Overview
We rely on mobile apps for almost everything, from booking a ride to ordering food or staying connected with friends, in today’s fast world. This makes it imperative for mobile apps to work smoothly. But how can developers ensure that an app runs well across different devices and operating systems? This comes in the form of mobile automation testing tools. In the sections that follow, we break down the basis for using mobile testing tools, how to use them, and the importance of these testing tools in ensuring a smooth application experience.
What are mobile testing tools?
Mobile testing tools are applications that test mobile applications. They can detect bugs and also test how the application is going to work, thereby confirming the appearance of the application is nice and functional in a wide range of devices. As there are different varieties of mobile devices, ranging from different screen sizes to the different operating systems that could be either Android or iOS, and also differences in network connections, this is where the testing tool becomes useful in ensuring the smooth running of an application by every user.
Popular Mobile Testing Tools to Try
Here are some of the most popular mobile testing tools that can help make your app experience a smoother one.
1. Appium
Appium is an open-source mobile automation tool which supports both Android and iOS applications. It is loved by developers since it makes the testing possible by writing a single code for both operating systems, which saves the developer’s time. Also, with Appium, it is possible to automate real devices as well as emulators, which makes it multi-platform.
2. TestComplete
TestComplete is a commercial tool that is user-friendly. This tool is easy to use for beginners and experienced testers alike. It helps create tests without much hassle. TestComplete supports Android and iOS applications. It has some powerful features, such as object recognition, which makes it very easy to identify and test parts of an application.
3. Espresso
It’s a testing tool for Android applications. Its popularity can be attributed to the fact that it executes quickly, with full compatibility with all other Android development tools. This is because it was actually designed for Android and as such, most of those developers who make exclusive android applications use it.
5. Kobiton
Kobiton is the cloud-based mobile testing platform that uses real-device testing. It supports both Android and iOS, and with its cloud-based nature, a developer doesn’t have to buy or maintain actual hardware to test on actual hardware. This tool is quite convenient for cross-platform testing since access to multiple devices and their OS versions can be acquired from this application.
6. BrowserStack
The BrowserStack is another cloud-based platform where the developer can test his app on real devices. BrowserStack supports both Android and iOS for being of help in both manual and automated testing. Like Kobiton, it saves time and money by providing a wide variety of devices through its cloud service.
Choose the Right Mobile Testing Tool
Well, with so many tools, it becomes quite tough to make the right choice. However, here are some guidelines that will help you make the right pick for yourself:
- Consider Your Platform: A tool like Espresso can be just apt if your app were Android only. But on iOS, XCUITest is excellent. So, with an app both on the platforms, cross-platform tools will be the way, something like Appium or TestComplete.
- Test the Device for Compatibility: Many tools permit the testing on real and emulator devices too, however, some do support just one of those. Real device access is facilitated by tools like Kobiton and BrowserStack which can be pretty handy when using them to test compatibility.
- Ease of Use: Look for something which would be very easy to use and apply if the members are from a diverse mix of experience. A simple, intuitive, user-friendly application such as TestComplete could help all kinds of members in working well with ease.
- Think Budget: Some free tools like Appium are available. And some tools that required a paid subscription plan include TestComplete and Kobiton. First, a budget has to be determined. The tools that can provide the most features within that budget should be finalized.
Final Thoughts
There are many tools available for mobile automation testing to help you save time, lower costs, and bring a smoother user experience. Taking into consideration what kind of application you’re building, what your team can do for you, and what fits your budget can lead you to look for the best mobile testing tool which can be deployed for your application and allow it to perform on devices with ease.
