What’s the Difference Between Manual and Automation Testing?

Unit Testing

This involves performing a series of low-level test scenarios. The most common is testing individual components, modules, buttons, and other functions. It usually does not consider how two different modules interact with each other. Unit tests are cheap to automate and run very quickly.

Suited for: Automation testing

Integration Testing

Integration tests involve testing the relationship between two or more modules/components within a piece of software. The purpose of the test is to see how well different components work together. It can help reveal potential bugs and issues when two or more components are run at the same time.

Suited for: Automation testing

Functional Testing

Functional tests are tests that ensure a piece of software meets the unique business requirements. It’s a form of black box testing, where the software system is tested without having any knowledge of the internal code structure, implementation details, and internal paths. It only verifies the output of a specific action when it is performed.

Suited for: Automation and manual testing

End-to-end Testing

End-to-end tests replicate the kind of actions performed by a real user to ensure the user experience meets the highest standards. The purpose of these tests is to verify that the many user flows work as expected. For example, loading a web page or logging in. Since these tests can be highly subjective and rely heavily on human consideration, manual testing is often the best approach for end-to-end tests.

Suited for: Automation and manual testing

Acceptance Testing

Acceptance tests are tests designed to verify that the software meets all the necessary business requirements. Unlike functional tests, this type of test requires the entire application to be up and running, not just a few components.

Suited for: Automation testing

Performance Testing

Performance tests are designed to see how the software responds when put under heavy loading and stress tests. They’re designed to push the limits of the software and test for worst-case scenarios – such as sudden crashes – so that the development team can rectify such issues before launch. Performance testing also involves seeing where the software can be optimized so as to improve aspects like loading times, speed, and response times to user actions.

Suited for: Automation testing

Load Testing

It is a type of performance test where the software is subjected to different levels of user traffic and activity. The purpose is to evaluate how it responds in different test cases (i.e., peak hours) or when there is an influx of users. Load testing is important for high-volume projects to make sure the finished product can handle a large number of users simultaneously without crashing.

Suited for: Automation testing

UX and Exploratory Testing

UX and exploratory testing involve simulating real-world user scenarios to evaluate the user experience. This includes conducting surveys, focus groups, and other means to collect feedback from genuine users. Since these tests are highly subjective and rely heavily on human consideration, manual testing is a better choice compared to automation testing.

Suited for: Manual testing

Stress Testing

Quite similar to load testing, stress testing is about pushing software past its breaking point in order to evaluate how it performs under extreme and adverse conditions. Stress tests are essential for identifying potential vulnerabilities that could cause system crashes or data loss. Manual testing is often the preferred approach, as stress tests require a lot of manual input and analysis.

Suited for: Manual testing

Spike Testing

This is also known as another form of stress testing that involves suddenly and rapidly increasing the load on a system. In such a scenario, manual testers can identify performance bottlenecks or issues that may not arise under normal circumstances. Indeed, spike testing is better conducted manually.

Suited for: Manual testing

Adhoc Testing

As its name suggests, ad-hoc testing is an unplanned and unstructured form in which random tests without predefined test cases are executed. This type of tests is often a starting point to detect issues before proceeding to more structured testing methods. Due to its nature, ad-hoc testing calls for human considerations and judgments.

Suited for: Manual testing

Regression Testing

Regression tests are those that are repeatedly executed on a piece of software so as to validate the integrity and performance after changes have been made to the code. Regression testing is best done automatically as it is known which function needs to be checked. In other cases, manual regression testing might also be necessary.

Suited for: Automation or manual testing (depending on the complexity of changes)

White Box Testing

This software testing method involves the examination of the internal structure and operation of an application. White box testing evaluates code, statement, and decision coverage to ensure all paths through the code have been executed at least once. It will be best in an automation process as it incorporates detailed scrutiny and analysis.

Suited for: Automation testing

Black Box Testing

Without considering the internal code structure, test engineers check a software’s external behavior, just like users would. In this way, the code paths are validated from an outside point of view, thereby catching issues or bugs that might affect how the software actually functions. In black box testing, human testers play a vital role in observing and documenting test results, so it should be done manually.

Suited for: Manual testing

Grey Box Testing

Grey box testing is defined as a blend of both white box and black box testing. Software testers have partial knowledge of the internal code structure but not in detail. This type of testing enables a balance between deep inspection and the user’s perspective. Grey box testing is best suited for automation as it requires both coding expertise and external observation.

Suited for: Automation testing

Usability Testing

A test like this is to verify the functionality of a software application. It involves activities such as observing interactions with real users, conducting surveys, and collecting feedback. Human touch is significantly important for observation and analysis, so it is best to perform manual testing.

Suited for: Manual testing

Compatibility Testing

It refers to the process of checking that a software application functions correctly across different platforms, devices, operating systems, and web browsers. These tests are purposed to detect any issues or conflicts in terms of compatibility that could affect user experience. This type of software testing can be done both manually and through an automation tool.

Suited for: Automation and manual testing

System Testing

It is about evaluating the entire system to guarantee that all components work well together and meet the specified requirements. Depending on the complexity level of the software being tested, system tests can be done by a manual tester or automation testing tools.

Suited for: Manual or automated testing