Top 10 Desktop Testing Tools

10 min readAug 8, 2024

Desktop applications are designed to be installed directly on personal systems. Unlike web applications desktop applications are installed on client machines, and performance will be considerably better and faster.

Desktop applications provide many benefits such as operating system native features, offline processing, handling complex tasks, access to hardware-related functionalities, etc.

Testing such desktop applications is possible only through specialized tools. Many modern test automation tools don’t support desktop automation, as modern applications are majorly focused on web architecture.

In this article, we have listed popular desktop test automation tools and their features in detail that help to make the right decision.

Examples of Desktop Applications

There are many desktop applications that you are using in your day-to-day work, unknowingly. Below are a few examples of desktop applications:

Productivity applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Cloud, Photoshop, Outlook for Email, Screen capture tools, etc.
Development tools such as Visual Studio Code, Eclipse IDE, and IntelliJ. Popular Notepad++ and Notepad are a desktop application.
Multiple applications such as VLC media player, Windows media player, Final Cut Pro DaVinci Resolve, and iTunes.
Utility software like clean-up utilities, WinRAR, WinZip, Tune-up utilities, TeamViewer, Antivirus software, etc.
The browsers that you use to access the web application are Desktop applications.
Communication Tools such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom Client

Best Desktop Testing Tools

Testing desktop applications is not as easy as web applications. Desktop applications can have many more features than web applications as it has access to operating system processes, system hardware, etc. Only a specialized testing tool can handle all possible scenarios of desktop testing.

Below is the list of popular test automation tools for testing the desktop application. (Note that these tools are not ranked and ordered randomly)

Testsigma

Testsigma is an AI-powered test automation tool. It is built with modern and legacy applications in mind. It supports both web and desktop application automation. It has intelligent automation capability with no-code testing.

Testsigma uses the UFT tool for element creation, special NLPs for test creation, and executing tests in Testsigma local agent. For desktop automation, it supports almost all types of Windows applications.

Features of Testsigma

Testsigma is all in one testing tool that supports desktop, web, and mobile automation testing.
Testsigma Desktop automation can be performed without having any coding knowledge.
It can be integrated with CI/CD tools to streamline the process
AI capability increases the efficiency of test automation and decreases the maintenance
It supports advanced debugging features with more useful information. That helps to fix any issues instantly
Customizable reports and dashboards provide instant reports after test execution without any additional configurations.
Testsigma provides the capability to perform visual testing without any additional configuration. Visual testing can be part of functional testing.
It is known for exceptional customer support
It comes with budget-friendly pricing structure

Robot Framework

Robot Framework is an open-source framework, built with Python and other open-source libraries. It is a highly customizable framework and can be used for both web and desktop application testing. As it is highly customizable and extensible, the framework can be extended to perform mobile automation

Features of Robot Framework

It supports a keyword-driven framework, so users do not need to worry about internal implementations.
Compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux Operating Systems
It can be integrated with an external development environment like Eclipse. Users can also choose to use the Robot Framework IDE. It can even be used with any text-based editors.
Autocomplete and syntax highlighting are noteworthy features
It integrates many modern automation testing frameworks such as Selenium, Appium, UI Path, etc.
It is highly extensible and customizable.
It can support multiple testing types such as acceptance testing, robotic process automation, etc.
It generates a detailed HTML report after test execution
It has good community support and also has extensive documentation

TestComplete

TestComplete is the most popular desktop automation tool by SmartBear. It comes with Rich IDE with an inbuilt Windows object inspector. It supports Windows application automation. It provides the capability to automate the application built with .NET, WPF, Visual C++, Visual Basic, Delphi, C++Builder, Java, web applications, and mobile.

Features of TestComplete

Supports Windows desktop application automation seamlessly across technologies such as NET, WPF, Visual C++, Visual Basic, Delphi, C++Builder, etc.
It supports advanced object recognition techniques, which makes automation development faster.
Record and Playback is another notable feature of TestComplete
It can be integrated with modern version control systems
Tests created using TestComplete can be integrated with CI/CD pipelines
It supports Data Driven Testing and Visual Testing
TestComplete can be used for Web application Testing and Mobile Testing
Reports and Dashboards are inbuilt

Katalon

Katalon is a modern test automation tool that supports a variety of application automation such as desktop, web application, and mobile test automation. It can also be used for API testing. Katalon is available as a free version and a premium version however free version features are limited. It supports desktop application testing using WinApp Driver.

Features of Katalon

Supports Desktop, Mobile, and Web applications under one suite
It provides the capability of no-code, low-code, and high-code
Additional customization is offered with scripting or programming.
It supports cross-browser testing for web applications
Many third-party applications are supported for integration
CI/CD tools can be easily integrated with the Katalon Testing tool
It has integrated test management which provides the capability to manage the test cases, test suites, and test plans.
Provides customizable reports and dashboards
Data-driven testing, recording and playback, version control integration, support for multiple languages, and a user-friendly interface are a few notable features of Katalon.

WinApp Driver

WinApp Driver is an open-source test automation tool for desktop applications backed by Microsoft Corporation. It supports many types of Windows applications such as Universal Windows Platform (UWP), Windows Forms (WinForms), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), and Classic Windows (Win32) apps on Windows 10 PCs.

Features of WinApp Driver

Open source and backed by Microsoft Corporation
Supports a comprehensive list of Windows applications using the WebDriver-compatible API
Offers efficient debugging capabilities
Offers integration with popular test automation framework which uses the WebDriver APIs
Provides record and playback capability of UI interactions. This can help create basic scenarios.
It can handle complex and custom controls in Windows desktop applications, including dialogs, grids, and tree views.
The screenshot can be captured during the test execution

Ranorex

Ranorex is a popular enterprise desktop application testing tool developed by Ranorex GmBH. It is capable of automating desktop, web, and mobile applications. Provides a user-friendly interface and powerful automation capabilities. It can automate Windows applications of different technologies such as Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows Forms (WinForms), etc.

Features of Ranorex

It supports native Windows applications built with different technologies such as WinForms, WPF, and Delphi.
Provides visual identification of UI elements for complex and dynamic user interfaces
Supports scriptless automation features with drag-and-drop support
Provides the capability to construct the framework with a data-driven and parameterized approach
It has an integrated test management feature
It can be integrated with modern CI/CD tools and helps to streamline the testing process.
Record and playback, robust debugging, and support for various testing types are a few notable features of Ranorex.

SikuliX

Sikuli is an open-source project that supports native desktop application automation on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. It utilizes Visual Recognition and Screenshot-Based Actions to automate the native applications. It supports Python, JavaScript, and Ruby scripting languages. It can automate any repetitive task such as daily usage of applications or web pages, playing games, administration of IT systems and networks, etc.

Features of SikuliX

Open source and free to use
Follows unique architecture with an image recognition engine to identify and execute the actions
It is a Java-based application that supports many major operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS
Supports JavaScript, Python, and Ruby Programming languages
It can automate daily repetitive tasks
Users can create automation scripts by visually defining workflows, capturing screenshots, and specifying interaction patterns, this helps to eliminate complex coding.

Tricentis Tosca

Tricentis Tosca is an enterprise testing tool for automating desktop, web, and mobile applications. It supports a wide range of desktop applications, including .Net, Java, WPF, and Windows 10. It follows a distinct model-based testing methodology, that makes test automation easier and faster. In recent days Tosca also made considerable progress in adopting AI technologies into its platform.

Features of Tosca

Provides effortless test automation creation with no-code model-based methodology
Intelligent test design and prioritization of requirements.
Provides many API technologies automation with API scanning
Supports parallel test execution
Easy to integrate with popular tools like Jenkins, Jira, and Azure
It incorporated powerful technologies like image-based and attribute-based object identification, to interact with UI elements
It also has integration with the test data management framework
It provides detailed reports after test execution

UFT One

Unified Functional Testing (UFT) is a popular desktop application automation software. It is part of the OpenText company. It supports many types of application test automation such as mobile, web, and desktop. It primarily focuses on functional and regression testing. It is known for its wide range of technology support, scripting capabilities, and integration with many third-party tools.

Features of Microfocus UFT

Supports testing across multiple platforms
Intelligent object recognition technique enhances the object identification and manipulation of UI elements.
Supports a variety of protocols
It can be integrated seamlessly with the MicroFocus ALM test management tool to streamline the testing process.
Supports record and playback which makes test automation easier for beginners
Offers object repository feature to manage and store the UI objects in a centralized place and use it across the tests.
Supports integration into many CI/CD tools
Supports both keyword-driven and data-driven testing
Supports business process testing with a scriptless approach

Eggplant

Eggplant Functional is an enterprise GUI test automation software that supports the automation of desktop, mobile, and web application testing. It supports Windows, Ubuntu, RedHat, and MacOS Operating systems. It is popular with its image-based approach.

Features of Eggplant Functional

Different test design methods such as recording, manual mode, and assisted scripting.
Provides unique English-like language scripting
Can be connected seamlessly with the Eggplant ecosystem with advanced capabilities and customized as per requirements
Supports many popular CI/CD integration tools
Encourages reusing components and decreases the maintenance
Provides detailed reports and analytics capability
Supports for both modern and legacy application automation

Conclusion

Desktop test automation is challenging as it can include many complex scenarios. Functionality can include interacting with hardware devices, operating system tasks, etc which are difficult to test.

Unlike web applications, desktop applications are deployed on client machines, hence there can be many possible scenarios based on the system configurations, operating systems, etc.

Desktop test automation testing can be performed only with specialized tools such as Testsigma. Commonly, organizations may support both desktop and web applications. Maintaining two different tools for different technologies is difficult and may not be budget-friendly. Testsigma helps to overcome such challenges by integrating web, mobile, and desktop application automation features into a single tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is desktop automation testing?

Desktop automation testing is a process of automating the desktop application specifically designed to run on desktop platforms such as macOS, Linux, Windows, etc. Desktop application testing is complicated as compared to web applications. Specialized tools like Testsigma can help to automate faster even if you do not have coding knowledge.

Can Selenium test desktop applications?

Selenium is a popular open-source library for web application automation, it cannot be used for desktop application testing.

Desktop process automation and desktop application test automation are the same?

Desktop process automation focuses more on automating workflows which can include repetitive tasks such as reading the PDF files from folders, deleting duplicate files, etc whereas desktop application test automation focuses more on validating the functionality of the desktop application.

Which automation testing tool is in demand as of now?

Selenium holds the major market share when it comes to test automation, However, the trend is changing gradually because of Selenium’s limitations. Many organizations are moving towards no-code automation tools like Testsigma to minimize costs and maximize returns.