9 Useful Performance Testing Tools (With Benefits)

Updated 5 September 2023

Software provides instructions for hardware processes in devices, enabling them to perform a variety of functions. The efficiency of a device's capabilities depends on how well its operating system performs. Learning more about the tools for performance testing can help you use applications to their full potential. In this article, we examine what performance testing tools are, list tools you can use, explore ways to use them and see the benefits of performance testing.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

What Are Performance Testing Tools?

Performance testing tools are programs that conduct regular inspections of software and system operations to assess their effectiveness. Professionals can improve the durability and quality of software for front- and back-end application development by using performance testing software. As it enables developers to create functional and practical applications, performance testing is a crucial component for assuring user engagement and satisfaction. With the insights they acquire from testing tools, developers can evaluate real client interactions and modify system operations to align with specific user preferences.

9 Useful Performance Testing Tools

This is a list of useful performance testing software solutions:

1. AppLoader

AppLoader is a performance testing tool that enables automated tests for desktop device performance using codeless testing and customised workflows. Users can simulate interactions using preexisting test scenarios and AppLoader's customisable conditions, inputs and environments. It also enables users to request product demos and access free trials for AppLoader's application monitoring, performance testing, robotic process automation and continuous functional testing versions through the website.

2. Kobiton

Kobiton provides cloud-based solutions for both manual and automated performance assessment of mobile devices and applications. Users of this tool can access visualisations of mobile devices that are available for testing using script-less technology on its user interface. You can visit the Kobiton website to sign up for a free trial of the startup, accelerate, scale, growth or enterprise paid membership packages.

3. LoadRunner

LoadRunner is a desktop software performance testing tool with a free trial for its community editions that supports integrations, reporting and protocols. Users of this tool have access to a user interface that enables them to manage and maintain test scripts for development and deployment at the beginning of an application's life cycle. For users who want to customise their packages to suit particular needs, LoadRunner offers pricing plans based on virtual users and hours.

4. NeoLoad

NeoLoad offers continuous performance testing solutions for applications and application programming interfaces. Utilising this tool can help users create test scripts quickly and reduce the amount of time spent writing original code. To access a premium membership package that has custom functionality, you can request a personalised price quote on the NeoLoad website.

5. Rational Performance Tester

Rational Performance Tester is an automated performance testing solution for servers and web-based applications. This tool offers features which enable users to schedule test cases, perform data collection and generate analysis reports for each domain or protocol. Testing teams can streamline their work procedures and task execution methodologies with this tool's simple interface.

6. SmartMeter.io

Smartmeter.io is a performance testing tool with enterprise-level functionality that can perform extensive testing. This program performs load testing with virtual users from multiple locations and monitors test settings to minimise response times. Smartmeter.io features four premium package tiers with a free two-month trial with purchase for Personal, Pro, Pro+ and Corporate level users.

7. StresStimulus

StresStimulus is an open source software for performance testing. It offers a 7 day trial for Pro, Enterprise and SP versions of performance testing software. All versions of StresStimulus include request and response session inspectors, mobile and web test scenarios and test wizards, and provide users with performance analytics summary reports. The premium versions of StresStimulus offer unlimited test duration, test case authentication and load monitors.

8. Silk Performer

Silk Performer tests software performance for mobile, web and enterprise applications. By reusing functional test scripts to identify and isolate performance issues, this tool provides users with effective testing techniques for minimising and resolving testing concerns. The integrated cloud systems of Silk Performer enable developers to execute hardware tests and set up configurations for scalability and stress analysis.

9. WebLOAD

WebLOAD is a web and mobile application performance testing tool that develops and executes tests for mobile loads, cloud and server-side processes. This tool can integrate with content management systems, enterprise applications and database or web servers to provide users with direct and accurate testing results. You can access a free trial version of WebLOAD as an on-premise tool to test software with up to 50 virtual users or get a quote for the professional or enterprise versions on their website.

Ways To Use Performance Testing Solutions

Performance testing software helps in automating and scheduling software maintenance tasks, such as data validation, analysis reporting and functionality testing. These tools evaluate performance based on parameters like consistency, speed, response time and resource consumption, to identify opportunities that can enhance software functionality. To implement procedures for system optimisation and issue minimisation, a performance testing tool can discover the strengths and weaknesses in a software solution. These tools test for user-end functionality using key performance indicators, such as:

Endurance: Endurance testing evaluates a software's capacity to endure heavy workloads over extended periods of time. This test is useful for browser applications that permit user access around-the-clock or for mobile application operations that last all day.
Load: Load testing assesses the workload potential of software by simulating user interactions. These tests evaluate how quickly software reacts to simultaneous requests.
Scalability: Scalability testing gradually increases the intensity of user interaction simulations to establish whether a software can support larger numbers of users. Through this test, developers can assess how well a software responds to access by a large number of users.
Spike: Spike testing abruptly increases the intensity of user interaction simulations to evaluate how well software responds to unexpected surges in workload. These tests are helpful for analysing software that multiple users may access simultaneously.
Stress: Stress testing applies intense workloads to software to determine how much stress it can accommodate before crashing. This test simulates heavy traffic with an increased amount of users and workload for resource utilisation measurements.
Volume: Volume testing gives software large amounts of data to process, to evaluate its operational capabilities. These tests measure how effectively software can recognise and process data inputs to deliver desired outcomes to users.

Benefits Of Performance Testing

The following are some ways in which performance testing can be beneficial:

Evaluates speed, stability and precision

Speed, stability and precision are three crucial aspects of software performance. By testing a software for these aspects, you can monitor how it responds under pressure and learn crucial details about how well it can handle scaling. By examining test results, developers may determine what changes a software solution requires to improve its performance.

Improves software loading and optimising capability

With the help of performance testing, you can effectively manage load capacity and volume, and improve a program so that it can handle simultaneous use. It can also reveal scalability problems that you can fix right away and enable testers to adjust usage capacity to manage excessive demand. It is advisable to perform performance testing right after making code accessible. Real-time input can enable developers to handle issues as quickly as possible.

Enhances client satisfaction

It is crucial to consider how potential clients form their initial impressions of a company. It is likely that most users anticipate instantaneous, buffer-free loading of online and mobile applications. Testing a framework's functionality enables you to manage frameworks and fix defects before clients notice them. This typically leads to increased satisfaction among clients.

Verifies a software's fundamental features

An application's performance is usually dependent on how reliable its foundation is. Assessing the functionality and efficiency of a software's essential features can assist you in building an effective business strategy based on the software's setup. The findings of performance testing can be helpful for research and development teams. With proper resource allocation, you can improve the performance of a software solution or product line.