Manual Testing & Automation Testing - Differences, Pros, and Cons

1
Manual Testing Automation Testing- Differences,
Pros, and Cons
We live in a digital world where software systems
and applications are crucial to our personal and
professional lives. As such, it's essential to
ensure these systems are functional, reliable,
and user- friendly. The best way to do so is
through software testing, which is classified
into two main categories manual testing and
automation testing. Different factors can
determine which approach is most suitable for a
project, including test case complexity,
frequency of execution, and development cycles,
to name a few. That's why to achieve the best
possible result, it is crucial to evaluate and
compare both approaches in-depth and see which
one fits the project's requirements. In this
post, we'll discuss manual and automation
testing differences with their pros and
cons. What Is Manual Testing? Manual testing is
the traditional approach to testing software, in
which human testers write and operate various
test scripts without the use of any automated
tools. In other words, developers hire manual
testers to simulate end-users and report any
errors or defects discovered during the
process. The more common approach nowadays is to
operate manual testing as a part of a
comprehensive service along with other methods
such as exploratory, usability, and acceptance
testing.
2
What Is Automation Testing? In test automation
services, testers employ a set of automated tools
to perform a test case suite on the system. With
this technique, testers can reduce the time and
effort required to execute test codes manually
and accelerate the testing process
significantly. Automated testing tools trigger
functional validations by replicating a user's
actions when interacting with the software,
ensuring that it meets the standards. These test
tools offer highly accurate analysis outputs and
testing results, which are later reported to
testers to identify issues and bugs. Difference
Between Manual Testing Automation Testing The
difference between manual testing and automation
testing is significant, even though they are
both critical parts of a comprehensive testing
strategy. Accuracy Manual testing services are
performed by humans, which makes them susceptible
to errors and inaccurate results. Automation
testing, on the other hand, can operate a test
multiple times to offer accurate and consistent
results. Efficiency If you have a small project
with low-scale requirements, then manual testing
is an efficient choice, while with large and
complex systems, test automation services is by
far the better option. Speed Manual testing
requires constant human intervention, making it a
slow and cumbersome process. In contrast,
automated tools can perform and repeat hundreds
of test scripts within minutes. Reusability Whil
e in manual testing services, testers have to
rewrite test scripts manually for each project,
automation testing scripts can be reused for
multiple applications. Cost Automation testing
is generally considered more cost-effective due
to its speed, reusability, and accuracy.
However, in the initial stages, it requires a
notable resource for hardware, automation tools,
and a skilled team. But for smaller projects,
manual testing can be a more cost-effective
option as it doesn't require any expensive tools
or hardware.
3
Maintenance To ensure accurate results, automated
testing tools require periodic maintenance and
updates. Alternatively, as manual testing is
rewritten for every project, it doesnt require
any maintenance. So far, we discussed the
differences between manual and automation
testing. But which one is most suitable for your
software development? To answer this question,
first, you need to weigh the advantages and
limitations of each type. Manual Testing Pros
and Cons To test your user experience and ensure
it offers reliable performance, manual testing is
an excellent choice. Providing testers with
insight into users' perspectives, this approach
allows them to identify any potential problems
users may encounter. Manual testing is also
highly efficient for areas of uncertainty and
complex scenarios. This approach is more
flexible than automation testing, allowing
testers to adapt to changing requirements
and identify obscure errors. All said, when you
have a large-scale testing project, manual
testing is not the optimal option. Complex
testing projects usually require multiple testers
to execute test cases simultaneously, which is
difficult to replicate and can be time-consuming
and costly. And, of course, as humans are prone
to errors, so is manual testing. Human testers
can overlook a defect, while an automated tool
detects minor details regularly. Automated
Testing Pros and Cons Test automation services
utilize advanced software tools that can
automatically execute high volumes of test
cases. Tests that would otherwise take hours and
even days can be finished in minutes. Aside from
the speed, this approach is highly scalable,
meaning testers can increase their
testing resources quickly when necessary.
Moreover, automation testing tools can repeat the
same test over and over, ensuring accurate and
consistent results. This helps developers to
recognize small issues and inconsistencies that
usually go undetected in manual testing. When
discussing manual and automation testing
differences, we mentioned that automation testing
is often a more cost-effective option. However,
this method requires a high initial investment of
time and money to develop effective and
comprehensive test cases, which are only
justifiable if in large projects. In addition,
automated test cases require costly maintenance
and revisions to remain suitable and up-to-date
with new software versions. Another problem some
automation testing tools have is the difficulty
of detecting graphical anomalies, such as
alignments, font sizes, and color schemes that
affect usability. This can lead to false errors
or undetected issues in later stages. Automation
testing may also generate false positive test
results caused by software issues or data
inconsistencies.
4
Final Words Manual and automation testing are
both used to guarantee the optimal functionality
and reliability of a software system. But they
have notable differences that companies should
consider to determine the best option for their
specific requirements. By considering their
differences, pros, and cons, the testing team can
come up with a suitable and comprehensive
approach to meet your project needs, goals, and
resources. In many cases, this strategy includes
utilizing a combination of manual and automated
testing. This allows testers to ensure that the
final product caters to the end user's needs and
contributes to the overall success of the
project. Boasting extensive experience as a
leading software testing provider, PixelQA offers
a range of services, including test automation
services, performance testing, and mobile
testing. We work with clients to develop
comprehensive testing plans that identify and
isolate software defects accurately. Hire manual
testers to get real-world testing, enabling you
to identify and address issues before software
releases. Read More https//www.pixelqa.com/blog/
post/manual-testing-automation-testing-differences
- pros-and-cons