Load testing tools help you assessing your system’s behavior under various stress levels. They play a vital role in testing software performance within realistic settings, uncovering potential weaknesses, and guaranteeing software excellence. The absence of load testing process could lead to the unwelcome possibility of your software failing post-launch due to unanticipated load.
The key to successful testing lies in selecting the ideal load testing tool tailored to your needs. Premier load testing tools are designed to emulate virtual user activity and run test scenarios effectively. However, with the software market brimming with an array of choices, from open-source solutions to premium offerings, pinpointing the perfect load testing tool for your enterprise can be challenging. In this discussion, we aim to present a curated selection of leading software load testing tools, delving into their advantages and drawbacks to aid you in making an informed decision.
1. PFLB
PFLB is a new generation AI-powered load testing tool that allows anyone interested in load testing to run complex tests in the cloud. It is a cloud platform designed to evaluate the performance of websites, mobile applications, REST, and gRPC API services. You can be a marketer, product or project manager, developer, or, naturally, a performance engineer. Anyway, you will find PFLB really useful.
We listed PFLB first for its great Google Analytics integration that clones real traffic patterns, and AI-powered insights that quickly identify bottlenecks.
Developers and performance engineers will find PFLB handy for conducting performance tests in the cloud. They can use a full suite of testing tools, such as JMX, HAR, Postman, Insomnia import, request definition, parameterization, and correlation, running in the cloud as a SaaS. You can also manage and reuse tests, centralize the assets, compare the results between the tests, see trends across time, and share results and reports. There is no need to worry about infrastructure deployment, though.
Product and project managers will find it easy to analyze the results of the recurring tests online using detailed web-accessible dashboards.
Overall, PFLB represents a new generation of performance testing products. It allows users to easily create, plan, run, and execute tests in the cloud using a simple and straightforward web interface.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
Pricing
PFLB is a cloud-based subscription solution, so you only pay for what you use. A free license allows up to 5 test runs, while pricing for more tests starts at $50 per month. You save money, as there is no need to hire staff, and product operations are included into the subscription cost.
Best For
Are you testing a web application, API, gRPC, Kafka, or an enterprise IT system? Use the PFLB load testing software to accelerate your testing cycles by a magnitude.
Start FREE Load Testing with PFLB Now >
2. Apache JMeter
Apache JMeter tool is a freely available tool for developers involved in load testing. It is recognized for its popularity and versatility and earns a top spot in many toolkits. JMeter, a 100% Java-based desktop application, is adept at evaluating the functional performance of web applications across a broad spectrum of web and network protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, LDAP, SOAP, and TCP. Its open-source nature makes it easily accessible to businesses of any scale, ensuring no organization is barred from leveraging its capabilities.
Apache JMeter’s compatibility extends to various technologies facilitated by its Java-centric architecture. It supports JDBC for database testing and integrates seamlessly with Message-oriented Middleware (MOM) through JMS, enhancing its utility in testing diverse application types. Moreover, JMeter’s flexibility allows for using shell scripts and native commands, simplifying the testing process.
One of JMeter’s strengths is its ability to test dynamic and static resources, allowing testers to work with servers, logs, queries, scripts, and files. This comprehensive approach enables the thorough evaluation of applications under substantial loads, allowing testers to assess their durability and performance across different stress scenarios. JMeter not only facilitates a deep dive into performance testing but also ensures applications can withstand the demands of real-world usage.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
Pricing
Free or Open Source
Best For
Apache JMeter is one of the best open-source load testing tools for businesses of all sizes. The tool gives its users various useful testing features for free and users can customize it according to their needs.
3. LoadView
LoadView stands out as a fully managed, cloud-based load testing platform, highly regarded for its capacity to test a broad spectrum of web applications and websites, including APIs. Widely used by Fortune 100 companies, LoadView offers unparalleled robustness and capabilities, surpassing many competitors, including Postman load testing tools.
It supports testing of various elements like web pages, APIs, complex web applications, streaming media, Postman Collections, and JMeter scripts. Unique to LoadView is its point-and-click scripting tool and the option to perform tests using real browsers, a feature not commonly found in other tools. It also boasts load injector servers in over 40 locations worldwide. With its ease of use and quick setup, LoadView is designed for users seeking a comprehensive, technically advanced load testing solution without the complexity of server management.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Best For
LoadView is best suited for enterprises and large-scale organizations seeking a comprehensive and advanced load testing solution. It’s ideal for performance engineers who require a robust, reliable platform that simplifies complex testing scenarios without the need for extensive technical setup or server management.
4. LoadRunner
OpenText LoadRunner tool is esteemed among performance engineers for its advanced and comprehensive capabilities in load testing of software applications. From the vantage point of a performance engineer, LoadRunner is not merely a tool for assessing web applications or services; its proficiency encompasses a broader spectrum, including the testing of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, legacy system applications, and the dynamic realm of Web 2.0 technologies.
Load testers would especially value LoadRunner for its unique competency in evaluating older, proprietary protocols. This capability is pivotal, placing LoadRunner as an essential component in the toolkit for ensuring comprehensive coverage across various types of software systems. The tool’s ability to offer a detailed view of a system’s performance from start to finish is indispensable for identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks early in the development cycle. This early detection enables a granular evaluation of each application component before it is deployed, ensuring optimal performance upon release.
For a performance engineer, LoadRunner’s significance extends beyond its diagnostic precision. It represents a strategic asset in application development, offering a blend of early bottleneck detection, comprehensive testing capabilities across a range of technologies, and predictive planning for application scalability. This comprehensive approach ensures that applications are not only ready for launch but are also prepared to meet future demands, underlining the critical role of LoadRunner in the success of technology projects from a performance engineering perspective.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
LoadRunner supports all kinds of protocols related to its services.
Pricing
Best For
Micro Focus LoadRunner is a highly sophisticated and versatile load testing tool optimized for testing various platforms. However, due to its price the tool is more suitable for medium- to large-sized organizations.
5. Gatling
For those proficient in Scala, Gatling tool emerges as an optimal code-based, open-source load testing tool. It enables the simulation of thousands of user requests while requiring only a minimal number of load generators. Integration with continuous integration processes, such as Jenkins, is streamlined, making it highly suitable for long-term projects.
Testers can leverage Gatling with build tools like Gradle, Maven, or SBT for enhanced project management. Upon completing tests, Gatling automatically generates a dynamic and visually appealing report, simplifying the analysis phase for performance engineers. This concise functionality makes Gatling a powerful ally in load testing, offering efficiency and depth in performance analysis.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
Pricing
Best For
Gatling was created to write tests in Scala, so for that purpose it would be just perfect.
6. K6
K6 tool is a contemporary, open-source load testing tool tailored for developers, emphasizing website performance evaluation. Crafted with a Go language backend and JavaScript for scripting, it offers an accessible solution for teams with limited load testing budgets. Engineers can independently execute load tests using K6, underscoring the principle that some load testing is better than none.
Operating primarily in console mode, K6 outputs test results directly to the console, with options to extend functionality through plugins for Kafka, Datadog, InfluxDB, JSON, and StatsD, enhancing result visualization. Besides the open-source variant, K6 provides a feature-rich cloud version that offers advanced functionalities and scalability options, catering to more demanding load testing needs.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
Pricing
Best For
Developers who are interested in testing and want to write high-performance code, as well as businesses that are unable, for the moment, to organize independent testing.
7. LoadNinja
LoadNinja tool is a user-friendly load testing tool that revolutionizes the creation of complex load tests by eliminating the need for scripts, allowing for a 50% reduction in testing time. It uniquely employs real browsers instead of load emulators, providing actionable browser-based metrics for comprehensive application performance evaluation.
With features that support real-time debugging and rapid identification of performance issues, LoadNinja streamlines the testing process. It empowers teams to expand test coverage while maintaining high software quality, removing the burden of script-related tasks such as translation, scrubbing, and dynamic correlation. This enables software testers to devote more time to developing scalable applications, enhancing productivity and efficiency in the testing phase.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
Pricing
Best For
LoadNinja is an excellent software testing tool for web developers and software testers who want to implement scriptless testing procedures. However, the pricing plan makes it more suitable for medium- to large-sized businesses.
8. WebLOAD
WebLOAD tool ffers an enterprise-grade load testing solution designed to create realistic load scenarios for even the most complex systems. It stands out for its reliability and advanced features, including in-depth performance insights and smart analytics. The platform is highly flexible, supporting a wide array of technologies and facilitating integration with various tools, from performance monitoring to CI/CD pipelines. This makes WebLOAD a versatile choice for users seeking to enhance their testing capabilities with comprehensive and insightful performance analysis.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
Pricing
Best For
WebLOAD is a comprehensive load testing tool that enables businesses of all sizes to test websites, applications, and enterprise-level applications.
9. BlazeMeter
BlazeMeter is a leading performance and load testing service that offers an innovative Continuous Testing Platform designed for enterprise-scale testing needs. It facilitates a “shift-left” approach with its web-based interface, allowing for easy creation of both static and dynamic load tests, the latter leveraging Apache JMeter scripts.
BlazeMeter enhances Apache JMeter, a renowned open-source load testing tool, by adding enterprise-level features such as Application Performance Monitoring (APM), real-time reporting, distributed testing, and seamless integration with continuous integration (CI) developer tools. This platform empowers users with advanced testing capabilities, making it a comprehensive solution for modern testing requirements.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
Same as for JMeter & Gatling (see above)
Pricing
Best For
BlazeMeter is an excellent load testing tool for organizations already using Apache JMeter. Regardless of the size of your business, you may find the tool useful.
10. NeoLoad
NeoLoad is a renowned Java-based testing tool tailored for evaluating web or mobile applications under substantial load conditions. It comes equipped with all essential functionalities required for conducting thorough load tests and analyzing the results. By simulating a significant number of virtual users (vusers), NeoLoad offers insights not only into the system’s response times to incoming requests but also evaluates the performance of the entire server infrastructure, including databases and web servers.
The tool allows for a wide range of scalability in its tests, with the capacity to simulate anywhere from 50 vusers in its free version to up to 100,000 to half a million vusers for more extensive testing requirements. Moreover, NeoLoad’s cross-platform capabilities ensure it can generate load across different operating systems such as Unix, Windows, and Linux, making it a versatile option for diverse testing environments.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
Pricing
Flexible: pay-as-you-grow policy.
Best For
If you need to load test an API or web app, NeoLoad can handle much of what you need.
11. Locust
Locust is a versatile, open-source load testing framework, renowned for its scalability due to its event-driven architecture. Crafted in Python, it offers a robust solution for developers looking to simulate millions of simultaneous users to test the performance of web applications.
The framework’s code is publicly available on GitHub, contributing to a rapidly expanding community of users and contributors. Although Locust tool demands a foundational understanding of programming, it compensates with comprehensive documentation. This documentation thoroughly covers the framework’s features, alongside practical examples of code, tests, setup for distributed loading, Docker deployment, and more, providing valuable resources for both novice and experienced developers alike.
Pros
Cons
Protocols
HTTP/HTTPS protocol, but as the developers assure, you can write your own implementations relative to other protocols. They provide examples of tests for the XML-RPC and gRPC protocols.
Pricing
Free, open-source solution.
Best For
Primarily for those familiar with Python and in a hurry to conduct load testing for their service without having to deal with the specifics of testing on such complex tools as LoadRunner or JMeter. If there are protocols other than HTTP/HTTPS in your project or you are not familiar with Python, it is better to look towards other solutions for load testing.
Conclusion
When it comes to the best software load testing tool, there is no universal solution. If you want to find the best performance testing tool for your web, mobile, or gRPC based applications stress testing, including backend testing, review each option closely and select the one that fits your needs the best.
PFLB is a software performance and load testing company dedicated to providing quality load testing to our clients. We have served over 500 companies across a wide variety of domains that range from finance and healthcare to retail and technology.
Using all our experience, we will make sure that your mobile application delivers the highest quality of service while outperforming its competitors.
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