Manual Testing VS Automation Testing | Key Differences
Key Takeaways:
- Impact of Testing Methods: The choice between manual and automation testing can significantly affect the outcomes of your testing strategies.
- Comparison Focus: The blog will provide a detailed comparison of manual testing and automation testing.
- Coverage: It covers users, advantages, disadvantages, and other relevant factors for each testing method.
- Insights: Reading the blog will offer valuable insights to help determine the most suitable testing approach for your business.
Testing has always been a crucial part of web and software development. Think of it like a safety net that catches all the bugs before they hit your users. However, testing is an umbrella term consisting of different testing methods and approaches.
To be precise, this guide will compare manual testing vs automated testing, and look at cases where they can be the most useful. In addition, it will also take a dive into the pros and cons of the two. By the end, you’ll know which testing approach fits your business best.
This way, you can pick the right one based on what’s practical and best meets your requirements. Ready for the ultimate showdown between manual testing vs automated testing? Then make sure to stick with us till the end.
What is manual and automation testing?
Before you enter the long debate of manual testing vs automation testing you need to get your basics right. And while you already have plenty of knowledge regarding both, there is no harm in refreshing your memory. Let’s start with manual testing first:
What is manual testing?
Manual testing refers to the type of testing where testers do not take the help of any tools to perform the testing. This type of testing can be quite tedious and time-consuming because it is done by humans. This makes the case very strong for automation testing services when comparing manual testing vs automation testing.
Here is a simple breakdown of how manual testing works:
- Manual testing is usually conducted to uncover bugs in the software application.
- The tester will manually check all the essential features of your application.
- They will execute tests, test cases and generate reports without requiring any help from automation tools.
To properly compare manual testing vs automation testing, you should also be aware of how automation tests work.
What is automation testing?
In automation testing, the testers will take the help of tools to perform testing on your developed software. Automation tends to be faster and more efficient than manual testing because it is done with the help of the tool.
Here is a simple breakdown of automation testing:
- Automation testing relies entirely on pre-scripted tests, which run automatically to compare the actual results with expected results.
- It helps the testers determine if your application is performing the way it's intended to.
- Automation testing allows the execution of repetitive tasks and regression tests.
- Manual efforts are required to create the initial testing scripts.
At this point, the scale may seem to be tipping on the side of automation testing. However, your opinion may change after looking at the next section. So to find out which is better, manual testing vs automation testing keep reading the section below.
When should you perform automated testing vs manual testing?
When you compare manual to automation testing, there are many things you need to consider before you come to a decision. Therefore let’s start with the very basics and learn when we should conduct each of these tests:
When to perform manual testing?
Manual testing can be used for a lot of purposes. It works quite well for testing the functionalities, UI, website behavior, app behaviors, user acceptance, and UI of your software. Here are some cases when using manual testing is the best choice:
- Test complex UI or explore edge Cases: When it comes to scenarios that require human intuition and judgment, between manual testing vs automation testing, the former wins. This is because manual testing provides more flexible exploration and discovery of unexpected issues.
- Usability testing: Manual testers can provide valuable insights into your software's user experience, navigation, and intuitiveness. This is very difficult to capture with automation testing.
- Short-term projects: While automation testing may be time-saving, setting up and maintaining them can take a significant amount of time. Additionally, it might not be cost-effective for short-term projects. Therefore, while comparing manual testing vs automation testing for short projects go with the former.
When to perform automation testing?
Automation testing can be quite useful if used properly and for the right purpose. Here are a few scenarios where automation testing is a better choice:
- Running repetitive tasks: Automation testing is much faster in comparison to manual testing when it comes to testing for repetitive tasks.
- Large volume of tests: It's impossible to run thousands of tests simultaneously with manual testing. However, automation testing makes it possible. It allows you to create and run thousands of tests, achieving wider test convergence faster. So in case you need to handle a large volume of tests, don’t think of manual testing vs automation testing and just go with the latter.
- Consistency and accuracy: Automated tests reduce the need for human intervention, thus ensuring consistent and accurate results every time.
- Limited resources: Automation testing can free up your testers to focus on more crucial tasks where human judgement is required. This is because you can run automated tests even with limited resources.
- Faster feedback: Since automation tests are faster, it's obvious they will be able to provide quicker feedback.
Overall, when making a choice of manual testing vs automation testing, your testing requirements, needs, and goals matter a lot. Moving on the next section will focus on the various benefits of the two testing methodologies.
What are the pros and cons of manual testing vs automation testing?
To decide on manual testing vs automation testing you must look at the pros and cons of both methods.
Advantages of manual testing
- Independent of technology: Manual testers don’t need to be familiar with testing software. This makes manual testing a better option for testers with less programming knowledge and helpful in conducting black-box testing.
- Cost-effective: Manual QA testing solutions are a better choice for companies with a smaller budget or low volume of test cases. This is because they cost less than automated testing.
- Adaptable: Manual testing does not require excessive preparation. In fact, testers can be spontaneous and adjust their approach as they discover new issues. So if you compare manual testing vs automation testing in terms of flexibility, the former will win.
- Intuitive: Manual testers put themselves in the shoes of your users. Therefore manual testing is very suitable when checking your software for usability and accessibility.
Disadvantage of manual testing
- Slow and tedious: Manual testing can be very slow and time-consuming. This is because it heavily depends on human effort. Consequently, a manual tester won’t be able to process large amounts of data like automation testing.
- Prone to human error: Since manual testing depends heavily on human efforts they are more prone to errors. Therefore, the latter is a better contender when you compare manual testing vs automation testing for errors.
- Resource heavy: Hiring and training manual testers can be quite expensive. Moreover, depending on your industry, you may even need a professional with specialized expertise. Unfortunately retaining high-quality testers in a competitive QA market can be very difficult.
- Inconsistent: When you only rely on human testers, it's natural there will be inconsistencies in the results. So if you are comparing automated testing vs manual testing in terms of consistency, manual testing will lose.
- Lower test coverage: When you have a large number of test cases at hand manual testing won’t be able to help you much. Not only will it slow down the testing, but it will also demand more effort from your testers.
Advantages of automated testing
- Increase test coverage: Automated testing is better equipped to handle large volumes of test cases.
- Quick and efficient: With the help of automated tools tests will have faster execution time. Moreover, you will be able to free up a lot of time to focus on other important tasks.
- Reliable: When you compare manual testing vs automated testing for reliability, automated tests are hands down the winner.
- Reusable: Automated testing supports repetitive testing, which can help you optimize multi-component tests like integration testing.
Disadvantages of automated testing
- Less intuitive: Human intervention is lost in automated testing. Therefore they don’t work well with non-functional test scenarios.
- Less flexible: Automated tests are bound by a script, thus they don’t have the ability to think outside the box. So, if your test doesn’t account for every use case and input, you might end up with incomplete results. If flexibility in testing is what you are seeking, then in manual testing vs automated testing, you know which to choose.
- Expensive: Automating test frameworks and tools can be costly. Further, you will have to pay for software and tester training.
Now that we have looked at the pros and cons of manual testing, you may have a good idea of which is a better option. Moving on the next section will compare manual testing vs automation testing side by side to provide you with more clarity.
Manual testing to automation testing: Which is better?
Both methods have their uses and when utilized correctly can bring great results for your business. Therefore, there is a side-by-side comparison of manual testing vs automated testing:
| Criteria | Manual testing | Automated testing |
| Speed | Manual testing is comparatively slower. | Automated testing is faster. |
| Flexible testing | Manual testing processes are very flexible. | These types of tests only follow the script. |
| Reliability | Due to the high chances of human error, these tests are less accurate and reliable. | Automated tests on the other hand are performed by the tools and scripts therefore more reliable. |
| Cost | Manual tests are cost-effective and are better suited for smaller-scale tests. | Automated tests can be expensive, however, their efficiency in processing large test cases makes them worth it. |
| Set up | Manual testing needs a straightforward test execution setup | On the other hand, automated tests require a less complex test execution setup. |
| Reaching Deadline | Manual tests have a higher chance of missing the deadline. | Meanwhile, reaching a deadline is never a problem with automated tests. |
Conclusion
Testing ensures your product is market-ready, therefore it is not right to confine your testing methods to one single approach. In fact, many businesses use a combination of the two, to make the best of both worlds.
Manual testing is more intuitive and cost-effective while automated testing is faster, more reliable, and more accurate. So in the end, manual testing vs automated testing both are the winners.