What Test Automation tools should I use?

There are a lot of tools out there for test automation, and it all depends on the criteria of your project. However, many projects have similar basic requirements for automation testing, such as the ability to test Windows apps, web apps, and multi-lingual interfaces. Here are 3 which we've identified which will meet most project criteria:

1. Quick Test Pro (HP)

• Can test Windows and web applications
  
• Unique Smart Object Recognition even if objects change from build to build
  
• Keyword driven technology
  
• Unicode support for multi-lingual application testing
  
• Fully document and replicate defects

Price: about $10,000 for one license (subject to vendor price changes)

2. SilkTest (Borland)

• Can test Windows and web applications
  
• Flexible, object-oriented scripting language designed expressly for automated testing
  
• Unicode support allows localization testing of global applications on multiple platforms with a single script
  
• Powerful and low-maintenance GUI abstraction layer
  
• Code Completion for rapid test customization and automation infrastructure development

Price: about $4500 for one license or can be leased for $100/month (subject to vendor price changes)

3. QA Wizard Pro (Seapine)

• Can test Windows and web applications
  
• Can test multilingual applications and web sites
  
• Can create simple record-playback scripts in novice GUI-based Grid View or more complex scripts in Text View with VB-like language (also has code completion and statement editor)
  
• Built in debugging tools
  
• Share and maintain test assets in global application repository
  
• Script stability due to object-based recording
  
• Data-driven script capability

Price: about $1000 for one license (subject to vendor price changes)