Testing software is an essential part of the software development lifecycle, and test management tools are a must for maximizing efficiency.
Test management software allows you to make the process more efficient by providing you with a single platform to manage automated or manual tests and bugs.
As part of our comparison, we looked out for solutions that provide a high-quality user interface, custom dashboards, reporting, notifications, bug tracking, templates, and more.
Here is our list of the seven best test management tools:
- qTest Manager – Our top pick for test management. Test management software with centralized test management, real-time reporting, analytics, integrations, and more. We found the out-of-the-box reports to be more than adequate for most users.
- PractiTest – Test management software with real-time test monitoring, bug testing, customizable dashboards, smart filtering, and more.
- Smartbear Zephyr – Test management software that provides a real-time dashboard for monitoring tests, integrations with Jira, and more.
- TestRail – Web-based test management software with a dashboard, visualizations, custom reports, test run executions, integrations, and more.
- QMetry Test Management – Test management software that can monitor and execute tests in real-time with customizable dashboards, reports, and integrations.
- TestCollab – Test management tool with a dashboard for monitoring test cases, custom reports, integrations for Jira and Pivotal Tracker, and more.
- SpiraTest -Test management software for managing manual and automated tests with reports, bug management, notifications, and more.
The best test management tools
1. qTest Manager
qTest Manager is a test management tool that centralizes test management into one location. You can store and manage manual and automated test cases. Case versioning allows you to create multiple versions of test cases for future reference. You also have the option to import test cases from Microsoft Excel to make the process more efficient.
The software offers a ton of integrations with other services like Jira, Bamboo, and Jenkins. Integrations make the program easy to adapt to your environment and the tools you use. You can even use the qTest API to build your own integrations, giving you complete control over how the software merges with your current processes.
Maintaining visibility over your projects is also very easy with the support of real-time reporting and analytics. Out-of-the-box reports enable you to monitor common testing metrics, which can be shared with your team. Report sharing can be scheduled to ensure that your team receives periodic updates.
qTest Manager is one of the most intuitive test management tools on the market. It provides testing teams with everything they need to manage the testing process. For pricing information, you need to request a quote from the company directly. You can download the 14-day free trial.
Key features:
- Centralized test case management
- Create real-time reports
- Analytics
- Integration with Kira
2. PractiTest
PractiTest is a test management software that can monitor testing in real-time. You can create manual tests and set them to cycles or sprints. A customizable dashboard gives the option to structure your perspective as you see fit. Dashboards can even be embedded into external wikis or web portals for external analysis.
Smart filtering helps to make the user interface much simpler to navigate. You can filter tests based on versions, components, types, and other parameters to find the information you require. When it comes to managing users, you can create user groups and assign permissions/access rights for projects to make sure that only relevant employees have access to limit the exposure of your data.
One of the most useful features included with PractiTest is bug tracking. The software can be used to manage bugs as they occur throughout the treatment process. All a user needs to do to record a bug is email the service. Integrations with external systems like Jira, Redmine, and Pivotal Tracker also make it easy to manage bugs externally.
PractiTest comes with a range of pricing options for enterprises of all sizes. Prices start at $39 (£31.64) per user per month. You can start the free trial.
Key features:
- Real-time test monitoring
- Custom dashboard
- Bug testing
- Reports
3. Smartbear Zephyr
Smartbear Zephyr is a test management solution available on-premises and in the cloud that allows you to monitor all your tests from one location. You can create, store, and categorize test cases, making it easy to navigate your current projects.
When it comes to planning tests, you can create test cycles and view them on a calendar for improved organization. When it comes to testing, you can use automated execution to see whether tests pass or fail.
For complete visibility, it offers a real-time test monitoring dashboard. On the real-time dashboard, you can monitor key testing metrics or the status of cycles and projects. For example, you can view graphs on a project detailing Tests Created, Tests Executed, and Defects Linked.
The platform integrates with a range of external tools including Jira, Confluence, LDAP, Crowd, Jenkins, Bamboo, and more. For example, with Jira, you can import elements like user stories and Epics directly into the program. Integrating external tools makes for a smoother onboarding experience that meshes with your current solutions.
Smartbear Zephyr is one of the top test management tools on account of its visibility and integration options. Pricing information for the standalone version must be requested from the company directly, but there is a version native to Jira that starts at $10 (£8.11) per month. It’s available for Windows and Linux. You can start the free trial.
Key features:
- Real-time dashboard
- Automated test execution
- Integration with Jira
- Available on-premises and in the cloud
- Available as a standalone version or as native to Jira
4. TestRail
TestRail is a web-based test management that delivers a centralized location for you to manage your testing. Through the dashboard, you can execute test runs and monitor the results. For example, you can run a test run and view the amount that Passed, were Blocked, need a Retest, or Failed, with a pie chart. Once you’ve completed a project you can archive it to prevent it from being modified so that you can refer to it in the future.
You can take a closer look at projects by creating reports, which can be scheduled. You can customize report templates according to your needs to view information on Cases, Defects, and Results. A list of past reports can be viewed in the Reports tab, making it easy for you to check up on past test data.
The platform boasts a ton of integrations with other services including Jira, Redmine, Pivotal Tracker, GitHub, Rally, Bugzilla, Visual Studio, Lighthouse, and more. A Rest API gives you even more options for integration so that you can automate additional tasks. On the whole, the integration options make for a more streamlined test management experience.
TestRail is a superb test management solution for enterprises. It’s available as a cloud/SaaS installation or as an installation on your own server. The cloud version costs $32 (£25.96) per month per user. You can start the 30-day free trial.
Key features:
- Real-time
- Generate reports
- Available in the cloud or on-premises
- Test history
- Integrations with tools including Jira
- Rest API
5. QMetry Test Management
QMetry Test Management is a test management software that allows the user to create, monitor, and execute tests from one tool. After executing tests you can view additional metrics such as whether the test passed or failed. You also have the option to import test suites from external tools.
Through the dashboard, you can monitor tests in real-time. The dashboard can be customized for individual users to provide an overview of the information that’s most relevant to their role. Visualization options and analytics help to bring to highlight any trends that you need to be aware of.
The reporting function included with QMetry Test Management is very versatile with over 140 different reports included out-of-the-box. There are reports for a range of purposes including traceability and reusability. Reports can be scheduled to produce regular insights into your testing process.
QMetry Test Management provides testing teams with complete visibility over the testing process and is suitable for enterprises of all sizes. Prices start at $2,500 (£2,028) with support for up to 10 users per year. SaaS and on-premises versions are available. Start the 15-day free trial.
Key features:
- Custom dashboard
- Analytics
- Test automation
- Customizable reports
- Integrations with Jenkins, Bamboo, and Maven
6. TestCollab
TestCollab is a test management tool that lets you manage test cases, executions, and plans in one platform. Through the dashboard, you can monitor the progress of projects. For example, you can view a graph of passed test cases, failed test cases, and time elapsed to analyze the testing cycle.
With custom reports, you can take a closer look at testing trends. Reports can be packed with visual elements like graphs and pie charts so you can make sense of testing activity. For example, you can generate a Test Execution report and view the status of test cases on a pie chart with them broken down into Passed, Fails, or Skipped.
There are many integrations included with TestCollab for tools such as Jira, Pivotal Tracker, Redmine, Lighthouse, FogBugz, Unfuddle, Mantis, Assembla, Youtrack, Trello, and more. There is also bi-directional integration for Jira and Redmine so that you can create and manage test cases through the issue manager.
The free trial version of TestCollab supports 200 test cases, 400 executed test cases, and unlimited projects. Paid versions start at $25 (£20.28) per user per month with unlimited test cases, executions, and projects. You can start the 14-day free trial.
Key features:
- Centralized test case management
- Dashboard
- Customizable reports
- Integrations
7. SpiraTest
SpiraTest is a test management software that enables the user to create and run tests. With SpiraTest you can manage manual and automated tests. You can run test cases and then use the rest execution wizard to record them as pass or fail. You can use the wizard to record bugs. You can also use the software to generate reports. You can use XML report templates and customize them with graphs and charts.
Managing bugs with SpiraTest is very efficient. You can create a new incident and then enter information about the bug including priority, severity, component, operating system, web browser, whether the bug was internal or not, and difficulty. Incidents can be viewed on the incident lists making it easier to address testing issues.
Notifications tie into the incident list by sending notifications to users when there is a new incident, a new task is created or a test case has been executed. The alerts system enables an entire team to stay on top of a project as it evolves without overlooking any important information.
SpiraTest is one of the most reliable test management tools and is available to download or in the cloud. The pricing depends on the number of users you need to support. Prices start at $1,079.89 (£876.24) for three users per year. You can start the free trial.
Key features:
- Centralized Test management
- Manage manual and automated testing
- Bug management
- Customizable reports
- Notifications
Choosing a test management tool
Staying on top of bugs and managing tests is a complex process, particularly if you don’t have the right solutions at your disposal. Using test management tools makes the process much simpler by providing you with a central location where you can monitor your tests from a top-down perspective.
Out of the tools on this list, our editor’s choice is qTestManager on account of its intuitive user interface and its excellent integration with Jira. The platform has everything you need to manage tests and to enhance your current processes. We recommend trying out a free trial before committing to purchasing a product.
