9 Of The Best Reporting Tools For Selenium

When it comes to testing with Selenium, a detailed test report generated using the right reporting tool for Selenium can do wonders for the testing activity. Test reports generated using Selenium reporting tools give detailed insights into the testing activity and show the test scenarios’ status.

Often you come across situations where you need the test reports immediately, to either present it to someone or for some other purpose. In those situations, you can leverage the best reporting tool for Selenium to generate short & understandable test reports so that anyone from the team can quickly grasp the information.

Importance of Selenium Reporting Tools

As Selenium provides client APIs for multiple languages such as Java, C#, Python, R, and many more, it is essential to choose the best reporting tool for Selenium that meets the preferred programming language requirements and also fulfills your criteria.

Selenium test result reports should carry all the relevant information so that your team members (and managers) can gauge the reports’ progress. By the end of this blog, you would be able to select the best reporting tool for Selenium-based on the language that is used for test case development.

Here are the top 9 Selenium reporting tools that we selected based on factors such as ease of setup, the crispness in content, supported report formats (e.g., HTML, XML, etc.), pricing, and more.

1. TestNG Reporting Tool

This popular unit testing framework is inspired by JUnit and NUnit. It comes with a library with a default reporting feature that can be used to generate test reports that can be stored in a designated folder.

Apart from the basic level (or summary) reports, it also provides an option to generate detailed reports. The file index.html that is generated without any manual intervention carries the entire report, along with information on errors, tests executed, the status of test scenarios, and more.

When TestNG is used with IDE’s like Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA, TestNG can create emailable-report.html that shows the scores of each test scenario that can be embedded and shared without any hassle.

Language – Java

License – Open Source

Advantages

1. No necessity for any additional installation, as the reporting feature comes default with the TestNG framework.
2. Provision to create HTML reports without any code/build changes
3. Provision to create detailed reports (emailable-report.html) that can be shared with necessary stakeholders in the team
4. Best reporting tool for Selenium and Java combination
5. Easy to use with CI/CD tool like Jenkins, GitLab CI, and more

Shortcomings

1. Only available with the TestNG framework
2. Supports only Java

Our Verdict

Though the default reports generated using the TestNG framework have a primitive look and feel, it provides the required information that might be of interest to a test engineer or test manager who wants to get into the tests’ details.

2. ReportNG

ReportNG is a simple HTML reporting plugin that is developed for the TestNG framework. It can be used in place of the default TestNG HTML report. ReportNG uses a color-coding mechanism in the test reports, making the report easy to understand at a single glance.

The plugin generates 100 percent valid XHTML 1.0 files. There is an option to override the default color coding used in the reports by overriding the default stylesheet with your own CSS file.

Language – Java

License – Open Source

Advantages

1. More detailed reporting mechanism than the default HTML reports provided by TestNG framework
2. Ease to customize the look and feel using a user-defined CSS file
3. Inclusion of a second reporter that produces JUnit format XML output from version 0.9.0
4. Easy to integrate with CI/CD tool like Jenkins
5. Its version of the JUnit reporter ignores TestNG’s notion of suites and produces output that is relatively inline with the output produced using JUnit

Shortcomings

1. Only available for the TestNG framework
2. The latest version (ReportNG 1.1.4) is tested with TestNG 6.2 and is assumed to work with the later versions of TestNG
3. ReportNG 1.1.4 is the final version of ReportNG, post which the software is no longer maintained. However, ReportNG is available for development on GitHub

Our Verdict

The ReportNG plugin adds immense value to the Selenium test result reports compared to the default report generated using TestNG. However, it is not the best reporting tool for Selenium with Java, as its development is halted. There is a possibility that it may not work with future versions of the TestNG framework.

3. Allure

Allure is an open-source framework that is designed for creating test execution reports that are easy to understand. It is lightweight and lets you add parameters, steps, and attachments.

Allure is based on standard xUnit results, to which it adds some supplementary data. Report generation in Allure occurs in two steps.

In the first step (also called the test execution phase), the testing framework is attached with a small library called adapter that saves details about the executed tests to XML files. In the second step (also called the report generation phase), the XML files are transformed into an HTML report. The transformation step can be performed using a command-line tool, plugin for CI, or a build tool.

Allure provides adapters for widely used test frameworks for Ruby, Python, Scala, Java, PHP, and C#.

Language(s) – Ruby, Python, Scala, Java, PHP, and C#

License – Open Source

Advantages

1. Generates detailed test reports that give a clear visualization of summary, defects, behaviors (for BDD tests), graphs, and timelines
2. Providers adapters for popular testing frameworks
3. Active community on GitHub and platforms like StackOverflow
4. Usable as an on-premise solution
5. Easy to integrate with popular CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, etc. where report generation is an integral part of POST Build actions
6. Support for taking screenshots, a feature that helps in UI testing
7. Detailed documentation and exhaustive examples with different programming languages
8. Allure Plugin System provides a greater level of flexibility to the representation of reports

Shortcomings

1. If you want to drive better value from the Allure framework, you should use it in conjunction with CI/CD tools like Jenkins, Bamboo, TeamCity, and more.

Our Verdict

The Allure framework is amongst one of the best reporting tools for Selenium as it provides modern-style reports. Allure reports can be generated using a range of tools like command-line, Jenkins, TeamCity, Bamboo, Codefresh, Gradle, and Maven.

Allure is one of the selected few Selenium reporting tools that can be used for a large project, as it creates reports (with color coding and styling) that are easy to understand.

4. JUnit

JUnit provides an option as one of the Selenium reporting tools for Java and Selenium. The implementation under @BeforeClass annotation is run before starting any annotation in the class. Hence, pre-execution tasks like opening the HTML report, adding predefined information, and more can be under the @BeforeClass annotation.

The implementation under @AfterClass annotation is run once all the tests have been executed. Post execution tasks like adding test case results and closing reports can be under the @AfterClass annotation.

Like TestNG, JUnit also gives Selenium test result reports in a very simple and understandable format.

Language(s) – Java

License – Open Source

Advantages

1. The reporting functionality is available by default with the JUnit framework.
2. JUnit is a popular open-source unit testing tool that is used by Java developers Hence, JUnit’s reporting feature automatically becomes one of the best reporting tools for Selenium and Java.
3. It creates easily understandable HTML reports.

Shortcomings

1. A fair bit of implementation has to be done for using Selenium reporting tools with JUnit.
2. Selenium test result reports have a primitive look and feel.

Our Verdict

As JUnit is a popular test framework for unit testing, including cross browser testing, JUnit reports become the preferred choice if the report’s look & feel is not a top priority. You can use the JUnit framework with popular CI/CD tools like Jenkins. As the implementation requires minimal (to no) changes to shift to a Continuous Integration (CI) environment.

5. HTML Publisher + Jenkins

Jenkins is a powerful open-source CI/CD tool that is backed by a vibrant community and a growing plugin ecosystem. The HTML Publisher plugin is used for publishing HTML reports that a build-in Jenkins generates to the job and build pages.

HTML Publisher plugin can work with FreeStyle and Pipeline projects in Jenkins. It is very easy to install the plugin and use it with a job in Jenkins. The HTML report directory location has to be archived, and the Index Page (index.html) has to be added as a part of the ‘Post Publish Actions.’

For using the HTML Publisher plugin with Jenkins Pipeline, the publishHTML step has to be added in the ‘post’ section of the pipeline.

Language(s) – Java, Python, C#

License – Open Source

Advantages

1. HTML Publisher plugin in Jenkins lets users publish HTML reports created during a test run and including the same within the Jenkins project results.
2. It supports popular test frameworks for Ruby, Python, Java, and C#
3. You can use third-party APIs in Jenkins for generating HTML reports with the test results
4. It is relatively easy to use the plugin in FreeStyle projects and Jenkins Pipeline projects.
5. Uniform color-coding that indicates the status of the tests executed, making it easy to understand the report contents

Shortcomings

Our Verdict

If you are using Jenkins for Continuous Integration and looking for a plugin that can be used to publish simple HTML reports, you should go for the HTML Publisher plugin. Also, you can use it for adding HTML-formatted code coverage reports to the builds.

6. PyTest HTML

PyTest is a popular unit testing framework used for automation testing with Selenium and Python. Many developers prefer PyTest in place of PyUnit, which is the default unit testing framework in Python.

pytest-html is a widely used plugin for PyTest that generates an HTML report for test results. As it is a plugin, it is easy to install and use along with the PyTest framework. Selenium test result reports generated using pytest-html can be in the HTML or XML format.

Language(s) – Python

License – Open Source

Advantages

1. The plugin pytest-html is easy to configure and install.
2. It supports popular report formats like HTML and XML.
3. It is easy to enhance the reporting functionality using APIs supported by cloud-based Selenium Grid provided by LambdaTest.

Shortcomings

1. The support is only available for the PyTest framework, i.e., it cannot be used with other test frameworks in Python.
2. The reports generated using pytest-html have a primitive look & feel.

Our Verdict

Developers and automation testers prefer the pytest-html plugin with PyTest to generate test automation reports with minimal complications. Though the information provided in the report is basic, it makes the task of decoding the output easier. It is one of the best reporting tools for Selenium with PyTest, as it is easy to get started with PyTest report generation using pytest-html. For advanced reporting, you should go with Allure for PyTest.

7. JUnit Plugin + Jenkins

In Jenkins, the JUnit plugin provides a publisher that generates HTML reports using the XML test report generated during the build process. The plugin also adds visualization of the historical test results, web UI for viewing test reports, tracking the status of test cases (including failures), and more.

When the option JUnit test report XML format with TestNG is configured in Jenkins, it can also provide additional information about test results (e.g., trends). The JUnit publisher plugin can be used with FreeStyle projects and Jenkins Pipeline.

It can be configured to allow empty results, trigger reporting only if tests are successful, etc. as part of the post-build action.

Language(s) – Java

License – Open Source

Advantages

1. Built-in support for JUnit and TestNG framework.
2. Simple and efficient plugin in Jenkins for generating test automation reports.
3. It can be easily integrated with other test automation frameworks only if they generate reports in the JUnit format.

Shortcomings

1. Works only with Jenkins.
2. The prerequisite is that reports should be generated in the JUnit format.
3. Reports have a primitive look & feel.

Our Verdict

JUnit Jenkins plugin should be a preferred choice for test report generation with Java on Jenkins. It is easy to get started with JUnit by triggering report generation using ‘Execute Windows Batch Command under build section’ or ‘post build action’ in Jenkins Pipeline.

We prefer the HTML Publisher plugin with Jenkins. It can be used with other languages apart from Java and provides detailed information than other Selenium reporting tools like JUnit (on Jenkins).

8. Extent Reports

The Extent Report library is also used for generating HTML reports like its other counterparts. The major difference between the reports provided by JUnit and Extent library is the readability and clarity of information that is supplemented with pie charts and other visual elements.

Extent Reports come into two different editions – Community and Professional. At the time of this article, the latest version of the ExtentReports Library was version 5. The ExtentReports Library has provision to add logs, events, screenshots, devices, tags, authors, or any other information that can enhance the report’s information. It can also be used in collaboration with TestNG and Junit frameworks.

Language(s) – Java, C#

License – Community and Professional Edition

Advantages

1. Beautifully crafted modern-style reports that contain various aspects related to the automation tests.
2. Exhaustive documentation that makes it easy to get started.
3. Supports different reporting formats, i.e., HTML, Email, or pushing data to MongoDB for Klov.
4. Option to customize each report template by specifying custom CSS (or JavaScript) from XML or directly from code.
5. Historical Analytics and Insights in a single dashboard help track the progress of automation tests and analyze how they performed over time.
6. Can be integrated with CI/CD tools.
7. The professional edition can be used with popular CDN platforms like Amazon AWS and S3.

Shortcomings

1. It supports only Java and C#.
2. Limited functionalities in the dashboard of the Community Edition of ExtentReports.
3. The Community Edition does not support integration with CI/CD tools.

Our Verdict

Extent Report is the best reporting tool for Selenium, as the ExtentReports Library provides capabilities that can be used for generating exhaustive Selenium test result reports. We expect that there is support for Python in the future versions of the ExtentReport library. The Extentx server stores the historical data, making it easy to analyze the progress of automation testing activity.

9. Maven Surefire Plugin + Jenkins

The Maven Surefire report plugin is one of the widely used plugins in Jenkins. It generates reports in the XML format (i.e. TEST-*.xml) that are stored in the directory target/surefire-reports. The surefire plugin can be used with TestNG and JUnit, the popular Java-based test automation frameworks.

The Maven Surefire plugin is a part of the Maven build tool, and the behavior of surefire is the same, irrespective of the test automation framework being used for testing. Test classes with names starting with Test or ending with Test, TestCase, or Tests are included in the test report generated by the Maven Surefire plugin.

Language(s) – Java

License – Open Source

Advantages

1. The Maven Surefire plugin can be used with FreeStyle, Maven, and Jenkins Pipelines projects.
2. The plugin has only one goal, which is bound to the test phase of the build cycle.
3. The plugin’s behavior does not change with the underlying test automation framework.

Shortcomings

1. This plugin can only be used with tests that are written using Java.
2. Tests reports are provided in the XML format. Hence, additional plugins like HTML Publisher Plugin have to be used on the output directory to convert it into the HTML format (which is a preferred format for Selenium test reports)

Our Verdict

The Maven Surefire plugin is the default Jenkins plugin for Java that provides parseable test results. As the report is generated in the XML format, an additional plugin in Jenkins that parses the report output to give the result in the HTML report has to be used. In our experience, the HTML Publisher Plugin is the best reporting tool for Selenium that can be used along with the Maven Surefire plugin.

These were 9 of the best reporting tools for Selenium. What? You wanted more! Well alright. Here’s a bonus tool for you.

10. Robot Framework

Robot Framework is a popular extensible keyword-driven test automation framework in Python. The framework is primarily used for ATDD (Acceptance Test Driven Development), acceptance testing, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), and BDD (Behavior Driven Development). Robot framework is considered as one of the top Python testing frameworks for Selenium automation testing.

The framework is agnostic of the target on which testing is performed. It follows a layered architecture, and the interaction between layers in the system occurs using system libraries. Once the test execution is complete, the framework generates logs and reports. The supported formats are XML and HTML. The reports provided by the Robot framework are exhaustive and contain information about each line that is executed as a part of the test scenario(s).

Language(s) – Python

License – Open Source

Advantages

1. The reporting mechanism is built-in the Robot framework.
2. It is capable of generating reports in XML and HTML formats.
3. The framework has support for Keyword Driven Test reports.
4. The reports are detailed and easier to read. The information about error messages is available in the log files as messages of failed keywords.

Shortcomings

1. As the Robot framework is used for Keyword Driven (or Table Driven) Testing, you need to follow the same format in the reports.

Our Verdict

Robot Framework supports reporting features out of the box. If you plan to test your Python code using the Keyword Driven Testing approach, you should give the Robot framework a try! The HTML reports generated by the Robot framework provide enough information about the status of test scenarios, and more detailed information can be found in the logs folder. Overall, it is one of the best reporting tools for Selenium that can be used for Keyword Driven (or Table Driven) Testing in Python.

Conclusion

In this blog, we had a detailed look at some of Selenium’s best reporting tools, some of which are language-specific, whereas some are specific to the CI/CD tool. The usage of the ideal Selenium reporting tools is essential for any project that involves Selenium automation testing. It helps track the progress of the testing activity and helps in communicating the status to the relevant stakeholders of the project.

We genuinely hope this guide has helped you find the right selenium reporting tool for you. And if you did find it valuable, We’d be grateful if you could share it on your LinkedIn and Twitter.