There are many types of performance testing. All of which are used for different purposes. The two most common types are load testing and stress testing. Load testing is used to determine the performance of a system at peak loads, whereas Stress testing is used to help find issues with your application before it goes live by stressing your application to find vulnerabilities.
Here, I will show you a few examples of performance testing tools.
SoapUI
Created by SmartBear, SoapUI is a load testing tool that’s pretty much focused on API performance testing, and it does a pretty good job at that. SoapUI is used by giant software companies like Apple, BMW, MasterCard, and more. It’s pretty much the king (or almost the king) or API load testing. Some notable features of SoapUI include:
- The ability to security test APIs for SQL injection and other common attacks
- SoapUI includes an integrated GUI to for functional testing of APIs, making things really easy
- Best-in-class API performance testing that integrates seamlessly with their LoadUI tool
SmartMeter.io
SmartMeter.io is a tool that allows enterprise level testing, with the familiar JMeter user interface. Because it’s built on this familiar open source software, it starts as cheap as $39/month, and goes up from there. $39/month is extremely low cost for load testing software and for $99/month you’re able to get email support, which also isn’t a bad price. Some notable features of SmartMeter.io include:
- Similar to JMeter but with a lot more features
- Offers an embedded browser to create load testing scenarios in minutes
- In-depth automatic reports that allow for performance tuning and tweaks
WAPT
WAPT is a universal load testing tool that creates tests using browsers or mobile applications. It’s remote and distributed, so it’s cloud-based and easy to set up. It’s got a variety of options for testing different protocols and generating detailed reports. Some notable features of WAPT include:
- Flexible error handling when load and performance testing
- Ability to chart instant test results at runtime
- Support for all of the top web development frameworks
LoadUI Pro
LoadUI Pro is a special load testing quite that integrates with SoapUI, SmartBear’s comprehensive suite of load testing tools. LoadUI Pro allows you to create stress and endurance tests with just a few clicks. SmartBear is skilled at integrating their tools internally, and LoadUI Pro is no exception here. If you’re already using SoapUI, it really makes sense to give LoadUI a look. Some notable features of LoadUI include:
- Reuse functional API tests built on SoapUI
- Create function load tests with a few clicks
- Deploy high performance tests within minutes
K6 Cloud (Formerly Load Impact)
Load Impact is one of the most popular load testing tools in existence, and there’s a good reason for that—it’s used by huge companies, is extremely reliable, and is also cost-effective. With that said, Load Impact has re-branded to be K6 Cloud, a new name on a slightly new platform. Some notable features of K6 Cloud are:
- Open source and super easy to use
- Runs in the cloud, so no messing with servers and other annoying hardware
- Offers GUI and code-based testing
WebLOAD
WebLOAD is a performance testing tool created by the company Radview, which is known for their DevOps and shift left-focused tools. It has native support for JavaScript, server-side performance testing, and also mobile load testing. WebLOAD is trusted by massive companies like eBay and even NASA. Some notable features of WebLOAD include:
- Integrates with Dynatrace, Nagios, AppDynamics, and a variety of other website monitoring tools
- Allows for smart automatic scripting, which reduces the time needed to create load testing scenarios
- Specifically tailored to DevOps teams and practices
BlazeMeter
BlazeMeter heralds itself as “the only shift-left testing platform for enterprise,” which makes it a unique tool among the rest on this list here. Is it the only tool that can meet the needs of enterprise clients? Absolutely not, but nevertheless—it’s an interesting tool. BlazeMeter’s top competitor is most likely LoadRunner, and they’re each interesting enterprise testing tools in different ways. Some unique features of BlazeMeter include:
- Selenium functional testing without having to write and code
- Access 55+ geolocations from around the world
- Virtualize and test all parts of your system even if you don’t have access to that particular environment
Test Studio from Telerik
Created to assist in functional test automation for a variety of modern web applications, Test Studio is one of the most popular functional UI testing tools for a variety of scenarios. Test Studio has a robust GUI interface and makes it easy to create, run, and record load and performance tests. Notable features of Test Studio include:
- Offers functional UI testing, a web dashboard, and RESTful API testing all in one package
- Import third-party libraries and schedule distributed runs
- Bug tracking integration with TFS and Jira
WebLOAD
WebLOAD is an enterprise-grade load and performance testing tool which is designed for web applications. It supports over a hundred technologies from web protocols to enterprise applications and has built-in integration with Jenkins, Selenium, and many other tools to enable continuous load testing for DevOps. It combines performance, scalability, and integrity as a single process for the verification of web and mobile applications. It can simulate hundreds of thousands of concurrent users making it possible to test large loads and report bottlenecks, constraints, and weak points within an application. The results of the tests are collected from the Load Machines and it can be viewed in real-time in a tabular or graphical format. It is compatible with operating systems like Microsoft Windows, and Linux.
WebLOAD Features:
Following are some of the most important features of WebLOAD
- WebLOAD can be run as an on-premise product or as a fully managed SaaS load testing solution.
- A set of predefined analysis reports provides performance data, helping users identify bottlenecks. Reports and analysis data can also be viewed remotely via a customizable Web Dashboard.
- It supports a wide range of web, mobile, and enterprise protocols and technologies.
- A powerful correlation engine recognizes both server-side and client-side dynamic values.
Protocols:
Protocols and technologies supported by WebLOAD are as follows.
It supports a wide range of web, mobile, and enterprise protocols and technologies such as HTTP/HTTPS, WebSocket, PUSH, AJAX, SOAP, HTML5, WebDAV, and many others.Try WebLoad
LoadRunner (HP Performance Tester)
LoadRunner is a Load Testing Software from Micro Focus for application load testing. As a performance testing tool, it is used to test applications, measuring system behavior, and performance under load. It can create and handle thousands of concurrent users to put the application through the rigors of real-life user loads while gathering required information with respect to the performance and also based on the infrastructure components (Web servers, database servers etc.). It reports the end user response times for business processes and transactions to compare them against the service level agreements (SLA). The results can then be analyzed in detail to explore the reasons for a particular behavior. It is compatible with operating systems like Microsoft Windows, and Linux.
NeoLoad
NeoLoad is a powerful load and performance testing software solution designed for web and mobile applications. It simulates a large number of users and analyses server behavior. It identifies performance bottlenecks and provides a solution to optimize the design and development of the application before they become expensive issues in production. It allows users to conduct load tests quickly, efficiently, and frequently. This means you can confidently deploy high-performance internet, intranet, or mobile applications regardless of what technologies. It even supports the newest technologies such as Flex, Silverlight, GWT, SPDY, JSON, and AJAX Push. It integrates with the Continuous Delivery platform. It is compatible with operating systems like Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Solaris.
NeoLoad Features:https://c14ee02cd461bc6268e02de3f641c2e6.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Following are some of the most important features of NeoLoad
- It supports the latest technologies like HTML5, Push, WebSocket, AngularJS, Oracle Forms and many more
- Scriptless design and visual programming
- Integration with Continuous Integration servers. It provides an out-of-the-box CI plugin for Jenkins, TeamCity, Bamboo, XebiaLabs XL Release.
- Native GIT support
- It integrates with functional testing tools like Selenium, Appium, Perfecto MobileCloud etc.,
Protocols:
Protocols and technologies supported by NeoLoad are as follows.
SAP GUI Web, HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, SOAP, REST, Silverlight, Java Serialization, Java Message Service, GWT, AJAX, Oracle Forms, Push technologies, etc.,Try NeoLoad
StresStimulus
StresStimulus is a load testing tool for web applications, mobile, and Enterprise apps. It determines the web performance and scalability of an application under the rigors of heavy traffic load. It collects real-time server monitoring information to pinpoint application performance bottlenecks and isolate web speed issues. It supports a native app framework which saves time on mobile app load testing. It records user actions and replays them in order to emulate variable usage patterns. It also monitors a load impact on application responsiveness and server infrastructure. It automatically fixes playback errors. It comes with both free and commercial versions. You can get a 7-day extendable trial with up to 10k virtual users and full support in the free trial.
StresStimulus Features:
Following are some of the most important features of StresStimulus
- It can be used on-premises or from the cloud.
- It works with or without Fiddler. Fiddler helps to create, analyze and debug HTTP traffic.
- Scripting is not required but is available. We can create the entire test case through a GUI and wizard-based interface without touching script.
- Multiple secure authentication methods are supported, including Web Forms, Basic, NTLM, and Kerberos.
- It supports parameterization with external data (CSV files)
- It gives in-depth reporting. It generates a test summary report that presents key performance metrics.
Protocols:
Protocols and technologies supported by StresStimulus are as follows.
HTTP, HTTPS, AJAX, SOAP, WCF, binary WCF, and XML over HTTP.Try StressStimulus
Conclusion
Performance testing is a process of measuring the performance of a specific application, website or an entire system. By using performance testing tools, businesses can ensure that their websites and applications are not only fast but also reliable for their users.