11 Best Mobile Automation Testing Tools [2024]

Mobile application development is on the rise like never before, and it proportionally invites the need to perform thorough testing with the right mobile testing strategies. The strategies majorly involve the usage of various mobile automation testing tools. Mobile testing tools help businesses automate their application testing and cut down the extra cost, time, and chances of human error.

Mobile test automation utilizes automation tools to evaluate mobile web, native, and hybrid applications on various devices and OS. It assesses functionality, security, and performance, ensuring apps meet specified requirements, with practices like real or cloud-based testing enhancing testing efficacy.

We live in a mobile-driven world where every business vertical expands its base through mobile applications. According to Statista, the world will see 5 billion mobile users by 2030.

To conduct business and be competitive, companies must reach out to as many people as possible. Businesses use mobile applications to expand business opportunities, promote brand awareness, acquire new customers and retain existing customers.

Application testing is one such metric which ensures that the customers get what they desire and deserve. It includes various aspects, such as certifying different operating systems, devices, combinations, etc., in an every-upgrading environment.

In this blog on the best mobile automation testing tools, we list the best 11 mobile automation testing tools with their advantages and business-friendly features.

What is Mobile App Automation Testing?

Mobile app automation testing is a crucial process for ensuring the quality and reliability of mobile applications. By automating the testing procedures, developers and testers can efficiently validate the functionality, performance, and usability of their mobile apps across various devices, platforms, and operating systems.

As the name suggests, mobile app automation testing is the process of testing mobile applications using one or more automation tools. By leveraging mobile app automation testing, businesses can be confident that their mobile app is ready to be released to the public.

Automation tools perform various tests that check the features and functionalities of an app. These tests include accessibility, efficiency, load time, performance, etc. Using automation testing tools to test mobile apps helps businesses reduce cost, time, and the probability of human error while testing applications and software.

Challenges while performing mobile app automation testing

As people are getting increasingly accustomed to high-class mobile apps, the challenge of creating better apps keeps increasing. This results in increased challenges for the QA/Automation team while performing testing of these apps.

Below are five key challenges while performing mobile app automation testing:

• Exponential growth of devices globally

As there are a variety of OS and innumerable devices and models, one can imagine the diversity of smartphones globally. This poses a huge challenge while testing the compatibility of mobile apps for each OS and device.

• Different types of mobile applications

Mobile applications can be further divided into categories like Native apps, Hybrid apps, and Web apps. Each type is a challenge for the backend team, requiring a different configuration and testing strategies. Consider combining two or more of these types; it will increase the complexity of manifolds. Please go through this blog on Web vs Hybrid vs Native Apps to learn more about these apps.

• UI variations across different OS

We know that different operating systems come with different UIs, which is where testing mobile apps become a challenge. These variations in UI come with different usage guidelines and layouts for every app. Hence, testing varied user interfaces with such metrics is a big challenge.

• Security challenges

Security-related challenges are the most critical to deal with. Although mobile automation tools like LambdaTest are private-cloud based, tools and devices running on public-cloud may threaten security. To name a few – easy cache access, poor encryption, etc.

• Too many options

The market is surging with many mobile app automation testing tools. Relying on free public-cloud tools may cause security breaches. Moreover, choosing one or more paid tools may backfire and take a toll on the budget. Hence, choosing one that fits an individual business’s needs is quite a challenge.

There are more such challenges that businesses face while testing mobile apps. However, many great mobile automation testing tools, like the ones mentioned below, help overcome such challenges and increase efficiency resulting in high test coverage.

Best mobile automation testing tools

In this section of this blog on mobile app testing, we will look into the 11 best mobile automation testing tools in 2024.

LambdaTest

LambdaTest is one of the best mobile automation testing tools. LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform that lets you run manual and automated tests at scale with over 3000+ real devices, browsers and OS combinations.

It is trusted by major corporations like Microsoft, Cisco, Suncorp, Capgemini, and many more. It is a highly efficient automation testing tool that allows you to perform live and interactive tests of your application. Its Android emulators and iOS simulators eliminate the need for an explicit device library.

This platform enable testing of your native and hybrid mobile apps on the cloud by providing online APK emulators and simulators. It incorporates all the touch screen gestures like long-press, tap, pinch, scroll, etc. It also allows mobile performance testing of mobile apps, Espresso, XCUITest on the real device cloud. (including Android, iOS, and Windows).

What makes LambdaTest one of the best mobile app automation testing tools?

Mobile app automation testing with LambdaTest’s cloud testing platform accelerates your business deliveries. With all the emulators, simulators, real-cloud devices, and an online device farm of 3000+ real devices and OS combinations, LambdaTest emerges as an all-in-one mobile automation testing tool that businesses like yours can rely on.

You can also subscribe to the LambdaTest YouTube Channel and stay updated with the latest tutorial around automated browser testing, Cypress E2E testing, mobile app testing, and more.

Here are some key advantages of using LambdaTest:

• It doesn’t require any setup or installation. Its web-based platform allows you to start testing as soon as you log in.
• It provides seamless integration with detailed test logs and insights.
• It offers a free trial and affordable license plans.
• It supports integration with other testing tools like Appium, Espresso for Android automation testing, and XCUITest for iOS automation testing, increasing its efficiency manifolds.

Appium

Appium is a very popular open-source automation testing framework that supports automation for various operating systems. It can be used with native, hybrid, and mobile web apps to test in various environments. It allows users to write automation scripts in various programming languages like Java, Perl, Python, etc.

As a cross-platform testing tool, it will enable users to run mobile automation tests for iOS, Windows, and Android by incorporating the Selenium WebDriver protocol. Appium works on a Client-Server architecture and is comprised of three components:

• Appium Client: It is automation code scripted in any programming language.
• Appium Server: It receives and executes the command requests from the client in JSON format.
• End Device: It is either an emulator or real-time device on which the tests are performed.

What makes Appium one of the best mobile app automation testing tools?

• It is an open-source automation testing tool, hence free.
• Appium supports multiple programming languages for writing test scripts.
• It enables integration with various CI tools and provides extensive support through the internet.

All in all, Appium mobile testing is a great choice for app test automation. However, it has a few limitations:

• You can’t run Appium inspector on Windows devices.
• Setup time for Appium on iOS and Android is complex.
• Windows OS doesn’t support script recording for application servers.

testRigor

testRigor is an AI-driven no-code software for automation testing. It allows you to build no-code test scripts for your native and hybrid mobile apps. Even a manual QA person (without having any coding skills) can write automation test scripts with testRigor using nothing but plain English.

It supports more than 2000 combinations to perform cross browser testing. However, to perform your automation testing on a range of real devices, you need to integrate them with cloud platforms like LambdaTest. With testRigor, you can execute the whole test suite in less than 30 minutes. It also comes with the automatic screenshot feature (which takes a screenshot of the tests at every step).

All the tests you perform and their results are public, i.e., anyone can view the scripts and the results. testRigor also allows any provider for CI/CD pipeline integration. The best part is – testRigor also comes with a free trial period and a demo service.

What makes testRigor one of the best mobile automation testing tools?

• It allows the creation of test scripts 15x faster by using just plain English.
• You can perform the same test suite even if the application is moved to a different framework.
• Claims to reduce test maintenance time by 95%.
• testRigor is super-reliable as it creates a test suite for human’s respective, i.e., it doesn’t rely on sources like XPath.

Espresso

Espresso, a Google-developed mobile automation testing tool for Andriod, has garnered widespread acclaim for its outstanding performance. It simplifies the process of creating tests by abstracting away the complexities of the application’s infrastructure. As an open-source tool, Espresso also offers developers the flexibility to tailor it to their specific needs, further enhancing its appeal.

Its exceptional speed demonstrates its ability to execute tests quickly while minimizing errors. This remarkable efficiency positions Espresso as a top choice for mobile app testing, preferred by developers seeking swift and reliable testing solutions.

What makes Espresso of the best mobile app automation testing tools?

• You can create a standalone APK file for your test suite, making it easy to install and quickly execute on your device or an APK Emulator Online. This feature streamlines the testing process and enhances overall efficiency.
• It provides rapid feedback on code changes, facilitating quicker debugging and issue resolution. This capability accelerates the development cycle and ensures a smoother workflow.
• It operates alongside the application under test, delivering instant test results without requiring a separate server. This approach enhances test efficiency and eliminates unnecessary complexities.
• Its synchronized execution and element confirmation mechanism ensures stable test cycles, reducing the risk of failures due to undetected objects. This reliability is crucial for maintaining test consistency and effectiveness.

ZAPTEST

ZAPTEST is a software automation testing tool with computer vision technology. It helps interface automation for cross-platform and cross-browser testing for UI, RPA, and API. It is a full-stack testing tool that automates testing mobile apps, websites, desktop apps, APIs, and whatnot.

It allows you to run one script for all platforms, devices, and versions. If you want to run multiple tests on different platforms simultaneously, this tool is the one for you. This feature of handling multiple testings and AUT configurations simultaneously is termed M-RUN.

Moreover, it also comes with the feature of codeless automation (for people with little or no coding knowledge). The selling point of ZAPTEST is its ROI calculator that allows businesses like yours to calculate the return on investment of this automation tool. It claims to generate a 10X better ROI by maximizing the automation testing capability.

Although it has a free version, the paid license opens up all its features and capabilities. You can contact the vendor for the pricing details.

What makes ZAPTEST one of the best mobile automation testing tools?

• It comes with RPA software automation and parallel execution over different platforms.
• The API testing and one-click auto documentation features are seamless.
• Provides functional and performance-based automation testing.
• Supports code-free development of test scripts

Digital.ai

Digital.ai is one of the leading software testing tools that support automation testing over every major operating system. From iOS and Android to Windows and Blackberry, it supports all. It also comes with the feature of a client library that hosts boiler codes in Java, Python, C#, etc., to help QA develop test scripts faster and more efficiently.

Specifically for mobile app automation testing, Digital.ai hosts both Image-based and Object-based testing for mobile apps. Image-based testing identifies elements by image recognition, while object-based testing utilizes the XPath.

Digital.ai allows you to use the same script for different OS with just a few minor changes. All in all, it is a good tool but is neither free nor open-source. You can’t even opt for a free trial. To know more about the pricing and plans, you can contact the Digital.ai vendor.

What makes Digital.ai one of the best mobile automation testing tools?

• Supports both image-based and object-based recognition for mobile app testing.
• Supports all major operating systems.
• It comes with easy screenshots, screen recordings, and document generation.

It also has some considerable limitations:

• You need an external plugin for parallel execution of test cases.
• No free trial; hence a bit costly for small organizations.

Selendroid

Selendroid is an open-source mobile automation testing tool that interacts with the user interface (UI) of Android native, hybrid, and mobile web applications. It utilizes the Android instrumentation framework to achieve this functionality. Tests are scripted using the Selenium 2 client API, also known as the Selenium WebDriver. This integration enables Selendroid to leverage and extend the capabilities of the existing Selenium framework effectively.

What makes Selendroid one of the best mobile app automation testing tools?

• It seamlessly integrates with the JSON wire protocol and is fully compatible with Selenium 3, making it a dependable choice for automation. Its compatibility ensures smooth operation and reliable results in automated testing scenarios.
• Its ability to test apps without requiring modifications to the app itself. This simplifies the automated testing process for mobile applications, saving testers time and effort.
• Its built-in web view app Android driver, which enables efficient testing of mobile web applications. This feature enhances the versatility of Selendroid and makes it a preferred tool for testing various types of mobile applications.
• It maintains consistency in its approach to automating the testing process, whether the app is native or hybrid. This consistency ensures that testers can apply the same concepts and techniques, regardless of the app type, streamlining the testing process.
• It simplifies the task of locating UI elements by supporting various locators. This feature enhances the efficiency of writing test scripts and improves the overall testing experience.

ZeuZ

ZeuZ is one of the most affordable cloud-based automation testing tools. Although it doesn’t offer a free version, it does provide a free trial with a starting price of just $50/month.

It is an AI-powered, DevOps-ready, and scriptless automation tool that is relatively popular among small businesses. It provides an overall mobile app testing solution with CI/CD integration, automatic debugging, rich reporting, documentation, and Device-Farms like AWS.If a real device farm is hurting your pocket, LambdaTest is the best alternative for an AWS device farm.

One of the most popular features of ZeuZ is the automatically triggered email and benchmark testing. It also hosts reusable templates and scripts along with screen capture features. It allows you to perform multiple tests like sanity, security, regression, and end-to-end testing. You can integrate ZeuZ with systems like Ansible, Asana, Hira, Slack, etc. Although it is easy to use, you can get any doubts cleared from its forum and video tutorials.

What makes ZeuZ one of the best mobile automation testing tools?

• One-time script writing. You can run the same script over many OS.
• Offers AI-backed object-based testing and a built-in test waiting mechanism.
• It can be extended by integrating with frameworks like Selenium and Appium.
• Serves as an all-in-one testing suite.

Calabash

Calabash is a free and open-source mobile testing tool compatible with iOS and Android mobile apps. Its selling point is the feature that gives users the ability to create test scripts without writing a single line of code, using nothing but simple English.

You can test your native and hybrid mobile apps with Calabash using its amazing libraries that interact with the test code. It performs tests by automatically interacting with all the app elements, i.e., buttons, scrolls, validations, etc.

You can run a Calabash test script on several operating systems by tweaking some minute changes. It works best on real mobile devices rather than emulators and simulators. Integration features of Calabash are also great. You can easily integrate delivery tools like Jenkins and CI/CD pipeline.

What makes Calabash one of the best mobile app automation testing tools?

• It supports the Cucumber framework, a boon for non-technical people.
• Allows test script writing in plain English.
• The same test script can work for both iOS and Android devices.
• Allows touch-screen features like a scroll, pinch, tap, etc.

Although it is a great automation tool, Calabash has a few limitations:

• You need to write code-based scripts in the case of iOS.
• If one step of a test fails, all subsequent test cases are automatically dropped.

Ranorex Studio

Ranorex is an amazing automation testing tool to deliver excellent mobile apps. It supports all forms of testing for hybrid and native mobile apps, i.e., data-driven, regressions, functional, keyword-driven testing, etc.

It enables you to create tests for Windows OS and enqueue them for iOS and Android devices later in time. It also supports full-fledged cross-browser testing on browsers like Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and countless others. It also integrates well with DevOps tools, JIRA, testRail, Travis, Jenkins, etc.

Although it is not a free tool, it does provide a 30-days trial. The license to create and run tests on Ranorex is a bit costly but worth it. As an individual, you can get the Studio License for $3590, while as a team, you can get the Enterprise License for $6000.

What makes Ranorex Studio one of the best mobile automation testing tools?

• Allows no-code test script creation.
• UI is user-friendly, and the support team is available 24×7.
• Supports mobile app testing for both Android and iOS devices.
• Integration with other third-party systems is seamless.

Among all the positives, there are a few limitations with Ranorex:

• The license fee is on the costly side.
• It doesn’t support macOS and supports fewer programming languages.

Robotium

Robotium is an exceptional open-source mobile automation testing tool, offering a comprehensive set of tools and guidelines for developers to test their apps efficiently. It streamlines the testing process, eliminating the need for manual checks on every aspect of the application.

Developers can use Robotium to create test cases for various testing scenarios, such as verifying specific app functions, testing the app’s behavior in diverse situations, or validating if the app meets specific acceptance criteria. This flexibility empowers developers to thoroughly test their apps and ensure their functionality meets expectations.

What makes Robotium one of the best mobile automation testing tools?

• It simplifies and enhances test case creation, leading to shorter code and reduced time spent on writing comprehensive test cases. Its user-friendly approach enables developers to create effective test cases even with minimal application understanding.
• It handles multiple Android activities seamlessly with Robotium, resulting in test cases that are easier to comprehend than traditional instrumentation tests. This feature contributes to improved test readability and maintenance.
• It seamlessly integrates with Maven or Ant, ensuring compatibility with various build systems. Its effectiveness and reliability in testing mobile apps are unmatched, as it does not require any modifications to the Android platform.

Conclusion

In this mobile-driven world full of impatient customers, it is very important for a business to deliver a product (mobile application) that is free from bugs and meets users’ expectations. Therefore, every mobile app must undergo a thorough testing series to ensure quality.

But choosing from a wide range of mobile testing tools can prove more tedious than the testing itself. You must ensure that the tool you choose benefits you in every way and aligns with your needs. Those, as mentioned above, are the best 11 mobile automation testing tools with their offerings and features. Before picking one from the list, consider talking to the vendor and confirming all the metrics.

Also, read our short guide on what is a mobile application?