Top Tools Used for Manual Software Testing in 2023

Manual software testing is all about checking software by hand to make sure it works as expected. Instead of using automated tools, testers act like real users and run tests to find bugs and issues. This helps make sure the software meets the needs it was built for. With many tools available, choosing the right ones can be tricky. Here, we’ll look at some of the top tools used for manual software testing in 2023.

Key Takeaways

• Manual software testing involves testers manually running tests to find bugs.
• Marker.io is great for web development agencies and software testing teams.
• LoadRunner helps in performance testing by simulating many users at once.
• Citrus is useful for testing integration and messaging systems.
• ZAP is a popular tool for security testing of web applications.

Marker.io

Marker.io is a user-friendly manual testing tool designed for web development agencies and software testing teams. It operates as a small widget on a live website or staging environment, integrating smoothly with your favorite project management tools. With just one click, testers and users can provide visual feedback that includes all the data needed to fix bugs or make other changes to a website or app.

One of the standout features of Marker.io is session replay, which allows you to watch the last 30 seconds before feedback was submitted. This makes it easier to understand the context of the feedback and address issues more effectively.

Key Features

• Visual Feedback: Testers and clients can provide feedback and data-rich bug reports with automatic screenshots. Users can annotate these screenshots with arrows, emojis, and other visual aids.
• Easy Setup: Embed a few lines of code on your website to start collecting feedback. There is also a no-code WordPress plugin and a browser extension available.
• Seamless Integration: Marker.io integrates with dozens of project management tools, including Jira, GitHub, Trello, ClickUp, and Notion.
• Session Replay: Watch the last 30 seconds before feedback was submitted to better understand the context.

Who is it for?

Marker.io is perfect for agencies and software development teams who need to collect client and internal feedback during development or user feedback on live websites.

Ease of Use

Setting up Marker.io is straightforward. Simply embed a few lines of code on your website, and you can start collecting client feedback with screenshots, annotations, and advanced technical meta-data. For those using WordPress, a no-code plugin is available, and there is also a browser extension.

Performance

Marker.io is designed to be lightweight and will not slow down your website. This ensures that you can collect feedback without compromising your site’s performance.

In summary, Marker.io is an excellent tool for gathering visual feedback and data-rich bug reports, making it easier to fix issues and improve your website or app. It integrates seamlessly with various project management tools, making it a valuable addition to any development team’s toolkit.

LoadRunner

LoadRunner is a popular tool for performance testing under various load conditions. It helps identify performance issues by simulating different user scenarios. Here are some key features of LoadRunner:

• Load Testing: Simulates a large number of users accessing your application simultaneously.
• Stress Testing: Gradually increases the number of users to find the breaking point of your application.
• Endurance Testing: Tests the application under a sustained load over a longer period.
• Analysis and Reporting: Provides detailed reports and analysis for all testing methods.

LoadRunner is compatible with many development tools, technologies, and protocol stacks. It also helps reduce the cost of distributed load testing and offers tools for tracking deployments. Pricing starts at $39 per month.

Citrus

Citrus is a popular tool for integration testing. It is built using Java and is widely used to send and receive server-side and client-side requests, as well as to verify XML and JSON files. Citrus supports various protocols like HTTP, JMS, and SOAP, making it ideal for end-to-end use case testing.

Features

• Emulates all surrounding interface partners independently of their transport protocols (HTTP, JMS, TCP/IP, SOAP, and more).
• Can be integrated into a continuous integration environment, ensuring consistent software quality.

ZAP

ZAP, short for Zed Attack Proxy, is a free and open-source web application security scanner. Developed in Java, it is part of the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). ZAP is widely used for dynamic application security testing (DAST) on web applications.

Key Features

• Compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and OS X.
• Plugin-based architecture.
• Online marketplace for new and updated features.
• Simple-to-use GUI control panel.

For those looking to automate ZAP, you can discover how to automate OWASP ZAP through a command line and set it up with the ZAP desktop app. This makes it easier to explore your app and create plans with ZAP automations.

NUnit

NUnit is a popular unit testing framework, especially for .NET applications. It is an open-source tool inspired by the JUnit framework. Written entirely in C#, NUnit is suitable for a wide range of users.

Key Features

• Supports data-driven tests.
• Compatible with multiple platforms like .NET Core, Xamarin, and Silverlight.
• Allows running multiple tests simultaneously.
• Tests are executed using a console runner.

JIRA

JIRA is a project management tool that helps QA Engineers and development teams track and manage both tasks and issues throughout the software development lifecycle. Its flexible nature allows for the creation of customized workflows, facilitating efficient bug tracking, test case management, and overall project visibility.

With JIRA, you can:

• Manage development workflows with agile boards.
• Keep your team on the same page with a detailed, task-oriented roadmap.
• Implement feedback during manual testing (although you might need a tool such as Marker—which integrates seamlessly with JIRA—to do that).

Want to learn more on how to use JIRA for your testing projects? Check out our JIRA bug tracking tutorial!

Pricing: Free for up to 10 users, or $7.75 per user/month (10+ users minimum).

SonarQube

SonarQube is a powerful tool for manual software testing that helps maintain code quality and security. It is written entirely in Java and supports various continuous integration technologies like Ant, Maven, Gradle, and MSBuild. This makes it highly adaptable and efficient for automated reviews and integrations.

SonarQube supports a wide range of programming languages, including C, C++, Python, Java, HTML, CSS, VB.NET, PHP, COBOL, and PL/SQL. It is available for free under the GNU Lesser General Public License, making it accessible for many users.

One of the standout features of SonarQube is its ability to integrate with major third-party applications such as GitHub, Active Directory, and LDAP. Additionally, the SonarLint plug-ins allow it to work seamlessly with development environments like Visual Studio, Eclipse, and IntelliJ IDEA.

For those looking to get the latest LTS and version of SonarQube, you can download it from the official download page. This ensures you have the leading product for code quality and security.

JMeter

JMeter is a free, open-source tool designed for testing the performance of both static and dynamic resources, as well as web applications. It is built entirely in Java, making it versatile and compatible with various operating systems like Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Key Features

• Platform-agnostic, supporting JVMs from multiple platforms.
• User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
• Versatile in loading performance tests on different servers.

Uses

1. Performance Testing: Simulate heavy loads on servers to measure response times and assess scalability and stability.
2. Functional Testing: Simulate user interactions like form submissions, clicks, and scrolls.
3. Regression Testing: Create and execute test plans for various scenarios.
4. API Testing: Test API and REST-based web services and verify responses.

JMeter is a powerful tool that helps QA engineers ensure that applications can handle real-world usage conditions effectively.

Bugzilla

Bugzilla is a powerful open-source tool for tracking bugs. It is widely used by many companies to keep an eye on various issues in their applications. One of its standout features is its ability to track every line of code associated with each bug. This makes it easier for developers to find and fix problems.

Some of the key features of Bugzilla include:

• Customized workflows
• Advanced search and filtering options
• User-controlled email alerts
• Various formats for bug listings, such as iCalendar and CSV

Bugzilla also supports collaboration, allowing teams to work together to make changes to a website or app during manual testing. Best of all, it’s free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone.

Mantis

Mantis is a manual testing tool used for tracking down bugs or faults in software. It’s an open-source issue tracker that combines simplicity and power. Users can start using it in minutes and customize it to their needs. Mantis works on many operating systems, like Windows, iOS, and Android. It also has plugins to extend its features.

Key Features

• Email Notifications: Mantis can send emails to stakeholders with updates, comments, and resolutions.
• Access Control: Users can be given different access levels based on their roles in a project.
• Customization: Fields, issues, and workflows can be tailored to fit specific needs.

Pricing

Mantis is free and open-source, making it a cost-effective choice for teams of all sizes.

Conclusion

In 2023, manual software testing remains a vital part of the software development process. The tools we’ve discussed are essential for ensuring that applications meet user expectations and function correctly. Each tool has its unique strengths, making it suitable for different testing scenarios. By choosing the right tools, testers can efficiently identify bugs and improve the overall quality of the software. We hope this guide helps you find the best manual testing tools for your needs, making your testing process smoother and more effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is manual software testing?

Manual software testing is when testers manually run test cases without using automated tools. They check if the application meets the requirements.

Why is manual testing important?

Manual testing helps find bugs and defects that automated tests might miss. It ensures the software works as expected from a user’s perspective.

What is Marker.io used for?

Marker.io is a tool for web development agencies and testing teams. It helps capture feedback and send it directly to project management software.

How does LoadRunner help in testing?

LoadRunner is used to test the performance of applications. It simulates multiple users to see how the application behaves under load.

What is JIRA?

JIRA is a tool used for bug tracking, issue tracking, and project management. It’s widely used by development teams to manage their work.

Why choose manual testing tools?

Manual testing tools help testers write test plans, track bugs, and collect feedback. They are essential for finding defects and ensuring software quality.