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10 Best Functional Testing Tools

Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
  1. 1. Kobiton — Access and run manual and automated tests across multiple devices in parallel
  2. 2. SmartBear ReadyAPI — The best tool for API centric test suites
  3. 3. Sauce Labs — Write automated tests for multiple devices in the device cloud
  4. 4. testRigor — Streamline your testing process by converting manual tests into automated tests quickly
  5. 5. Watir — Allows for cross-browser testing using OLE protocol
  6. 6. TestComplete — Provides record and replay capabilities allowing for complex test cases to be written and executed
  7. 7. Selenium — The best framework for developers and QA engineers
  8. 8. Leapwork — Allows you to visually review test cases using the graphical flowcharts generated
  9. 9. SoapUI — The Endpoint Explorer feature offers the ability to manage the endpoints of your URL requests
  10. 10. Tricentis Testim — Best for organizing your test cases in one visual editor

Functional testing allows you and your team to fully assess your web and mobile application’s functionality so you can ensure that while your application can pass performance tests, it also works as intended for the end user. 

In this article, I aim to provide you with a variety of robust and expansive functional testing tools to help you and your team decide which tool would be suitable for your needs.

Comparison Criteria

What do I look for when I select the best functional testing tools? Here’s a summary of my evaluation criteria: 

  1. User Interface (UI): I look for a clean and organized user interface that is easy to navigate.
  2. Usability: I look for tools that provide features that allow members of your team at any level of expertise to streamline their processes.
  3. Integrations: I look for useful integrations with programming languages and testing frameworks that allow you to maximize your testing abilities.
  4. Value for Pricing: I look for the most pleasant user experience for the best price.

Functional Testing Tools: Key Features

  1. Parallel Testing: Create and run tests using multiple device and browser combinations at the same time
  2. Scriptless Automation: Allowing users with little to no technical knowledge to execute tests without the requirement of coding
  3. Cross-Browser Testing: Ability to test across a variety of browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Edge
  4. Reporting: Results that are delivered by means of a graph, written report, or otherwise

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Overviews Of The 22 Best Functional Testing Tools

Here’s a brief description of each functional testing tool to showcase each tool’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.

1

Kobiton

Access and run manual and automated tests across multiple devices in parallel

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.2
15 reviews

14-day free trial

From $75/month

Kobiton is a cloud-based mobile app testing platform that allows you to build and execute manual and automated functional, performance, and visual Tests against real Android and iOS devices. You can automate your tests using both the Kobiton AI-driven scriptless solution and AI-assisted script generation.

Kobiton allows for parallel testing, giving you the ability to run concurrent tests easily. Using Selenium Webdriver, you and your development team can run multiple tests in parallel across various browser and device combinations. You can also run a full device lab consisting of local devices, private and public cloud devices.

Kobiton’s scriptless automation empowers mobile test automation without requiring complex Appium scripts. It also allows you to convert manual test sessions into dynamic automated test scripts.

The cost of Kobiton starts at $50/month. The tool also offers a free 14 day trial with no credit card information required upfront.


2

SmartBear ReadyAPI

The best tool for API centric test suites

14 Days Free Trial

$685/year

SmartBear ReadyAPI is a functional testing tool that is specifically designed for testing APIs, and works well with DevOps and agile methodologies. ReadyAPI provides you with API functional testing, API performance testing, API security testing and API Web Virtualization to ensure end-to-end quality for all web services. The tool also supports functional security and load testing of RESTful, SOAP, and GraphQL.

ReadyAPI can be integrated into any environment and has a Smart Assertion feature that you can use to create bulk assertions against a vast amount of end points quickly. The tool provides flexible automation options for integrating API testing into you and your team’s CI/CD pipeline during every build. You and your team have the ability to create comprehensive and data-driven functional API tests and can also execute parallel functional tests and job queuing using only their command-line.

ReadyAPI provides integration with platforms such as Jenkins, Git, and Docker.

ReadyAPI starts at $685/year and offers a 14-day free trial.

3

Sauce Labs

Write automated tests for multiple devices in the device cloud

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.3
131 reviews

28 Days Free Trial

From $50/month

Sauce Labs is a comprehensive continuous testing cloud for web and mobile applications that allows you to complete both manual and automated testing through a variety of testing channels. The tool provides a real device cloud so you can test across multiple devices. Sauce Labs also offers enterprise security and a proprietary data center. 

Sauce Labs offers a variety of automated and manual testing methods, ensuring full test coverage of your applications. The tool provides a cross browser testing feature, which allows you to test end-to-end on various browsers. Sauce Labs also offers the ability to complete automated mobile testing so you can write tests for various devices to ensure your application runs smoothly.  

Sauce Labs offers integrations with platforms such as Github, Jenkins and Bamboo, as well as chat applications such as Slack.

The cost of Sauce Labs starts at $39/month for the Live Testing package. The tool also offers a 28-day free trial. 

4

testRigor

Streamline your testing process by converting manual tests into automated tests quickly

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
5
7 reviews

14-day free trial + free plan available

From $900/Month

testRigor is a regression testing tool that stands out when it comes to the new era of AI-based automation tools. The tool allows you to create tests in plain English, with elements being referenced from a human perspective. testRigor analyzes all possible parameters behind the scenes to use the most useful ones, which results in ultra-reliable tests.

testRigor allows you to dramatically decrease your test maintenance, by allowing you and your team to spend 95% less time on it on average. Instead, the tool allows you to seamlessly build new tests and increase test coverage. testRigor makes the process of converting existing manual test cases into automated tests very straightforward, and users can also define and customize their own wording if they desire.

The cost of testRigor starts at $300 per month and can be tailored to your specific needs. There is a free 14-day trial with no credit card information required upfront.

5

Watir

Allows for cross-browser testing using OLE protocol

Free To Use

Watir is an open source automated testing library that is based on Ruby, and supports Ruby scripting which makes it easy to learn and implement within your team. The tool interacts with your web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox and more) by performing tests on your DOM by clicking links, filling forms and validating the text. Watir also supports multiple domains and provides a test recorder, allowing you to record the steps you have executed manually.

Watir allows you to automate any user interface no matter the technology. The tool implements OLE (Object, Linking and Embedding) protocol over COM (Component Object Model) architecture, allowing you to facilitate communication between your browsers and Ruby, eliminating the need for an external server. Watir also allows you to execute dynamic object creation and manipulation.  

Watir is fully open source and free to use. 

6

TestComplete

Provides record and replay capabilities allowing for complex test cases to be written and executed

14-day free trial

From $1,831 per license

TestComplete is a GUI functional testing platform that caters to mobile, desktop and web applications. The tool provides flexible solutions for your testing requirements, and allows you to script in multiple languages such as Javascript, Python and VBScript. TestComplete provides the ability to test elements of any GUI including PDFs, charts and mainframe. 

TestComplete offers the ability to build complex tests through record and replay capabilities. This allows you to record your test run and go back to modify it before hitting play. The tool also provides you the ability to map objects from screen and display objects which allows you to monitor any object in addition to providing you all possible Xpaths for that object. 

TestComplete provides integrations with platforms such as Cucumber, ReadyAPI and Selenium.

The cost of TestComplete begins at $2,720 per year, and offers a free trial. 

7

Selenium

The best framework for developers and QA engineers

Free To Use

Selenium is a test automation framework that encapsulates an array of tools and libraries that enable web browser automation. The tool offers easy interaction and manipulation of HTML elements, allowing you to tweak and customize your tests the way you want to write them. Selenium also provides ease of infrastructure management by providing the test environment to your team.

Selenium interacts with your applications via desktop and mobile browsers, allowing you to execute Javascript code, making it easier to test the dynamic components of your DOM. In addition to Javascript, you can use multiple programming languages such as C#, Python, Ruby and Java with Selenium. This allows for easier implementation within development teams as any developer with expertise in any coding language can use the tool.

Selenium is fully open source and free to use.

8

Leapwork

Allows you to visually review test cases using the graphical flowcharts generated

14-day free trial

Pricing available upon request

Leapwork is a no-code regression testing tool that allows your team to create and execute tests across a variety of environments without the need to have coding experience. The tool is cloud-based, and offers testing in both web and desktop application environments within the same workflow. Leapwork is simple to implement within your team, and provides a growing base of written documentation, videos and articles. 

Leapwork provides an array of features such as debugging, parallelization, compliance management, approval process control and recurring tests. The tool allows you to record processes and test cases in context, validate the test steps and input data. Leapwork will then build the processes in a graphical flowchart with logic, making it easy for the non-technical members of your team to review and take action. 

Leapwork integrates with platforms such as Microsoft Azure DevOps, Jenkins and TeamCity. 

Leapwork provides customized pricing upon request. 

9

SoapUI

The Endpoint Explorer feature offers the ability to manage the endpoints of your URL requests

14 Days Trial Periods

From $759/license

SoapUI is an open source functional testing tool that supports API solutions and requirements-based testing. The tool boasts a smart and intuitive interface, allowing a non-technical team member to easily navigate. SoapUI can handle anything from manual calls to automated, and supports parallel execution. 

SoapUI offers a smart endpoint explorer feature, which allows you to the web service in which you wish to test and after hitting send, you receive instant raw data. The feature then allows you to select your desired method from the same pane, as well as save the REST endpoints of URL requests. Finally, URL requests can be made in both JSON and XML formats. 

SoapUI is fully open source and free to use. 

10

Tricentis Testim

Best for organizing your test cases in one visual editor

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5
49 reviews

Free plan available

From $450/month

Testim Automate is an automated testing platform for fast authoring of AI-powered stable tests and tools to help you scale quality. The tool uses AI to identify and lock in visual elements, allowing you to increase test stability of UI functional tests. Your tests can be extended with custom JavaScript that can run in or out of the browser.

Testim tests are recorded and then edited in its visual editor, allowing you to better organize your test cases. The tool offers AI-based locators that automatically lock in elements, and test steps are discrete objects that can be configured, shared, grouped and parameterized, providing you and your team with the means to streamline your processes within your application lifecycle. Testim also helps keep tests clean by identifying duplicate test steps to be replaced by shared objects.

The cost of Testim begins at $1000 per month. The tool also offers a free version with up to 1000 test runs per month.

The Best Functional Testing Tools Summary

Tool Trial Info Price
1
Kobiton

Access and run manual and automated tests across multiple devices in parallel

14-day free trial

From $75/month Website
2
SmartBear ReadyAPI

The best tool for API centric test suites

14 Days Free Trial

$685/year Website
3
Sauce Labs

Write automated tests for multiple devices in the device cloud

28 Days Free Trial

From $50/month Website
4
testRigor

Streamline your testing process by converting manual tests into automated tests quickly

14-day free trial + free plan available

From $900/Month Website
5
Watir

Allows for cross-browser testing using OLE protocol

Not available

Free To Use Website
6
TestComplete

Provides record and replay capabilities allowing for complex test cases to be written and executed

14-day free trial

From $1,831 per license Website
7
Selenium

The best framework for developers and QA engineers

Not available

Free To Use Website
8
Leapwork

Allows you to visually review test cases using the graphical flowcharts generated

14-day free trial

Pricing available upon request Website
9
SoapUI

The Endpoint Explorer feature offers the ability to manage the endpoints of your URL requests

14 Days Trial Periods

From $759/license Website
10
Tricentis Testim

Best for organizing your test cases in one visual editor

Free plan available

From $450/month Website

Other Options

Here are a few more that didn’t make the top list.

  1. Avo Assure

    Intelligent test automation platform that offers continuous testing to ensure high quality results

  2. Katalon Studio

    Robust testing solution that offers an all-in-one testing experience for simplified web and mobile automation

  3. AutoIt

    Freeware testing tool that is specific to automating Windows GUI

  4. Micro Focus Unified Functional Testing (UFT)

    Intelligence testing tool that allows for VB scripting

  5. Micro Focus Silk Test

    Automated testing tool that allows you automated regression tests for web, mobile and rich-client applications

  6. JUnit

    Testing framework that is specific to Java, and allows for repeatable test cases

  7. Tricentis Tosca Testsuite

    Software testing tool that automates end-to-end testing, and is used to test GUIs and APIs from a business perspective

  8. Telerik Test Studio

    Windows-based automated testing tool that supports a variety of testing suites

  9. Rapise

    Functional testing tool that handles all technologies in a single environment

  10. Ranorex Studio

    GUI automated testing framework that allows for regression test creation with little to no coding capability

What do you think about this list?

Functional testing is key to ensuring that your application’s links, forms and media function correctly for your end user. Choosing the right tool for your team could help you increase efficiency and quality of your work within your application lifecycle. If you wish to explore other test solutions, check out 10 best penetration testing tools.

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By Jess Charlton

My name is Jess, and I am a writer and Digital Marketing Technician specializing in quality assurance testing of Content Management Systems for corporations. My expertise lies in frontend and backend software testing using a variety of QA testing tools. Find me on LinkedIn.