What is qTest?
qTest is a test management platform that helps you plan, organise, and track your testing activities. It provides a centralised space for managing both manual and automated tests. With that, you can document test cases, results, and progress and keep them accessible.
The tool also integrates with several development tools like Jira, Jenkins, and GitHub, allowing teams to link their testing efforts directly to their development workflow. This makes it easier to monitor testing outcomes and connect them with issues in the development cycle. But is qTest the right fit for your team in 2024? Letās take a closer look.
How Does qTest Work?
qTest organises testing processes through test cases, test cycles, and reporting. Teams can create test cases, assign them to test cycles, and track execution results as tests are completed.
It integrates with tools like Jira for automatic defect tracking, helping teams stay aligned without needing to manually manage connections between test results and reported issues. With detailed reporting and dashboards, qTest makes it easier for teams to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Who Uses qTest?
qTest is used by QA teams, developers, and project managers across industries. Itās suitable for teams of various sizes, from small, agile teams to large enterprises. Generally, companies working in Agile or DevOps environments rely on qTest. Organisations like Toshiba, Amadeus, and Cisco have adopted qTest to manage their testing processes, so the portfolio is not bad.
Letās move on to what makes qTest as popular as it is – its features.Ā
qTest features
If youāre looking for a test management tool to organise your workflows and improve efficiency, qTest can bring a lot to the table. It helps you manage test cases, track progress, and integrate with other tools. However, while it gets the job done in some areas, there are some things to consider, especially as they add newer features.
Test Case Management
qTest simplifies how you handle test cases, helping you keep things organised and aligned with your project goals. You can group test cases, link them to requirements, and perform bulk actions to save time.
Hereās what qTest brings to the table:
- Centralised Organisation: You can group and categorise test cases for better visibility and management.
- Requirement Traceability: Link test cases to requirements and defects for a clear, connected workflow.
- Time-Saving Bulk Actions: Quickly clone, update, or modify multiple test cases at once.
Seeing the AI trend in the QA industry, the team has decided to add a qTest Copilot, a generative AI assistant to their features. This Copilot drafts test cases and steps automatically based on your source documents and requirements. Theoretically, this should save you considerable time compared to manual approaches, especially for larger projects.
But keep in mind: qTest Copilot is still in its early stages, so it’s likely to take time before it matures to start consistently delivering the expected results. We should see.
Also, why would you prefer a test management solution that just added AI over the one that initially brought it to the industry? Introducing you to aqua cloud, an ultimate AI-powered test management system that revolutionised (and still does so) your testing efforts.
When ChatGPT emerged, aqua had already introduced its AI capabilities. With aquaās AI, you can generate complete test cases from requirements in a few seconds, saving you 97% of your time. Better news, you can also generate requirements from a short text or a voice prompt with aqua AI, effortlessly. Need test data? aquaās AI simplifies this too, creating comprehensive datasets to cover edge cases, ensuring robust testing for every scenario without manual effort. The AI Copilot elevates your efficiency further, offering intelligent insights, improving your test quality, and even pointing out gaps to optimise your strategies. Donāt go for an experimental, go for a tested solution.
Save 97% time on your test case creation efforts
Test Plan and Execution
How do you keep your testing efforts on track? qTest gives you a way to plan and manage your test schedules in one place. You can assign test cases, set deadlines, and track progress through detailed execution histories. Itās a solid choice for teams juggling complex timelines.
But hereās where it might get tricky: customising test plans isnāt qTestās strong suit. If your workflow is more dynamicāsay you need to adjust test runs frequentlyāyou might find it hard to make the tool work for you. And for teams with massive test plans? Some users report that it slows down under the weight of too many cases.
Don't know about Tosca but used qTest from Tricentis as well and I hated every second of it. For me it's overly complicated, their tools seem to be bait for "big enterprise" environments for the reporting they provide but in reality, you end up doing extra steps for each thing you want to do.
Not worth in my opinion.
Defect and Bug Tracking
In QA, nobody likes losing track of bugs, right? qTest integrates defect tracking directly into its workflows, letting you log and monitor issues without jumping between tools. If you use Jira, youāll appreciate how seamlessly qTest connects with it. This makes it easier for QA and dev teams to stay in sync.
That said, qTest relies heavily on external bug trackers like Jira to do the heavy lifting. Users report that its built-in defect tracking feels basic, so if youāre looking for deeper insights or robust reporting for defects, you will find it lacking.
Hereās what aqua does differently with a native integration like Capture. This integration provides developers with a timestamped video of test executions, making it easy to reproduce defects and ensure no bug is left unexplained. Whether youāre testing web, mobile, or desktop applications, the screencast and full desktop capture features give a clear visual representation of issues. But it doesn’t stop there. aqua’s integrated bug management system streamlines the process by letting you send visualised issues directly to Jira or aqua. These include test execution videos, OS info, and logs, and makes it faster for developers to address issues. By combining test management, bug tracking, and requirements management, aqua ensures 100% traceability and coverage, offering complete transparency of any dependencies in your project. With aqua, you go beyond bug tracking and smash all your testing efforts at once.
Get 100% faster, clearer, and more efficient bug tracking and management
Dashboards and Reporting
How do you measure testing success? qTest gives you a variety of reports and dashboards to track your teamās progress. From spotting trends in test execution to checking your coverage, the insights are practical and easy to understand.
However, itās worth noting that qTest reports are mostly static. And if you need highly customised reports? Be prepared to spend extra time creating them because the default options wonāt always fit your needs.
In comparison, aqua cloud delivers highly customisable, colourful bug reports with KPI alerts, external dashboard sharing and data flexibility, which you wonāt find in qTest.
In short, reporting and dashboards-wise, aqua cloud gives you everything Tricentis qTest can. We can not say the same vice versa.
qTest Integrations
qTest is designed to work seamlessly with a range of popular tools, helping you keep your workflow smooth. One of its standout features is the integration with Jira, which makes bug tracking easy. You can automatically log bugs from test cases directly into Jira, keeping dev and QA teams on the same page without jumping between tools.
Jira integration is very problematic and after three years it still does not work as it should (after many support calls).
It also integrates with major CI/CD tools like Jenkins, Bamboo, and GitLab, making it perfect for teams using continuous testing and automation. This connection links test execution and results directly to your builds, saving time and improving efficiency.
For teams working with code, qTest also connects with GitHub and Bitbucket, ensuring your tests are always in sync with the latest code changes. This is great for traceability and debugging, especially in fast-moving projects.
Additionally, Slack and other collaboration tools are supported, so you can get real-time updates on test results and keep your team informed.
But, here’s the catch: while these integrations work well most of the time, syncing data across tools can occasionally be a hassle. Some users have noticed delays or mismatches in updates, especially when things are changing rapidly. So, while the integrations are helpful, you will encounter some syncing issues along the way.
Sometimes, the requirements between qTest and JIRA did not sync well. There were many times when the number of requirements in each software was not the same. Along with this, some of the qTest add-ons such as Insights are very difficult to work with and not intuitive as normal data analysis tools.
qTest Customer Support
This is where things get serious. As we know, customer support is the essence of every product and service, as there will inevitably be some issues when using it. It is important how you deal with these complaints and issues.
It seems like qTest’s support has been a pain point for many users, especially since its acquisition by Tricentis. Common complaints include:Ā
- Slow and unhelpful responses,Ā
- Difficulty navigating the support portalĀ
- Outdated documentation sometimes leads to confusion.Ā
For example, one user mentioned their frustration with a support link that perpetuated the very misunderstanding they were trying to clarify:
Recently, for example, there was verbiage that seemed to indicate that qTest was end-of-life. When I attempted to get clarification on this, Support sent me a link to the document that cause the confusion in the first place.
Some have even reported that integration issues with tools like Jira remained unresolved despite repeated attempts to get helpā. Whatās also concerning is the inconsistency in customer serviceāsome users found the agents unprofessional or dismissive, with smaller teams reportedly being deprioritised by sales. This leads to dissatisfaction, with many teams opting to handle issues themselves or explore alternative tools:
Customer support has been abysmal since Tricentis took over qTest.
A user should not have to write an email to support learning how to file a ticket on the support portal. The support portal could be MUCH more user-friendly.
So, it seems choosing qTest means choosing a problem for support. Are you ready for this?
If not, we offer you aqua cloud. Our customer support is known for its exceptional responsiveness, providing answers within 2 hours, which is an emphasis on German-quality precision. Every ticket raised is prioritised to ensure your concerns are addressed promptly and thoroughly. With 20 years of market experience, aqua combines powerful features with top-tier support, making it a superior choice over qTest for your testing needs.
Get an answer to every support ticket within 2 hours
Tricentis qTest Pricing
Tricentis qTest is clearly designed with enterprises in mind, and its pricing reflects that focus. While the platform offers robust features for test management and automation, it’s not budget-friendly for smaller teams. Pricing starts at $1,000 per year per user, and many of its premium plans are custom-quoted, making it less transparent and likely more expensive as you scale. This puts qTest as a tool more suited for organisations with substantial budgets and complex testing needsāĀ
For enterprises, qTest might be a worthwhile investment due to its comprehensive features and integration capabilities (if we ignore the risk of new AI and weak support). But if you’re part of a smaller team or a startup, this price tag could be a dealbreaker. Itās a good tool, no doubt, but it feels like qTest prioritises the “big fish” rather than catering to teams of all sizes. If you’re cost-conscious, there are more affordable options that better align with your needs.
qTest pros and cons
Combining all the features and reviews we have mentioned above, letās break Tricentis qTest into its main pros and cons:Ā
When it comes to test management, qTest is a popular choice for enterprise teams. But like any tool, it has its highlights and hurdles that you should weigh before diving in.
Pros:
- Centralised Test Management: qTest keeps all your test cases and executions in one place, making it easier to stay organized.
- Automation-Friendly: It integrates with popular automation tools like Selenium, streamlining test execution and reporting.
- Reusable Test Cases: Save time by reusing test cases across multiple projects.
Cons:
- Expensive Pricing: qTest is built for enterprises, and its pricing reflects that, making it a challenge for smaller teams.
- Limited Reporting: The reporting engine often feels slow and requires manual effort to create useful insights.
- Outdated Interface: The UI can feel old-fashioned, with navigation that isn’t always intuitive.
- Jira Integration Limitations: While integration exists, itās not seamless and may disrupt workflows.
- Lack of Workflow Automation: Some processes need manual input that could be automated with other tools.
- Support Issues: Many users find customer support responses too slow to address urgent concerns.
qTest alternatives
So, letās say you decided to stop using qTest or choose an alternative over it. Which one you should go for? Letās give you a list of Tricentis qTest alternatives for better test management and execution:Ā
- aqua cloud takes test management to the next level by delivering everything you need for faster, smarter, and more reliable testing. Its AI-powered capabilities help you create test cases, requirements, and test data in seconds, saving hours and letting you focus on the bigger picture. With 100% traceability and robust test coverage, you can link every test to its requirement and spot gaps easily. The Capture tool makes bug reporting seamlessāshare detailed videos, screenshots, and logs directly to Jira or aqua in one click, so your team resolves issues faster. aqua integrates smoothly with tools like Jira for defect tracking, Selenium for automated tests, and Jenkins for CI/CD, ensuring a connected workflow that speeds up releases. Designed with German precision and backed by 20 years of expertise, aqua also offers lightning-fast, responsive support when you need it most.
Take your testing efforts to a new level with 100% AI-powered solution
2. BrowserStack offers solid cross-browser testing with real-device cloud integration. It provides extensive coverage for your testing needs. However, it lacks some of the advanced test planning and reporting features that tools like aqua cloud offer. So the functionality is limited for larger projects.
3. OpenText ALM/Quality Center excels in managing the software development lifecycle and ensuring compliance with rigorous processes. However, its interface is overwhelming, especially for teams unfamiliar with enterprise-level tools. The steeper the learning curve, the more problematic the use of the tool.
4. TestComplete provides powerful automation capabilities for UI testing across multiple platforms. However, it is resource-intensive, particularly when scaling up test automation across large teams, which slows the performance significantly.
Conclusion
While qTest is definitely a well-known player in the test management space, itās easy to get caught up in its popularity and miss out on other solutions that could be a better fit for your teamās needs. Sure, qTest offers a lot of great features, but if you’re looking for something that goes beyond the basicsāsomething that can handle more complex workflows and give you faster test management featuresāitās worth considering other options like aqua cloud. Our advice: do not go for a solution just because it is expensive, go for it for value for money.
