15 Open source Low Code Testing Tools

With increased competition in the digital market, software development teams face constant pressure to deliver high-quality applications faster than ever. Traditional coding approaches often struggle to keep up with the demand, leading to the rise of low-code and no-code platforms.

These platforms empower developers and non-developers alike to create and test applications with minimal manual coding, significantly accelerating the development lifecycle.

This guide explores the top open-source low-code test automation tools and their key features to help you make an informed decision about which tool best meets your requirements.

What is Low-Code?

Low code is a software development approach or technique that enables the creation of applications through visual interfaces with minimal hand-coding. This methodology simplifies and accelerates the application development process by allowing users to design workflows, logic, and user interfaces through drag-and-drop tools and pre-built components.

Low-code platforms are created to empower a broader range of users, from experienced developers looking to expedite their workflow to non-developers who need to create or manage applications without extensive programming knowledge.

Low-code platforms often come with integrated tools for automation, data management, and third-party service integrations. By reducing the complexity of traditional coding, these platforms enable faster development, lower costs, and a shorter time to market, making them highly valuable in today’s fast-paced tech environment.

What are Low-Code Open Source Testing Tools?

Low-code open-source testing tools allow users to create automated tests for their software applications with minimal manual coding. These tools leverage visual workflows, drag-and-drop interfaces, and pre-configured templates, making it easier for testers to design, execute, and manage tests.

As open-source tools, they are freely accessible and customizable to fit an organization’s specific needs, offering a cost-effective solution for automated testing.

Open-source low-code tools appeal to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or individual developers who might not have enough resources to invest in expensive proprietary solutions. These tools balance ease of use, flexibility, and affordability, making them a popular choice for modern software development teams.

The Pros and Cons of an Open Source Low-Code Platform

Explore, in detail, the pros and cons of using an open-source, low-code platform to accelerate development while balancing flexibility and control.

Pros:

1. Cost-Effective: Open-source platforms are free to use, which makes them a cost-effective option for organizations of all sizes. This can be advantageous for startups or small companies that need robust testing tools without the financial burden.
2. Flexibility and Customization: Open-source platforms offer high flexibility, allowing teams to modify the source code to meet their specific requirements. This means you can tailor the tool to fit your needs, whether adding new features, integrating with other systems, or optimizing performance.
3. Community Support: Most open-source tools are supported by active communities that contribute to updates, plugins, and bug fixes. This collaborative environment can provide quick solutions to common problems and foster innovation within the tool itself.
4. Transparency: In open-source tools, the source code is available for review, ensuring there are no hidden functionalities or backdoors. This helps identify and fix vulnerabilities, making the tools more secure.
5. Interoperability: Open-source tools often integrate well with other software and platforms, making it easier to incorporate them into your existing tech stack. This can lead to more cohesive and streamlined operations.

Cons:

1. Limited Support: While community support is a benefit, it doesn’t replace the dedicated customer support often provided by proprietary tools. This can be a challenge if your team encounters a complex issue that requires immediate assistance.
2. Security Risks: The very openness of open-source tools can be a double-edged sword. While transparency is a benefit, it also means that vulnerabilities in the code are accessible to potential attackers. Without regular updates and security patches, these tools can become targets.
3. Steep Learning Curve: Even though low-code platforms are designed to simplify development and testing, open-source tools can still require a considerable amount of technical knowledge to set up and use effectively. This can be a barrier for teams without dedicated IT or development resources.
4. Lack of Comprehensive Documentation: Not all open-source projects have detailed documentation, which can make it difficult for new users to get started. This might lead to longer onboarding times and slower adoption rates within teams.
5. Inconsistent Updates: Open-source tools may not receive updates as frequently as proprietary solutions. This can result in outdated features or compatibility issues, particularly with rapidly evolving technologies or environments

Top Open-Source Low Code Automation Testing Tools

1. BrowserStack Low Code Automation

BrowserStack Low Code Automation platform offers a powerful yet simple approach to test automation, minimizing the need for extensive coding while ensuring flexibility and control. Although it’s not open-source, its robust infrastructure makes it a leading choice for teams looking to simplify and scale their testing efforts.

It allows for rapid test creation and execution across real devices and browsers, making it a go-to for many organizations. The platform also integrates effortlessly with existing CI/CD pipelines, providing a seamless flow from test creation to deployment.

The platform also offers advanced features such as smart timeouts, self-healing tests, and visual validations through record and play, which optimize test reliability and reduce maintenance.

Key Features:

• Intuitive Test Recorder: Create automated tests effortlessly with a simple and easy-to-use test recorder interface.
• Smart Step Timeout: Automatically determine optimal wait times based on network activity and page load times, ensuring actions are only performed when elements are ready.
• Self-Healing Test Automation: AI-driven self-healing tests automatically adapt to modifications in the software, reducing the need for manual maintenance and minimizing test flakiness.
• Cloud-Based Execution: Easily convert recorded tests into test suites and execute them on BrowserStack’s cloud infrastructure.
• Testing in Development Environments: Record tests locally or in internal environments and run them in the cloud with minimal configuration.
• Clear Test Steps: Generate easily understandable and editable test steps, making them accessible to technical and non-technical users alike.
• Visual Validation: Simplify regression detection through visual validations, removing the complexity of manual assertions.
• Video Logs: Capture videos of test executions in the cloud, making it easier to diagnose and debug failed steps.

Pros:

• User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive design allows anyone, irrespective of their technical capabilities, to create and manage automated tests.
• Seamless Integration: Integrates effortlessly with existing CI/CD pipelines, speeding up development and testing workflows.
• AI-Driven Test Maintenance: Self-healing tests automatically adapt to changes in the app, reducing test flakiness and maintenance efforts.
• Comprehensive Test Coverage: Enables testing across real devices and browsers, ensuring thorough test coverage.
• Minimal Setup Required: With cloud-based execution, there’s no need for complex infrastructure setup, making it simple to get started.

Cons:

• Not Open Source: Unlike other tools on this list, it’s not open-source, which may limit customization options.

BrowserStack Low Code Automation Tool is user-friendly and requires no coding expertise. With features like record and play, self-healing tests, and smart timeouts, it simplifies test creation and maintenance. Its cloud-based execution ensures seamless integration with your CI/CD pipelines, offering fast, reliable automation across real devices and browsers.

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2. Selenium IDE

Selenium IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is an open-source low-code tool that enables users to record, edit, and debug tests. It’s part of the Selenium suite and is a browser extension allowing quick test creation with minimal programming required. Selenium IDE is useful for testers who need to automate web applications but do not have deep coding knowledge.

By providing a simple interface for recording user interactions and translating them into automated tests, Selenium IDE lowers the barrier to entry for test automation. This tool is also a great way to introduce team members to automated testing, serving as a stepping stone towards more complex frameworks within the Selenium ecosystem.

Key Features:

• Record and Playback: Easily record user interactions and play them back as automated tests.
• Cross-Browser Support: Works on both Chrome and Firefox.
• Command Set: Offers a wide range of commands for interacting with web elements.
• Assertions: Built-in assertions to validate elements on the page.
• Export Capabilities: Export recorded tests to various programming languages for further customization.

Pros:

• Easy to Use: Great for beginners who want to get started with automated testing quickly.
• Seamless Integration: Works well with the broader Selenium ecosystem, allowing for advanced test customization.

Cons:

• Limited Advanced Features: Not suitable for complex test scenarios.
• Maintenance Overhead: Recorded tests can become fragile and require frequent updates.

Selenium IDE is perfect for quick, simple test automation. It’s a good choice if you’re just starting out with automated testing or need to create tests rapidly for simple workflows.

3. Robot Framework

Robot Framework is a versatile, open-source automation framework with a keyword-driven approach. It’s highly extensible and integrates well with various other tools, making it a popular choice for acceptance testing and RPA (Robotic Process Automation).

Designed with technical and non-technical users in mind, Robot Framework offers a straightforward way to create and maintain test cases using human-readable keywords. This makes it an excellent choice for teams that need to collaborate on testing efforts, as it bridges the gap between developers and non-developers.

The framework’s modular architecture allows users to extend its capabilities by adding libraries and tools, further enhancing its flexibility.

Key Features:

• Keyword-Driven Testing: Tests are written using human-readable keywords.
• Extensibility: Supports libraries for web, API, database, and more.
• Data-Driven Testing: Easily create data-driven test cases.
• Reporting: Generates detailed reports and logs.
• Integration: Works well with CI/CD pipelines and other automation tools.

Pros:

• Flexible: Highly customizable and suitable for a wide range of testing needs.
• Strong Community Support: Extensive documentation and an active community make it easier to learn and implement.

Cons:

• Steeper Learning Curve: Requires understanding of the keyword-driven approach and integration with other tools.
• Performance: It can be slower for large-scale tests than other tools.

Robot Framework is ideal for teams looking for a flexible, extensible automation framework that can handle a variety of testing scenarios, from web testing to RPA. Its keyword-driven approach makes it accessible, but it requires some investment in learning.

4. Gauge

Gauge is a test automation framework that emphasizes simplicity, scalability, and maintainability. It supports specifications written in Markdown, making test cases easy to read and manage. Gauge was created with the goal of reducing the pain points often associated with traditional test automation frameworks.

By allowing tests to be written in Markdown, Gauge ensures that test cases are easy to write and easy to understand, even for non-technical stakeholders. Gauge is an excellent choice for teams that value clear communication. Its focus on readability simplifies collaboration across different roles within the organization.

Key Features:

• Markdown Support: Write test specifications using a simple, readable markdown.
• Language Agnostic: Supports multiple programming languages, including Java, Ruby, and Python.
• Modular Architecture: Allows for easy plugin integration and customization.
• Data-Driven Testing: Easily create tests with different data sets.
• Parallel Testing: Run tests in parallel to minimize execution time.

Pros:

• Readable Test Cases: Markdown syntax makes test cases easy to write and understand, even for non-developers.
• Scalable: Handles large test suites effectively, with parallel execution and modular architecture.

Cons:

• Limited Built-In Features: Requires plugins for certain functionalities, which can add complexity.
• Community Support: Smaller community compared to other frameworks like Robot Framework.

Gauge is a great choice if you need a simple, scalable, and maintainable testing framework. Its Markdown-based test specifications make it particularly appealing for teams that value readability and collaboration.

5. Karate

Karate is an open-source framework specifically designed for API testing. It provides a unified framework for both API and UI testing using a simple, readable DSL (Domain-Specific Language). Karate stands out because it combines API testing, UI testing, and performance testing in one comprehensive tool.

Its DSL is intuitive, enabling users to create powerful tests with minimal code. This makes Karate particularly appealing for teams that need to ensure their APIs and web interfaces are working seamlessly together.

Furthermore, Karate includes built-in support for mocking and stubbing, which is essential for testing complex APIs that interact with multiple services.

Key Features:

• Unified Testing: Supports API, UI, and performance testing within a single framework.
• DSL for Testing: Simple, human-readable syntax for writing tests.
• Mocking and Stubbing: Built-in support for creating mocks and stubs for APIs.
• Data-Driven Testing: Easily parameterize tests with different data sets.
• Reporting: Generates detailed HTML reports.

Pros:

• Comprehensive API Testing: Designed specifically for API testing, with extensive features for handling various API scenarios.
• Unified Framework: The ability to handle both API and UI testing reduces the need for multiple tools.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: While the DSL is simple, mastering the full range of features can take time.
• Limited UI Testing: Primarily focused on API testing, with limited capabilities for complex UI testing.

Karate is an excellent choice for teams primarily focused on API testing. It offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use framework. If API testing is a significant part of your testing strategy, Karate should be on your radar.

6. Appium

Appium is an open-source tool for automating mobile applications, providing a low-code solution for testing native, hybrid, and mobile web apps on iOS and Android. It allows testers to create scripts in multiple programming languages without modifying the app’s source code.

Ideal for cross-platform testing, Appium’s low-code interface simplifies test creation, making it accessible for both developers and non-coders.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform Testing Support: Automates both iOS and Android apps from the same test script.
• No App Modifications Required: Works without altering the source code of the mobile app.
• Multiple Language Support: Supports test scripts in Java, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, C#, and more.
• Integration with CI/CD: Seamlessly integrates with continuous integration and delivery pipelines for automated testing.
• Low-Code Test Creation: Allows test creation with minimal coding, reducing the barrier to entry into mobile automation.

Pros:

• Versatile: Ideal for cross-platform testing, supporting both iOS and Android devices.
• Language Flexibility: Allows testers to write test cases in a variety of programming languages.
• No App Modifications Needed: Tests apps without requiring changes to the application code.

Cons:

• Complex Setup: Requires initial setup with additional dependencies such as device emulators or real devices.
• Performance: Tests can be slower compared to other tools due to mobile platform-specific constraints.

Appium is perfect for teams that need to automate testing for mobile applications with minimal coding. Its low-code interface allows testers to build and run tests quickly, while its robust features make it suitable for cross-platform testing and large-scale test suites.

7. Taiko

Taiko is an open-source Node. js-based automation tool specifically designed for browser testing. Developed by ThoughtWorks, Taiko emphasizes simplicity, readability, and stability in test scripts. It uses a smart selector strategy that reduces the need for brittle XPath or CSS selectors, making test maintenance easier.

Taiko is well-suited for teams that want to automate browser interactions without dealing with the complexities of traditional web automation tools. Its straightforward syntax and powerful features make it a compelling choice for modern web applications, where dynamic content and asynchronous loading are common.

Key Features:

• Smart Selectors: Automatically find elements on the page, reducing the need for complex selectors.
• Interactive Recorder: Allows users to record tests interactively via the command line.
• Headless Browser Support: Runs tests in headless mode, which is useful for CI/CD pipelines.
• Assertion Library: Built-in assertions for verifying test outcomes.
• Plug-and-Play: Minimal setup required, making it easy to get started.

Pros:

• Stable Tests: Smart selector strategy significantly reduces test fragility.
• Simple Syntax: The Node.js-based syntax is easy to learn and use, even for beginners.

Cons:

• Limited Ecosystem: Smaller community and fewer integrations compared to more established tools.
• Focused Use Case: Primarily designed for web automation, with limited applicability outside of browser testing.

Taiko is ideal for teams focused on modern web applications where dynamic content and asynchronous loading are common. Its smart selector strategy and simple syntax make it a powerful tool for stable and maintainable test automation.

8. OpenTest

OpenTest is an open-source test automation tool designed for testing web, mobile, and API applications. It offers a versatile platform that allows users to write and execute tests without extensive programming knowledge.

OpenTest emphasizes collaboration, allowing non-technical team members to participate in the testing process through its easy-to-understand test scripts.

With built-in support for distributed execution, OpenTest can scale to match the demands of large projects. Its versatility and simplicity make it a good fit for teams looking to automate tests across multiple platforms with minimal hassle.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform Support: Automates tests for web, mobile, and API applications.
• Distributed Execution: Run tests across multiple machines to reduce execution time.
• Visual Testing: Captures screenshots during test execution for visual verification.
• Data-Driven Testing: Supports parameterized tests with different data sets.
• Easy Integration: Integrates with CI/CD tools for seamless automation.

Pros:

• Versatile: Supports a wide range of platforms, including web, mobile, and APIs.
• Collaborative: Non-technical team members can contribute to test creation and execution.

Cons:

• Complex Setup: Initial setup and configuration can be challenging for beginners.
• Limited Community: Smaller user base compared to more established tools, which can impact support and resources.

OpenTest is a great option for teams that need to automate tests across multiple platforms without requiring deep technical knowledge. Its collaborative approach makes it ideal for teams with mixed technical skills.

9. Serenity BDD

Serenity BDD is an open-source framework designed for behavior-driven development (BDD). It integrates with popular BDD tools like Cucumber and JBehave, providing powerful reporting and test management capabilities. Serenity BDD helps teams write human-readable test scenarios while generating rich test reports that offer deep insights into test results.

This makes it particularly valuable for teams practicing BDD, where collaboration between developers, testers, and business stakeholders is crucial. Serenity BDD’s ability to track application behavior and test coverage helps ensure that all elements of an application are thoroughly tested.

Key Features:

• BDD Integration: Works seamlessly with Cucumber and JBehave for writing BDD scenarios.
• Rich Reporting: Generates detailed, informative test reports with metrics and screenshots.
• Test Coverage Tracking: Monitors which parts of the application are covered by tests.

• Reusable Components: Supports reusing components across different test scenarios.
• CI/CD Integration: Easily integrates with Jenkins and other CI/CD tools.

Pros:

• Detailed Reports: Provides in-depth insights into test results, making it easier to identify issues.
• BDD Focused: Ideal for teams practicing behavior-driven development.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: Requires familiarity with BDD concepts and tools like Cucumber.
• Overhead: This may add complexity to projects not already using BDD practices.

Serenity BDD is perfect for teams practicing BDD who need detailed reporting and test management capabilities. It’s a powerful tool for ensuring thorough test coverage and facilitating collaboration between technical and non-technical team members.

10. TestCafe

TestCafe is an open-source Node.js-based testing framework for end-to-end web testing. It is designed to be simple, fast, and reliable, offering a comprehensive set of features for testing modern web applications.

TestCafe works directly in the browser without the need for WebDriver, making it easier to set up and use. It supports multiple browsers and headless testing, making it ideal for CI/CD pipelines. TestCafe’s modern architecture and easy-to-learn syntax make it an appealing choice for teams looking to automate their web testing processes efficiently.

Key Features:

• No WebDriver Required: Runs tests directly in the browser, simplifying the setup process.
• Cross-Browser Testing: Supports all major browsers, including headless modes.
• Automatic Waiting: Waits for elements to load before interacting with them, reducing test flakiness.
• Easy Debugging: Provides built-in tools for debugging tests.
• Concurrency: Run tests in parallel across multiple browsers to speed up execution.

Pros:

• Simple Setup: No WebDriver setup is required, making it easy to start testing quickly.
• Reliable: Automatic waiting and modern architecture reduce test flakiness.

Cons:

• Limited Ecosystem: Smaller ecosystem compared to more established tools like Selenium.
• Focused Use Case: Primarily designed for web application testing, with limited support for other platforms.

TestCafe is a good choice for teams looking to automate end-to-end testing of web applications with minimal setup and maximum reliability. Its modern approach and ease of use make it particularly well-suited for agile teams.

11. Zalenium

Zalenium is an open-source project that extends Selenium Grid with Docker and Kubernetes support, making it easier to scale and manage Selenium test execution. It allows you to create a dynamic Selenium Grid infrastructure that can scale up and down based on your testing needs.

Zalenium is particularly useful for teams that need to run large-scale test suites across multiple environments without the overhead of manually managing the infrastructure.

By leveraging Docker containers, Zalenium ensures that test environments are isolated and consistent, reducing the likelihood of environment-related issues.

Key Features:

• Dynamic Scaling: Automatically scales up and down based on testing demand.
• Docker Integration: Uses Docker containers to create isolated, consistent test environments.
• Video Recording: Records video of test executions for debugging purposes.
• Dashboard: Provides a web-based dashboard for monitoring test execution.
• Kubernetes Support: Easily deploys on Kubernetes for cloud-native environments.

Pros:

• Scalable: Ideal for large-scale test execution across multiple environments.
• Consistent Environments: Docker containers ensure

Cons:

• Resource-Intensive: Running Selenium Grid and Docker containers requires significant server resources, which can affect performance on limited infrastructure.
• Complex Setup: Initial configuration can be challenging, especially for teams unfamiliar with Docker and Selenium Grid.

Zalenium is a powerful solution for scaling Selenium tests with minimal effort, especially in containerized environments. However, its resource demands and setup complexity may pose challenges for smaller teams or those with limited infrastructure

12. Sahi Pro

Sahi Pro is an open-source automation and testing tool designed primarily for web applications. It was initially created to address some of the shortcomings of Selenium, particularly in handling dynamic web elements and complex web interactions.

Sahi Pro is known for its simplicity and robustness, making it a popular choice among teams that need a reliable tool for functional testing of web applications. Sahi supports both browser-based testing and API testing, and it offers a recorder that simplifies the creation of test scripts.

It is designed to be easy to use for testers with minimal programming skills, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Key Features:

• Simple Scripting Language: It uses a proprietary scripting language that is easy to learn and use, even for testers with limited coding experience.
• Robust Recorder: Sahi Pro’s built-in recorder captures user interactions with web applications, making it easy to create and edit test scripts.
• Cross-Browser Testing: Supports all major browsers, ensuring that tests can be executed across different environments.
• Playback of Dynamic Content: Handles dynamic web elements effectively, reducing test flakiness.
• Integrated Reporting: Provides detailed reports that include screenshots and logs for each test run.

Pros:

• Ease of Use: The Sahi Pro scripting language and recorder make it accessible to non-programmers, allowing broader team involvement in test creation.
• Handles Dynamic Content: Strongly in managing tests for web applications with dynamic content, reducing the likelihood of test failures due to timing issues.

Cons:

• Limited Ecosystem: Sahi has a smaller community and fewer third-party integrations compared to more established tools like Selenium.
• Proprietary Language: While easy to use, the Sahi scripting language is not as widely adopted as more common languages like JavaScript or Python, which could limit its appeal to developers.

Sahi Pro is a solid choice for teams that need a reliable, easy-to-use tool for web application testing, particularly those with minimal coding experience. Its capability to handle dynamic content and its user-friendly scripting make it ideal for functional testing in complex web environments.

However, teams looking for a tool with a broader ecosystem and more integrations may find Sahi’s proprietary approach limiting.

Conclusion

Selecting the right low-code testing tool can impact the efficiency and success of your test automation efforts. The open-source low-code testing tools discussed provide powerful solutions for teams aiming to simplify test automation without heavy coding.

From cross-platform mobile testing to BDD-focused tools, these options enhance testing efficiency for teams at all skill levels.

However, for advanced features and scalability, BrowserStack’s Low-Code Automation tool offers a superior solution. It is a market-leading testing platform that allows teams to automate tests quickly, with minimal effort, across various real devices and browsers.

Its low-code features, combined with robust cloud infrastructure, make it the perfect choice for organizations looking to scale their testing efforts without compromising on quality or speed.

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