10 Best Open Source Test Management Tools
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Whether you have a small business or large corporation, test management is an integral portion of software development. Agile teams and development teams require a testing process as a part of their methodology, and using the best test management tool possible for your team could make all the difference in your day-to-day. Some teams prefer open source test management tools thanks in part to their customizability and (often) low price point.
In this article, whether you are part of an Agile team, development team, or QA team, I aim to inform you of just some of the best open-source test management tool solutions that will assist with your quality assurance testing and requirements management.
What Are Open Source Test Management Tools?
In addition to bug tracking and test execution, test management tools help Agile teams, Development teams, and QA teams take control of the QA portion of the workflow by allowing the possibility of assigning tasks to people within the team and the ability to see whether the task has been performed.
Open source simply refers to software or tools that are created and distributed with a license that allows users to view, modify, and distribute the source code. This means that the software is not proprietary, and the source code is freely available to anyone who wishes to see it.
Overviews Of The 10 Best Open Source Test Management Tools
Here’s a brief description of each open-source test management platform to showcase each tool’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.
Katalon Studio
Best low-code, cross-platform automated testing
Katalon Studio all-in-one platform for simplified web, mobile, API and desktop (Windows) test automation is the alternative to building traditional frameworks with open-source libraries. Some of its core and built-in features include Object Spy, Debugging UI, Test Artifact Sharing (Page Object Model design), Retry Failed Tests, Smart Wait, Self-Healing and analytics for test reporting.
From small-sized to enterprise-scale projects, Katalon Studio provides all the critical capabilities and utmost stability for functional and end-to-end automated testing. You can expect to cycle through every step in weeks instead of months by applying low-code methods for test design, execution, maintenance, and reporting.
Katalon Studio supports a wide rage of testing methodologies: Keyword-Driven Testing, BDD, DDT, Cross-Browser Testing (Firefox, Edge, Chrome and Safari) and Cross-Platform Mobile Testing (iOS and Android).
Katalon offers native integration with ALM (TestRail, Jira, etc.), CI/CD tools (Jenkins, BitBucket, Azure DevOps, etc.), VCS (Git, Github, Azure DevOps Repos, etc.) and DevOps tools (Docker).
Katalon Studio costs from $69/user/month. They offer a free version, as well as a 30-day trial to test out all premium features for first-time users.
Zebrunner
Best for test automation reporting
Zebrunner is a test automation tool that helps create a robust quality assurance process and provides Agile and QA teams extensive test execution and reporting. Zebrunner helps you speed up your test project lifecycle by allowing you the possibility to complete test runs across a variety of devices, emulators and browsers. The dashboards show real-time information, allowing you to track quality and performance.
Zebrunner supports the capabilities achieved through integration all within one tool. Zebrunner allows for extensive levels of testing including UI, API and database, allowing you to cover your bases without the need to integrate with programs such as Jira and REST API. Zebrunner also provides detailed bug reporting, which you can export in Word, Excel spreadsheets and HTML formats.
Integrations include TestNG, JUnit 4, JUnit 5, Cypress, Playwright, WebdriverIO, Pytest, Robot, NUnit, Zebrunner Selenium Grid, Zebrunner CyServer, Zebrunner Device Farm, Sauce Labs, and LambdaTest.
The cost of Zebrunner starts at $999.00 for the Basic package. Zebrunner also offers a 14-day free trial, and the community edition of the tool can be found on Github.
QuAck
Best flexible testcase tree
QuAck is an open source test management system that allows you to manage your test cases from one comprehensive tool suite. The tool is based on REST-api, which allows you to do everything you would in the UI in API. QuAck provides a testsuite that allows you to use a set of pre-set filters and groupings, as well as the flexibility to rebuild test suite trees many times over again.
Whilst other businesses have several separated projects within a development lifecycle, QuAck allows you to compile all your test cases, test suites and test launches into one single project. Within this feature, QuAck allows you to have all entities of your project live separately without intersections. In addition, each entity can have its own configuration such as permissions restrictions, allowing you to configure and organize your project and separate entities accordingly. QuAck provides integration with tracker platforms such as Bugzilla and Jira.
QuAck is fully open source and free to use.
Tarantula
Best for small teams up to 10-20 users
Tarantula is an open-source test management tool which particularly compliments agile test projects. The source code for Tarantula is hosted on Github allows you to effectively test functionality and improve quality assurance within your Agile and QA teams through easier collaboration. Tarantula allows for traceability throughout the test cycle, providing testers the opportunity to streamline test runs.
Tarantula’s dashboard is a user-friendly, clean and organized interface, allowing you to view your open bug tasks, test results, and summaries at a glance. With powerful access control and a smooth flow, the user interface allows you to manage administration of your test cycles and issue tracking easily. This makes it easy for team members to navigate their workflow and therefore helps streamline testing efforts and achieve milestones.
Tarantula integrates with Jira, Bugzilla, and Doors, allowing you to link your test cases and run reports within your bug tracking tools.
Tarantula is a free and fully open-source test management software.
TestCaseDB
Best test case management app built on Ruby on Rails
TestCaseDB is an open source project management tool that allows you to create, update and track test cases and test plans with a simple user interface. TestCaseDB allows you to set up a database in SQL, and also works with tools such as Jira, that you may already use in your QA team.
TestCaseDB has a powerful framework for test automation, which allows users to easily navigate your test cases and to efficiently complete your test runs. TestCaseDB allows you to run your tests directly from the TestCaseDB server and track existing automation using the API.
TestCaseDB integrates with Apache jMeter, allowing for a control and analysis of performance testing.
TestCaseDB is free and a fully open source project management tool.
Nitrate
Best Django based full-featured test case management system
Nitrate is a test case management tool for Agile teams and development teams, which has extensive features such as automation, access control and reporting. Nitrate’s automation process allows you to reference your specific test scripts in the script field of your test case, which then your test runner extracts the information via Nitrate’s API. This creates a precise test run, therefore improving your testing activities.
A time saving feature of Nitrate when working with manual testing is the ability to expand your next test case inside an active test run automatically. The next test case will expand when another test case status is updated. This allows for test execution in the same order in which they were documented.
Nitrate integrates with defect management tools such as Jira and Jenkins.
Nitrate is a free and fully open source management tool.
Kiwi TCMS
Best test case management for plugable architecture
Kiwi TCMS is an automated testing and manual testing management system which allows you to complete the QA portion of your development lifecycle by running test cases, tracking progress, and helps you import and export data for reliable testing. Kiwi allows you to easily assign tasks to team members, to view milestones and complete peer reviews through a simple user interface which is user-friendly and ideal for those who find more advanced interfaces overwhelming.
Kiwi provides a versatile and extensive API layer that offers access to all external APIs through JSON and XML, allowing for full creativity with your testing. Kiwi also offers integration with Github designed to work for multi-tenant environments. The plugin provides you the possibility to auto-configure which tenant to use for database operations.
Kiwi integrates with Bugzilla and Jira, as well as extra integration with Github as previously mentioned.
Kiwi TCMS costs $50.00 per month for the Private Tenant SaaS package. Kiwi TCMS also offers a free version.
TestHouse
Best independent testing service
TestHouse is a SaaS application lifecycle management (ALM) system that allows you to carry out a variety of software testing, including functional tests and automated tests. TestHouse is easy to navigate and provides a great learning experience for both beginners and experienced professionals, which makes implementation of the product within Agile teams quick and efficient.
In addition for testing of functionality, TestHouse also has robust features for security tests. The security testing can be carried out at the same time as other automated tests, or can be done independently. The feature allows you to stop active attempts of intrusion from external parties rather than fixing only application flaws. TestHouse is also a DevOps company and therefore also allows for continuous testing and continuous integration.
For more information on the cost of TestHouse, you can email them.
Testopia
Best test case management extension for Bugzilla
Testopia is an open source test management tool that supports XML export and import, as well as various clone options. The tool provides the ability to fix numerous bugs in one go, which allows you to shorten the time spent on going through bug fixes one by one. Testopia is an extension for Bugzilla, allowing you to enhance your tracking and bug fixing abilities.
Testopia allows you to generate your own test case reports, as well as track the progression of regular and release-based testing. The tool also provides you the ability to export your results to a csv file, allowing you to distribute reports to stakeholders and clients without the need to demo them through the platform. Testopia also allows you to set priorities on an individual case run. Testopia is an extension of Bugzilla, and provides integration with Jenkins, and chat applications such as Slack.
Testopia is fully open source and free to use.
TestLink
Best free web-based test management system
TestLink is a web-based and open source test case management tool for testers allowing you to create a robust test process by writing test cases, generating test plan documents and complete automated testing and manual testing on projects. This allows Agile teams, QA teams and development teams to track test results dynamically. Administrators and other team members can also manage test case tasks, complete checklists and generate test reports in Word, Excel spreadsheets and HTML formats.
With being web-based, TestLink allows multiple users to access functionality at the same time, making it easy and efficient for team members to assign and complete tasks, speeding up your test cycles and allowing for continuous testing. You can also find the TestLink Open Source Test and Requirements Management System on Github.
TestLink integrates with defect management tools such as Jira, Bugzilla and Mantis, allowing you to link bug tickets with test cases.
TestLink is a free tool and fully open source.
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The Best Open Source Test Management Tools Summary
Tool | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Katalon Studio Best low-code, cross-platform automated testing | Freemium plan | From $25/month | Website |
2 | Zebrunner Best for test automation reporting | 14-day free trial | $999.00/Basic package | Website |
3 | QuAck Best flexible testcase tree | Free To Use | Website | |
4 | Tarantula Best for small teams up to 10-20 users | Not available | Free to use | Website |
5 | TestCaseDB Best test case management app built on Ruby on Rails | Not available | Free to use | Website |
6 | Nitrate Best Django based full-featured test case management system | Not available | Website | |
7 | Kiwi TCMS Best test case management for plugable architecture | Not available | $50/month | Website |
8 | TestHouse Best independent testing service | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website |
9 | Testopia Best test case management extension for Bugzilla | Free to use | Website | |
10 | TestLink Best free web-based test management system | Not available | Free forever plan | Website |
How I Selected the Best Open Source Test Management Tools
If you're wondering how I selected the best open source test management tools, here's where I'll break it all down for you. First of all, I started with open source test case management tools that have high user review and satisfaction ratings. Then, using my experience in QA, I discerned what key criteria were most important for open source test tools and compared how each of them stacked up against the rest.
I empathize with how much time it takes to source the right software for a job. I do this work so that you don't have to. I've been using and reviewing open source test case management tools for years so you can trust me to do the heavy lifting and compile all the facts you need to make your final decision.
Selection Criteria
After careful consideration, I've determined that these are the most important criteria when selecting the best open source test management tools. Here's a brief list outlining the whats and whys of my selection.
User Interface (UI):
I look for a clean and organized user interface that is easy to navigate with the ability to view everything you need from one page.
Usability:
I look for features that allow Agile, Development, and Quality Assurance teams to streamline their test process and can be easily used by all members of the team.
Integrations:
I look for useful integrations with the best defect and bug tracking systems so it is easy for the user to link their test cases.
People Also Ask
Here are a few questions that came to mind while I was writing this article.
Why Use Open Source Test Management Tools?
What are Open Source Test Management Key Features?
What Other Test Management Resources Do I Need?
The Future Of Open Source Test Management
Open source test management tools are becoming more popular with time as developers and testers alike continue to share their knowledge and applications with the online community. With platforms like Github, it is easy to access useful tools to help enhance and streamline project management.
Plus, it helps your Agile teams, QA teams, and development teams complete their testing efficiently. As most open source tools are free to download and use, it broadens your variety of choice when it comes to picking the right tool to suit your needs.
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