Parameter |
Automation Testing |
Manual Testing |
Test Execution |
Performed automatically using automate test scripts and automation tools for QA |
Manually performed by QA manual tester |
Exploratory Testing |
Random testing is not allowed in automation testing |
Manual testing allows exploratory testing. |
Test Efficiency |
Enhances efficiency by executing more tests in less time |
Consumes more time and has less productivity |
Test Coverage |
Automated software testing allows greater test coverage in less time |
Manual software testing does not ensure sufficient test coverage |
Types of Tasks |
Most of the tasks are performed automatically. |
All the tasks are carried out manually |
Investment |
Automated testing has a higher initial investment due to expensive tools. But in the long run, it saves cost due to automated testing and increases ROI. |
Manual software testing has a relatively lower initial investment due to not having any need for tools. But in the long run, it receives less ROI because it takes more time to perform manual testing. |
Reliability |
Offers great reliability because of high dependability on the testing tools and scripts |
Doesn’t offer reliability because of high dependability on the human intervention that causes errors. |
Cost-effective |
Cost effective only for high volume regression |
Cost effective only for low volume regression |
Batch testing |
Multiple Test Scripts can be batched to make the execution fast. |
Cannot perform batch testing. |
Set up |
The test execution set up in this method is less complex. |
The test execution set up in this method is quite straightforward. |
Ideal approach |
It’s ideal to use when you have to execute the same set of test cases more frequently. |
It’s ideal to use when you have to execute the same set of test cases only once or twice. |
Framework |
Frameworks that we use in this method are Data Drive, Keyword, Hybrid, etc. |
We don’t use frameworks here but may use other things like checklists, guidelines, stringent processes, etc. |
Deadlines |
It has zero risk of delaying the task due to automation. |
It has higher risk of not meeting the decided deadline due to high dependence on human efforts. |
Test Report Visibility |
Any stakeholder can login into the system and check the execution of the test. |
Results are not commonly visible to everyone as they are recorded in Word or Excel. |
Parallel Execution |
We can execute this testing on different operating platforms in parallel to minimize test execution time. |
We can execute this testing on different operating platforms in parallel but with the help of increased human resources that is costly. |