Report: 97% of software testing professionals use automation

Is software testing getting easier or more difficult? Do testers use modern tools to speed up product release cycles, or do they get bogged down in manual processes?

To better understand the answers to these questions, Kobiton asked 150 testers in companies with at least 50 employees in different sectors.

As it turns out, software testers rely on automation more than ever, driven by a desire to reduce testing costs and improve software quality and user experience.

For context, there are two types of software testing: manual and automated. Manual is still common, but it’s not ideal for repetitive testing, leading many testers to opt for automation, which can speed up development and app performance. 40% of testers who responded to Kobiton’s survey said their primary motivation for using automation is to improve the user experience.

Automation in software testing has come a long way

“In a survey we conducted two years ago, half of the testers we asked said their automation programs were relatively new, and 76% said they automate less than 50% of all tests,” said Kevin Lee, CEO of Kobiton. “Nearly 100% of the testers who participated in this year’s survey are using automation, which is a testament to how far the industry has come.”

Test managers also prioritize new hires with automation experience. Kobiton’s research found that automation experience is one of the three skills managers are most interested in.

And how is automation used? A large number (34%) of respondents to the Kobiton survey said they use automation for an equal mix of regression and new function tests.

And it has made them more efficient. Nearly half (47%) of respondents said manual testing takes 3-5 days to release, while automated testing can do it in 3-6 hours.

“The desire to do more automation testing was the top priority mentioned by testers responding to our 2022 survey. Automation is clearly the wave of the future,” says Lee.