Automated Testing vs. Manual Testing

In testing newly developed software, there are two ways: Manual Testing and Automated Testing.  

There are major differences between manual testing vs. automated testing. If we compare them side by side, manual testing requires human intervention to perform the test step by step and does not use scripts. Automation testing services on the other hand are executed automatically with the use of automation frameworks together with other tools and software. 

“Who executes the test case?”, would probably be the biggest question and difference between manual and automated testing. 

In this article, you’ll know more about the difference between the two. But before we proceed in differentiating them, let us define them first.  

What is Manual Testing? 

Manual testing is a process wherein the quality assurance tester will have to execute steps one by one individually. Its purpose is to find bugs and defects of a newly developed software before it becomes live in the market.  

What is Automation Testing? 

Automation Testing is a process wherein tools and scripts are being utilized in order to automate the process of testing. This is ideal to use in conducting loads of tests and repetitive test cases.  

Difference Between Manual Testing vs. Automated Testing  

Definition:

  • Automation Testing uses automation tools to help it execute the test cases.
  • Manual Testing – Human tester is required to execute the test cases.

Reliability:

  • Automation Testing – There is no testing fatigue in this. It is performed by tools and scripts making it very reliable.
  • Manual Testing – Since human intervention is required, there are possibilities of human error making it less accurate than automation testing.

Processing Time: 

  • Automation Testing – Significantly faster than the manual approach, since it is using tools and script that is automatically running.
  • Manual Testing – Human tester must be very careful in following the step-by-step process to reduce errors. By doing so, it makes manual testing more time-consuming. 

Initial Investment:

  • Automation Testing – Investment in automation testing can be higher. However, in the long run, ROI is better because of the productivity it would bring to the organization. 
  • Manual Testing – Investment in manual testing is definitely lower than an automated one. But, ROI is lower too.

Cost-Effectiveness:

  • Automation Testing – It is not cost-effective if there’s a lower volume of regression.
  • Manual Testing – It is not cost-effective if there’s a higher volume of regression. 

Visibility of Test Results:

  • Automation Testing – all stakeholders have the ability to check on the test results because they are given the system’s login. 
  • Manual Testing – for this testing method, all updates must be recorded through excel or word. Checking on the status might be not as ready as with the automated one. 

Performance Testing:  

  • Automation Testing – testing like, load testing, spike testing, and stress testing will be compulsorily tested by automation tools. 
  • Manual Testing – Manual Performance on the other hand is not possible.

Batch Testing: 

  • Automation Testing – batching multiple tests is possible.  
  • Manual Testing – not feasible to batch tests.

Programming Knowledge: 

  • Automation Testing – knowledge in programming is a must to execute automated tests.
  • Manual Testing – No programming knowledge needed. 

 Usefulness: 

  • Automation Testing – proven useful when frequently needed to execute the same test cases.
  • Manual Testing – proven useful when needs to be run once or twice. 

Framework:

  • Automation Testing – to expedite the process Automation uses frameworks such as Data drive and keywords.
  • Manual Testing – does not use a framework but uses checklist and guidelines.

Documentation: 

  • Automation Testing – it can provide value for training most especially for automated test cases. A new developer can look into those cases and can quickly understand them.
  • Manual Testing – provides no value training. 

Deciding what to use: 

  • Automation Testing – if you need load testing, performance testing, or highly repeatable test cases. 
  • Manual Testing – if you are testing for usability, exploratory and Adhoc Testing. 

Currently, organizations are considering the fact of centralizing automation testing. However, there are still some debates and concerns about it. In a survey conducted, only 6% of industry professionals believe that centralizing automation testing in organizations is feasible.  

Manual Testing currently, is still considered as important as automation testing, because there are several kinds of testing that require manual testing.