Test automation is one of the most efficient and time-saving methods for assessing software products with long support lives. For continuous testing with a lightweight execution engine and distributed testing, the two most important automation testing tools are TestComplete and Selenium. Both of these tools provide an open platform for you to simply build such a system. In this article, we will examine the differences between two popular automated testing tool suites, i.e., Selenium vs. TestComplete, together with their pricing.
But before we jump into the comparison, let’s see a small rundown of what Selenium and TestComplete are and how they work.
What Is TestComplete?
TestComplete is an automated user interface (UI) testing tool that has been developed by SmartBear Software. Whether you’re developing for desktop, online, or mobile, TestComplete can help you automate your functional testing. Behaviorally driven development (BDD) is also fully supported.
With AI, this tool apparently has a low learning curve. Ensure you release high-quality, battle-tested software. It’s a breeze with how quickly and easily you can build, manage, and run functional tests to boost test coverage.
Also, it uses a proprietary AI-hybrid object recognition engine, which is unique in the industry. To locate interactive UI components rapidly, precisely, and conveniently, it employs an object recognition system that blends property-based and AI-powered visual recognition.
However, it’s a software application that doesn’t require scripting. This is due to the fact that there are currently seven scripting languages available (JavaScript, Python, VBScript, Jscript, DelphiScript, C#, and C+) to suit a wide range of needs and preferences. It has a record and playback function if scripting is not your thing.
In addition, SmartBear offers this service for a fee. Options for bundling and alterations are also available.
TestComplete Components
Here are some TestComplete components:
#1. TestCompleteWeb Module
The TestCompleteWeb Module facilitates the creation of functional tests for websites, as well as the automation of graphic User interfaces (GUI), web applications, and mobile applications. It is possible to efficiently develop comprehensive web tests within a limited timeframe. TestCompleteWeb provides users with a wide range of capabilities that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of online testing automation, resulting in increased productivity.
#2. TestComplete Platform
TestComplete Desktop, Mobile, and Web are powerful testing applications that facilitate the development of robust software tests across many devices, platforms, and environments with seamless efficiency and immediacy. The utilization of the TestComplete platform is a necessary requirement in order to employ TestComplete Desktop, Web, or Mobile.
#3. TestCompleteMobile Module
This software enables the creation of comprehensive automated testing for Android applications, including those developed for web, native, or hybrid mobile platforms. Rooting devices is unnecessary, as it grants complete control over the device.
#4. TestCompleteDesktop Module
It provides assistance with testing desktop programs written in a wide range of languages. Everything you may want in an automated testing solution is included in TestCompleteDesktop. However, this includes a wide range of functional testing capabilities and automated testing tools.
Features of TestComplete
#1. Automated Test Reporting & Analysis
Monitor the status of your UI tests for desktop, online, and mobile devices in real-time from a centralized location. Integration with Jira and Bugzilla, two of the most popular defect-tracking programs, allows for rapid response and ongoing education.
#2. Keyword-Driven Testing
The built-in keyword-driven testing framework makes it simple to isolate test cases. Make sure everyone on the team can help with test automation. Build UI test automation in a non-code environment. Simple point-and-click controls simplify even the most challenging scenarios, such as closing unwanted windows or retrieving data from a database.
#3. Intelligent Quality Add-On
Whether you need to verify data included in photos, charts, mainframes, or PDFs, or test the most complex on-screen application components, you can do it with this tool. Due to the superior accuracy of our AI-powered visual identification compared to competing technologies, UI test automation engineers are now able to identify and thoroughly test previously unrecognized parts of applications.
#4. Continuous Testing for DevOps
You may speed up continuous testing by incorporating TestComplete into your DevOps ecosystem. Easy integration with popular Continuous Integration solutions like Jenkins and Azure DevOps, as well as popular source control systems like Git, test management tools like Zephyr, and bug tracking tools like Jira, are made possible via the Command Line Interface and REST API. Regardless of how complex your ecosystem is, TestComplete’s tool open architecture gives you the freedom to grow your testing efforts as necessary.
#5. Parallel Testing
Use TestExecute to run simultaneous tests on multiple hosts, including desktop, mobile, and web. Get a consolidated report including all test iterations. There are some follow-up steps that must be taken after each run, and certain data must be exchanged between tests.
TestComplete Pricing
Prices for the various versions of TestComplete range from $2,256 to $7,901. You can also try out TestComplete without spending a dime. Learn more about the product and check out the various pricing tiers available by scrolling down below.
- Node-Locked Base: $2,256 (per license)
- Node-Locked Pro: $3,950 (Per license)
- Float-Base: $5,077 (per license)
- Float-Pro: $7,901 (Per license)
Visit smartbear.com for up-to-date price details.
Only purchase the courses you want to use. At a discounted price, TestComplete Pro provides access to the parallel testing engine TestExecute in addition to the desktop, web, and mobile modules. Also, TestExecute and the Intelligent Quality Add-On are only two of the many available extensions for TestComplete.
What Are the Pros and Cons of TestComplete?
Pros of TestComplete:
- Versatility. TestComplete is compatible with a wide variety of platforms and technologies. It can be used to test programs written in a wide variety of languages and frameworks.
- Platform-agnostic testing. You can use TestComplete to carry out automated testing on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. This adaptability is very helpful when developing for several platforms.
- Scripting and object detection. TestComplete’s powerful object recognition features make it simple to locate and utilize the program’s many features. Its scripting language, which is based on JavaScript, makes powerful test customization and automation possible.
- Playback and recording. Using TestComplete’s record and playback capabilities, testers may capture their activities while using an app and then replay those actions to automatically generate test scripts. In addition, this function streamlines the first steps of constructing a test.
- Extensive collection of test libraries and plug-ins. The TestComplete tool has a large collection of test libraries and native support for many different programming languages and frameworks. It works nicely with continuous integration/continuous delivery systems, revision management tools, bug trackers, and more.
Cons of TestComplete:
- Cost. TestComplete is a commercial solution, and the licensing fee may be prohibitive for some firms, especially those with fewer testers or smaller teams. Costs scale up for larger teams because of a pricing strategy that factors in the number of users and the features they need. However, it is more affordable for smaller teams than some of the more popular alternatives.
- Curve of learning. TestComplete has a challenging learning curve, especially for novices and those unfamiliar with automation testing. It may take a lot of time and effort to learn how to use all of its features and scripting skills. While the tool may be simpler than other open-source options like Selnium, which calls for in-depth programming skills to develop efficiently, mastering the tool’s internal features is a time-consuming process.
- Microsoft Windows only. The application may be able to run automated tests on several systems, but it’s only compatible with Windows and doesn’t offer support for the increasingly popular Linux and Mac platforms.
- Expenditures for upkeep. TestComplete, like any automated testing tool with a number of built-in capabilities, requires continuous maintenance to prevent tests that rely on these features from failing. Test scripts may need to be updated as applications undergo evolution and change, which might increase the total maintenance burden.
- Fewer choices for cloud-based testing. Although the TestComplete tool can be used for cross-platform testing, it has fewer cloud testing capabilities than competing programs. You may need to look into supplementary options if your testing requires a sizable amount of cloud-based infrastructure.
What Is Selenium?
Every developer working on a web app should be familiar with Selenium because it is a free, powerful, and automated testing framework. “Selenium automation testing” is a common term for tests run with Selenium. However, Selenium is not just one tool, but rather a suite of tools, each of which is designed to meet a specific need in Selenium automation testing.
However, before we go into this Selenium automation testing course, it’s important to discuss why automation testing is important and how Selenium came to be.
Manual testing is an essential element of the software development life cycle, but it has a number of drawbacks, the most significant of which is that it is tedious and repetitive. To get around these problems, ThoughtWorks engineer Jason Huggins implemented test automation. To speed up the process of checking out new web apps, he wrote a JavaScript tool called JavaScriptTestRunner. In 2004, the software was rebranded as Selenium.
One drawback of Selenium automated testing is that it is only compatible with web applications, not with desktop or mobile programs. The good news is that there are software testing solutions available, such as Appium and HP’s QTP.
Features of Selenium
Here are the key features of Selenium:
- Free to use and take with you: Selenium is a free and portable framework for testing websites.
- Variety of Exams: Functional and regression testing of web applications are both possible with Selenium.
- System-wide Compatibility: When it comes to running tests, Selenium is compatible with a wide range of platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
- Availability in a Wide Variety of Languages: For the purpose of creating Test Cases, Selenium is compatible with many different languages.
- Multi-Browser Compatibility: Selenium allows you to run your test cases on several browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari.
- Differential Testing: Batch testing, data-driven testing, testing in several browsers at once, and testing against databases are all feasible using Selenium.
- Similar Tests: Parallel testing is supported by Selenium.
Pros and Cons of Using Selenium
Advantages of using Selenium:
- Open-source: Because it is open-source, anyone can download and use Selenium without cost.
- Platform independence: Selenium is an adaptable tool for automating web applications due to its compatibility with a wide range of OSs and browsers.
- Assist with a wide variety of languages: With support for languages like Java, Python, Ruby, and C#, Selenium can be used by a large number of programmers.
- Population center: Users of Selenium can tap into a robust community that’s actively engaged in giving resources and assistance.
- Cost-effective: As an open-source tool, Selenium allows for the automation of web applications without the need for costly licenses.
- Connectivity to other resources: Because of its compatibility with different testing frameworks, Selenium is a powerful and versatile tool for automating web applications.
Disadvantages of using Selenium:
- Tough to master: Selenium can be difficult to learn and use efficiently for new developers because of its complex syntax and design.
- Maintenance: The overall price of employing Selenium rises due to the need for constant upkeep and modifications as the web application evolves.
- Fewer available testing options: Selenium’s primary use case is in the automation of web application testing; it may not be applicable to other testing scenarios.
- Making a test script: The development team may need to put in a lot of time and effort to create high-quality Selenium test scripts.
- The tempo of test execution: Launching a web browser and running a large number of tests can make running automated tests using Selenium cumbersome.
Selenium vs. TestComplete: Comparison
We’ve seen the bare bones of TestComplete and Selenium, so you’re probably wondering which is better and how to choose a solution that actually meets your needs. Here, we’ll contrast the two methods to see whether one is better suitable for resolving your issue.
#1. TestComplete vs. Selenium: Supported Technology
Web applications built with any of the following languages, server-side technologies, and frameworks can be tested on TestComplete: HTML, DHTML, CSS, JavaScript, HTML5, Web Components (Shadow DOM and Custom Elements), AngularJS, ASP, ASP.NET (including Web Pages, Web Forms, and MVC), Ajax, Backbone.js, CGI, JavaServer Pages (JSP), PHP, and Ruby on Rails. While Selenium has trouble automating SAP, Salesforce, and mainframe apps.
#2. TestComplete vs. Selenium: Test Report
TestComplete tool is one interface for monitoring the status of your functional graphical user interface (GUI) tests across desktop, mobile, and online platforms. To facilitate communication between team members, the tool allows you to simply export your logs to several formats, including JUnit, HTML, and MHT, as well as share photographs, videos, and detailed logs gathered during test execution. If test reports are to be generated using Selenium, then reporting tools must be connected with it.
#3. TestComplete vs. Selenium: Software Type
TestComplete is a software tool that operates on the Windows platform. The application is primarily designed for Windows operating systems and is therefore incompatible with Linux/Unix computers. Selenium is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) that may be utilized across multiple prominent operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac.
#4. TestComplete vs. Selenium: Pricing
TestComplete is a software testing solution that is known for its high remuneration. Customers have the opportunity to either bundle various choices together or personalize their order according to their preferences. Selenium, being an open-source and freely available tool, The software can be downloaded and utilized without any cost.
#5. TestComplete vs. Selenium: Application Layer
TestComplete is a software tool that may be utilized for the purpose of automating the front-end and API components of an application. In contrast, Selenium is limited to testing solely the front end or interface layer of a Web Application.
#6. TestComplete vs. Selenium: Supported Languages
TestComplete is a software testing tool that provides support for a variety of programming languages. These languages include JavaScript, Python, VBScript, Jscript, DelphiScript, C#, and C+. Selenium is compatible with various programming languages such as Java, C#, Ruby, Python, Perl, JavaScript, and R, among others.
Does TestComplete use Selenium?
Selenium has the capability to seamlessly interface with TestComplete, hence enabling integration with a wide range of third-party tools. The integration of Selenium with many technologies is necessary to create a robust framework.
Which Automation Testing Tool Is Easiest?
Katalon Studio is an automation testing tool that works on both Windows and macOS, based on the open-source Selenium and Appium frameworks. It’s free, and simple to set up, and the over 100,000 members of its active community of automation testers have produced an abundance of tutorials and instructions that make getting started with Katalon Studio a breeze.
Which Companies Use Testcomplete?
Here are some of the companies that use TestComplete:
- Northrop Grumman
- ASM America Inc.
- National Oilwell Varco
- Rite Aid
- NetJets
- EY
Bottom Line
TestComplete is a tool that can be used without prior knowledge of programming because it does not rely on scripts. It’s simple to learn and useful for building reliable programs. It’s an upgrade over Selenium in terms of both power and features. However, due to its hefty price tag, TestComplete is often passed over in favor of free alternatives like Selenium. Because of its high programming skill requirement, Selenium offers greater room for professional development and education. Like Selenium, TestComplete reduces the requirement for more personnel on a given project, hence fewer employment opportunities arise as a result.
Therefore, projects with a moderately trained team and a tight deadline would benefit most from using TestComplete’s streamlined approach to creating test scripts. The cost of a project can be brought down by cutting back on the number of people employed on it.
Selenium vs. TestComplete FAQs
What language is used in TestComplete?
Each TestComplete project uses one of the supported scripting languages: JavaScript, Python, or VBScript.
Is there something better than Selenium?
IBM Rational Functional Tester is a software application used for performing automated regression and functional tests. It’s a great alternative to Selenium because it includes tools for software testing in addition to manual testing.
Does TestComplete require coding?
TestComplete is a tool that can be used without prior knowledge of programming because it does not rely on scripts. It’s simple to learn and useful for building reliable programs.
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