What is the Difference Between Manual and Automation Testing?
The primary difference between manual and automation testing is that in manual testing, a human tester executes the test cases. Meanwhile, in automation testing, automation tools are used to execute the test cases. Manual testing is slow and prone to human errors, whereas automation testing is fast, accurate and less error-prone.
In this article, we are going to find out the difference between manual and automation testing.
Table of Contents
- Tabular Difference Between Manual and Automation Testing
- What is Manual Testing?
- Pros and Cons of Manual Testing
- What is Automation Testing?
- Pros and Cons of Automation Testing
- Key Differences Between Manual and Automation Testing
Tabular Difference Between Manual and Automation Testing
| Benchmark | Manual Testing | Automated Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Execution | Conducted by human testers | Executed by tools and scripts |
| Time Efficiency | Time-consuming, slower | Faster, saves time |
| Accuracy | Prone to human error | More accurate, less error-prone |
| Investment & ROI | Lower initial cost, lower ROI | Higher initial cost, better long-term ROI |
| Exploratory Testing | Possible and adaptable | Limited, lacks randomness |
| Programming Knowledge | Not required | Essential |
| Test Case Reusability | Tests cannot be reused easily | High reusability of test scripts |
| UI Flexibility | Adapts easily to UI changes | Requires script updates for UI changes |
| Cost Efficiency | Less cost-effective for high volume | More cost-effective for large scale |
| User Experience | Allows human observation and judgment | Lacks human insights |
| Performance Testing | Not feasible | Essential, particularly for load/stress tests |
| Parallel Execution | Possible but costly in human resources | Easily executed on multiple platforms |
| Framework Utilization | No specific frameworks used | Employs frameworks like Data Driven, Keyword |
| Documentation Value | Limited training value | High training value, especially for unit tests |
| Suitability | Ideal for exploratory, ad-hoc testing | Best for regression, performance testing |
Best-suited Quality Assurance & Testing courses for you
Learn Quality Assurance & Testing with these high-rated online courses
What is Manual Testing?
Manual testing is a process where testers ( QA Analysts) manually conduct tests on software applications under development.
This approach involves executing test cases and generating test reports without the help of any automation software testing tools. Testers play a crucial role, as they provide the human perspective, ensuring the software's functionality aligns with the end user's experience.
There are various types of manual testing; some of the most prominent ones are:
- Black Box Testing
- White Box Testing
- Grey Box Testing
- Acceptance Testing
- Integration Testing
Explore the Manual Testing in Software Engineering article to learn more about manual testing.
Pros and Cons of Manual Testing
Pros of Manual Testing
- Flexibility: Adapts easily to changes and new insights during testing.
- Human Insight: Detects visual and user experience issues better.
- Lower Initial Cost: Requires minimal investment in tools.
- No Need for Programming Knowledge: More accessible for non-technical testers.
- Effective for Short Lifecycle Projects: Quick to start and execute for small projects.
Cons of Manual Testing
- Time-Consuming: Slower compared to automated methods.
- Prone to Human Error: Increased risk of mistakes during repetitive tasks.
- Not Suitable for Large-Scale Testing: It becomes inefficient for extensive projects.
- Limited Reusability: Test cases are not reusable for future projects.
- Inconsistent Results: Outcomes may vary based on the tester's skill and focus.
What is Automation Testing?
Automation testing (Test Automation) is a method where software tools execute pre-designed test scripts to compare actual outcomes with expected results.
Testers use automation tools like UiPath, Jenkins, etc., to execute pre-written test scripts and compare actual outcomes with expected results. This approach significantly boosts efficiency, repeatability, and speed in the testing process. It also reduces human involvement, lessening the risk of error and allowing for more extensive and complex testing scenarios.
There are various types of automation testing, such as:
- Functional Testing
- Non-functional Testing
- Keyword-driven Testing
- Data-driven Testing
- Regression Testing
Explore the Automation Testing: With Real-Life Examples article to learn more about automation testing.
Pros and Cons of Automation Testing
Pros of Automation Testing
- Time Efficiency: Faster execution, especially for repetitive tests.
- High Accuracy: Reduces the chances of human error.
- Reusability of Test Scripts: Scripts can be used multiple times.
- Suitable for Large-Scale Testing: It is efficient for extensive and complex projects.
- Supports Various Testing Types: Ideal for load, performance, and stress testing.
Cons of Automation Testing
- Higher Initial Cost: Requires investment in tools and resources.
- Requires Technical Expertise: Needs programming knowledge for script writing.
- Less Effective for UI Testing: This testing may not detect visual issues effectively.
- Maintenance of Test Scripts: Scripts need regular updates.
- Limited Flexibility: Less adaptable to quick or unexpected changes.
Key Differences Between Manual and Automation Testing
Here are some of the key differences between manual testing and automation testing:
- Manual testing is performed by QA analysts manually, while Automation testing uses scripts and tools executed by computers.
- Manual testing can be less precise due to human errors, whereas automation testing is more reliable due to its script-based nature.
- Automated testing is notably faster than manual testing.
- Manual testing can be done without programming skills. In contrast, automated testing requires programming knowledge.
- Manual testing supports random, exploratory testing, unlike automated testing, which is more structured and doesn't support random testing.
Conclusion
The main difference between manual and automation testing is that - manual testing is human-driven, slow, and error-prone, while automation testing is tool-driven, fast and accurate.
FAQs
What are the benefits of automation testing?
Following are the benefits of automation testing: 1. Automation testing can run overnight since it does not require human intervention.u00a0 2. This testing method expedites test execution. 3. It provides greater test coverage. 4. It has greater accuracy and efficiency.
Which test cases can be automated?
Following test cases can be automated: 1. High Risk and business-critical test cases 2. Repeatedly executed test cases 3. Manually difficult to perform test cases 4. Time-consuming test casesu00a0
Which test cases cannot be automated?
The following types of test cases are not suitable for getting automated: 1. Newly designed test cases 2. Test cases that have not been executed manually at least once 3. Test Cases with frequently changing requirements 4. Test cases that are executed on an ad-hoc basis
What is the need for manual testing?
It is important to perform manual testing for creating a stable and bug-free application. Manual testing ensures a smooth experience for end-users. Such rounds of testing also ensure that there are no loopholes in the application and thus prevent the application from any outside breach.
How do you perform manual testing?
For effective manual testing, the following steps are followed: 1. The tester goes through all software related documents to select the areas for testing. 2. Tester analyses the requirement documents to understand and work on all client requirements. 3. Test cases are developed by the tester as per the requirement document. 4. All test cases are manually executed manually through the Black box and white box testing. 5. The development team is informed about the bugs found during testing. 6. Development team fixes these bugs and hands the software to the testing team for a retest.
How should you choose an automation tool for yourself?
An effective automation tool should have the following qualities: 1. It should provide support for different types of tests including test management, functional, mobile, etc. 2. It should offer support for multiple testing frameworks. 3. The automation tool should be able to recognize objects in every environment. 4. In the end, it should provide an extensive testing report for an in-depth understanding. 5. The cost of getting trained in using the automation tool should be less.
What are the advantages of manual testing?
Manual testing has the following advantages: 1. Not every manual testing method requires programming knowledge. 2. It is used for testing dynamically changing GUI designs. 3. Testers can interact with software like real users to identify issues with the user interface. 4. It is cost-effective and easy to learn for beginners.
What are the disadvantages of performing manual testing?
While it is an in-depth testing methodology, manual testing has the following disadvantages: 1. It requires human resources. 2. It is very time-consuming. 3. Test cases cannot be used again and separate test cases are required for new software.
Which one is better between manual and automated testing?
Time consumption is one of the key factors behind making the choice for testing methods. Since automation is much faster than manual testing. While the initial investment in manual testing is less in comparison to automation testing but the return on investment in manual investment is also low. The investment in more human resources is required. Overall, automation testing is better to choose.
Anshuman Singh is an accomplished content writer with over three years of experience specializing in cybersecurity, cloud computing, networking, and software testing. Known for his clear, concise, and informative wr... Read Full Bio
Top Picks & New Arrivals
