Most QA professionals find it challenging to manage the quality of their web applications, primarily because of the limited agile development time window. Adoption of test automation seems to be the only solution to these endless challenges. Automation testing streamlines the entire software testing process for increased efficiency, speed, and precision.
But how exactly does this happen?
In short, through test automation frameworks.
These frameworks are the building blocks supporting development teams in delivering high-quality applications to their end users. But with the endless number of such frameworks available today, it has become chaotic. So we are here with the 10 most popular test automation frameworks your organization can certainly benefit from.
Let’s get started!
What are Test Automation Frameworks?
A test automation framework is a compilation of tools, practices, and rules to help you systematically approach software testing automation. With these frameworks, the creation, management, and execution of automated tests can be streamlined for more scalability and efficiency. These structured guidelines help you write and run test scripts easily for better management.
Technologically advanced companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon are investing heavily in test automation for quality assurance of their software products.
There are different types of test automation frameworks, each designed to shine in specific testing workflows and needs. These are:
• Linear Automation Framework
It is the simplest form of test automation where user interactions are recorded and then played back to create tests. It usually includes no to minimal coding. However, it has low reusability and high maintenance costs, making it unfit for frequently changing applications.
• Data-Driven Framework
It separates test data from the actual test scripts, enabling the same test logic to be implemented with multiple input data sets. External sources like databases, Excel files, or CSVs store test data and improve test coverage and reusability. Maintenance becomes easy because changes to test data do not require modifications to the core test scripts.
• Hybrid Automation Framework
The hybrid automation framework combines the strengths of two or more framework designs for better test execution. Most commonly integrated frameworks are keyword-driven and data-driven. The hybrid qualities add flexibility for maximum code reuse and diverse testing needs.
• Modular Automation Framework
The modular automation framework breaks down the application into small, logical, and independent modules. Every module is given its distinct test script, increasing reusability and improving maintainability. The structured approach makes the automation process more scalable and organized.
• Keyword-Driven Framework
Keyword-driven frameworks use pre-defined keywords to showcase actions within a test. This makes test case creation and modification easier without extensive coding. Keywords like ‘Login’, ‘ClickButton’, and ‘EnterText’ are arranged sequentially to form these test cases.
• Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) Framework
Behavior-driven development frameworks use a plain, human-readable language format (like Gherkin syntax) to describe the application’s intended behavior from a business perspective. Business stakeholders, testers, and developers can work together with this approach for a better software outcome.
Let’s now get to the most preferred frameworks for test automation.
10 Most Popular Test Automation Frameworks
Engineering teams leave no stone unturned to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their testing process. Picking the right test automation framework is an integral part of making this happen. Before you choose one for your automation testing, consider your project’s scope, tool integration, test types, and team skill set.
The current automation testing market size is around USD 25.29 billion. With a projected growth rate of 19.6% from 2025 to 2034, its size is expected to reach $59.9 billion by the end of this period.
Here are ten of the most popular frameworks in the market.
| FRAMEWORK | DESCRIPTION | LANGUAGES | FOCUS |
| Selenium | Open-source for browser automation | Python, Java, JavaScript, C#, and more | Web applications, browser automation |
| Cypress | Modern, open-source for end-to-end web testing. | JavaScript (primarily) | End-to-end web applications |
| Playwright | Open-source by Microsoft for modern web app testing. | JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, .NET, Java | Modern web applications (cross-browser/platform) |
| TestComplete | Paid tool for script-based and codeless automation. | JavaScript, C#Script, Python, VBScript | Web, desktop, mobile, and API applications |
| Appium | Open-source for mobile web, native, and hybrid app automation. | Any language supported by WebDriver (e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript, Ruby) | Mobile applications (iOS, Android – web, native, hybrid) |
| Katalon Studio | Low-code/no-code platform built on Selenium and Appium. | Groovy (built-in keywords), Java, JavaScript (limited for scripting) | Web, mobile, and API applications |
| Jenkins | Open-source automation server for CI/CD pipelines. | Integrates with tools using various languages | CI/CD, build automation, test orchestration |
| TestNG | Java testing framework. | Java | Unit, integration, functional, and end-to-end testing |
| Apache JMeter | Open-source load testing tool. | Supports various protocols, not directly for scripting tests | Performance and load testing (web applications, APIs, etc.) |
1. Selenium
Selenium is an open-source automation framework for web applications and browsers. Testers employ its extensive suite of libraries and tools to write scripts in several leading programming languages (like Python, Java, JavaScript, C#, and more). These scripts enable interaction with web elements and perform user-like actions.
Selenium’s market share in the Testing and QA category is 22.22%.
Advantages:
- Open-source & Free: A cost-effective pick for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) and Startups because there are no licensing costs.
- Supports Multiple Programming Languages: Different programming languages can be picked according to the team’s expertise.
- Flexible & Extensive: Easily integrable with other frameworks and tools (like JUnit and TestNG) for better capabilities.
- Cross-Browser Compatibility: Supports automation on all major web browsers like Edge, Chrome, Firefox, etc.
- Large & Active Community: Extensive tutorials, support forums, and documents for testers.
Limitations:
- Complex Set Up: Beginners may find the initial setup and configuration challenging.
- Maintenance Overhead: The constantly changing application UI requires frequent maintenance.
- Built-in Reporting Missing: It does not have built-in reporting capabilities and must integrate with external reporting tools for the same.
2. Cypress
Cypress is a modern, open-source framework for end-to-end web application testing. It has a unique architecture with the prowess to run directly in the browser. It thus offers a highly integrated testing experience.
Advantages:
- Automatic Waiting: Gives more stability to tests by automatically waiting for assertions and commands to pass. You don’t need wait statements.
- Built-in Reporting: Generates reports with its built-in feature and captures test failure screenshots and videos.
- Develop-Friendly API: Its intuitive and clean JavaScript API makes it easier for the developer to write tests.
- Debugging Capabilities: Includes exceptional debugging tools and application inspection at each step.
- Real-Time Reloads: All changes to the test code are reflected in the Cypress Test Runner automatically for immediate feedback.
Limitations:
- Language Limitation: These tests are written mostly in JavaScript.
- Limited Browser Support: Only Chrome and Firefox are primarily supported.
3. Playwright
Playwright, an open-source framework by Microsoft, is designed for end-to-end modern web app testing. Backed by an advanced organization, it runs cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS) and supports various browsers (Safari, Chromium, Firefox). Its unified API makes it easier to interact with web elements.
Advantages:
- Auto-Waits & Resilience: It automatically waits for elements to be ready while also offering reliable features like improved flakiness handling and auto-retries.
- Debugging Tools: Playwright Inspector inspects the DOM, debugs tests, and traces execution steps.
- Powerful Automation: Its comprehensive suite of APIs interacts with complicated web scenarios and elements, like iframes and multiple tabs.
Limitations:
- Steeper Learning Curve: Even with a well-designed API, mastering its features may be time-consuming.
- Relatively New: It is a new framework with a less extensive community and third-party integrations.
4. TestComplete
TestComplete is a paid tool for both script-based and codeless automation testing. Its extensive list of features makes it a great fit to test mobile applications, web/desktop applications, and API within a single platform.
Advantages:
- Codeless Test Creation: Non-technical testers can create automated tests with features like record-and-playback.
- Built-in Reporting & Analysis: You can get detailed test reports, analysis, and log capabilities.
- All-Encompassing Platform: Supports multiple application types like web, desktop, mobile, and API.
- Scripting Flexibility: Different scripting languages like JavaScript, C#Script, Python, and VBScript are supported.
Limitations:
- Vendor Lock-in: It is a proprietary tool and may have a vendor lock-in period.
- Licensing Costs: Small companies may find TestComplete’s high licensing fees a barrier.
5. Appium
Appium is open-source and works best for automating web, native, and hybrid mobile applications on platforms like Windows, iOS, and Android. It uses the WebDriver protocol to drive mobile apps. Its open-source nature and cross-platform support make it a reliable mobile app testing tool. You can test web, native, and hybrid apps without modifying the application’s source code.
Advantages:
- Standard Automation APIs: Platform-standard automation APIs like XCUITest (iOS) and UIAutomator (Android) are used.
- Cross-Platform: Tests written in Appium can be run on iOS and Android platforms with the minutest code changes.
- Large & Active Community: It has a large and active community for unprecedented support and resources.
- App Modification Not Required: Interaction with mobile apps is direct without the need for application modifications.
Limitations:
- Platform-Specific Quirks: Some platform-specific workarounds and issues may arise during cross-platform compatibility.
- Complex Setup & Configuration: Beginners may find setting up Appium’s environment and dependencies challenging.
6. Katalon Studio
Katalon Studio is built atop Selenium and Appium. This low-code/no-code platform simplifies test automation for its user-friendly IDE (Integrated Development Environment). It also offers testers test templates, a record-and-playback feature, and pre-built keywords.
There is a constantly rising demand for low-code/no-code development platforms in North America.
Advantages
- Supports Different Testing: Tests various application types like web, mobile, and API.
- User-Friendly Interface: Has an easy-to-use and intuitive IDE.
- Seamless Integration: Seamlessly integrates with leading tools like Jenkins, Git, and Jira.
- Low-Code/No-Code Approach: No need for extensive coding because of distinct features and well-documented pre-built keywords.
- Built-in Reporting & Dashboard: Unprecedented test execution analysis with its comprehensive reports and dashboard.
Limitations
- Potential Performance Overhead: It might incur some performance overhead.
- Proprietary Tool: A paid license is needed to unlock advanced features and support.
7. Jenkins
Jenkins is an open-source automation server that integrates test execution within the continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline. It automatically runs tests whenever new code is committed, helping in a highly efficient testing process and early bug detection. It further provides numerous integrations and plugins for leading frameworks and tools for seamless test automation.
Advantages:
- Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: Its gigantic plugin library helps it integrate with distinct test automation tools and frameworks.
- Web-Based Interface: Its user-friendly web interface helps you manage and monitor automation pipelines.
- Open Source & Free: It is free to use and comes with a large and active community.
- Configurable & Extensible: You can customize it to fit your automation needs.
Limitations:
- Complicated Set Up & Management: Setting up and configuring complex pipelines can be hard initially.
- Reliance on Plugins: Functionality depends mostly on plugins, which can sometimes show compatibility issues.
8. TestNG
TestNG is a Java testing framework that takes inspiration from NUnit and JUnit. However, it has some great new features, making it more flexible and powerful. You can use it for different types of testing, like end-to-end, integration, unit, and functional tests.
Advantages:
- Test Configuration: Supports multiple test configurations like setting priorities, parameterizing test methods, and grouping tests.
- Data-Driven Testing: Integrates easily with data sources for data-driven testing.
- Powerful Annotations: Uses annotations to define setup/teardown methods, test configurations, and test methods.
- Integration with Other Tools: Promotes unprecedented integration with build tools (like Maven and Gradle), reporting tools, and IDEs (like Eclipse and IntelliJ).
Limitations:
- XML Configuration: XML files are used for test configuration, which can become complicated if you have large test suites.
- Primarily for Java: It can test applications written in other languages, but is primarily a Java framewor.
9. Apache JMeter
Apache JMeter is a load testing tool that measures and analyses your web application’s performance. It conducts strength tests by simulating heavy loads on your network, server (one or many), or object. Primarily useful for non-functional testing, it simulates heavy user loads for load and stress testing. It also aids in unit testing for network-interacting components like databases or APIs.
Advantages
- Open Source & Free: Small enterprises can especially benefit since it is free of cost.
- Graphical & Command-Line Interface: Has a GUI (graphical user interface) for test plan creation and a CLI (command-line interface) for integration and execution.
- Supports Multiple Protocols: You can test multiple protocols, like HTTP, SOAP, FTP, HTTPS, POP3, SMTP, LDAP, JDBC, REST, and more.
- Detailed Reporting & Analysis: Comes with listeners for real-time monitoring and detailed report generation.
Limitations
- Resource Intensive GUI: If you have large test plans, the GUI may consume significant memory.
- Limited Functional Testing Capabilities: This tool is not the best for extensive functional test automation of UI elements.
10 JUnit
JUnit is an open-source unit testing framework that can be seamlessly integrated into various software testing strategies. It simplifies writing and running repeatable tests for individual units of code.
Advantages:
- Widely Adopted: Most Java projects have it as the de facto standard for unit testing.
- Supports Test-Driven Development (TDD): It supports TDD practices by writing tests before code.
- Simple & Easy to Use: Its straightforward API makes it ideal for defining lifecycle methods and test methods.
- Extensible Architecture: Has extensions like JUnit Jupiter in JUnit 5 for endless integration possibilities and advanced features.
Limitations:
- Designed for Unit Testing: It primarily focuses on testing individual units of code. There may be issues in integration or end-to-end testing unless extra libraries or frameworks are added.
- Less Flexible Configuration: Limited built-in options for complex test configurations.
How AI Powers Test Automation Tools?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized test automation by rendering it more efficient and smarter. Test automation is no longer just about executing pre-scripted tasks, but has become smarter. Intelligence is infused into every stage for better quality assurance in software testing.
Here is how AI powers test automation tools:
• Self-Healing Tests
Self-healing test is a highly impactful AI application that can help your organization cut down the maintenance time drastically. AI-powered software testing tools automatically detect element changes to the user interface and accordingly adapt the test script. This ensures that the test does not become flaky or fail.
• Predictive Analytics for Defect Detection
AI-powered testing in QA can predict application areas with a high probability of defects by sifting through gigantic datasets of code modifications, test results, and past defects. Any issue in your application will get detected early in the development cycle.
• Root Cause Analysis & Smarter Reporting
AI analyzes complicated test logs and results to quickly and accurately detect the root cause of a test failure. More insightful reports are generated to identify anomalies and patterns for quicker debugging.
• Intelligent Test Creation & Generation
AI, along with Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML), analyzes multiple inputs like user stories, historical data, and app requirements. This action helps it generate test data and cases for better test coverage.
How Aegis Helps Adopt Test Automation
Successfully adopting the right test automation frameworks is as important as choosing automation. It can be a difficult choice, especially given the sheer quantity of such frameworks and tools available in the market today. You need a strong partner to pick, effectively implement, and use the best framework according to your organizational needs and demands.
Our expertise helps customize solutions to your specific needs. We help accelerate your test automation journey. Transform your testing efforts with our automation testing services.
FAQs
Q1. Is TestNG a framework?
Yes, TestNG is a powerful framework with features such as flexible test configurations, parallel test execution, and data-driven testing.
Q2. Is Playwright better than Selenium?
Playwright can be deemed better because it offers broader browser support, speed, a simple API, and automatic waiting.
Q3. What is the BDD framework?
BDD (behavior-driven development) frameworks are a compilation of practices and tools for better collaboration between business stakeholders, developers, and QAs. They define tests in a language that is behavior-oriented and readable by humans.
Q4. What is the purpose of test automation frameworks?
Test automation frameworks offer a structured set of practices, guidelines, and tools for streamlining test creation, reporting, and execution. All this improves reusability and accuracy in software testing services.
