In this article, we reveal the true cost of testing tools over a 3-5-year period. We examine the long-term costs associated with different options and provide guidance on how you can select the most cost-effective solution for your company.
Do you know the story of the hare and the tortoise? I will come back to that later.
We all know testing is an essential part of software development. It ensures your software works as intended and meets business needs. The problem is testing can take a lot of time and effort. Increasingly, companies need to streamline their testing procedures to bring the cost down and improve coverage efficiency.
Test Tools Improve Efficiency – But Which Type is Best?
One of the best ways to increase efficiency is by using effective testing tools. But here again, we hit another problem; test tool budgets are increasingly coming under pressure. Naturally, companies striving for efficiency want to spend as little as possible to get the best results.
There are so many different test tools out there that it is impossible to compare every single one. Instead, we’re going to focus on something more fundamental; The cost of open-source v. the cost of paid test tools over a longer period.
Open Source Test Tools – A Cost Summary
Open source test tools are software testing tools that are freely available to the public. They are created and maintained by a community of developers, who work on them on a voluntary basis.
Open source tools are often seen as a cost-effective solution for companies looking to reduce their testing expenses. However, while the initial cost of an open source tool may be low, there are several long-term costs that need to be considered.
While open source tools are initially free, they still need to be maintained, updated, and integrated.
This can be a time-consuming process, and the costs can quickly add up over time. Maintenance costs can include bug fixes, updates, and new feature development. Companies that use open source test tools will need to have dedicated resources to maintain and update these tools regularly.
Another long-term cost of open source test tools is the cost of support.
Unlike paid tools, open source tools do not come with dedicated support teams. Instead, support is often provided by the community of developers who work on the tool. While this can be an effective way to get support, it can also be unreliable and inconsistent. Companies that use open source test tools will need to have dedicated resources to provide support to their team when issues arise.
In summary, open source test tools don’t incur a licence cost but do carry significant hidden costs including:
- The cost of ongoing maintenance.
- The cost of integrating with other tools
- The cost of adding the additional functionality you need
Note: all these activities need to be carried out by skilled and probably expensive resources.
Paid Test Tools – A Cost Summary
Paid test tools are software testing tools that are licensed to companies for a fee. These tools are created and maintained by a dedicated team of professional developers, who work on them full-time.
Paid tools often come with dedicated support teams and regular updates, making them a reliable solution for companies looking for comprehensive testing tools. However, the cost of paid tools can be an initial barrier for some companies.
Licences are the most significant cost when it comes to paid test tools.
Tools require regular SaaS payments, an annual term licence, or an upfront fee to license the software, plus ongoing maintenance costs. This can be seen as a significant expense for companies, particularly those that are just starting out.
However, it’s important to note that the cost of licences can be offset by the benefits paid tools provide.
Factors To Consider When Making Your Choice
When it comes to choosing between open source and paid test tools, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice will depend on your company’s needs and budget. Here are some things to consider when making your decision:
Budget: If your company has a limited budget, it’s important to understand the true cost of your tools, not just the ticket price. Even though the initial cost is low (or zero), the long-term costs associated with open source tools could blow your budget out of the window. To really understand these costs, we recommend that you produce a cost estimate for using the tools over a 3-5 year period. This should include everything: tool costs, resource costs (internal and external), hardware costs (including support), etc.
Expertise: If your team has expertise in a particular open source tool, it may be a reasonable option. Expertise can help to reduce maintenance costs and make it easier to get support from the community of developers. However, you are tied to a potentially costly resource who isn’t guaranteed to stay with you for the next 5 years. Replacing them could be costly, especially if they’ve implemented the tool in their own unique style.
Training: Training is obviously heavily linked to expertise. Whichever tools you choose, you’ll likely need to provide some in-house, or 3rd party training. This training can be time-consuming and costly, particularly if your team needs to learn multiple tools, although there are an increasing number of flexible online courses and YouTube tutorials to help minimise this cost
Complexity: If your company needs a tool that can handle complex testing scenarios across multiple applications, paid test tools are your best option. Paid tools are often more powerful and can handle more complex testing scenarios than open source tools. The alternative is to implement multiple open source tools to cope with complex scenarios. I’ve seen this done in many different companies – it always gets messy, and it will increase your costs.
Reliability: If reliability is critical to your company, paid test tools may be the better option. Paid tools often come with dedicated support teams and regular updates, making them a more reliable and secure solution for companies looking for comprehensive testing tools.
Compatibility: If your company uses a specific programming language or framework, it’s important to choose a test tool that is compatible with that language or framework. Some open source tools may not be compatible with all programming languages or frameworks, while paid tools often offer more extensive compatibility.
Future Proofing: Consider that you may be using this for several years. Remember, there will always be pressure to do more with less. You need to make sure your test tool is fit for the long haul and will grow and adapt with you.
Conclusion – The True Cost of Test Tools
You need to view the cost of your tools over a longer period, 3-5 years is about right for most companies.
When considering this timeframe, Paid testing tools will of course have higher initial costs, but they often come with dedicated support teams, regular updates, and a wide range of features that may make them a more cost-effective solution over the duration. Plus they often have added benefits.
Some paid tools come with a freemium or low cost version that may work out cheaper in the long run, or act as a pathway to buying the tools you need once they have proved their worth.
While open source testing tools may appear to be a cost-effective solution, they often come with significant hidden costs that mean they are less cost-effective over time.
So now back to the hare and the tortoise. No prizes for guessing where I’m going with this…
Cost wise, open source gets off to a great start. Paid tools are initially more expensive, but they normally come out on top over a realistic usage timeframe.
How to Choose Wisely
When selecting a testing tool, consider these long-term costs and select a tool that aligns with your company’s testing and budgetary requirements. By doing so, you ensure that you get the most testing done with the least spending, ultimately improving your software quality and customer satisfaction.
For more information, check out Open Source vs Paid? 7 Useful Insights to Help You Choose
