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Navigating the complex world of software development requires robust tools to manage test runs, metrics, and various testing activities. As someone who understands the chaos of handling spreadsheets and the need for web-based SaaS solutions, the right test case management tool brings an extraordinary difference.

These tools remove the main pain points of inconsistencies, disorganization, and a lack of proper tracking, replacing them with efficient test reports, integration with automation frameworks, XML database, and comprehensive checklists. You'll feel the trust and assurance that you've chosen the right path, and I believe these options will cater to your specific needs in managing your software development process.

What is Test Management Software?

Test Management Software is a specialized test automation tool designed to streamline the planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting of software testing processes. It is primarily utilized by quality assurance teams, test engineers, and project managers who aim to ensure that the software meets the required quality standards.

The software assists in organizing and controlling test cases in BDD, testing and QA teams, managing defects, integrating with development tools, providing insights through analytics, and facilitating collaboration among team members. Test Management Software fills this gap, centralizing test cycles, offering tracking tools, and providing integration with Xray, cloud-based solutions, and open-source automation frameworks.

It streamlines the development process, facilitating end-to-end test management, notifications, performance testing, regression, and test data organization within testing projects. The software supports version control, custom fields for unique test coverage, and continuous integration, eliminating duplication. Organizations can achieve a more efficient and consistent testing process by employing Test Management Software.

Best Test Management Software Summary

Tools Price
TestRail From $37/user/month
New Relic From $25/user/month (billed annually)
Testiny From $17/4 users/month
TestMonitor From $33/month
Testmo From $99/10 users/month
Xray From $1/user/month
Testpad From $49/month (billed annually)
Tricentis qTest Plans start at $1,200 per user/year
Tricentis Test Management From $1.38/user/month (first 100 users)
PractiTest From $49/user/year (5 seat minumum)
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10 Best Test Management Software Reviews

Best all-in-one test management tool with custom dashboards and extensive integration

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $37/user/month
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Rating: 4.3/5

TestRail is a test management platform for QA and development teams to manage test cases, plan and execute tests, and track results from both manual and automated testing. It can be used in waterfall or agile projects. You can organize test cases in folders and sections, and customize test cases with templates, statuses, and fields.

The TestRail API allows test automation engineers to push in test results from automated scripts so you can track results across both manual and automated tests. TestRail also offers dashboards and reports to help your team communicate test pass / fail rate, track test cycle progress, and assess the current level of risk of a new release.

TestRail integrates with Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Asana, and 20+ other issue-tracking or defect management tools. It supports reporting of tests run via Selenium, Cypress, Appium, Cucumber, Junit, TestNG, Pytest, or any other test automation tool or framework using the TestRail API. You can also integrate TestRail with CI/CD pipelines like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps and more.

TestRail costs from $37/user/month and offers a 30-day free trial.

Best for its real-time analytics

  • Free plan available
  • From $25/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.3/5

New Relic is a software analytics product that's all about giving you real-time insights into your software performance. It gives you the data you need to figure out why something's not working and how to fix it. Plus, it's got a great feature called APM (Application Performance Monitoring) that lets you see how your software is performing in real-time.

Another standout feature is the user interface. It's clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. It also includes dashboards that let you visualize your data in a way that makes sense to you. You can customize them to show the metrics that matter most to you. It's all about giving you the information you need, when you need it.

Features include backend monitoring, Kubernetes monitoring, mobile monitoring, model performance monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, log management, error tracking, network monitoring, vulnerability management, and browser monitoring. 

Integrations include over 500 apps, like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure; CI/CD tools like Jenkins, CircleCI, and Travis CI; communication tools like Slack and PagerDuty; and other monitoring and analytics tools like Grafana, Datadog, and Splunk. It also has an API you can use to build custom integrations.

New Relic costs from $49/user/month and offers a free plan for 1 user and 100 GB/month of data ingest.

Best test management tool with a free plan for up to 3 users

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $17/4 users/month
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Rating: 4.8/5

Testiny is a test management tool that facilitates test planning, execution, and reporting activities. Its customizable workflows help teams efficiently manage test cases, requirements, and defects. The software can handle various testing processes, such as functional, performance, and regression testing.

Users can create test plans in the software that outline the testing requirements, test cases, and expected results. Test plans can be assigned to team members, and the reporting system can generate reports that provide insights into the testing process. This feature helps users identify bugs, track issue resolution, and ensure testing aligns with overall project goals.

The software supports collaborative test management through document sharing, team chats, and task assignments. Users can create custom automated testing scripts that can be executed repeatedly, and features can be customized to meet specific needs. Automation features help streamline testing processes and reduce risk of human error. The software's test run view feature allows users to track the progress of their tests and identify which tests have been completed successfully and which require further attention.

Other bug-tracking systems like JIRA, Bugzilla, and Trac work with the software. Paid plans start from $17/user/month, and a 14-day trial is available. Teams of 3 users or less can also access a free plan.

Best for professional-grade test runs with little experience required

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $33/month
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Rating: 4.5/5

TestMonitor is a web-based application that facilitates testing processes and activities. It allows teams to create, execute, and monitor test cases and manage defects, while also providing tracking and reporting features.

Their software supports manual and automated testing, making it easy for anyone, of any experience level, to manage tests across all test environments. TestMonitor is integrated with various automated testing frameworks, enabling users to run automated test scripts directly from the tool. You can create comprehensive test plans for future reference throughout the software development cycle.

You can add comments, create and assign actions, and monitor the defect resolution process. You can also define test cases, assign them to testers, and set the expected outcomes. To help other team members understand each test case's objective, you can also add attachments, such as screenshots or videos, to test cases. In addition, you can import test cases from external sources, meaning you can easily migrate any pre-existing test cases into their platform.

You can create milestones representing key events or stages in your testing process and assign relevant test cases to each milestone. This helps to prioritize your testing efforts and ensure any critical issues are addressed before moving on to the next milestone. The software also includes drag-and-drop features that help to prioritize and group test cases accordingly.

TestMonitor's requirement and risk management feature allows you to create, track, and manage requirements, ensuring that all necessary functionalities are accounted for. Simultaneously, the tool offers a comprehensive risk management approach, identifying potential issues and their impact on your project.

TestMonitor provides continuous improvement metrics through its reporting capabilities. Its customizable progress reports analyze test results data and track quality metrics.

Integrations are available with Jira, Asana, DoneDone, MantisBT, Azure DevOps, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and TOPdesk. You can also connect TestMonitor to a Zapier account to access additional integrations too.

Pricing plans for TestMonitor start at $39/month for 3 users. You can also request a 14-day free trial through their website too.

Best for insights into real-time and historical testing

  • 21-day free trial
  • From $99/10 users/month

Testmo is a test management tool designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of QA processes. It offers extensive QA metrics and reporting capabilities that provide actionable insights to improve test performance, increase coverage, and boost overall product quality. 

I like that the platform offers unified test management that integrates test cases, exploratory testing sessions, and test automation into a single modern platform. This integration allows for a better workflow where all aspects of testing can be managed and tracked in one place. For instance, Testmo's interface lets you quickly run tests, enter results, and monitor testing progress without the need for multiple clicks or page loads. 

Furthermore, Testmo has robust reporting and analytics features that provide teams with real-time insights into test progress, pass/fail rates, and overall test coverage. This allows project managers and quality assurance teams to make data-driven decisions, identify testing bottlenecks, and ensure that the software meets quality standards before release. Its analytics also help track historical performance.

Integrations include Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Asana, Trello, Bitbucket, Jenkins, Okta, and CircleCI.

Best Jira test management app that uses Jira native issue types to manage testing artifacts

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $1/user/month
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Rating: 4.3/5

Xray for Jira is a complete test management tool that helps you organize, plan, execute, and report on the progress of testing and readiness to deploy.

Xray uses Jira native issue types and all requirements are linked to test cases so you’ll never overlook a test. With Xray natively integrated into Jira, developers and testers work in the same unified ecosystem which allows for transparency into the work, visibility into the testing progress and collaboration between developers and testers. This way, every test is accounted for, every task lives in the same workflow, and everyone speaks the same language.

With Xray, managers can use agile boards to track the requirement status and test execution progress in real-time. You also have robust reporting capabilities with built-in reports for traceability and coverage analysis, as well as a dashboard with gadgets to easily assess the status of testing. Xray also supports data-driven testing with parameterized tests which allows you to test large sets of iterations quickly and easily.

Integration with your favorite Continuous Integration tools, including Cucumber and Jenkins, is straightforward through our built-in REST API. Xray also integrates with leading test automation frameworks including Cucumber, JUnit, NUnit, Robot Framework, and also supports testing in BDD with Gherkin-based frameworks.

Xray offers a 30-day free trial.

Best for checklist-style test management

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $49/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 3.8/5

Testpad is an online test management tool designed to simplify manual testing and test case management through a checklist-inspired interface. It allows teams to create, organize, and execute test plans efficiently, making it particularly suitable for agile workflows.

Testpad supports various testing styles, including exploratory and regression testing, and offers features like hierarchical checklists, drag-and-drop functionality, and instant visual reporting. 

It also includes a unique guest testing feature where you can get extra help at crunch time without buying more licenses and invite clients in for user acceptance testing. It has a keyboard-driven editor providing fast and easy test prompt creation, without the need for extensive mouse interactions—it gives the feel of a spreadsheet-style tool rather than a heavyweight test case management tool.

The tool integrates with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Jira Software, Google Chrome, GitHub, Amazon S3, and Pivotal Tracker.

Best to transition to agile while still supporting waterfall projects

  • 14-day free trial available
  • Plans start at $1,200 per user/year
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Rating: 4.3/5

Tricentis qTest is an agile test management tool that is scalable and can work for businesses of all sizes. The software provides DevOps and QA testing teams with a unified view of tasks and activities across the agile software development lifecycle (SDLC). Having a centralized control and orchestration of all automated workflows makes it easier to embed testing within continuous development pipelines. QA and development teams can leverage the software to transition to an agile methodology or to support their waterfall projects.

DevOps and QA teams can reuse their test cases and share them across projects so they can create and promote set standards and scale their best practices. This also makes it easier to build and maintain more test cases. Users can combine or centralize their solutions for automated, exploratory, and manual testing activities in the same software. They can also create shareable, customized reports on their testing data and activities using one of over 60 out-of-the-box configurable reports.

The software has native integrations with some of the most widely used solutions for product planning, development, and testing like Selenium, Jira, Jenkins, and GitHub.

Pricing for Tricentis qTest starts at $1,200 per user/year. A 14-day free trial is available.

Best for its DevOps workflow support through integrations

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $1.38/user/month (first 100 users)
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Rating: 4.3/5

Tricentis Test Management is a test management software that integrates with different planning, testing, and DevOps tools, including Jenkins, Selenium, and Jira, which allows teams to have a unified view of the software testing process.

This management solution helps you approach testing strategically and collaboratively. This is achieved through several useful features, including qTest Manager to plan the testing phase, qTest Pulse for automating events, qTest Launch for test automation, and qTest Explorer for documentation.

Tricentis Test Management uses an automated, codeless, and AI-driven software testing approach, allowing you to accelerate software release speed. Additionally, this solution is scalable and data migration from spreadsheets and old test management solutions is easy, allowing you to seamlessly continue software testing when first adopting Tricentis. This platform can track, organize, and report on the testing process, help build custom workflows, manage automated testing, record and annotate testing sessions, and use a customizable dashboard for analytics and reporting.

Tricentis allows users to seamlessly switch from old management systems to Tricentis and integrate with several Agile and DevOps tools. These integrations can be customized to support event-driven workflows with any third-party tool, including Bamboo, Azure Pipelines, Teams, and Slack.

Best end-to-end SaaS test management platform for managing QA efforts in one place.

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $49/user/year (5 seat minumum)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

PractiTest is an end-to-end test management tool. A common meeting ground for all QA stakeholders, it enables full visibility into the testing process and a deeper, broader understanding of testing results. The tool is fully customizable & flexible for the ever-changing needs of QA teams, allowing them to customize fields, views, permissions, issue workflows, and more.

The software also allows users to reuse tests and correlate results across different releases and products, as well as avoid doing duplicate work with anti-bug duplicates, permutations, step parameters, and the call-to-test feature.

Another great feature is the unique hierarchical filter trees, which are great for organizing everything and finding anything quickly. QA team members can visualize data with advanced dashboards and reports.

PractiTest allows for a vast array of third-party integrations with common bug trackers such as Redmine, Jira, Pivotal Tracker, and more, as well as automation tools. The tool also offers a robust API for further integrations.

Plans start at $498/user/year. They offer a 14-day free trial.

Other Noteworthy Test Management Software

Below is a list of additional test management software that I shortlisted but did not make it to the top 10. Definitely worth checking them out.

  1. Test Collab

    Best test management tool with centralized collaboration

  2. aqua ALM

    Best for requirements, test case and defect management

  3. TestGear

    Best to unite manual and automated testing

  4. Micro Focus Silk Central

    Best for bug and issue recreation

  5. TestLink

    Best for an open-source option

  6. IBM Rational Quality Manager

    Best for team collaboration

  7. Tuskr

    Best for its affordable, full set of test management features

  8. Kualitee

    Best for test case management and bug tracking

  9. QA Wolf

    End-to-end testing service run by a team of expert QA engineers

Selection Criteria for Choosing Test Management Software

Choosing the right test management software is crucial for managing, organizing, and optimizing the testing process within a project. As a professional who has spent significant time in this field, I've evaluated dozens of test management tools, but in this case, I was looking for tools that stand out in their core functionality, key features, and usability. The focus was on a balanced blend of adaptability, ease of use, and robust features tailored to diverse testing needs.

Core Functionality

  • Test Planning: Ability to define and manage test plans, set objectives, and organize resources
  • Test Execution: Capability to run and track individual test cases, record results, and log defects
  • Integration with Development Tools: Easy connection with development environments, CI/CD pipelines, and issue-tracking systems
  • Reporting and Analytics: Detailed insights into test progress, success rates, and bottlenecks, allowing for data-driven decisions

Key Features

  • Collaboration: Real-time collaboration support that helps teams work in unison on test design and execution
  • Automation Support: Aiding in test automation by connecting with popular automation tools, reducing repetitive manual tasks
  • Customization: Flexibility to tailor workflows, fields, and templates to match the unique requirements of the project
  • Traceability and Reusability: Tracking the lineage of test artifacts and enabling the reusability of test components to reduce redundancy
  • Security and Compliance: Ensuring data protection and adherence to industry-specific standards and regulations

Usability

  • Intuitive Interface: The design should enable easy navigation through test artifacts, requiring minimal clicks for common tasks
  • Onboarding and Training: Comprehensive documentation, tutorials, or training programs to help new users grasp the functionalities swiftly
  • Customer Support: Responsive and knowledgeable support teams capable of providing timely resolutions
  • Scalability: A solution that scales with the growing needs of the project, accommodating more complex scenarios without a degradation in performance
  • Role-based Access: Easy configuration of role-based access, enabling appropriate permissions and restrictions based on user roles within the testing team

Test Management Software FAQs

What are the benefits of using test management software?

The benefits of using test management software are significant and cater to various aspects of the testing process:

  1. Organization and Planning: Facilitates creating, organizing, and tracking test cases and requirements.
  2. Collaboration and Communication: Enhances real-time collaboration between team members, leading to increased efficiency.
  3. Integration with Development Tools: Offers easy connectivity with other tools in the development lifecycle, like CI/CD pipelines and issue trackers.
  4. Automation Support: Enables integration with automated testing frameworks, reducing repetitive manual efforts.
  5. Comprehensive Reporting: Provides insights into the testing process through detailed analytics and reporting, supporting informed decisions.

How much do test management tools typically cost?

Test management tools come with varied pricing models depending on the features, number of users, and specific organization needs.

What are the pricing models for test management software?

Pricing models typically include:

  • Per User Licensing: A cost based on the system’s number of users.
  • Tiered Pricing: Different pricing tiers based on the feature set or user limits.
  • Enterprise Licensing: Custom pricing for large-scale deployments with specific requirements.

What is the typical range of pricing for test management tools?

The typical range of pricing can start as low as $5/user/month for basic plans and can go up to $100/user/month or more for advanced or enterprise-level features.

Which test management software is considered the cheapest?

Entry-level plans for some tools may start as low as $5/user/month, providing essential test management capabilities.

What are the most expensive test management software options?

The most expensive test management tools can exceed $100/user/month, especially when accommodating many users or requiring specialized enterprise-level features.

Are there any free tool options for test management?

Yes, free options or freemium models are available for smaller teams or projects. Some tools provide basic functionalities at no cost, with the opportunity to upgrade to paid plans for more advanced features.

How do I choose the best test management tool for my needs?

Choosing the right test management tool depends on core functionality, key features, usability, integration needs, and pricing. It’s essential to identify the specific requirements of your project and evaluate the tools based on those criteria. Free trials or demos can also be valuable for hands-on assessment.

Summary

Test Management Software is critical in the modern development lifecycle, aiding in the systematic organization, execution, and tracking of test cases. Choosing the right tool can impact the testing process's efficiency, collaboration, and overall success.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Understanding Specific Needs: Before selecting a tool, identify your requirements, such as the scale of testing, integration needs, and the level of automation desired. The right choice should align with your project's complexity and the team's workflow.
  2. Considering Usability and Features: Look for tools that offer an intuitive interface and the key features most relevant to your use case. Whether it's support for manual or automated testing or specialized reporting capabilities, ensure that the tool provides what's most essential for your testing process.
  3. Evaluating Pricing and Flexibility: Analyze the pricing models to find a solution that fits within your budget while meeting your needs. Consider free or freemium models if suitable, but also remember that investment in a more comprehensive tool may pay dividends in efficiency and effectiveness.

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Paulo Gardini Miguel
By Paulo Gardini Miguel

Paulo is the Director of Technology at the rapidly growing media tech company BWZ. Prior to that, he worked as a Software Engineering Manager and then Head Of Technology at Navegg, Latin America’s largest data marketplace, and as Full Stack Engineer at MapLink, which provides geolocation APIs as a service. Paulo draws insight from years of experience serving as an infrastructure architect, team leader, and product developer in rapidly scaling web environments. He’s driven to share his expertise with other technology leaders to help them build great teams, improve performance, optimize resources, and create foundations for scalability.