android Automation Testing

Top 4 Android UI Testing Frameworks List to Look For

A quote from Tim Cook says- &#8220;When you care about people&#8217;s happiness and productivity, you give them what brings out the best in them and their creativity. And if you give them a choice, they&#8217;ll say, &#8216;I want an iPhone,&#8217; or &#8216;I want a Mac.&#8217; We think we can win a lot of corporate decisions at that level.&#8221; It is a fact that we all use smartphones and mobile apps on a day-to-day basis. Whether at a cafe, commuting by train, or sitting on the beach staring at the waves while surfing the Internet, we are all connected no matter where we are. And with technological advances, everything has become more straightforward andaccessible. But let&#8217;s face reality: not everything can be made better with just an engineering tweak here or there; the user experience is essential for successful applications across all platforms, and for that, we need &#8220;Automated iOS Tests.&#8221; 



This says a lot about the love for the iPhone we all have! So how do the testing community ensure that this love for iPhone and iOS apps grows manifolds with time? True! With quality testing and automation, we can ensure the iPhone provides the best experience to its loyal users.&nbsp; 



In this article, we will be looking at <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/mobile-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mobile testing</a> for iOS. More specifically, 5 types of tests that are recommended to be automated if you are doing iOS testing. 



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Types_of_Tests_for_Automated_iOS_Test_with_Scenarios">1 Types of Tests for Automated iOS Test (with Scenarios)</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Unit_Testing">1.1 1. Unit Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#Scenario">1.1.1 Scenario:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#2_UI_Testing">1.2 2. UI Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#Scenario-2">1.2.1 Scenario:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#3_Compatibility_Testing">1.3 3. Compatibility Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Types_of_compatibility_testing">1.4 Types of compatibility testing</a><ul><li><a href="#Scenarionbsp_nbspnbspnbspnbsp">1.4.1 Scenario:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#4_Continuous_Integration">1.5 4. Continuous Integration</a><ul><li><a href="#Scenario-3">1.5.1 Scenario:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#5_Regression_Testing">1.6 5. Regression Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#Scenario-4">1.6.1 Scenario:</a></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-types-of-tests-for-automated-ios-test-with-scenarios">Types of Tests for Automated iOS Test (with Scenarios)</h2>



<h3 id="1-unit-testing">1. Unit Testing</h3>



Unit testing is really important for an application because we test the smallest units or components in it. We test an independent module in isolation during unit testing. These are small tests where the input is provided to the small unit of the app and the output is checked against the expected values. 



Since they are small tests they can be executed quickly in less time. However, unit tests are the most ignored tests when it comes to app testing. If utilized properly they help in reducing the defects immensely because the bugs are caught at the unit level itself. 



Therefore, unit tests are the ideal candidates for automation because they execute quickly and are huge in number. Usually, the unit tests are the specific condition in a class, where the class is independent of other classes. Unit tests provide documentation of the testing at the unit level and hence during any code changes we know already which code may cause issues. 



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://developer.apple.com/swift/" target="_blank">Swift</a> is a modern and latest programming language for writing code for macOS, iOS, watchOS, etc. It is safe, fast, compatible, open-source, and easy to learn. To write Swift code we use an IDE(Integrated Development Environment) or toolkit called <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://developer.apple.com/xcode/" target="_blank">Xcode</a>, they both are backed by Apple. 



Interestingly, Xcode provides a testing framework called <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xctest" target="_blank">XCTest</a> to write unit tests, performance tests, and UI tests. The test cases are defined using the primary class &#8211; XCTestCase, while the test cases are managed and executed using the abstract base class &#8211; XCTest. 



The test cases are run and asserted(checked) against the expected results. A few of the assertions used in XCTest are:



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Boolean assertions</li><li>Nil/ Non-Nil assertions</li><li>Equality assertions</li><li>Error assertions</li><li>Comparable value assertions</li></ul>



<h4 id="scenario-1">Scenario:</h4>



Rare conditions are better tested using unit testing. Example: Consider an e-commerce app that is running an offer of providing 50% off on the next order to the customer. To win this offer, the customer should have bought 1000 orders from the app. 



To test this, the tester should either manually place 1000 orders and wait if the customer receives a 50% off or not. Or just run an automated unit test to check the results are as expected.



<h3 id="2-ui-testing">2. UI Testing</h3>



User Interface testing is vital for the success of any app, be it Android or iOS. In UI testing, we test the visual behaviour of the application during user interaction. iOS-based gestures, user interactions, screen rotation, text input, buttons, etc, should work as expected on the iOS app. Unlike unit tests which are tested in isolation, UI testing is performed on the integration of the multiple classes. 



The common frameworks and tools for performing automated UI testing on iOS are &#8211; UIAutomation, <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Testsigma</a>, XCTest, MonkeyTalk, KIF, etc. 



We should automate the UI testing due to the below reasons:



1. Saves time&#8211; Manual testing is time-consuming and we want to save our precious time to do some other useful stuff like &#8211; exploratory testing, ad-hoc testing, etc.



2. Documented testing&#8211; With automation testing tools/frameworks, it is easier to have the whole testing process documented with screenshots, reports, test results, test run time, etc. We can use these documented statistics to improve the testing and application performance.



3. Testing on real devices&#8211; These automation testing tools, provide access to thousands of real devices to run test cases. Particularly in the case of iOS, we would want the test cases to be run and the application tested on actual real devices.



4. Parallel testing&#8211; Automated testing tools provide the privilege of testing the iOS app on multiple devices in parallel. This helps us in wrapping up the testing tasks quickly.



<h4 id="scenario">Scenario:</h4>



Screen orientation (portrait, landscape) related testing is really important when we are talking about UI testing. Example: A new functionality is added in a gaming iOS application and is unit tested successfully. Next, regression testing is performed on the app using an automation tool to detect any regression bugs. 



It is observed that when the layout is changed from landscape to portrait during the game then the application crashes unexpectedly. Such layout related issues can be detected during automated UI testing.



<h3 id="3-compatibility-testing">3. Compatibility Testing</h3>



During compatibility testing of an application, we check the compatibility of the application with multiple devices, hardware, software versions, network, operating systems, and browsers, etc. During backward compatibility testing we will ensure that the latest application version is compatible with the older devices/ browsers/ hardware. 



Similarly, during forward compatibility testing, we ensure that the latest application version will be compatible with the new patches and updates to the device software. 



<h3 id="types-of-compatibility-testing">Types of compatibility testing </h3>



1. Operating System



The application should work on all intended Operating Systems and their versions &#8211; Android, iOS, Mac OS X, Windows, etc. Here we are talking about iOS, so the app should work on all common iOS versions, providing backward and forward compatibility. 



2. Hardware



We would want the iOS app to work on all probable and commonly used hardware configurations like- memory, device-specific hardware, camera, etc. 



3. Software



The app should support the software components like APIs, videos, voice, images, etc. present on the device without undergoing any application crash or hanging. 



4. Browser



Safari is the native browser for all Apple products, however, we can use Google Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera Touch, Dolphin, etc. on an iOS device. Therefore, we would want to test all the possible alternatives of the browsers for our iOS application. 



5. Device



We would want our iOS app to be compatible with other external devices like printers, memory cards, scanners, speakers, GPS, USB devices, etc. 



6. Network



The iOS app should work well on the networks of different bandwidths, speeds, data transfer rates, etc.&nbsp; 



<h4 id="scenario-2">Scenario:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>



An iOS movie streaming application should be compatible with all the Apple devices- iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod Touch, and their different versions. We can achieve this by testing the compatibility of the streaming application on all these devices using cloud-based automation tools. Such tools provide thousands of real devices to test the application. 



<h3 id="4-continuous-integration">4. Continuous Integration</h3>



The software world is following Agile and DevOps rigorously today. We cannot think about software development without these, and therefore it is imperative to have mobile app testing follow suite. Continuous Integration helps in providing early feedback, quick delivery, and better quality without any manual intervention. 



CI/CD pipeline works on the strong base of various automation tools. We are using Jenkins and other CI/CD tools to trigger testing whenever a new build is pushed in web application development. 



How do we achieve the same impact in mobile app testing?&nbsp; Many automation tools support integration with Jenkins to provide the Continuous Integration and testing of the iOS app. E.g. Testsigma



Read more details and benefits of Continuous Integration and Testing <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-continuous-testing-supercharges-your-automation-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">here</a>. 



<h4 id="scenario-3">Scenario:</h4>



Continuous testing requires help from automated tools like &#8211; GitHub as a repository, Jenkins as CI tool, XCTest for unit testing, etc. CI/CD helps in delivering applications more frequently by the use of extensive automation throughout the application development cycle. 



Whenever a piece of code is pushed in the repository the unit tests are supposed to run automatically. We cannot think of CI/CD without automation tools. For example, the security of the iOS application, signing the application code with proper certificates and entitlements can be taken care of by automation easily.



<h3 id="5-regression-testing">5. Regression Testing</h3>



During software development, regression testing has always been the best candidate for automation. We do not want our application to break after new enhancements and feature development. So how can we ensure that the app is intact and in great shape? By running automated regression tests after every change. 



By automating the regression tests we can run them in the nightly cycle without manual intervention when everyone is off work. This helps in reducing the testing time and provides faster delivery of the software. The same holds for iOS apps. E.g., We can use XCode’s XCTest to perform regression test cases.



Proper maintenance of the regression suite- by adding relevant test cases and removing the obsolete test cases is required. This way we can benefit from the automated regression test cases to the maximum. 



<h4 id="scenario-4">Scenario:</h4>



Whenever a new version of the iOS operating system is released, the customers want their mobile apps to work efficiently on it. We do not want to upset the customers just because our iOS app is not able to function on the newly released iOS version. 



Therefore, it is the most important scenario where we need to run the regression test suite through automation tools. This instils a sense of confidence among the developers and testers, regarding the mobile application.



Can we skip the testing for iOS devices if the application is already tested on Android? Absolutely no! We need to test the app on both environments separately. We can leverage the help of <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">automated testing tools and frameworks for mobile like Testsigma</a> to speed up the testing and provide a quality product to the end-users. 



Testsigma, an automated testing tool, has transformed the automation world in mobile by making it easy for real. Check out <a href="https://support.testsigma.com/support/solutions/articles/32000023580-ios-native-application-adding-automated-test-steps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">how to automate your test cases on a native iOS application with Testsigma.&nbsp;</a> 



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5 types of tests that can be automated for your iOS

Automated iOS Test: 5 Tests Types You Should Never Miss out (2022 Updated)

Android application testing An indepth comparison of the two approaches Manual and Automated

Android Automated Testing and Manual Testing: Which Approach to Follow?

Android UI Testing | What it is , How & Best Practices

Android Device Testing A quick guide for testers

Android Device Testing: Why its Important and Checklist for Android Testing

Robotic Process Automation and Test Automation are two confusing terms in testing processes. Similar to TDD and BDD processes, RPA and test automation seem like a single branch of the test segment which is common to be exchanged in communication during planning. The word “automation” seems to be a culprit in this case. 



When both the terms end with automation and someone knows any one of them, it is not hard to presume another one based on primitive knowledge. While it is definitely true that both of these processes automate the process, “what” and “how” of their automation is entirely different. 



This post is constructed to narrow the gap of understanding and to validate that RPA and Test automation are not only different in their working and mechanism, their base foundation works on different scenarios. Before we jump to discuss the details of RPA vs Test Automation, it is better to understand what they individually are.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Robotic_Process_Automation_RPA">1 What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_Test_Automation">2 What is Test Automation?</a></li><li><a href="#RPA_vs_Test_Automation">3 RPA vs Test Automation</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="what-is-robotic-process-automation-rpa">What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?</h2>



According to Google, the meaning of a “robot” is: “a machine resembling a human being and able to replicate certain human movements and functions automatically.” Surprisingly, this definition fits perfectly with RPA by making slight adjustments.&nbsp; 



Robotic Process Automation is the process of mimicking a user’s actions on the system and performing them automatically. This is achieved through artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms by learning the patterns from the user’s actions. 



RPA is achieved through software bots with varying capabilities and made available by various developers on the internet. When a user performs the actions with the RPA bot, these user actions are then converted to tasks or actions and performed without a user. 



RPA needs AI algorithms because it does not blindly run the tests again and again but performs the same actions considering the various scenarios. For example, data entry requires us to enter data by performing the same actions but with different data. This can be achieved through RPA. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/Lj54HcI5AwDiGMi5IzNSfrnl2chgxH26PIBQLpYTE0fIG_vv6AhN_ufCWklhXJd7j3emFaJWfF1FtUeBlZ37MHVmxeKsOdZKA-n0FLaTaLoeXNaZmBDHohSnFqfKUQQu1lwlZWVA_1748947518.png" alt="Robotic Process Automation Applications" /><figcaption>Robotic Process Automation Applications in various fields.</figcaption></figure>



Robotic Process Automation does not require extensive codes to understand the problem. Rather, they are run when a user is performing actions on the graphical user interface. This can be attributed to the name of RPA which has “process” instead of Robotic “Test” Automation. 



A codeless process makes them an important part in performing business-related activities such as data entries, fetching queries or manipulating certain data on situations. RPA removes redundancy in the process and performs repetitive business tasks in order to achieve efficient and time-saving performance.&nbsp;



Benefits of RPA



The RPA boasts the following benefits:



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Efficient Results: RPA bots and processes are highly efficient in performing their tasks. They take less time and wrap things up quickly.</li><li>Accurate Performance: RPA is a machine-led process. Similar to other machine-specific tasks, RPA too has high accuracy and can work for longer hours than a human tester.</li><li>Perfect Resource Usage: RPA consumes resources at a steadier rate and occupies a resource only when it is needed. This method provides a way for other processes.</li><li>Cost-Effective Solution: RPA is a cost-effective solution since manual tester’s work hours are not counted. Moreover, the work done with RPA is faster which is an added advantage in cost-cutting.</li><li>Highly Secure: RPA is a highly secure process and the tasks performed are single tasks. The chances of data leakage are next to zero and information is exchanged through secure paths.</li><li>Helps in Future Planning: RPA performs an error-free job. This makes the overall analytics highly accurate and the analytics data can then be referred for planning for future business goals and investments.</li></ul>



<h2 id="what-is-test-automation">What is Test Automation?</h2>



Test automation is the automation of repetitive “test cases” rather than business rules. Test automation is not a new term for testers working professionally for some time. While building up a big project with a lot of modules, test cases become repetitive. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/regression-testing" target="_blank">Regression tests</a> are one such example. 



These repetitive test cases not only waste the time and effort of testers but makes the process boring, error-prone and make them overlook specific bugs. Automating these test cases cuts the cost of the project and helps testers focus their energy somewhere else.&nbsp; 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/4K9eRqXzzJ1icmE1zlcXkoN2HROUzmHIJfZCjKuDqiq_4YEbt7m37BgpKMhX6XU5jmnwF2mFSJk2mElPTl-YYTQ2iJsZAu1aa2VDbHcBijJdz3xiSO9ztTvZQwQr-B1RNHLuynHC_1748947521.png" alt="Test Automation Benefits" /><figcaption>Test Automation Benefits</figcaption></figure></div>







In contrast with RPA, test automation understands specific commands only. For example, for a particular action, there would be a particular syntax that will have to be followed. This syntax might be achieved by writing code or by codeless methods. Codeless methods will be interpreting commands but will be easier to understand and automate. 



One such <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">codeless test automation tool is Testsigma</a>. Testsigma uses plain English to construct test cases which is an easier and simpler method than resolving a language and writing codes in it. To simplify the process, even more, artificial intelligence always watches your actions and heals the automation tests automatically.&nbsp; 



To understand the perfect time to initiate automation in your process, refer to <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/5-signs-you-need-to-implement-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">article that talks about&nbsp; the 5 signs when you need to implement test automation</a> 



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Benefits of Test Automation



The test automation process boasts the following benefits:



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Time Saver: Test automation runs the repetitive tests whenever required on the application under test. Since tests can be hundreds, using <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/manual-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">manual testing</a> wastes a lot of time for something that can be automated. Test automation can run these tests quickly, anytime and generate reports at the end.</li><li>Cost Saver: Test automation can run the tests all day long with the same accuracy. Automating these tests is not charged per hour and is, therefore, a huge cost saver for the business.</li><li>Faster Project Delivery: Test automation can facilitate the time required to deliver a project since repetitive tasks are done by automation and testers can focus on other tasks. With the work being distributed, a project can be tested quickly.</li><li>Larger <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-coverage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Coverage</a>: Since the repetitive tests remain the same when required again with time, we can add more tests and run all the tests for better quality software. Hence, we increase our test coverage and there is no need to skip or delete any test case.</li></ul>



I hope you must have got the gist of RPA and Test automation and how both of these automation processes helps us grow businesses and improve the quality of the software. But still, even though we know both of these phenomena as individual processes, the differences and comparisons between them are a little cloudy. In the next section, let’s see how these two processes differ and on what grounds.



<h2 id="rpa-vs-test-automation">RPA vs Test Automation</h2>



The following table will help you compare RPA vs test automation with keywords. The gist of these keywords can be found in the above sections.







<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"> </td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">RPA</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Test Automation</td></tr><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Goal</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Business Process Automation</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Test Case Automation</td></tr><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">syntax</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Not Required, it is rule-based</td><td>Required(for code and codeless features)</td></tr><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Used For</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Automating any kind of Business Process</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Automation of Testing Process</td></tr><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Flexibility</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Highly Flexible</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Limitations with Tools (Ex. Selenium works only with Web applications)</td></tr><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Automation Spectrum</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Very Wide</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Only tests can be automated.</td></tr><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Working Process</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Adaptive due to AI and ML.</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Although AI and ML have made their foray here, still the scope is limited</td></tr><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td>Objectives</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Validate business objectives.</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Validate software application functionality and performance.</td></tr><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Applications</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Data Entry, Billing, Ticket Booking etc.</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Security Testing, Regression Testing etc.</td></tr><tr style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse"><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Tools (examples)</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Blueprism, UiPath, NICE</td><td style="padding:15px;border: 1px solid black;border-collapse: collapse">Selenium, Appium, JIRA</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Automation is expanding its wings to every field from manufacturing to information technology services. It has become an important part of a tester’s and businesses’ daily life. Automation cuts our costs, saves a lot of time and works with very high accuracy. It deserves the attention it gets from everyone today. Two such segments branching from automation are RPA and test automation. 



RPA focuses on <a href="https://www.sweetprocess.com/business-process-automation-software/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automating business processes</a> such as mimicking the tasks and actions while keeping in mind various scenarios through artificial intelligence. <a aria-label="Test automation (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test automation</a> on the other hand requires strict rules and focuses on different scenarios related to the testing of software. They might sound a bit similar, but they are different from their foundation and working.



RPA and test automation are both important in building a high-quality product and improving the business. While they come with their own set of bane and boons, the team has to decide what suits their needs the best. RPA is important for improving the business processes and making them more efficient while test automation is for building a high-quality product. 



It is recommended to use them whenever they can be of help to save time. I hope this post helped declutter the confusion and doubts about RPA vs test automation. If this post served its purpose, we would love to hear it from you in the comment section below!! Keep testing and keep improving!



Read here <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/low-code-vs-rpa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RPA VS Low Code</a>

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