Value addition using Freeware automated tools

Many testing consultants are proud of using and recommending expensive licensed automated testing tools which are provided by big software vendors. The IT companies may get impressed with such testing tools provided by the big software vendors. However, in this approach a major chunk of the Testing budget of these IT companies will be exhausted in procuring the expensive testing tool and very little budget would remain for actual automation of the test cases.

As testing consultants, we need to ensure that we recommend a testing strategy, in which the total cost of the automation solution (including the cost of testing tool) is minimal. This can be achieved by evaluating and recommending freeware testing tools. There are several freeware testing tools which are available for functional, performance, security testing etc.

Many testers are sometimes reluctant to use the freeware tools as they feel that there is a risk associated with the freeware tool as it has limited features. A good approach to mitigate this risk is to create a Proof Of Concept (POC) by automating few test cases using the freeware tool. This will mitigate the risk associated with using the freeware tool. The POC should be demonstrated to the stakeholders to get the required approval.

Another observation is that freeware tools have almost the same set of features as licensed tools, but the freeware tools supports limited platforms or protocols. So, depending upon the Application Under Test (AUT) requirement, we should evaluate and select an appropriate freeware testing tool.

By using the above approach, you can make direct saving in the IT budget of your client.