9 BEST Manual Testing Tools (2024)
Michael Thompson
Manual testing tools help you simplify tasks like issue tracking, application testing, automation testing, debugging, API testing, etc. The ideal manual testing tools help enterprises with the entire software testing process, from planning to documentation to development to test analysis.
We have curated a list of the 9 top manual testing tools for you. Our research process involved evaluating tools based on platforms, features, customer support, etc. Read more…
Why Trust Our Best Manual Testing Tools Reviews?
It takes us countless hours and several days to dive headfirst into using these tools ourselves for the scoop you can trust. Our team of experts has tested over a thousand tools, so we can assure you that each one goes through a rigorous research process to make it to our list. Let’s take a clear-eyed look at the best manual testing tools, ensuring you can pick the right one with confidence.
Jira Software is a Manual testing tool used by development teams to track and debug software defects. It provides comprehensive tools for administrators to perform multiple functions, such as assigning, prioritizing, and reviewing various tests
Best Manual Testing Tools
| Name | Supported Platforms | Used For | Open Source | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 👍 Jira Software | Windows, Linux, and macOS | Time Tracking, Bug Tracking, Milestone Tracking, Issue Management, etc. | Yes | Learn more |
| Selenium | Windows, Linux, and macOS | Web Automation Tool | Yes | Learn more |
| TestLink | Windows and Cloud | Test Management Tool | Yes | Learn more |
| LoadRunner | Windows, macOS, and Linux | Load and Performance Testing | No | Learn more |
| Bugzilla | Windows, Linux, macOS | Bug Tracking, Test Management, etc. | Yes | Learn more |
“ Manual testing tools can be critical in helping businesses optimize and streamline the software testing process. You should select the tools that integrate best with your workflow, meet all your use cases, and should help you to speed up your growth.”
1) Jira Software
Best Agile Testing Tool
As I evaluated Jira Software, I particularly liked how it streamlines the management of test processes. Accurate debugging becomes easier by monitoring issue development and anticipating potential solutions.
It offers administrators configurable permissions to provide rights and capabilities to specific users. It maintains all project information that simplifies development, aids progress tracking, improves productivity, and ensures no gaps exist in your security.
Open Source: Yes
Used For: Time Tracking, Bug Tracking, Milestone Tracking, etc.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, and macOS
Free Trial: Lifetime Free Basic Plan
Features:
- Complete Visibility: Delivers full visibility, allowing teams to decide quickly.
- Scrum Boards: Scrum boards enable you to divide work into smaller chunks and work on large projects.
- Customizable Workflows: Create customizable workflows that map to any style of work.
- Insightful Reporting: Insights from data-rich dashboards inform your teams vitally.
- Strategic Roadmaps: I create and follow roadmaps to keep the team synchronized and ensure our planning is effective.
- They are used: Tracking, bug tracking, milestone tracking, issue management, etc.
- Supported Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
- Free
Lifetime Free Basic Plan
2) Selenium
Best for Multi-browser Web app Testing
I particularly liked how Selenium’s IDE allowed me to manage exploratory testing scripts and perform administrative tasks easily. The tool’s integrated breakpoint functionality facilitates streamlined debugging workflows for web applications.
Selenium can work without an intermediate server. It can be scaled up according to your needs, and tests can be run on machines and environments from a central location.
Features:
- Parallel Test Execution: Supports parallel test execution, which helps reduce testing time and increase test efficiency.
- Selenium WebDriver API: Assists in effortless deep testing of web applications.
- CI/CD Integration: I manage our company’s continuous integration and continuous delivery by easily integrating with Jenkins Selenium Pipeline plugins.
- Enhanced Code Quality: The availability of multiple locators for each Web element helps in writing better code.
- Used For: Web automation tool.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
- Free
Link: https://www.selenium.dev/
3) TestLink
Best for Administrating and Managing Tests
During my analysis, I particularly liked how TestLink handles the creation of test projects and the detailed recording of test cases. Bridge the gap between testing and action with clear, actionable reports. Choose from HTML5 or Excel formats to suit your needs.
TestLink allows you to create accounts for multiple users and assign user roles with different capabilities. It helps administrators to manage and post new test cases through the dashboard interface. Moreover, testers can use this tool to generate a test plan and reports using this manual testing tool.
Features:
- Robust Search Functionality: I rely on this software testing tool, particularly for its powerful search functionality and hotkey features.
- Extensive Add-on Support: Numerous add-ons are supported to connect with different software to ease work.
- Import Test Results: You can import test results from CSV or Excel, which expedites result logging.
- Organized Test Structure: Test cases are stored in an organized structure, making it easier for beginners to understand.
- Used For: Test management tool.
- Supported Platforms: Windows and Cloud.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
- Free
Link: https://testlink.org/
4) LoadRunner
Best for Discovering Performance Bottlenecks
During my testing, I particularly liked LoadRunner’s ability to handle simultaneous simulations of thousands of users. Unmatched security and performance testing – that’s the power of this feature for ethical hackers.
It captures component and system-level performance data via a complete set of diagnostic modules and system monitors. QA teams can also use it to test their applications by simulating the actual user load. It is among the most potent manual testing tools for analyzing applications based on various parameters and comparing results with your target performance requirements.
Features:
- Versatile Performance Testing: Easily perform load, volume, stress, or any other type of performance test.
- Bottleneck Identification: I could utilize graphs to get data-rich information which is crucial for quickly identifying bottlenecks in our processes.
- High-Scale Testing Capability: Runs high-scale tests with essential hardware and resources.
- Service-Level Agreement Creation: Businesses may create robust service-level agreements before product launches.
- VuGen Compatibility: Compatible with your existing VuGen so that you can scale up without any limit.
- Used For: Load and performance testing.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
- Community Edition is Free to Download
Link: https://www.microfocus.com/en-us/products/loadrunner-professional/overview
5) Bugzilla
Best for Tracking and Managing Bug Reports
As I evaluated Bugzilla, I particularly liked its feature that allows developers to request code reviews and obtain sign-offs from administrators. You can streamline your workflow and guarantee code quality with this functionality, which enforces coding standards pre-deployment.
It is an ideal manual testing tool for custom workflow management, bug visibility control, bug email notifications, etc. You can use the Bugzilla Patch Viewer for a colorful view of any patch attached to a bug, making code review much more manageable.
Features:
- Database Error Scanning: This scans the database for inconsistencies and assists in fixing the discovered errors.
- Advanced Search System: It has an advanced search system with multiple filters to quickly find anything.
- Custom Search Capabilities: You can create custom searches, including time-based searches, to observe changing trends in a bug’s priority.
- Bug Clustering: It allows you to club similar bugs for easier management and working.
- Used For: Bug tracking.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
- Free
Link: https://www.bugzilla.org/
6) JMeter
Best Open-Source Performance Testing Tool
In the course of my review, I tested JMeter and liked how it facilitated quick building of Test Plans through its advanced IDE. Recording and debugging functionalities within a single environment unlock a whole new level of development efficiency.
This software testing tool can simulate a heavy demand on a single server, set of servers, network, or object to examine overall performance under various conditions. JMeter supports variable parameterization, assertions, configuration variables per-thread cookies, and multiple reports. Moreover, it can record test data from different applications and web browsers.
Features:
- Test Plan Development: The Test IDE allows you to record, build, and debug test plans.
- Offline Analysis Feature: Provides offline analysis and caching of test results.
- Protocol Support: Supports protocols including HTTP, SOAP, REST, PHP, ASP.NET, FTP, LDAP, etc.
- OS Accessibility: The built-in support on Linux and Unix makes it incredibly accessible, which I find very useful in the operating system.
- Used For: Performance testing.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
- Free – Open Source
Link: https://jmeter.apache.org/
7) UFT
Best for Automated Software Testing
Throughout my assessment, I particularly appreciated UFT’s capacity to analyze actual versus expected outcomes and efficiently report findings in an executive summary. Optimize testing workflows and generate accurate reports – this innovative feature fuels a data-driven approach to quality assurance.
UFT enables testers to include checkpoints to ensure the application’s test results are as expected. It is one of the best automation testing tools supporting AI-based machine learning and advanced OCR for object recognition.
Features:
- Continuous DevOps Integration: Supports continuous testing through integrations with DevOps, Jenkins, Bamboo, and many more.
- End-to-End Testing Capability: True end-to-end testing from a single tool.
- AI-Driven Testing Automation: Enhance testing with AI automation for accuracy and efficiency.
- Enterprise App Testing Acceleration: Accelerate End-to-End Testing of Enterprise-Grade Apps.
- Cross-Browser Testing Support: Allows testing across common web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, etc.
- API and Web Services Testing Ease: In my experience, the API and Web Services Testing have been incredibly easy to use.
- Extensible Testing Framework: Offers an extensible framework for building and running tests on “headless” apps.
- ALM Integration for Test Management: It is one of the best manual testing programs that provides integration with ALM to allow effortless scheduling and monitoring.
- Parallel Testing Capability: Parallel testing helps perform tests on the web, mobile, API, or a combination of platforms across dispersed infrastructures.
- Used For: Regression testing of the application, defect logging, implementing, executing, tracking changes, etc.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
- Contact Customer Support for Pricing
- Free Trial:Lifetime Free Basic Plan
Link: https://www.microfocus.com/en-us/products/uft-one/overview
8) ALM
Best Test Management Tool
While I was examining ALM, I particularly liked its robust framework for establishing traceability throughout the testing process. For a robust quality assurance process, this feature is indispensable – it ensures all bases are covered during testing.
It helps create standardized processes to improve traceability, perform an audit, and implement security measures. It also performs advanced software analysis to quickly discover common trends, anomalies, and unexpected correlations in your code.
Features:
- Regulatory Audit Support: Helps auditors conduct audits against regulations and standards throughout the application development lifecycle.
- Development Methodology Support: Supports various development methodologies, including Agile, Waterfall, Spiral, Hybrid, or custom processes.
- Advanced Reporting Tools: ALM allows you to provide reports like application quality metrics, an executive dashboard of KPIs, and more.
- Standardized Procedures Implementation: This manual software testing tools can establish standardized procedures, implement traceability, and perform audits.
- Lifecycle Traceability: You can keep track of the links between the requirements, issues, and tests throughout the application’s lifetime.
- Used For: Test script reviews, defect tracking, requirement-based testing, etc.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris, AIX, etc.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
- Starts at $6000
- Free Trial:Yes, 28 days
Link: https://www.microfocus.com/en-us/products/alm-quality-center/overview
9) ZAP
Best for Performing Security Testing
As I carried out my evaluation, I discovered that ZAP is not just an ordinary testing tool but a significant part of the OWASP initiative to improve web security. Its automated vulnerability detection and support for ethical attacks impressed me greatly.
ZAP can act as a proxy for the browser and the app server. It can also be used as a standalone application process with no user interface.
Features:
- Traffic Analysis and Modification: The ZAP proxy helps analyze, change, and inject traffic into the message content between the browser and server.
- CI/CD Security Integration: The Jenkins Plugin enables security testing to be integrated within the CI/CD pipeline.
- User Accessibility: ZAP is one of the best testing tools for manual testing that is appropriate for both seasoned security specialists and web developers.
- Ethical Security Testing: Security-focused Fuzzer tests apps in authoritarian states with ethical payloads.
- Task Automation: Supports automating various tasks for better reliability and time- savings. Explore the top test management tools for assistance.
- Used For: Security testing.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Pros
Cons
Pricing:
- Free
Link: https://owasp.org/www-project-zap/
What are Manual Testing Tools?
Manual Testing tool is used to manually runs test cases and discover various performance, stability, usability, and security flaws in systems. Software testers utilize the most robust software testing tools to evaluate multiple areas without needing automation technologies.
How do you select the Best Manual Testing Tools?
It would be best if you considered the following factors while choosing from the top manual testing tools:
- Change Management: It’s almost certain that the application’s user interface (UI) will need to be adjusted over time. So, you should select automated testing tools that will not break down and fail when the UI changes.
- Tester Skills: The bench strength within any given QA department might vary significantly, and you must evaluate your staff’s skill levels. Select an automated testing application that is compatible with the skill level required by your QA team.
- Collaboration: Look for automated testing applications that allow for parallel work with project files. Script code sharing across several projects and integration with source code management and issue-tracking systems.
- Data In and Data Out: Data sources and the venues to which you must send data constantly change. Look for a testing instrument to generate reports in XML+HTML, Excel, and many more.
Verdict
I consider Jira Software crucial for effective task prioritization and bug tracking, Selenium for its capacity to automate and scale tests efficiently, and TestLink for its structured approach to test management.
