Top Mobile Automation Testing Tools & Frameworks
Say goodbye to manual mobile app testing and embrace automation with the best tools and frameworks. Explore cutting-edge mobile testing frameworks, including Testsigma, to streamline your process, ensure app reliability, and accelerate your release cycles.
What is Mobile Test Automation?
Mobile test automation uses automated software testing techniques to evaluate mobile applications usability, functionality, and performance. Mobile apps must work seamlessly on various platforms and devices; their quality and reliability are critical for their success.
Mobile test automation involves using specialized tools and frameworks to automate the execution of test cases. These test cases are designed to simulate user interactions and verify the behavior of the mobile application under different conditions.
What Are Mobile Testing Tools?
Mobile testing tools are test automation tools or frameworks that automate mobile app testing across different platforms, devices, and networks. These tools can be used to test a mobile application′s functionality, UI, usability, compatibility, or performance.
So, you don′t have to worry about the application′s functionality every time the Smartphone or Tablet undergoes an update because mobile test automation will take care of it.
Top 5 Mobile Testing Tools Comparison
| Testsigma | Appium | Selendroid | Robotium | Espresso | |
| Application under test | Native (Android/iOS), Hybrid, and mobile web apps | Android, iOS | Android | Android | Android |
| Setup time | Zero setup time. A one-click sign in to access the cloud platform Create account | High setup time | High setup time | High setup time | High setup time |
| Test creation time | 10x faster, as you can create tests in plain English without coding Create account | Slow, as it requires coding | Slow, as it requires coding | Slow, as it requires coding | Slow, as it requires coding |
| No-Code & scripting support | Yes, supports both low-code and test scripting Create account | No, offers only scripting support | No, offers only scripting support | No, offers only scripting support | No, offers only scripting support |
| Supported Languages | Java | Java, C#, Ruby, Python, JavaScript, etc | Java | Java | Java |
| Record & Playback | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Unified test automation | Yes. You can test mobile, web, desktop, API, and Salesforce apps in one platform Create account | No, only mobile apps | No, only Android apps | No, only mobile apps | No, only Android apps |
Best Automated Mobile App Testing Tools & Frameworks
To manage the increasing software testing workload, companies prefer relying on mobile test automation frameworks to automate scripted tests on a large scale of real devices. Companies use mobile test automation frameworks to manage software testing workloads. Understanding how each framework works is crucial to determine test execution speed and efficiency, meeting testing needs, and achieving business goals.
Here are some of the top mobile test automation tools and frameworks for different apps
1. Testsigma
Testsigma offers a unified, codeless mobile app testing platform designed to accelerate your testing process and ensure seamless cross-platform compatibility. Powered by GenAI, it allows you to write or record tests in plain English, while the intelligent mobile recorder generates self-healing scripts automatically—no coding required. Scale your test automation effortlessly with built-in adaptability and GenAI-powered capabilities.
With Testsigma, you can automate mobile app tests for frameworks like Flutter SDK and run them on 3000+ real devices, ensuring robust cross-platform compatibility. Gain actionable insights with real-time performance analytics and even validate location-based experiences for enhanced quality.
Features:
- Codeless Test Automation: Empower your teams to create automated tests in plain English, with no coding required. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, Testsigma’s NLP-powered platform enables faster and smarter test creation.
- Cross-Browser and Cross-Device Compatibility: Run automated tests across 3000+ real devices and browsers, ensuring your app works flawlessly on every platform.
- GenAI-Powered Test Maintenance: Reduce maintenance by 70% with self-healing test scripts that adapt automatically to app changes.
- Parallel Testing for Faster Feedback: Execute multiple tests simultaneously across devices, speeding up test cycles and reducing time to market.
- CI/CD Integration for Seamless Automation: Integrate Testsigma into your CI/CD pipeline for continuous testing throughout your development lifecycle.
- Unified Test Management: Manage all your test cases, data, and suites from a centralized dashboard, promoting collaboration and efficiency.
- Real-Time Reporting and Analytics: Gain actionable insights with detailed reports and metrics to optimize your testing strategy.
- Comprehensive API Testing: Go beyond UI testing—validate APIs and web services with Testsigma’s integrated API testing capabilities.
- Scalable Testing Infrastructure: Accommodate projects of any scale with Testsigma′s flexible, cloud-based platform designed for rapid adaptability.
- 24/7 Expert Support: Rely on round-the-clock support to troubleshoot issues and keep your testing workflow uninterrupted.
2. Appium
Appium is an open-source tool used to test Android and iOS applications. It follows the WebDriver protocol and can support any framework, tools, and practices you choose. It supports the testing of native, hybrid, and mobile web apps.
Features:
- Appium supports the testing of native, hybrid, and mobile web apps.
- It can be used with various programming languages like Java, Ruby, C#, Javascript, PHP, and Python.
- Appium is a cross-platform tool that can be used on various platforms without issues.
- It provides detailed logs and reports of the testing process and supports parallel testing.
- Appium allows source code reuse within the Android and iOS ecosystem and can be integrated with other testing frameworks like TestNG and JUnit.
Unlike Appium, Testsigma enables you to automate mobile web testing without code. Try the tool for free.
3. MonkeyRunner
MonkeyRunner is a widely used testing tool for Android apps, offering functional and regression testing and multiple device controls. The test scripts can be written in Python, which is perfect for running functional-level tests and unit test suites. This tool uses Jython, which allows the MonkeyRunner API to interact with the Android framework. Moreover, MonkeyRunner can run tests and compare its output screenshots with a set of screenshots that are intended to be correct.
Features:
- Offers functional and regression testing for Android apps
- Allows multiple device control for testing
- Supports Python scripting for writing test scripts
- Uses Jython to interact with the Android framework
- Capable of running tests and comparing screenshots
- It helps identify regressions and functional issues.
4. Selendroid
Selendroid is a highly versatile open-source automation testing tool for Android. This tool is perfect for performing native and hybrid mobile tests and supports real devices and emulators. With its cross-browser testing capabilities, Selendroid can simultaneously run tests on multiple devices. One of the best features of Selendroid is its built-in inspector tool that can inspect UI elements for both current and outdated Android versions.
Features:
- Supports both native and hybrid apps.
- Supports real devices and emulators.
- Provides cross-browser testing capabilities.
- Can run tests on multiple devices simultaneously.
- Comes with an inbuilt inspector tool to inspect UI elements.
Unlike Selendroid, Testsigma provides a comprehensive integration solution with CI/CD tools. Create a free Testsigma account and see how it works.
5. Robotium
Robotium is a popular open source automation testing tool that is widely used for testing Android applications. It is known for its flexibility, as it supports all versions and subversions of Android. While its limitations include slow test execution performance and inability to manage multiple activities, it offers seamless integration with IDE. Robotium lets you write black box test cases independently for Android apps, making it a reliable choice for developers.
Features:
- Supports all versions and subversions of Android
- Allows writing black box test cases independently
- Seamlessly integrates with IDE
- Provides flexibility in testing Android apps
- Offers a wide range of testing capabilities
- Easy to use and implement.
6. Espresso
Espresso is a powerful and reliable tool for writing Android UI tests designed by Google. It offers flexibility and customization options that cater to the developer′s needs. However, for novice users, it can be a complex tool to use.
Features:
- Easy integration with popular tools like Jira and Jenkins
- Support for parallel testing to save time
- Detailed test reports for better analysis of results
- In-built test maintenance to avoid test failures
- Intelligent test execution to reduce false positives
- AI-powered suggestions for faster test creation and execution.
7. UI Automator
UI Automator is an excellent tool for testing Android applications as it enables test cases to be written without needing to know the implementation details of the apps. Google has expanded this tool and can now interact with various Android apps. It is a valuable resource for users who consume apps on older versions of Android, as it can support devices starting from Android version 4.1. Additionally, the UI Automator Viewer option allows developers to scan and study UI components on mobile devices, making it easier to create concrete test cases.
Features:
It supports black-box and white-box testing, making it versatile for various use cases.
The tool can identify and interact with UI elements in multiple applications simultaneously.
UI Automator offers detailed reporting for test results, including screenshots, logs, and videos.
It can interact with system-level UI components, such as the notification bar and status bar.
UI Automator can be used with various scripting languages, such as Python and Java, making it accessible and flexible for developers.
It is integrated with Android Studio, which makes it easy to use for developers who are already using the IDE.
8. Frank
Frank is an open-source iOS app testing framework with a vibrant community of users. It offers the flexibility to write tests in Cucumber and integrates seamlessly with JSON. Its Symbiote feature includes an app inspector that provides detailed information on running apps, making it a powerful tool for iOS app testing. Additionally, Frank supports Continuous Integration and can handle multiple tests on devices and simulators.
Features:
Open-source iOS app testing framework
Supports writing tests in Cucumber
Seamless JSON integration
Symbiote feature includes app inspector for detailed information on running apps
Supports Continuous Integration
Can handle multiple tests on devices and simulators
9. Ranorex
Ranorex is an automation testing tool that offers end-to-end testing for mobile, web, and desktop apps; it supports Android and iOS testing. Ranorex allows for data-driven testing, has a codeless automation interface, and can be integrated with DevOps tools. Additionally, it provides comprehensive reporting with detailed results, supports multiple technologies like .NET, C#, HTML5, and Java, and offers cross-platform testing capabilities.
Features:
End-to-end testing for mobile, web, and desktop apps
Supports both Android and iOS testing
Data-driven testing approach
Integration with DevOps tools
Comprehensive reporting with detailed results
Supports multiple technologies like .NET, C#, HTML5, Java
Cross-platform testing capabilities.
10. EarlGrey
Developed and maintained by Google, EarlGrey is an iOS mobile app testing framework that offers features like Synchronization, Visibility Checks, and user-like interaction. Often preferred due to its synchronization, this feature lets us track different sources/states that can affect the app’s performance. For instance, the app’s UI, network glitches, and anything else that can be fixed on the go.
11. MonkeyTalk
MonkeyTalk is a powerful automation testing framework for Android and iOS apps that is great for functional and regression testing. With MonkeyTalk, we can also use code written for iOS for Android, making it a versatile tool. It is perfect for beginners as it offers easy-to-comprehend scripts, and we can also write HTML and XML reports. MonkeyTalk supports testing on emulators and devices; if errors or crashes occur, it takes screenshots and lets us record the tests. We can manipulate and manage the tests for effective results.
Features:
The code written for iOS can also be used for Android.
Easy-to-comprehend scripts make it perfect for beginners.
We can write HTML and XML reports for better analysis.
Testing can be done on both emulators and devices.
MonkeyTalk takes screenshots and lets us record the tests if any errors or crashes occur.
Tests can be manipulated and managed for effective results.
12. Calabash
Calabash is a cross-platform test automation framework supporting Android and iOS native and hybrid applications. It’s easy-to-understand syntax makes it accessible to non-technical users.
Some of the key features of Calabash include,
- Supports cross-platform testing of both Android and iOS apps.
- Provides an easy-to-understand syntax, making it accessible to non-technical users.
- Supports running tests on both emulators and real devices.
- Supports writing tests in multiple programming languages like Ruby, Java, and .NET.
- Supports parallel test execution, reducing the overall testing time.
Why is Mobile App Testing Important In the App Development Process?
The two dominant players on the mobile phone landscape are - Android and iOS. They hold significantly different market shares, with Android leading at roughly 72% and iOS following at 26%.
But that′s just the tip of the iceberg. Within each OS, there′s a universe of device variations. Users have different screen sizes, resolutions, hardware specifications, and even custom user interfaces from various manufacturers.
Proper testing allows your app to avoid crashing, malfunctioning, or delivering a subpar experience on many potential users devices.
Why Mobile Testing Tools & How to Choose the right tool?
Mobile app testing is crucial for ensuring your mobile app′s quality, functionality, and user experience across diverse devices and operating systems. With the increasing competition in the mobile app industry, choosing the right mobile testing automation tool that can help you automate your testing process and deliver flawless apps to your users is essential.
To select the right automation tool, there are a few questions that you need to ask yourself:
- Testing Needs: Determine app type (native, hybrid, or web) and scope (functionality, performance, or security) for specialized testing. Choose a tool with the right features to meet your requirements.
- Platform Compatibility: Ensure the automation tool is compatible with your operating systems (Android, iOS, or both) and supports a wide range of devices, including real devices and emulators.
- Features and Integrations: Choose a tool that supports your team′s preferred scripting language, offers reporting and analytics features, and integrates with your development tools and CI/CD pipeline.
- Budget Considerations: Choose between open-source or commercial tools based on your budget. Look for licensing and pricing models that suit your needs, and ensure the tool comes with adequate support and training.
- Try Before Committing: Always try the tool before committing, either with a free trial or demo. Consult online reviews and forums to hear from other users about their experiences with the tool.
Still trying to decide on the right tool? Leave it to us, book a free demo, and witness what Testsigma can do in real-time.
Criteria for Selecting a Mobile Test Automation Frameworks
Selecting the right mobile test automation framework can be daunting, as numerous options are available in the market. Some of the key criteria to consider when selecting a mobile test automation framework are:
- Platform Compatibility: Ensure the framework supports the mobile app platform and its versions.
- Integration Capabilities: The framework should be able to integrate with other tools and the CI/CD pipeline.
- Ease of Use: Choose a framework with a user-friendly interface and programming language support for the team.
- Device Compatibility: The framework should support test execution on various devices with different screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware specifications.
- Reporting and Analytics: The framework should provide robust reporting and analytics capabilities for testers to track progress and identify issues.
- Support: The framework should have active support from an active community of users, developers, or experts.
Need for Mobile app automation testing
Growth in the mobile app development in the last few years has been drastic as with each passing day, hundreds of mobile apps are developed, be it Android or iOS.
Mobile application automated testing is considered as one of the most important parts of software testing as it verifies and validates the overall functioning of a mobile app and eliminates the day to day effort done by manual testers which saves a lot of time and cost for the organization. And a major part of automated testing of a mobile application is done via its UI because that is what customers use to interface with it.
Let us see some of the most important reasons why we need automated testing for mobile applications:
- It provides various test solutions for validating the overall functioning of the mobile apps
- It provides a wider test coverage resulting in better output
- It saves time and cost as well as reduces the number of manual testers required for testing
- If properly organized, it reduces the time needed for the overall testing process
- Works perfectly for agile teams and automated testing provides test results very quickly
- Combined with a good web hosting service, automated testing ensures that the site is secure from common breaches and vulnerabilities.
- More test cases can be automated while already automated ones are executed
When should you go for mobile test automation?
Before deciding which parts of the mobile app should you automate first, define the scope of the tests that will be automated. Consider the areas that would benefit from automation the most.
- Use mobile test automation for repetitive test suites that take up a lot of manual efforts (e.g.: Regression Testing)
- There are Test Suites which cannot be run manually, and tools are needed (for e.g.: Performance Testing)
- There are functionalities which require multiple sets of data for testing or have complex areas which have a possibility of human error (for e.g.: Data-driven Testing).
- Unit tests need to be executed to determine if the app requires further testing.
- Functionality Testing needs to be done on a wide range of devices and OS versions
Which Is Best Automation Tools For Mobile Testing?
Mobile testing is an essential aspect of software development, and it′s crucial to find the right automation tool to ensure efficiency and accuracy. One option that stands out with a unique range of features and caters to different needs is Testsigma. It′s a cloud-based platform that enables easy collaboration and integration with other tools, and its AI-powered test automation technology simplifies test creation and maintenance.
Testsigma′s user-friendly interface also makes it accessible to testers of all levels. If you′re in the market for a reliable and comprehensive automation tool for mobile testing, Testsigma is definitely worth exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
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