Testing is an essential part of software development, and as we all know, there are two main types on the market—manual and automated testing. Both types are actively used and complement each other. Moreover, it is impossible to abandon manual testing and replace it with automated testing altogether, and this is unlikely to happen soon.
Manual testing focuses on aspects that automated testing can't cover. These include visual application checks and the ability to test specific user experience-based scenarios that are impractical to automate. On the other hand, automated testing has its advantages, including speed and repeatability. Automated testing eliminates the human factor, allows you to use the same scenarios repeatedly, and is much faster than manual testing.
Let’s dive into the five key differences between these two types of testing:
1️⃣ Human Factor
Manual testing relies on the tester's skills, experience, and even mood. While creativity and intuition are strengths, mistakes may occur due to fatigue or inattentiveness.
Automated testing, on the other hand, minimizes human error—scripts don’t have moods, make mistakes, or take breaks. However, they also lack the human ability to notice details that aren’t explicitly defined in the script.
2️⃣ Test Execution Time
Manual testing is often time-consuming. A process that would take days to complete manually can be accomplished in hours or less with automation.
Automated testing is designed for speed when handling repetitive tasks and can run outside working hours.
3️⃣ Programming Knowledge
Manual testers don’t need to know programming languages. Their focus is on understanding the application and testing user scenarios.
Automated testers, however, typically know programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or Java to write scripts.
4️⃣ Cost of Testers
Automation QA engineers earn higher salaries due to their technical expertise and ability to write complex test scripts.
Manual testing roles typically have lower salaries since they don’t require knowledge of programming languages and automation tools.
General QA specialists (who combine both manual and automation skills) tend to have the highest rates on the market.
Why Both Are Essential
Manual testing is irreplaceable for user experience and visual inspections, while automated testing shines in handling repetitive tasks and large-scale projects. Together, they complement each other seamlessly to ensure uncompromising product quality.
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