Top 5 tools for AI-based test automation
Automation Best practices Agile
24 mins read
December 11, 2024

Top 10 tools for AI-based test automation

AI-powered test automation tools are the market niche to follow. They take test automation to the next level but also help you save time in areas beyond regular automated QA. Letā€™s look at the exciting and variable landscape of the best AI testing tools.

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Tania Zhydkova
Denis Matusovskiy

Why do you need AI testing tools?

Letā€™s start with the question of why. Where does this demand for AI testing tools come from?Ā 

Well, keeping up with testing demands sometimes feels like a never-ending challenge. Thatā€™s exactly where AI testing tools come in to support you. But itā€™s not enough for a tool to just have AI capabilities; you need a robust tool that delivers real value. With the right AI-powered tool, you can:

  • Automate requirements, test cases, and test data generation: AI can analyse and help you generate requirements from voice prompts or short texts. From these requirements, you can get AI-generated test cases, saving a lot of time in the test design phase. Also, you can get test data ready within seconds with AI. A robust solution like aqua cloud will give you exactly that.
  • Carry out test automation: AI can analyse testers’ actions and convert them into automated scenarios. This saves you time in manual setup. AI can also generate scripts for automation, which allows you to eliminate repetitive coding tasks. When code or UI changes, AI self-heals scripts to reduce maintenance efforts and avoid disruptions. In addition to these, AI can also adapt automation to evolving workflows and integrate with various testing tools, which is crucial for both speed and flexibility,
  • Predict and prioritise flaky tests: AI testing tools can detect patterns in test results to identify flaky tests. It can prioritise stable and reliable tests to run first. This way, you minimise wasted time on tests that often produce false positives.
  • Dynamic test optimisation: AI testing tools can continuously analyse which tests have the highest likelihood of failure based on recent code changes. This way, it optimises your testing strategy by adjusting which tests to run and when.
  • Error pattern recognition: By analysing historical test data, AI can detect recurring error patterns and suggest potential causes. It helps you identify root causes faster without manual effort.
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) for test reporting: AI testing tools can parse test logs and generate human-readable summaries. It will help you highlight critical issues and even suggest the next steps, making defect reporting faster and more understandable.

Theyā€™re also key for catching hard-to-spot bugs and delivering quicker feedback. These are the reasons why 79% of companies have already adopted AI-augmented testing, and this number is expected to grow.Ā 

As projects grow, robust AI testing tools ensure you stay in control. This way, you keep the quality without adding to your workload. So, why only rely on manual testing alone when AI can help you achieve more?

What are the benefits of AI-powered testing tools?

Above all, AI testing tools bring you speed, precision, and wider test coverage. Of course, these 3 are not the only benefits. AI testing tools also offer scalability, reduce human error, and support continuous improvement over timeā€”valuable advantages for any QA team. Theyā€™re built to adapt to changes, which means you can trust them to keep up as your requirements evolve. Letā€™s look at the main benefits.

Growth That Scales With You

AI testing tools are designed to grow with your projects. As your testing needs expand, they scale effortlessly, letting you handle larger workloads without stretching your resources. Whether youā€™re in a small team or a large one, these tools have you covered.

Continuous Improvement

AI testing tools learn from each test cycle, which means theyā€™re always getting better at what they do. It helps refine your testing processes over time and deliver more accurate and valuable results.

Breaking Through Manual Testing Barriers

Manual testing has its limitsā€”youā€™ve probably experienced the slowdowns and risk of human error. AI testing tools help you overcome these limitations, as they let you automate repetitive work and analyse data on a much larger scale. This frees you up to concentrate on complex challenges that need your insights.

Wider and Deeper Test Coverage

AI testing tools also help you expand test coverage across various scenarios and environments. This means catching more potential issues earlier. This way, building a more reliable product and a better experience for end users becomes much more realistic.

Now that we covered the main benefits, letā€™s look at the top solutions that will deliver them to you.

1. aqua cloud

aqua cloud is the latest established solution to join the ranks of AI tools for software testing. The test management solution that evolved into a full-scale ALM was launched in 2013, while the AI functionality entered beta at the end of 2022, when the world was just introduced to the power of AI via ChatGPT. aqua is supported by the German andagon group, which has been doing QA consulting for over 20 years.

How does aqua work as an AI automation testing tool?

The key AI functionality here is generating entire test cases from requirements. That is what separates aqua cloud from other tools: aqua uses a large-scale natural language processing algorithm (fine-tuned by QA specialists) for test creation. The automated test creation functionality is not limited to English or German, which is great for multilingual teams and/or companies that attract external talent. About 40% of the AI-generated test cases do not need any human intervention before they can be added to the test suite.

There is some less groundbreaking functionality that will still save you a lot of time. Any QA team can create test steps themselves but make the AI fill out the test case description. The opposite is also possible: enter test case descriptions and get AI-generated, automated tests with their steps. These options require a bit more upfront effort but fewer finishing touches.

aqua is expanding beyond test creation with several advanced functionalities. These include test data generation, an AI-Copilot Assistant available in any language, and comprehensive test scenarios generation that supports various types of test cases.Ā 

As for non-AI functionality, aqua is one of the best agile test management tools in the market. It has a rating of over 4.5 on G2 and Capterra. The software boasts the Made in Germany badge and is used by German government agencies and Google among other clients. It has a dozen native integrations and can send/receive test data from any other third-party tool via REST API. This data-driven testing approach will ensure comprehensive testing,

aqua cloud also significantly reduces testing costs by leveraging AI-powered test automation, ensuring efficient resource allocation. Furthermore, its comprehensive testing approach and integration with Capture include an advanced error reporting tool, enhancing the overall quality and reliability of your test results.

Discover aqua cloud, the cutting-edge test management solution powered by AI. This versatile tool brings structure to your test automation, unites manual and automated software testing, and eliminates routine and repetitive tasks even where AI automation testing tools can’t. It offers groundbreaking AI capabilities to generate test cases and requirements and create test data sets. aqua offers groundbreaking AI functionality that generates entire cases from requirements. With its integration capabilities with automation, devops or management third-party tools, aqua empowers QA specialists to streamline test case creation and prioritise tests easily, revolutionising your software testing process. Join leading organisations like Google in using aqua’s agile test management capabilities. Achieve 100% test coverage. Unlock the future of software testing with aqua cloud.

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2. Perfecto Scriptless

Perfectlo Scriptless

Perfecto Scriptless is one of the most prominent AI testing tools for test automation purposes. It is specifically designed to enhance automation testing of web and mobile applications, without much effort on creating test scripts. The solution was launched as TestCraft by an independent company before Perfecto started a partnership and eventually purchased the tool in late 2018.

Perfecto Scriptless is as close as we can get to the open-source AI automation testing tools. While this is a commercial solution that does not disclose source code, Perfecto Scriptless is enhancing Selenium test automation ā€” and Selenium is open-source. This is a really inspiring point in a new market like AI test automation since potential migration to a more advanced tool will be smooth. Additionally, the toolā€™s compatibility with machine learning technologies ensures that your test scripts are robust and adaptable to the evolving needs of AI testing.

The key selling point of Perfecto Scriptless is the low barrier of entry. Boasting the no-code approach, this is designed to be one of the simplest tools used for implementing AI in automation testing. It is made to be even easier than regular test automation with Selenium.Ā 

Other than software testing, Perfecto Scriptless advertises AI-powered reporting and a third-party-friendly CI pipeline. The solution can work with Jenkins, TeamCity, Jira, and GitLab among others.

The community sentiment is hard to measure because most reviews of Perfecto Scriptless date back to 2018. Back then, users praised the core functionality but had complaints about buggy navigation that would require reopening the tool from time to time. This is something to look out for during the free trial period. No matter what, Perfecto Scriptless is one of the most prominent AI automation testing tools, functioning well as an independent automation framework.

3. Testim

Testim is another example of high-level automation testing tools. It was propelled by Microsoft’s accelerator programme in 2016 and then acquired by the test automation powerhouse Tricentis in February 2022. To this day, Microsoft remains the biggest client on the Testim portfolio.

The feature suite of Testim has many similarities to Perfecto Scriptless. These test automation tools both advertise self-healing tests, good visibility for quick troubleshooting, and the room to increase the scope. Testim’s approach, however, is more about aiding experienced engineers in writing automated tests rather than creating them without any code. The key areas are UI, API, and functional testing.

Testim has over 15 integrations with issue-tracking solutions as well as CI software. Just like Perfecto Scriptless, it is powered by Selenium and thus won’t lock you into a painful choice of sticking with Testim or starting from scratch.Ā 

Just like aqua, Testim is hovering around the 4.5 score on review websites. Customers are happy with the AI functionality, but there are multiple reports of a non-intuitive user interface and limited mobile software testing. Luckily, there is a free trial option to see if the UI will be a deal breaker for you.

4. ACCELQ

ACCELQ

ACCELQ, one of the best AI test automation tools, is a no-code platform launched in 2014. It is used by Intel, Pfizer, and United Airlines.

What makes ACCELQ one of the best test automation tools?

What differentiates ACCELQ from other automation-focused AI solutions is the wide scope. The company provides dedicated solutions for web, mobile, and API testing. They also boast of offering these three options alongside a space for manual QA, but aqua’s test management software natively unites manual and automated testing. Most other AI-powered automation testing tools without issue management will integrate with third-party solutions for that, too.

The solution has a serviceable range of integrations with open-source automation frameworks and continuous integration solutions. The no-code component creates tests that cover all prominent frameworks, including React and AngularJS.

ACCELQ is punching above a review score of 4.5 as well. There are some minor performance complaints, a couple of reports on lacking documentation, and a note about high upfront investment. The customers are happy about the wide scope of the solution, and that’s the key advantage that the company advertises.

Speaking of scope, the rise of GPT unlocked and expanded a lot of AI testing niches. We explore the new possibilities and how you can take advantage of them in our overview of key AI testing trends.

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5. Applitools

Applitools

Applitools is an AI-powered test automation platform that specialises in UI testing. Launched in 2015, it features Microsoft, Bank of America, and Adidas on the portfolio.Ā 

The key selling point of Applitools is its range of visualised software testing solutions. It includes UI testing capabilities like cross-browser (and cross-device) grid for testing web applications as well as a mobile grid to test native mobile applications. Here, artificial intelligence compares snapshots of app screens to quickly spot changes that are likely erroneous. Auto-compliance with visual accessibility requirements is a nice touch as well.Ā 

Applitools supports all major development frameworks, synergises with continuous integration software, and sends status updates to corporate messengers. It also integrates with issue-tracking solutions and even competitor solutions, including Testim.Ā 

Reviews-wise, Applitools is scoring just below the 4.5 mark. The two major concerns raised by users are a huge time investment to weed out false positives and slow execution. One user notes that it takes 100 seconds for a simple test because of everything happening in the background. Just like with non-AI test automation, you can brute force unoptimised execution to make it faster ā€” but at an almost proportionally higher cost.

Feature aqua cloud Perfecto Scriptless Testim ACCELQ Applitools
AI Functionality Generates test cases from requirements Enhances Selenium for automation Aids in automated test writing Wide scope of testing options Visual testing, AI-driven comparison
Test Case Generation AI-generated with minimal tweaks No-code approach for simplicity Aids experienced engineers No-code automation platform AI-driven visual comparison for errors
Non-AI Functionality Agile test management, high ratings Third-party integrations, CI compatibility Issue tracking, CI integrations Manual and automated testing Visual accessibility checks, integrations
Integrations Native integrations, REST API Jenkins, TeamCity, Jira, GitLab, etc. Issue tracking, CI tools, Selenium Various automation frameworks CI, issue tracking, Testim integration
Reviews Highly rated Mixed reviews from 2018, buggy navigation Non-intuitive UI, limited mobile testing Minor performance issues Mixed reviews, slow execution

6. Mabl

Mabl is a low-code AI test automation tool. It focuses on performance testing, web, and API testing, maximising the power of automated tests.Ā 

The solution utilises artificial intelligence in 2 ways. First, it tries to reduce the number of unnecessary automated test runs to save time and money. Second, Mabl’s AI suggests new tests to expand the test coverage.Ā 

Other than this AI functionality, Mabl is similar to many low-code test automation solutions. It can work with Selenium for regular, non-AI test automation. It offers self-healing in case your tests break. Regression testing is part of the automation suite as well.

7. Katalon

Katalon is an AI-powered test automation tool for UI and performance testing. The solution was launched in 2016 and has SAP, Santander, and Rakuten among high-profile clients. Just like with competitors, it is hard to tell where simpler image recognition ends and advanced AI functionality starts. Katalon claims that the AI algorithm can tell which visual changes are deal breakers and which are acceptable. The tool also self-corrects false positives to avoid extra work by your front-end developers.Ā 

Regular functionality includes UI validation by screenshots, cross-browser and cross-OS testing, and granular ignored zones to test individual components only. The solution also boasts dozens of integrations with test automation tools and even a couple of non-AI test management solutions.

The solution was launched in 2016 and has SAP, Santander, and Rakuten among high-profile clients.

8. Eggplant Test

Eggplant Test is another AI tool for the automation of user interface testing. The algorithm is used to adapt and execute tests across various operating systems and browsers. The company also highlights the security benefits of not actually giving AI the source code to test the product.

As for non-AI functionality, Eggplant Test highlights API evaluation and model-based software testing. Native integrations with CI/CD solutions are included out of the box.Ā 

The tool is run by Keysight, a company founded in 2014 but tracing roots to the late 1990s. The company’s portfolio includes Nokia as well as a number of manufacturers and service providers in 5G and mobile batteries markets.

9. Parasoft C/C++ test

Parasoft C/C++ test is a unique tool for AI-powered test automation. It specifically focuses on validating C/C++ code.Ā 

The solution uses AI to analyse code and spot defects automatically. This does require sharing your C/C++ IDE with Parasoft, which may be a problem depending on your industry and the project.Ā 

Despite being a niche solution, Parasoft C/C++ test has a solid suite of non-AI functionality. Native CI/CD and automation integration, traceability, and reporting are all available.Ā 

The solution is maintained by Parasoft, one of the biggest software vendors founded back in 1987.

10. Digital.ai Continuous Testing

Digital.ai-Accessibility-Testing

Digital.ai Continuous Testing is one of the best test automation tools in the market, maximising the power of AI. This test management solution targets web and mobile testing. The AI functionality covers code and release governance. The tool looks for errors, suggests workflows to prevent them, and assesses code readiness to adjust release timelines if needed.Ā 

The rest of the functionality is similar to what you will find in other test management solutions. Digital.ai offers tools for accessibility testing, but you may find them in tools that focus on UI/UX testing as well.Ā 

The tool is part of an application lifecycle suite that Digital.ai has been launching and acquiring since 2020. Schneider, Air France, and Societe Generale are some of the biggest clients.

Feature Mabl Katalon Eggplant Test Parasoft C/C++ test Digital.ai Continuous Testing
AI Functionality Reduces unnecessary test runs, suggests new tests Identifies critical visual changes, self-corrects false positives Adapts tests across OS and browsers Analyses C/C++ code for defects Code governance, error detection, release assessment
Test Case Generation AI-based suggestions for test expansion AI identifies critical visual changes Adapts tests across platforms AI spots defects automatically Code governance, error detection, release assessment
Non-AI Functionality Low-code, Selenium integration UI validation, cross-platform testing API evaluation, model-based testing Native CI/CD integrations Accessibility testing, code and release governance
Integrations Selenium, API, CI tools Test automation, various integrations CI/CD solutions, automation integrations CI/CD, automation tools Accessibility testing, release and code governance

AI Testing Tools: honourable mentions

  • Ranorex Studio: This tool offers comprehensive support for automated tests across desktop, web, and mobile applications. It combines automated and manual testing capabilities, ensuring efficient test maintenance and execution.
  • SmartBear TestComplete: Known for its robust testing tools, TestComplete excels in creating and maintaining tests for web, desktop, and mobile applications. Its machine-learning algorithms aid in the seamless execution of unit tests and combined testing strategies.
  • Tricentis Tosca: This powerful testing tool utilises model-based test automation to simplify test maintenance. It supports a wide range of automated tests and integrates well with other AI testing tools, making it a versatile choice for QA teams.
  • Micro Focus UFT One: Offering a broad range of capabilities for AI automation testing tools, UFT One supports the automation of functional, regression, and unit tests. Its advanced machine-learning algorithms enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your testing processes.

Final thoughts

AI test automation is on the rise, and there are testing tools to cover all sorts of needs. All AI testing tools on the list have generally positive reviews, and the industry will likely only get better as licensing AI algorithms to build solutions becomes even more popular. AI-powered automation testing tools are revolutionising software testing by streamlining automated test maintenance and optimizing test execution. These tools enhance the efficiency of existing tests, ensuring thorough and reliable test coverage. Some of them use machine learning capabilities, the others offer seamless integration, and some of them even combine these automation capabilities in an all-in-one solution.

As AI testing tools with automation features rise, the need for cutting-edge testing tools like aqua cloud becomes increasingly evident. Although not entirely a test automation framework, with aqua’s groundbreaking AI capabilities, you’ll revolutionise your testing process, bringing structure to test automation and seamlessly unifying manual and automated testing. With aqua, you can automatically generate test cases from requirements and have automation at every stage of your process. By seamlessly integrating with third-party tools and offering advanced AI functionality to generate test cases and requirements, aqua empowers you to prioritise existing tests easily, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. Join leading organisations like Google in unlocking the future of testing with aqua cloud.

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FAQ
Can we use AI in automation testing?

Yes, artificial intelligence can be used to help you create tests for automated QA and even maintain them.Ā 

Which AI-based tool is mostly used for automation testing?

There is no clear market leader, and most tools have one or two niches that they specialise in. Applitools, aqua ALM, and Testim are just some solutions to try yourself.Ā 

What is AI-based test automation?

AI-based test automation introduces fruits of the machine learning labour to speed up and enhance automated QA. Some solutions go further than that and use AI to boost manual testing as well.

How to implement AI in test automation?

The most straightforward way is to adopt an AI-powered test automation solution. You can import existing automated tests and let AI work its magic to make them better and/or more efficient. Most solutions work with Selenium, so the transition will be very smooth if you have been using it as well.

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