Top 13 Performance Testing Tools

Various applications on the web need to be tested regularly in order for designers to offer better features such as security, accessibility, usability, compatibility, performance and functionality before a site made public for use. The application needs to be sturdy to handle peak traffic and not crash when multiple queries occur.

There are various tools available for testing depending upon the usage of the app. These tools are either open source or licensed. But even the licensed ones often have a free trial period, which can help a designer determine if they want to use them. Here are some of the best performance and load testing tools available.

1.  Apache JMeter

Apache JMeter is an open source Java application designed to load test functional behavior and measure performance. It can be used to test on both static and dynamic resources. It can test various server/protocol types like FTP, SOAP, HTTP, HTTPS etc. It may look like a browser, but be assured it is not a browser. It does not execute the JavaScript found in HTML pages.

2. Gatling

Gatling is also an open source testing framework based on Scala, Akka and Netty. It has high performance, is ready to present HTTP reports and scenario recorder and developer friendly DSL. Designers can create many scenarios on a browser and Gatling recorder will simulate all of them.

3. LoadRunner

This tool will do load testing for an application and give an accurate picture of the end-to-end system performance to identify any problems and resolve them.

4. Webload

Webload was built by a company who has been developing testing tools for over 20 years. It  can analyse the load test results and solve any problems. Designers can build tests using recording, automatic correlation and drag and drop the building blocks. Designers can build load scenarios for application web servers, web protocols or enterprise system.

6. Wapt

Wapt is a testing tool for testing any web site, application, web portals and more. With Wapt designers can create load tests quickly. It works with secure HTTP pages and all types of authentication.

7. LoadImpact

With this tool designers can load test a website, web app, mobile app or API instantly online. This is on-demand and automated performance testing tool for DevOps.

8. Testing Anywhere

Just as the name suggests, this tool offers a SMART Automation technology which will help in testing. It is very fast and increases productivity by  70%.

9. OpenSTA

Like its full name Open Systems Testing Architecture,  OpenSTA has the capability for performing scripted HTTP and HTTPS heavy load tests from Win32 platforms.

10. LoadStorm

This tool is a cost effective way to load test web and mobile applications. It has a Lite and Pro version which designers can choose according to their needs. It offers parameterized load tests with absolute precision. VUser allows for unique form submission.

11. CloudTest

This tool will test the speed of a website very quickly and efficiently. Designers can swiftly build, execute and analyze performance tests with its powerful platform.

12. Loader

Loader offers free cloud based testing which will do stress and load testing for web applications with output as graphs and statistics.

13. Rational Performance Tester

This tool is from IBM allows designers can pay and use on the go. It offers code free testing and has root cause analysis tools.