The Top Seven Tools for Exploratory Testing (+ FREE bonus tool)
Exploratory testing is a thorough approach that enables you to find more bugs than standard testing. Exploratory testing is useful when a new tester needs to learn about a product in less time and provide quick feedback. It helps them to review the quality of a software product from the user’s perspective.
More of a thinking and learning activity, exploratory testing sparks creativity in testers, helping them showcase their productivity.
When new testers enter the team, it might feel a little overwhelming at first to get acquainted with all the previous documentation. That again, may not be readily available or partially available sometimes. To get a 360° idea about the product that they are going to test, they need to get a feel of it by testing it on the go.
Exploratory testing tools and their features
There are many exploratory testing tools in the market to help testers in their efforts, with slight differences in their features and capabilities.
Paid exploratory testing tools offer more in-depth knowledge, but the free ones come with valuable functionalities.
So, how can you choose the right tool to conduct exploratory testing for your software application?
The seven most popular exploratory testing tools
In this detailed post, we’ll tell you about seven exploratory testing tools that top testing gurus swear by.
So, if you’re looking for tools that can:
● Plan and execute tests.
● Analyze and report testing results.
● Manage & invite testers.
● Define user stories.
● Document and record learnings.
We’ve got your back!
Let’s start:
- Spira test
Spira test, from the house of Inflectra, is an exploratory testing software that manages your tasks and bugs swiftly and efficiently, so you can get back to developing. It is a reliable testing tool that adapts to your methodology, workflow, and your reporting needs.
Spira test is a paid tool. You have the option to start off with a free trial to gauge if it works for you.
Its robust features include:
- Intuitive dashboards that help you track & manage your projects.
- Integrations with 30+ tools.
- Easy bug tracking and processing.
- Fast & adaptable manual testing.
- Rich test management tools.
2. Qualiview
Qualiview is an offering by software testing giant -Qualitest. The proprietary software development and quality engineering analytics system was built to aggregate and visualize quality and test data.
This test data can be for both software programs and new releases & builds. Qualiview uses interactive web-based dashboards and reports, to present the exploratory testing information.
With the completely customizable Qualiview, companies can get access to real-time reporting across major platforms & toolsets and gain valuable insights.
Features of Qualiview:
a. Single source of truth
b. Real-time reporting
c. Holistic view
d. Customizable by team
e. Increased visibility
f. Plug and play
Qualiview is available as a part of Qualitest’s comprehensive testing services.
3. TestComplete
SmartBear is a known name in the software testing industry. One of their newest offerings is their exploratory testing tool, TestComplete. It eases the process of testing your application’s performance and functionalities across various mobile and PC devices, operating systems, and different browsers.
TestComplete can test your software application on 1500+ browsers and mobile devices, giving accurate test results that are impossible to reach in emulated conditions.
Therefore, it allows you to test for bugs that a potential customer has a chance of encountering.
Features of the tool include:
- Saving time taken to test.
- Encountering more bugs.
- Speeding up test automation.
- Visual testing.
As far as the pricing structure goes, they are clear and upfront. SmartBear has an affordable monthly plan for manual testers looking for remote browsers to interact, test, and debug. Also, there is a comprehensive plan for unlimited testing on parallel devices & browsers.
4. Practitest
Practitest is a comprehensive testing tool that lets you plan, manage, control, track, report, and share your testing results. It helps you monitor your entire testing process to oversee the test execution in real-time.
Features of the application include:
- Intelligent and easy data structuring.
- Real-time issue status management.
- Advanced reporting.
- Customizable dashboards.
- Defined goals (Requirement management).
- Deeper testing insights.
It is a paid tool that allows you the flexibility of paying as you grow. There is also a free trial for first-time users.
5. Xray exploratory App
The best part about the Xray exploratory testing app is that it allows you to capture, record, and edit the defects in your software. Furthermore, you can share this recorded evidence with your team as feedback. It seamlessly integrates with Jira.
Using Xray exploratory testing app, you can link your test case to a user story/requirement and therefore get high visibility into the test’s coverage.
Features of this app include:
- Utilize time tracking with the test charter option.
- Annotate, take notes, record videos, and screenshot the defects.
- Test web & desktop apps and smartphone applications
- Use as a desktop app or integrate with Jira.
- Export testing sessions to PDF
Xray exploratory testing app is a full-fledged professional tool and therefore its price reflects the same.
6. TestBench
TestBench is a smart test management tool that allows you to do much more than run-of-the-mill exploratory testing. Using TestBench, you can also perform structured testing, checklist-based testing, and automated testing. You can also mix and combine all of these approaches.
With TestBench, your teammates can collaborate extensively throughout the entire testing process. It is power-packed with features such as:
- Smart collaboration
- Consistent documentation
- Efficient coordination
- Multipurpose tool
TestBench offers three pricing plans. Teams can either benefit from their free plan or opt for the complete professional plan. The unlimited professional+ package cost varies depending on the tailored needs of the client.
7. Azure test plans
Azure test plans consist of manual and exploratory testing toolkits designed as a solution to improve your software application’s code quality. With Azure test plans, you can create and execute tests at the same time. It helps you maximize the quality of your software by using exploratory test sessions.
Features of Azure test plans include:
- Capture rich data.
- Test across web and desktop.
- Get end-to-end traceability.
Azure test plans give you the option to start with the basic plan, which is five users for free. Additional users can be added at a cost. A more comprehensive test plan will be pricier than the basic plans.
Bonus FREE Tool: Bug Magnet
It helps you automate the exploratory testing processes like data validation input scenarios that are generally known to cause issues in an application. The helpful options in Bug Magnet allow you to test for different types of data, like characters in other languages and numbers in various formats. Bug Magnet also tests the security issues in your application.
It also checks for the compatibility of your applications with different sizes of data. For a general testing of app correctness and reliability, it is an excellent tool to use. Also, it is open source and completely free to use.
Conclusion
One of the most common issues that you can face with exploratory testing is learning to use the tool. When you have two or more tools on your hand, knowing which is the right one for your exploratory testing needs can be challenging. Not just that, you may face a few hurdles when documenting actual test results or reporting them in an industry-standard format.
Therefore, you must rely on experienced software testers and subject matter experts equipped with the proper knowledge to tackle your testing requirements and take care of your testing needs. A software quality assurance services company such as Qualitest can help you ease into the deeper aspects of exploratory testing.
