Top 10 Desktop Testing Tools – [2024] Overview

Desktop applications remain an essential part of our daily lives, and as such, they must be tested thoroughly before any release to ensure they perform optimally. To this end, desktop app automation testing is crucial. It can involve using automated testing tools and frameworks to verify the application’s functionality, scalability, reliability, usability, accessibility, compatibility, and other critical aspects.

Desktop automation testing ensures that the application works efficiently in different environments and infrastructures. It also tests the interaction between different components within the application and its interaction with the host environment.

Given the importance of desktop testing, choosing the right testing tool is vital – one that will best meet your requirements.

Desktop Testing Tools

Here is an overview of the top 10 desktop testing tools.

testRigor

testRigor offers a unique approach to native desktop app testing by leveraging ML and AI. The tool aims to simplify the process of test automation, making it easier for teams to adopt and scale their testing efforts. It is designed to minimize the need for traditional coding in test automation, which allows for more accessible test creation and maintenance across a variety of platforms, including desktop applications. In addition to desktop, testRigor also supports web and mobile testing which makes it a versatile tool for different testing needs.

Features of testRigor

• testRigor supports the automation of native desktop applications primarily on the Windows platform. It leverages Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect to and automate interactions with desktop applications running on Windows.
• No-code tool that uses plain English statements as commands. You can either write tests in plain English language, use the generative AI feature to generate the tests, or use the record-and-playback feature that records tests in plain English. Thus, anyone can use this tool to write test cases for desktop applications.
• You can define and reuse rules across multiple test cases, which simplifies test maintenance and improves efficiency. These rules are written in plain English and can include various automation commands, such as opening applications, interacting with UI elements, and performing cleanup operations.
• It has a generative AI feature that can create functional test cases for you with just a scenario description.
• testRigor supports Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and various keyboard commands, which allows it to interact with UI elements that might be challenging to automate using traditional methods.
• It uses Vision AI to identify UI elements, verify visual content and handle UI changes.
• It uses AI to reduce test maintenance time to the bare minimum.
• It is SOC2 certified, meaning that you don’t need to worry about data security with this tool.
• testRigor supports data-driven testing by allowing users to import data from external sources and use it within test cases.
• It offers integrations with other test case management tools, ticketing systems, CI platforms, and infrastructure providers.
• The tool offers built-in support for accessibility testing.
• The tool provides detailed reports on test execution that include logs and screenshots.
• You can try out this platform for free by simply creating a public account. They also offer enterprise solutions, even on-premise solutions, if required by the company.

This pricing structure might be a consideration for smaller teams or organizations with limited budgets as it is typically positioned as an enterprise-level tool with pricing that reflects that market. As it is with every proprietary platform, you will need to invest in learning how to use the tool and its best practices.

Summary

You can read more about testRigor over here – testRigor Reviews [2024] – Pros, Cons, Features and Pricing

WinAppDriver

WinAppDriver is an open-source testing framework for desktop applications, which was created by Microsoft. It can be considered a UI testing framework that is similar to Selenium’s WebDriver API. This makes it easy for those familiar with Selenium and Appium to use.

Features of WinAppDriver

• It extends the WebDriver protocol, which is commonly used for web testing in Selenium, to support Windows desktop applications. This allows developers and testers to write scripts that interact with applications just like they would with web pages in Selenium.
• WinAppDriver has a list of libraries that support Appium and can be integrated into a test runner. This enables the creation and execution of test scripts with programming languages such as C#, Java, Python, and JavaScript, as well as testing frameworks like MSTest and xUnit. This gives the flexibility to customize your preferred programming language and test runner and reuse test scripts for applications on Android or iOS.
• It supports testing of Universal Windows Platform (UWP), Windows Presentation Foundation (UPF), Windows Forms (WinForms), and Classic Windows applications.
• WinAppDriver uses familiar locator strategies used in automation with Selenium and Appium and allows the utilization of methods and design patterns such as findElement, findElements, sendKeys, and Page Object Model (POM).
• WinAppDriver can be integrated into continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Allows for the management of multiple test sessions, which is useful for testing complex applications with multiple windows or screens.
• WinAppDriver is open-source and, hence, a cost-effective solution.

Considerations in WinAppDriver

WinAppDriver is limited to testing applications on Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 or later. It does not support earlier versions of Windows or other operating systems (e.g., macOS, Linux). While WinAppDriver supports several locator strategies, it might not always be as flexible or reliable in finding elements compared to other tools, especially in complex or heavily customized UIs.

Unlike some tools that offer image-based recognition, WinAppDriver relies solely on the application’s accessibility tree. This can be a limitation when dealing with custom or non-standard UI elements. This tool requires manual installation and configuration, which includes setting up Developer Mode on Windows. This may not be ideal for environments requiring quick setup or deployment.

Summary

Katalon

Katalon Studio is a robust and user-friendly test automation tool that supports a wide range of applications, including native Windows desktop applications. It caters to both technical and non-technical users through its combination of scriptless and scripted test creation methods.

Features of Katalon

• Katalon Studio uses WinAppDriver to support the automation of Windows desktop applications. It can test applications made using Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Universal Windows Platform (UWP), Classic Windows, and Windows Forms applications.
• The Spy Windows Objects allows you to explore, analyze, and capture all running desktop app objects which can be added to your object repositories. It simplifies the process of identifying and managing UI elements.
• Katalon Studio can record user actions within a desktop application and automatically generate test scripts. This is useful for testers who are new to automation.
• The tool offers various locator strategies, such as accessibility ID, class name, ID, name, tag name, and XPath, to identify UI elements effectively.
• Katalon provides a rich set of built-in keywords specifically for Windows applications that allows quick setup of test cases. Additionally, you can create custom keywords to extend your testing capabilities.
• The tool enables the reuse of test objects, test steps, and custom keywords across different test cases, reducing the effort required to maintain your test automation suite.
• You can run tests locally on macOS, Linux or Windows, or remotely on different Windows devices.
• A free version with extensive features is available, making it affordable for small businesses and individual testers, while enterprise plans offer additional features and support.

Considerations in Katalon Studio

While Katalon Studio offers a free version with many features, some advanced capabilities and integrations are only available in the paid version. Although Katalon offers codeless test creation through recording and built-in keywords, more complex test scenarios often require scripting knowledge in Groovy or Java. This can be a barrier for teams with limited coding expertise.

Summary

You can read more about Katalon Studio over here – Katalon Studio: Comprehensive Overview [2024]

Tricentis Tosca

Tricentis Tosca offers AI-based solutions that provide a comprehensive set of features for native desktop application testing. These solutions are designed to support end-to-end automation for complex enterprise environments.

Features of Tricentis Tosca

• Tosca uses a model-based approach to automating desktop applications. This approach separates the application’s technical details from the automation logic, making it easier to create, maintain, and reuse tests. This model-based strategy helps achieve high automation rates and reduces maintenance overhead.
• The tool possesses smart object recognition capabilities that scan the application under test to create corresponding objects in the repository.
• Vision AI enables Tosca to automate applications that are difficult to test using traditional methods, including those with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) on remote desktops.
• It incorporates risk-based testing to prioritize and optimize test execution based on the risk and impact of the software changes. This ensures that critical business functions are tested thoroughly while less critical areas receive proportionate attention.
• The tool offers an automation recording assistant that helps non-technical users record their interactions with desktop applications, which can then be converted into automated test cases.
• Tosca includes built-in accessibility testing capabilities, allowing you to validate desktop applications against accessibility standards like WCAG 2.0.
• It offers test data management tools that enable the creation and provisioning of on-demand test data, whether synthetic, masked, or imported.
• Tricentis Tosca has various plans to cater to different organizational needs and sizes. It is a commercial test automation tool with various licensing options tailored to different organizational needs and sizes.

Considerations in Tricentis Tosca

Tricentis Tosca is known for its high licensing fees, which can be a significant barrier for small to medium-sized enterprises. The cost includes not only the tool itself but also potential additional expenses for training, support, and infrastructure. Despite its model-based approach, Tosca can have a steep learning curve, particularly for teams without prior experience in test automation. Moreover, the initial setup and configuration can be complex, and mastering the tool’s advanced features may require extensive training.

Summary

You can read more about Tricentis Tosca over here – Pros and Cons of Tricentis Tosca – Reviews & General Overview

Ranorex Studio

Ranorex Studio is a software development tool that offers test automation for desktop, web, and mobile applications. It was introduced in 2007 by Ranorex GmbH and built on Microsoft’s .NET platform, with support for standard programming languages like C# and VB.NET. It is known for its user-friendly interface which makes it suitable for both technical and non-technical users. Ranorex Studio provides robust features for automating tests, particularly for Windows desktop applications.

Features of Ranorex Studio

• Ranorex Studio is particularly strong in Windows desktop application testing. It supports a wide range of environments, specifications, and settings, including Windows OS, .NET, ActiveX, Delphi, Java, Telerik, and Microsoft Office apps.
• Provides a robust record-and-playback feature that allows users to create automated tests without writing code. For more complex scenarios, Ranorex Studio supports coding in C# and VB.NET.
• It supports integration with various tools, such as popular continuous integration (CI) and test management tools. The integration with Selenium WebDriver provides Ranorex with the ability to map objects, manage timeouts automatically, identify dynamic web elements intelligently, and perform testing on Linux and macOS.
• Ranorex also features a built-in image comparison feature that automatically detects any change in the UI. This feature is useful when a tested item changes its screen position within the GUI, where text-based automation may not work correctly, leading to inaccurate results.
• It provides a user-friendly interface for creating and managing test cases through drag-and-drop actions, which is beneficial for non-technical users.
• This tool supports data-driven testing, which allows users to run the same tests with different data inputs and enhance test coverage.
• You can also do a parallel execution of tests to reduce the overall test execution time.

Considerations in Ranorex Studio

For small to medium-sized businesses or teams with limited budgets, Ranorex’s licensing fees can be high. Ranorex Studio has a smaller community, which can limit the availability of community-driven resources, plugins, and support. Due to its reliance on Windows technologies, Ranorex Studio does not offer a native version for macOS. Users on macOS who want to use Ranorex would typically need to run it within a Windows virtual machine.

Summary

You can read more about Ranorex Studio over here – Pros and Cons of Ranorex: A Comprehensive Overview [2024]

Robot Framework

Robot Framework is an open-source automation framework that uses a keyword-driven approach to test automation. It is a powerful and flexible test automation framework that can be extended to support native desktop application testing through the use of external libraries.

Features of Robot Framework

• Robot Framework supports the testing of native desktop applications primarily through its integration with external libraries like SikuliX, AutoItLibrary, and Pywinauto.
• It supports custom libraries and extensions which allows users to extend its capabilities as needed. Many pre-built libraries are available, and you can also create custom libraries in Python or Java.
• It uses a keyword-driven approach which allows test cases to be written in a high-level, readable format. Keywords represent actions that can be reused across multiple test cases, enhancing maintainability and readability. You can define your own keywords, creating higher-level abstractions over low-level commands.
• Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for different development environments. However, the actual desktop automation capabilities depend on the external library being used (e.g., Pywinauto is Windows-specific).
• It easily integrates with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tools like Jenkins, CircleCI, Travis CI, and others, facilitating automated test execution in pipelines.
• Supports data-driven testing, where the same test case can be run with different input data, enabling extensive test coverage with minimal effort.
• With the use of additional libraries like Robot Framework’s gherkin library, you can write test cases in a BDD style, using Given-When-Then syntax.

Considerations in Robot Framework

Robot Framework does not include a built-in library specifically for desktop application testing. This means you must rely on external libraries, such as AutoItLibrary, SikuliLibrary, or Pywinauto, to automate desktop applications. These third-party libraries may not be as fully featured or as well-integrated as the native libraries provided by other testing tools. Although Robot Framework has a large and active community, some libraries may not have as much support as others.

Setting up Robot Framework for desktop testing often requires significant manual configuration. Users need to install and configure the appropriate external libraries, which can be complex and time-consuming. While Robot Framework can handle basic interactions with desktop applications (e.g., clicking buttons, entering text), it may struggle with more complex scenarios involving custom controls, non-standard UI elements, or complex workflows.

Summary

You can read more about Robot Framework over here – Pros and Cons of Robot Framework – [2024] General Overview

UFT One

UFT One (Unified Functional Testing), formerly known as HP QuickTest Professional (QTP), is a commercial test automation tool developed by Micro Focus (now part of OpenText). It is widely used for functional and regression testing, supporting a wide range of applications including web, mobile, API, and desktop applications.

Features of UFT One

• UFT One supports the automation of desktop applications developed with various technologies such as WinForms, WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), VB6, Delphi, and PowerBuilder. This makes it highly effective for automating tests for a wide range of desktop applications.
• It uses an Object Repository to store UI elements from the application under test. This repository helps in managing the objects and reduces the effort needed to maintain test scripts when the application’s UI changes.
• UFT One offers robust record and playback capabilities, allowing users to record their actions on the desktop application and play them back to automate the testing process. This feature is particularly useful for non-technical users.
• The tool generates detailed test reports, including screenshots and step-by-step execution details, helping testers analyze test results and identify issues quickly.
• It has a powerful object recognition mechanism that can identify and interact with various UI elements in desktop applications, including buttons, text boxes, menus, and grids. It can handle complex and dynamic objects, which are common in desktop applications.
• You can write test scripts in VBScript, allowing you to create sophisticated and customizable tests.
• UFT One also includes debugging tools that help testers troubleshoot and refine their scripts.
• UFT One integrates seamlessly with other products from its ecosystem, such as Micro Focus Application Lifecycle Management (ALM). This enables comprehensive test management and tracking, which is particularly useful for large projects with extensive desktop application testing needs.
• Although primarily focused on desktop apps, UFT One also supports cross-browser testing and can be extended to test web and mobile applications, providing a unified solution for organizations that need to automate tests across different platforms.

Considerations in UFT One

UFT One is a commercial tool with relatively high licensing costs which can be a problem in many cases. Its rich feature set comes with a steep learning curve. Mastering its advanced capabilities, such as custom scripting in VBScript and integrating with other tools, requires significant time and training.

UFT One primarily uses VBScript for test scripting, which can be a limitation if your team prefers or is more experienced with other programming languages. This also limits the reuse of scripts across different automation tools or platforms that use more common languages like Python or Java. Although UFT One integrates well with other Micro Focus tools like ALM and LoadRunner, its integration with newer or third-party tools can be less seamless.

Summary

You can read more about UFT One over here – Pros and Cons of Micro Focus UFT – Reviews & General Overview

Winium

Winium is an open-source automation framework designed specifically for testing Windows desktop applications. It leverages the WebDriver protocol, which means if you are familiar with Selenium for web automation, you can easily adapt to using Winium for desktop application automation.

Features of Winium

• Winium supports the automation of common UI interactions in desktop applications, such as clicking buttons, entering text into fields, selecting items from drop-down lists, and more. Winium uses Microsoft’s UI Automation (UIA) framework to identify and interact with UI elements in desktop applications. This framework is similar to how Selenium locates web elements using locators like ID, name, or XPath.
• Winium allows testers to develop test cases that can interact with the UI elements of Windows desktop applications, enabling the automation of end-to-end testing scenarios.
• It can automate tests for applications built using Windows Forms and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). For organizations still using legacy applications built with older technologies like Win32, Winium provides a viable solution for automating tests without needing to upgrade or refactor the application.
• Winium can be easily integrated with popular test automation frameworks like TestNG or JUnit, facilitating structured and maintainable test case development.
• Winium is open-source and free to use, which makes it a cost-effective solution for teams or organizations that are looking to automate Windows desktop applications without incurring licensing fees.
• While primarily used for desktop applications, Winium can also interact with web elements in browsers, making it possible to conduct cross-browser testing if needed.
• Winium allows for the creation of detailed test scripts using various languages, with robust debugging capabilities provided by the IDE or tools you choose to use.

Considerations in Winium

Winium offers only basic automation capabilities compared to more advanced desktop automation tools. It lacks advanced features such as comprehensive object recognition, data-driven testing, or in-depth reporting. Unlike many other automation tools, Winium does not come with a built-in test recorder, making it less user-friendly, especially for non-technical testers who rely on record-and-playback features to create test cases.

Summary

TestComplete

TestComplete is a commercial test automation tool developed by SmartBear. It is designed to automate functional testing across multiple platforms, including desktop applications. It is known for its ease of use, robust feature set, and support for a wide range of application types.

Features of TestComplete

• TestComplete supports a wide range of desktop application technologies, including Windows Forms (WinForms), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Java, .NET, Delphi, and many others. This makes it highly versatile for automating tests across different types of desktop applications.
• It uses advanced object recognition techniques to interact with UI elements within desktop applications. It supports both property-based object identification and image-based recognition, ensuring reliable automation even in dynamic or complex UIs.
• Users can create automated tests either by writing scripts in popular programming languages (such as JavaScript, Python, VBScript, or C#) or by using TestComplete’s record-and-playback functionality, which requires no coding knowledge.
• TestComplete allows users to create tests using a keyword-driven approach, which abstracts complex test scripts into simple, reusable actions. This makes it easier to create and maintain tests, especially for large projects.
• TestComplete supports data-driven testing, allowing the same test to be executed with different sets of input data. This is useful for testing various scenarios and edge cases with minimal effort. Users can integrate TestComplete with external data sources, such as Excel files, databases, or CSV files, to drive their test cases dynamically.
• TestComplete allows parallel test execution across multiple machines or virtual environments, significantly reducing the time required for test runs.
• TestComplete seamlessly integrates with other tools in the development and testing ecosystem, ensuring that desktop application testing is part of a broader, cohesive testing strategy.

Considerations in TestComplete

TestComplete is a commercial product with relatively high licensing costs, especially when compared to open-source alternatives. While TestComplete has advanced object recognition capabilities, it can still struggle with recognizing or interacting with custom or complex UI elements. While TestComplete integrates well with other SmartBear tools, integrating it with third-party tools or platforms can be challenging.

Summary

You can read more about TestComplete over here – Pros and Cons of SmartBear TestComplete – Reviews & General Overview

Pywinauto

Pywinauto is an open-source Python library designed for automating the testing of Windows desktop applications. Pywinauto benefits from Python’s simplicity and flexibility which makes writing custom scripts to automate complex interactions or workflows in desktop applications easy.

Features of Pywinauto

• Pywinauto can identify and interact with almost any control in a Windows application by leveraging either the Win32 API or the UI Automation framework. It can also identify GUI elements by various properties such as name, class, title, and control ID, making it versatile for interacting with different types of controls in a desktop application.
• Pywinauto provides functions to handle windows, including opening, closing, resizing, moving, and bringing them to the foreground.
• Users can script custom sequences of actions and create reusable functions to automate repetitive tasks across different parts of the application.
• Being open-source, Pywinauto can be extended and customized to fit specific needs.
• It provides an object inspector tool, known as the “Inspect” tool, which helps users explore and identify the properties of GUI elements in their applications.

Considerations in Pywinauto

Pywinauto is designed specifically for automating Windows desktop applications. Unlike some commercial automation tools, Pywinauto does not come with a built-in IDE or a visual test recorder. It can be slower compared to other automation tools, especially when interacting with complex or large-scale applications. The reliance on Windows APIs, particularly UI Automation, can introduce delays in test execution.

Pywinauto does not natively support parallel test execution. Compared to commercial tools, Pywinauto provides fewer built-in features and may require more customization and manual coding to achieve the desired level of test automation. Using Pywinauto effectively requires a good understanding of Python. Teams without strong Python skills may struggle to implement and maintain complex test scenarios.

Summary

Comparison Table: Desktop Testing Tools

Conclusion

The above tools offer various features and benefits, but they also differ in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. When picking one, it is essential to remember what you wish to achieve with the test automation tool, whether it fits within your budget, and whether it can scale with your growing business. 

Tools like testRigor is ideal for teams seeking no-code, AI-driven quick test automation, making them user-friendly for non-technical users, or for model-based scripting use Tricentis Tosca. For those requiring more flexibility and coding control, WinAppDriver, Winium, and Pywinauto are excellent open-source options for Windows desktop automation. Katalon and Robot Framework provide a balanced approach with free tiers and broad platform support, while Ranorex Studio, TestComplete, and UFT One offer comprehensive enterprise solutions with more extensive integration capabilities.

Choosing the right test automation tool depends on your specific needs, budget, platform requirements, and team expertise.