Testing on the cloud: Selenium VS Testsigma

Most of the applications in recent days are web-based applications. Unlike traditional applications, modern applications require thorough testing with different combinations of browsers, platforms, and screen resolutions. Thus, most of the automation frameworks provide cross-browser testing support.

When the test suite for testing is large, it is difficult to execute all the tests across the various combinations locally. One option is building the execution environment for such types of testing. But this requires setting up infrastructure and also a lot of effort required to maintain it. This can incur a lot of costs for the organization. The easiest solution here is to use a cloud-based environment.

Many cloud execution providers offer ready-made solutions to execute your test suites directly on the cloud without complex configurations. Tools like Testsigma have inbuilt capabilities to execute tests on the cloud. However, if you are using an open-source test automation framework, you may need to configure it to execute on the cloud by choosing one of the cloud providers like BrowserStack, SauceLabs, etc. Let’s understand in detail.

What is cloud testing?

Cloud testing is a software testing approach that uses cloud services to execute the tests. It leverages the virtual environments and infrastructure provided by cloud platforms. Cloud platforms typically provide virtual machines of different combinations that mimic the real user environment. One of the advantages of cloud testing is scalability. Resources are allocated based on demand. This helps in reliable testing and reducing costs.

Benefits of cloud testing?

There are many benefits to using cloud platforms for testing. Key benefits are listed below:

• Reduced complexity: Creating and maintaining an on-prem test execution environment is complex and difficult to manage. Also, managing the resources when there is huge demand is challenging. Cloud platforms eliminate all these challenges by providing readymade execution environments for automation testing.
• Scalability: Cloud environments are easy to scale up and down based on project demand. Hence, you will never face resource shortages.
• Reduced cost: As resources will be allocated and billed based on usage, organizations can intelligently plan their testing activities and billing.
• Wide range of environments: Cloud platforms usually provide a wide range of browsers, operating systems, devices, and configurations. It is easier to use and does not require complex setups.
• Parallel execution: Cloud platforms provide parallel execution capability on various environments, which considerably reduces the test execution time and decreases the feedback time
• Less maintenance: Infrastructure is handled by cloud service providers, and organizations don’t need to worry about managing infrastructures such as operating systems, patches, installing new versions of browsers, security software, etc.

Selenium Cloud Testing

Selenium is an open-source test automation framework; it doesn’t have inbuilt cloud testing capability. However, many cloud testing providers support Selenium integration, such as BrowserStack, SauceLabs, etc. Below is the list of steps required to integrate Selenium on the cloud.

1. Choose the cloud testing providers

Selenium does not offer cloud testing out of the box. So to enable cloud testing in Selenium you need to choose one of the cloud testing providers. There are many cloud testing providers in the market such as BrowserStack, SauceLabs, LamdaTest, etc. Do thorough research and choose the best fit.

2. Subscribe to cloud platforms and get the access keys

All cloud testing platforms are paid, you need to choose the subscription plans and make the payments accordingly to complete the subscription process. Once the subscription is complete the cloud testing platform provides the access keys that can be used for configurations for your project.

3. Configure Selenium Script

You might have to make a few changes in your Selenium script to make your script compatible with cloud testing providers, these changes may include changes in the creation of Selenium drivers, capabilities, etc. Though these changes are minimal you need to understand and go through cloud platform documentation.

4. Integrate with Cloud Testing Provider

The integration depends on the cloud testing providers you choose, most of the cloud testing providers documented detailed steps to configure the Selenium into their platforms. By following the documentation you need to configure your project.

5. Execute tests on the cloud.

Once all the configuration tests are done you can execute the tests on the cloud, reports will be displayed in the cloud testing platform dashboard.

Cons of Selenium Cloud Testing

As mentioned above, Selenium cloud testing is not straightforward, it requires a complex setup. Though Selenium is open source and free, cloud testing requires a good investment such as investing in cloud platforms, upskilling staff, etc. Below are a few cons of Selenium cloud testing.

• Difficulty in setting up

Selenium tests are difficult to set up on the cloud. It is like integrating any third-party tools into Selenium. Additionally, maintaining them is also difficult.

• Steep learning curve

As cloud testing integration involves complex setup and configuration, one needs to go through training and documentation and needs to spend time and effort.

• Requires technical proficiency

Cloud testing integration in Selenium is complex and requires good technical ability. One should have expertise in integration.

• Higher cost

Selenium cloud integration requires a subscription to third-party tools, which is not free. Though by using Selenium you are saving the cost, you may need to spend a lot on third-party subscriptions and upskilling the resources.

• Limited Reporting and Analytics

Reporting and analytics are based on the cloud providers you choose. There may be a lot of limitations with reporting and analytics also customization can be limited.

• Difficulty in debugging

It is always difficult to debug the tests when you execute on a cloud platform. As the information you may get may be limited and you may not be able to reproduce the same on local execution

Testsigma Cloud Testing

Testsigma is a modern test automation tool that offers an AI-driven, cloud-based test design and execution platform with no-code capabilities. Unlike Selenium, Testsigma is very easy to understand and doesn’t require technical knowledge to write the tests and execute them on the cloud.

Testsigma comes with inbuilt cloud testing integration and does not require any additional integration. Users can directly choose the environment they want to execute in.

Executing the Tests on Testsigma requires only two steps

• Create test cases

Create a test case on Testsigma’s no-code platform, using record and Playback or just write the steps in simple English.

• Choose the execution environment and run the tests

You just need to choose the execution environment such as a platform like Windows, Linux, or macOS, and choose the browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari and Execute them

Features of Testsigma Cloud Testing

• Cloud Testing Out of the box: Testsigma offers cloud execution out of the box, with no additional integration required. It offers 3000+ browsers and devices to run your tests instantly without complex configuration. However, Testsigma offers integration with third-party cloud platforms, providing greater flexibility
• No technical knowledge required: As Testsigma is a no-code platform, it focuses on the same for integration and execution as well. Even while executing, you do not need to configure using any coding or complex syntaxes. It provides visual forms to choose the environment.
• No complex setup: It doesn’t require any additional setup or complex configurations. Anyone aware of testing can easily execute the tests on the cloud.
• Easy to debug: Testsigma provides many different ways to debug the tests. It provides meaningful logs, screenshots, and videos, and automatically suggests the guided documents to fix your issues.
• AI-driven test case maintenance: As the tool is integrated with AI, it reduces the maintenance effort by using advanced AI-based technology, which reduces the effort required to maintain the test cases.
• Various environment options to choose from: Testsigma does not compromise on the execution environment; it offers 3000+ browsers and devices to execute your tests. The environment has high uptime and is scalable based on demand.
• Supports parallel execution: Testsigma supports parallel execution on its platform, which significantly reduces the execution time and helps to get feedback almost instantly.

Cloud Testing Selenium vs Testsigma

Testsigma provides a comprehensive test automation solution by integrating all the required capabilities within. Organizations do not need to look for alternative tools for their testing needs. Unlike Selenium, which requires coding expertise and cloud testing integration, Testsigma provides a no-code platform, making it accessible for both technical and non-technical users.

Additionally, Testsigma integrates cloud testing by providing all the cloud testing features without any additional integration of third-party cloud providers. However, as an option, it supports third-party cloud service provider integration. Selenium requires everything to be configured from scratch, and it’s not easy for non-technical users.

Sometimes testers face the challenge of shifting their focus on integrating tools and technologies , Testsigma, here, aids in increasing the productivity of testers, as they do not need to bother about any integration and upskilling activities.

Why Choose Testsigma for Cloud Testing?

As mentioned earlier, Testsigma has greater benefits when it comes to cloud testing.

• Testsigma doesn’t need any local machine to set up the development environment or execution environment.
• It provides everything over the cloud.
• You can access the test artifacts on any machine that has a browser installed.
• Testsigma offers a variety of environments to execute the test cases without demanding technical skills and additional configurations.
• Additionally, Testsigma supports parallel execution, cross-browser testing, data-driven testing, API testing, visual regression testing, and mobile testing all capabilities in a single platform.

All of the above make Testsigma a one-stop solution for catering to all of your testing needs.

Testsigma is the preferred choice for many organizations due to its simplicity and faster adoption.

Conclusion

Cloud testing is crucial for testing modern software applications. Many test automation tools, including Selenium, lack inbuilt cloud execution capability. Though they support cloud testing tool integration, those are not easy.

Cloud integration requires complex setup and technical expertise. Testsigma makes cloud testing easier by providing inbuilt cloud testing capability without demanding additional configuration or complex setup. Its built-in cloud execution, scalability, parallel execution, and advanced AI-driven features for test case maintenance make it an ideal choice for organizations seeking a comprehensive, user-friendly testing solution.