Manual Testing vs Automated Testing: Key Differences [2023]

Software testing is a very important part of becoming a software successful among the users. It is the process of testing the functionality and components of software to make it more efficient and productive. Software testing is of two types that are manual testing and automation testing. There are various factors, such as type of software, funds, etc., that decide the type of testing to be chosen. In this article, we will discuss what manual testing is and what automation testing is, their differences, and various aspects of it.

What is Manual Testing?

Manual testing is defined as the type of software testing in which the testers are not allowed to use any kind of automation tool. The testing process is done by the human workforce only, ideally those who have undergone some form of training, like the ISTQB Foundation Level course. In this type of testing technique, the testing team makes sure that all the functionalities and features are working and are according to the software requirements documentation. Manual testing is comparatively slower, pricey, and takes more time for testing execution than that automation testing because it does not use any automated tool.

Manual testing is preferred where human interaction is more required in the testing process. For example, a type of manual testing that is “Acceptance testing” is done for projects where we need to test them before making them live for the users. In this testing, the human checks all the functionality and working of the project and rectifies any issues or bugs if found. It helps to gain a good crowd of people as humans already test the product according to their needs.

Pros and Cons of Manual Testing

Now let us see what are the pros and cons of manual testing techniques.

Pros:

• In manual testing, there is human involvement and monitoring during the execution of the testing process. It helps to find any kind of instantaneous error by human intelligence. The flaws are rectified during the testing process.
• Manual testing is cheap because it does not require any advanced framework or automation tools to execute the testing process.
• When a program is being developed manually, it can be used exactly as it will be when it is released. Additionally, manual testing has a higher likelihood of identifying problems that appear when a user uses the program in a particular way.
• Manual testing is more flexible as the testing team can keep an eye on the whole process, and they can view the results from the very beginning and do modifications if needed.

Cons:

• Manual testing takes more time as compared to automation testing. Humans need to examine each and every component of the project manually, which is time taking work.
• The tester team must have a good knowledge of extensive products because you are not using any automation tool or testing framework. All the decisions are solely made by humans according to their knowledge about that specific project.
• As the testing process requires repetitive tasks to analyze the result and make the project better, many humans get bored and do not find it engaging. This may lead to distraction from their work which ultimately will cause errors.

What is Automation Testing?

Automate testing is defined as the type of software testing where the testing process is done using various frameworks and automated tools. In this testing type, the testing team writes customized code to automate the code for test execution. The aim of automation testing is to find the best possible errors and bugs to improve testing efficiency. It also has advantages over manual testing, which we will discuss in the coming section.

Testing professionals use the required automation technologies to create test scripts and validate software. These testing tools can also retrieve test data, control test execution, and compare test results from the expected output. The goal is to complete test execution in as little time as feasible. Automation testing can improve software testing’s outcomes, output, and accuracy. Although human intervention is not included in automation testing, at some point obviously, we need humans to control the testing process.

Pros and Cons of Automation Testing

Now let us see what are the pros and cons of automation testing techniques.

Pros:

• Automation testing brings more precise results as compared to manual testing. because in automation, testing is done simultaneously, not successively. Also, the frequency of tests is more in automation testing.
• Automation testing is less prone to error. This is because it uses automated tools and various testing frameworks to execute the testing process.
• Automation testing may look expensive in the short term, but it is much cheaper in the long term. As we eliminate most of the errors and bugs during the testing process only. So, you do not need to spend money in the future for any alteration. 

Cons:

• Automated testing takes more time to prepare the testing scripts if needed.
• Automation testing is expensive as it requires testing tools to execute the testing.
• It takes more time to execute because the automated tools and frameworks require time to build and get executed.

A highly favored option for both manual and automation testing is a cloud-based platform like LambdaTest. LambdaTest stands out as a cloud-based digital experience testing platform, enabling seamless execution of both manual and automation testing. With access to a vast real device cloud consisting of over 3000 real device and browser combinations, testers can conduct real-time and automated testing. This feature is instrumental in ensuring the testability of applications as it allows testers to apply their expertise in detecting potential bugs that could otherwise make the system untestable.

The LambdaTest Selenium Automation Grid is designed to conduct end-to-end automation tests on a scalable infrastructure. Integrating with a variety of automation testing frameworks like Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, and others, LambdaTest empowers users to carry out automated tests efficiently. The outcome is significantly increased test coverage and considerably reduced build times.

Difference between Manual Testing and Automation Testing

Now, let us see the various parameters where manual testing and automation testing are different from each other.

• Description: Manual testing is the software testing type where the testing process is done by humans without any automated tools and utilities. While automation testing is done by using many testing automation tools and frameworks.
• Precision: Manual testing gives less precise results due to the involvement of human mistakes. While automation testing provides more precise results because it is done using computerized elements and tools that eliminate chances of mistakes.

• Reliability: Manual testing is less reliable because there are chances of mistakes made by humans, so the program becomes less reliable while making it live. While automation testing is done using automation testing tools that make the software trustworthy.

• Scalability: Scaling manual tests on a wider scale consumes more time hence decreasing the scalability of the software. While automation testing can be scaled on various parameters with ease and efficiency due to the use of various testing tools.

• Price: Manual testing is cheaper because it is executed using a human workforce. While automation testing is expensive due to the use of testing tools and frameworks that need money.

• Prerequisites: Manual testing does not require programming languages. While Automation testing requires knowledge of various programming languages and frameworks to write scripts for testing.

• Human Intervention: Manual testing is done by doing observation and monitoring the entire testing process by humans. While automation testing does not require human intervention to execute the testing process. Although, there is a requirement for little human intervention to operate the testing tools.

• Skills: Manual testing involves stimulation of user behavior so that testing can be done to increase the efficiency of the software. While automation testing requires computer and programming knowledge to create test cases.

• Compatibility: Manual testing cannot be checked against operating system compatibility due to the involvement of a distinct tester. While automation testing can be checked against various platforms and types of operating systems.

• Documentation: In manual testing, we do not use documentation of test cases for training purposes. While automation tasting is done using detailed documentation of test cases and training steps of the software testing process.

• Efficiency: Manual testing consumes more time to execute the testing process because humans do all the steps. While automation testing covers a large area of testing components in less time, which eventually increases the efficiency of the testing process.

Manual Testing vs Automation Testing: Which is Better?

In contrast to automated testing, which requires careful test development and execution, human testing makes it simpler to detect minor errors. On the other side, designing and testing test cases for identical tasks is simplified by automated testing. Manual testing is still useful in some situations, even if it is expensive and time-consuming. Automation, however, not only expedites the procedure but also reduces costs.

Conclusion

As we can see, software testing is of two types that are manual testing and automation testing. Manual testing, as the name suggests, is done with the help and intervention of humans. While automation testing is done using various automation testing tools and frameworks. There are advantages and disadvantages to both software testing types. You can choose them according to the need or product, price, and other type of software that it is. Hope you have got the key differences in how manual testing and automation testing are different in various aspects after reading this article.