Keen to scrutinize your website’s performance under varied loads and take the guess-work out of blending load and stress testing? Odds are you can find tools that fit your requirements. But it’s not always the case and sometimes you might need to procure a free UI performance testing tool.
So if you were lucky enough to find an open source or paid UI/load/stress testing platform that fits 90% of your needs, but not can’t find an open source tool for 10%, then this article is for you.
Apache JMeter
JMeter is the most popular open source load testing tool, and it’s easy to see why. It offers almost as many features as premium tools. It allows you to record test scripts via point and click, specify a maximum number of users, and validate the test scripts before running the load test. Reports include easy-to-read graphs that show a variety of performance metrics.
However, JMeter doesn’t easily scale to large-scale testing across a number of machines.
Taurus
Taurus is meant to work on its own or in conjunction with other open source load testing tools, adding to their functionality. Taurus allows you to perform load testing on a specific piece of code while it’s still being developed. Instead of recording test scripts with point and click functionality, you’ll write test scripts in YAML (an easily readable coding language). Reports are displayed within the application.
Locust
With Locust, you code test scripts in Python, and the application sends a swarm of virtual users to your website (or other system) to carry out those test scripts. Locust allows you to create hundreds of thousands of virtual users. It offers a web-based UI that displays load test results in real time.
The Grinder
The Grinder is Java-based and can load test any system that has a Java API. It’s designed to be used by programmers, but can also be used for production load testing. It requires you to write scripts in Jython or Clojure.
Gatling
Gatling uses a DSL (domain-specific language) for test scripting. The report it generates is colorful and dynamic. It works with any browser or operating system. Gatling does allow you to execute test cases in different clouds, but doesn’t allow you to distribute load between multiple machines.
Multi-Mechanize
Multi-Mechanize performs load tests by running concurrent Python scripts. It can be used to load test any remote API accessible from Python, but is most often used to test web performance and scalability. Reports include a variety of graphs.
Siege
Siege is another load testing tool aimed at developers. Test scripts can test basic authentication, HTTP, HTTPS, cookies, and FTP protocols. Siege doesn’t support more complicated transactions, but may still be adequate for your needs. It can be run with multiple IP addresses from the same machine, better mimicking real-world traffic. Siege isn’t suited for large-scale testing, and is most useful in the coding phase.
LoadUI Pro
LoadUI Pro allows you to quickly create scriptless sophisticated load tests, distribute them on cloud using load agents and monitor the performance of your servers as you increase the load on them. You can access detailed reports and quickly automate your load tests.
Software Testing Training
SELENIUM CERTIFICATION TRAINING COURSESelenium Certification Training CourseReviews 5(34555)MANUAL TESTING CERTIFICATION TRAINING COURSE ONLINEManual Testing Certification Training Course OnlineReviews 5(5713)SOFTWARE TESTING FUNDAMENTALS COURSESoftware Testing Fundamentals CourseReviews 5(1535)PERFORMANCE TESTING USING JMETERPerformance Testing Using JMeterReviews 5(2310)MOBILE APP TESTING USING APPIUMMobile App Testing Using AppiumReviews 5(2529)CONTINUOUS TESTING IN DEVOPSContinuous Testing in DevOpsReviews 5(1721)AUTOMATION TESTING USING TESTCOMPLETE 11.0Automation Testing using TestComplete 11.0Reviews 5(2194)Next
| Features | Protocols |
| Scriptless Load test creationPreconfigured load test templates like spike, baseline, stress, smokeDrag and drop load tests on distribution agents on cloudSophisticated analytics and statists features for reportingQuick conversion of functional tests | HTTPRESTSOAPJSONAPI BlueprintJSON SchemaXML Schema |
LoadView
LoadView utilizes real browser-based load testing for websites, web applications, and APIs. It creates multi-step scripts that simulate users interacting with your website or application. With LoadView by Dotcom-Monitor, you can show the actual performance of your applications under load.
| Features | Protocols |
| Cloud-based load testing in real browsersSupports Rich Internet ApplicationsQuickly and easily build test scripts without touching a line of codeTest compatibility on mobile browsers and devicesIdentify bottlenecks and ensure scalabilityPerformance metrics and reports that can be shared with various internal stakeholders | FlashSilverlightJavaHTML5PHPRuby |
NeoLoad
NeoLoad is an innovative performance testing platform designed to automate test design, maintenance, and analysis for Agile and DevOps teams. It integrates with continuous delivery pipelines to support performance testing.
| Features | Protocols |
| Automated test design enabling faster test creationIntegration with CI servers for automated test runtimeIt consists of Shared test scripts and reportsHybrid on-premise and cloud load generation from over 70 global localizations | HTTPHTTPSSOAPRESTFlex PushAJAX Push |
LoadRunner
LoadRunner is a software testing tool from Micro Focus. It is used to test applications, measuring system behavior, and performance under load. It can simulate thousands of users concurrently using application software.
| Features | Protocols |
| Lower hardware and software costs by accurately predicting system capacityIt Pinpoints the root cause of application performance problems quickly and accuratelyIt has Effective tool utilization trackingBrowser-based access to global test resources and optimal usage of load generator farm | All protocols are supported by Load Runner |
Silk Performer
Silk Performer tool is an enterprise class load and stress testing tool and has the ability to test multiple application environments with the thousands of concurrent users. It also supports the widest range of protocols.
| Features | Protocols |
| It requires minimum hardware resourcesSimulates modifiable virtual usersSupports integrated server monitoringThis has Customer friendly licensingCorrelation and Parameterization is user-friendlyNo License requirement for ControllersThis Handles Load Test in the project approach | HTTP/HTMLHTTPS/HTMLHTTP/HTTPS,FlashEmail (SMTP/ POP)FTP, TCP/IP, LDAPXML/SOAP |
AppLoader
AppLoader is a load testing solution designed for business applications. It allows you to test any application by reproducing the same user experience from all your access points.
| Features | Protocols |
| AppLoader allows you to test the entire business flowThis replicates the users’ interactions with your applicationScripts are created automatically when you use your application | Citrix XenAppXenDesktopCloud-based InfrastructureEHR SystemsCustomer Applications |
SmartMeter.io
SmartMeter.io is an alternative to JMeter and aims to fix its drawbacks. It allows for easy scriptless test scenario creation using the so-called Recorder, yet still lets you make advanced edits of the test. It also excels in test reporting and makes use of functions.
Performance Testing Using JMeter
Weekday / Weekend BatchesSee Batch Details
| Features | Protocols |
| • Scriptless test scenario creation • Comprehensive reporting with automatic evaluation • The GUI test run with real-time results • State of the art response body extractor • It is CI/CD ready | HTTPJDBCLDAPSOAPJMSFTP |
Load Impact – LoadImpact, soon to rebrand as k6 Cloud, is a cloud service used to load test the performance of websites, apps, and APIs
LoadImpact is a cloud service to load test the performance of websites, apps, and APIs that has specifically focused on API load testing in the new k6.io app, with a completely revamped Test Builder. Plus, they have an improved browser session recorder and an improved results page.
A standout component of this software is it’s easy to support of various ‘cl technologies’. Additionally, the reporting, graphs, and pictures are aesthetically pleasing and very readable.
This tool would benefit in some better help sections/training documents in order to outline the different components of the software and website. They lost a few marks in the evaluation for Usability but this certainly isn’t a deal-breaker, as many aspects of the tool are intuitive anyways.
Load Impact starts at $99/month and has a free trial.Visit Website
LoadFocus – No-code testing to find out how many users your website or API can handle; easily run tests within the browser from multiple locations
An easy and cost-effective way to test your websites, mobile and web applications, web services and APIs with features like load testing, website speed testing, mobile emulation, automated website testing, SEO/PWA/speed monitoring, and software consultancy services.
LoadFocus has a very reasonable price-per-month, scoring them favorably in the Value for Cost section of the evaluation review as far as paid load testing tools are concerned.
One weakness of the tool is that communication between the user and the LF team could be clearer and better implemented. For example, there have been some complaints about not receiving confirmation emails and other expected communication items.
LoadFocus starts at $22.60/month and has a free 14-day trial.Visit Website
Parasoft Load Test – Load testing module that enables users to take SOAtest functional test projects and leverage them for performance testing
Parasoft Load Test enables users to take SOAtest functional test projects and leverage them for performance testing. The Load Test Continuum (LTC) web-based reporting app makes performance testing a part of the CI/CD process and implements performance test automation.
One of the best parts of the software is that minimal experience/training is needed to get started. Users can easily pull from Excel or XML files, as well, and automating the APIs is intuitive.
With a rather hefty up-front cost, Parasoft Load Test lost a few marks in the Value for Cost section of the evaluation criteria, as the price tag may deter some. It is important to note that the cost listed below includes the enterprise edition, desktop licenses, and training for a team of 5.
Parasoft Load Test starts at $50,000 and has a free trial.Visit Website
Akamai CloudTest – Stress test the environment for your site or app and design your test at any scale or stage of production and interpret the results
CloudTest from Akamai allows you to safely simulate your largest events in production with precise control while producing a live analysis of what your site or app is capable of on your big day and helping you drill down to the source of any performance bottlenecks.
A highpoint of the software is that the software requires low resource allocation for high-performance results, which can be vital if you are working on sub-optimal systems or hardware.
Akamai CloudTest definitely has a formidable learning curve and is not necessarily ideal for users who are new to load testing ecosystems. The tool lost a few points in the Usability segment of the evaluation criteria.
Akamai CloudTest starts at $1300/user/year and has a free 30-day trial. Visit Website
Conclusion
These load testing tools will help you to test your email marketing campaigns and make sure that your setup is not going to be impacting your customers and anti-spam policy. All the applications we have mentioned below are 100% free and they will save you a lot of money, time and effort for testing your campaigns, increasing website load speed and performance as well as checking the stability of your website.