Top Software Testing Tools
Posted By admin On 11/04/19There are many free hard drive testing programs available to help you determine what, if anything, is wrong when you suspect there may be a problem with a hard drive.
Tools like Windows Error Checking and the chkdsk command are included in your Windows-based operating system already but some others, like those below, are available from hard drive manufacturers and other developers.
Forrester (one of the world’s most influential research and advisory firms) selected the top 11 tools that provide cross-browser testing, mobile testing, UI testing, and API testing capabilities. After evaluating these software testing tools based on vendor interviews, product evaluations, and customer interviews, they scored the tools on 33 criteria and ranked them against one another. Interview with Michael Bolton: The Software Tester & the Unexpected, Part 2. Michael Bolton is a thought leader in the world of software testing, with over two decades of experience in the computer industry testing, developing, managing, and writing about software.
Free Software Testing Tools Download
Depending on the issue found, you may need to replace your hard drive if it fails some part of one of these hard drive tests.
Many excellent Commercial Hard Drive Repair Software programs are available as well. Be sure to first try the free hard drive diagnostic software options below before paying for any program!
Seagate SeaTools
What We Like
Works from both inside and outside of Windows
Completely free
SeaTools for DOS works on any operating system
SeaTools for Windows lets you test a hard drive from any manufacturer
What We Don't Like
SeaTools for DOS can be hard to use and install
SeaTools for Windows runs on Windows only
SeaTools for DOS can deal with only 100 errors before restarting
SeaTools for DOS might not work well with RAID controllers
Seagate SeaTools is free hard drive testing software that comes in two forms for home users:
SeaTools Bootable and SeaTools for DOS support Seagate or Maxtor drives and run independent from your operating system on their own USB drive or CD, respectively.
SeaTools for Windows is a program that installs on your Windows system. You can do basic and advanced testing of any kind of drive — internal or external — from any manufacturer.
For those looking for SeaTools Desktop, SeaTools Online, or Maxtor's PowerMax software, please note that the two tools above have replaced all three. Seagate now owns the Maxtor brand.
Seagate's SeaTools programs are excellent programs. They're used to test hard drives by professional computer services but are easy enough for anyone to use.
The Windows version of SeaTools works with Windows 10 through Windows XP.
HDDScan
What We Like
Works with all hard drives
No installation need (portable)
Easy to use
Includes a SMART test
Runs on all modern versions of Windows
What We Don't Like
Runs on Windows operating systems only
Doesn't include help docs or tips for how to use the different options
Can't install the program to your computer (it runs as a portable program automatically)
HDDScan is a free hard drive testing program for all types of drives, no matter the manufacturer.
There are several tools included in HDDScan, including a SMART test and a surface test.
The program is very easy to use, is completely portable, supports almost all drive interfaces, and seems to be regularly updated.
You can use HDDScan in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2003.
DiskCheckup
What We Like
Keeps track of SMART attributes to predict hard drive failure
Can be configured to email you when certain events take place
Well-organized and easy-to-use interface
Small download size
What We Don't Like
Doesn't scan SCSI or hardware RAIDs
Free for home/personal use only, not commercial/business
DiskCheckup is a free hard drive tester that should work with most hard drives.
SMART info like reading error rate, spin-up time, seek error rate, and temperature is displayed, as well as the ability to run a short and extended disk test.
Details in the SMART section can be configured to send an email or display a notification when their attributes exceed the manufacturer's recommended threshold.
Hard drives that have a SCSI or hardware RAID connection are not supported and can not be detected by DiskCheckup.
DiskCheckup works with Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP and Windows Server 2008/2003.
GSmartControl
What We Like
There are three tests you can choose to run
Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS
Lets you view the drive's SMART attributes
A portable version is available
What We Don't Like
Doesn't support every USB and RAID device
When exporting information, it includes everything, not just a specific result you want to save
GSmartControl can run various hard drive tests with detailed results and give an overall health assessment of a drive.
You can view and save SMART attribute values like the power cycle count, multi-zone error rate, calibration retry count, and many others.
GSmartControl can run three self-tests to find drive faults:
- Short Self-test: Takes around 2 minutes to complete and is used to detect a completely damaged hard drive.
- Extended Self-test: Takes 70 minutes to finish and examines the entire surface of a hard drive to find faults.
- Conveyance Self-test: This is a 5-minute test that's supposed to find damages that occurred during the transporting of a drive.
GSmartControl can be downloaded for Windows as a portable program or as a regular program with a normal installer. It works with Windows 10 through Windows XP. It's also available for Linux and Mac operating systems as well as included in a couple of LiveCD/LiveUSB programs.
Windows Drive Fitness Test (WinDFT)
What We Like
Very easy to use
There are two HDD testing functions
An option lets you perform a deep test for better results
Lets you test more than one drive consecutively
SMART attributes can be viewed
Also lets you erase a hard drive
What We Don't Like
Can't scan the primary hard drive where Windows is installed
No tutorials, instructions, or tips are included in the program
Unable to change where the LOG file is saved
Works on Windows operating systems only
Windows Drive Fitness Test is free hard drive diagnostic software available for use on most drives available today.
The download link below installs the Windows Drive Fitness Test software to the Windows OS, but you can't use the program to scan the drive that has Windows installed.
Unfortunately, only USB and other internal hard drives can be scanned with Windows Drive Fitness Test.
You can install WinDFT to Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Samsung HUTIL
What We Like
Tests hard drives regardless of the OS that's installed
Not too difficult to use
Lets you erase data from the drive, too
What We Don't Like
Tests Samsung HDDs only
Isn't as easy to install as a desktop-based program
You have to have access to a working computer in order to set up the program
The interface is completely text (no buttons you can click)
Samsung HUTIL is a free hard drive diagnostic utility for Samsung hard drives. HUTIL is sometimes called ES-Tool.
Samsung's HUTIL tool is available as an ISO image for burning to a CD or USB drive. This makes HUTIL operating system independent and a better testing tool, in general, than those designed for use within Windows. It's also possible to run HUTIL from a bootable floppy disk.
Because Samsung HUTIL is a bootable program, you'll need a working hard drive and OS to burn it to a disc or USB device.
HUTIL will only test Samsung hard drives. HUTIL will load and find your non-Samsung drive but you will not be able to run any diagnostics on the drive.
Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic (DLGDIAG)
What We Like
Runs from within Windows
The Windows program can scan hard drives from any manufacturer
Lets you boot to the program if you don't have Windows (or have no OS installed)
The Windows version is easy to use
Lets you scan external and internal HDDs
Also shows basic information about the drives
What We Don't Like
The DOS program scans Western Digital hard drives only
The DOS program isn't as easy to set up as the Windows version
Using the DOS program might be harder than its Windows counterpart
Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic (DLGDIAG) is free hard drive testing software that's available for download in both a portable Windows program as well as a bootable, ISO file and allows for a number of hard drive tests.
See the installation instructions from Western Digital in the link below for details.
Bart's Stuff Test
What We Like
Runs a stress test by writing data to the drive
Tests all hard drives, internal and external, regardless of the OS or file system
Lets you tweak lots of settings
Really easy to use and understand
Runs in portable mode
What We Don't Like
No option to install it to your computer
Officially supports up to Windows XP only
No longer gets updated with improvements or new features
Bart's Stuff Test is a free, Windows-based hard drive stress test.
There aren't a lot of options in Bart's Stuff Test and it's not as thorough as some other tests on this list.
Manual Testing Tools List
All things considered, Bart's Stuff Test is a decent addition to your hard drive testing arsenal, especially if you're having problems testing with an ISO based tool above but want something besides the Windows default tool.
Bart's Stuff Test is said to work only with Windows XP through Windows 95. However, I tested the most recent version of Windows 10 and Windows 8 without any issues.
Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool
What We Like
One of the easiest hard drive testing apps to use
Provides two hard drive testing functions
Runs from within Windows, but there's also a floppy version if you don't have Windows
What We Don't Like
Tests Fujitsu hard drives only
The bootable program runs from a floppy disk only (not a disc or flash drive)
The floppy program isn't as easy to install and use as the Windows version
The desktop program runs on Windows only
Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool is a free hard drive testing tool designed for Fujitsu hard drives.
The Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool (FJDT) is available in both a Windows version and an operating system independent, bootable DOS version. Unfortunately, the bootable version is designed for floppy disks — an image that works with a CD or USB drive is not available.
Two tests are available with Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool, a 'Quick Test' (about three minutes) and a 'Comprehensive Test' (time will vary based on hard drive size).
The Windows version of Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool should work in all versions of Windows, from Windows 10 to Windows 2000.
Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool will perform hard drive tests on Fujitsu drives only. If you have any other make of hard drive, try one of the manufacturer independent tests listed toward the beginning of this list.
HD Tune
What We Like
Tests several types of storage devices
Includes helpful tests
Information can be saved to a screenshot and copied to the clipboard
The program isn't confusing to use
What We Don't Like
Can't export results to a text file like most programs support
Officially works on up to Windows 7 only, not newer Windows OSs
Only home/personal use is allowed
HD Tune is a Windows-based hard driver tester that works with any internal or external hard drive, SSD, or memory card.
You can run a benchmark read test with HD Tune, check the health status with Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART), and run an error scan.
Only Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000 are said to be supported, though I was also able to use HD Tune in Windows 10 and Windows 8, too.
Free EASIS Drive Check
What We Like
Scan results can be emailed to you automatically
Runs a surface scan to check for errors
Shows SMART attributes
Checks errors on both internal and external hard drives
Scan results show useful information
What We Don't Like
Hasn't been updated in a long time (the last official supported OS is Windows 7)
Works on Windows computers only
Doesn't include as many features as most other hard drive testers
Free EASIS Drive Check is a hard drive tester that has two main testing utility built-in — a sector test and a SMART value reader.
The SMART test can list over 40 values about a hard drive while the sector test checks the surface of the media for reading errors.
The report of either test can be read straight from the program when complete, configured to be sent to you by email or printed off.
Free EASIS Drive Check is said to work with Windows 2000 through Windows 7, but I was able to use it properly on Windows 8 and 10 as well.
Microsoft Windows Built-In Error Checking
What We Like
No download necessary
Also tries to fix any hard drive errors
What We Don't Like
Runs on Windows only
Lacks features found in other free hard drive testing software
Error Checking, sometimes referred to as scandisk, is a hard drive testing tool that comes with Microsoft Windows that can scan your hard drive in search of a wide range of errors.
This tool can also attempt to correct a number of hard drive problems.
Macrorit Disk Scanner
What We Like
Great visuals that are easy to understand
Doesn't have to be installed
Works on several Windows operating systems
Updates often
What We Don't Like
Excludes features found only in the paid versions
Free only for personal/home use
Scans just one drive at a time
Includes external links you might accidentally click
Macrorit Disk Scanner is a very simple program that checks for bad sectors on a hard drive. It's easy to use and you can start using it in no time since it's fully portable and doesn't need to be installed.
The majority of this screen is used as a visual representation of the progress of the scan and clearly indicates if there's damage.
One thing in particular that I like about Macrorit Disk Scanner is that you can see how much time is remaining before the scan is over, which some hard drive scanners don't show.
The operating systems that can run Macrorit Disk Scanner are Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Windows Home Server, and Windows Server 2012/2008/2003.
Ariolic Disk Scanner
What We Like
Checks any hard drive for bad sectors
Shows which files are affected by errors
Portable (no installation necessary)
Very clean interface that's not distracting or confusing to use
What We Don't Like
Doesn't support HFS (only NTFS and FAT file systems)
Ariolic Disk Scanner is very similar to Macrorit Disk Scanner in that it's just a read-only scan of a drive to check for bad sectors. It has a minimal interface with only one button, and is easy to understand if any parts of the drive contain bad sectors.
The program is completely portable and just over 1 MB in size.
One thing that's different than Macrorit Disk Scanner is that Ariolic Disk Scanner lists the files where read errors occurred. This sounds like a useful feature but I, unfortunately, was unable to confirm it because my scan returned no errors.
I tested Ariolic Disk Scanner in Windows 10 and XP only, but it should also work with other versions of Windows.
To deliver successful products and services at the pace demanded by today’s digital economy, software developers can’t afford to rely on anything less than the latest software development practices. According to the most recent edition of the World Quality Report, test automation, the use of special software to control the execution of tests, is helping organizations speed up their decision making to deliver better products in a shorter time.
Best Automated Software Testing Tools
The increased reliance on test automation has resulted in the emergence of a large number of automated software testing tools, making it difficult to decide which of them are the best. To help you with your automation efforts, we have created this list of the top 5 best automated software testing tools based on our own experience and that of others.
1. Selenium
Selenium is arguably the most popular automated software testing tool among web developers and testers. It was first released in 2004, and it has evolved considerably since then. The latest version of Selenium consists of several components, including Selenium IDE and Selenium WebDriver.
Selenium IDE is a complete integrated development environment (IDE) for Selenium tests, and it’s used primarily for creating quick bug reproduction scripts and scripts to help in automation-aided exploratory testing. On the other hand, Selenium WebDriver is a collection of language-specific bindings to drive a browser, and it was developed to better support dynamic web pages.
Selenium is compatible with all major web browsers and supports a number of popular programming languages, including JavaScript, Java, Ruby, Python, PHP, and C#, just to name a few. While Selenium makes it possible to author automation tests without any programming skills, complex test scripts require advanced programming skills.
Considering that Selenium is free, open source, and enjoys the support of some of the largest browser vendors, all automation testers who want to be competitive should see Selenium as a professional investment and at the very least familiarize themselves with it.
2. Appium
Appium is an automated software testing tool for use with native, hybrid, and mobile web apps. With mobile apps on the rise and major app stores becoming increasingly competitive, there is an urgent need to deliver only quality apps to the consumer.
The goal of Appium is to automate mobile app testing without an SDK or recompilation. Appium allows testers to write test using their favorite tools and programming languages. Getting started with Appium could hardly be any easier, and this remarkable automated software testing tool is open source and hosted publicly on GitHub.
Appium has been successfully used to automate large regression tests, convert manual test cases to automated scripts, and more. Because it supports both Android and iOS, there’s no need to learn a new language for each platform, which saves time and aligns with the needs of most app developers.
3. Katalon Studio
Katalon Studio is a cross-platform automation testing solution built on top of the Selenium and Appium frameworks. It’s completely free, easy to deploy, and its active community of over 100,000 automation testers has created a wealth of tutorials and guides that make learning how to use Katalon Studio effortless.
Non-programmers can use Katalon Studio to record test scripts, while automation testers with some programming knowledge can explore some of the more advanced features of Katalon Studio and create powerful automation scripts using Groove, Java, or JavaScript.
Katalon Studio works well with popular tools in the QA process, and it can be integrated into the CI/CD processes. There’s also a streamlined version of Katalon Studio, called Katalon Recorder, and it can be installed in just a few seconds on both Chrome and Firefox.
4. Cucumber
Cucumber is a popular automated software testing tool that supports Behavior Driven Development (BDD), which is a software development process that implements important acceptance test scenarios while development is in progress in order to help organizations get most out of software testing.
While Cucumber was originally used exclusively for Ruby testing, it now supports a variety of different programming languages through various implementations, including JavaScript, Java, PHP, and Lua. Cucumber also features its own programming language, called Gherkin. Used to define test cases, Gherkin was designed to be human-readable, and its purpose is to promote BDD practices.
Top Software Automation Testing Tools
Cucumber is perfect for those who would like to focus on the end-user experience and involve even those stakeholders who can’t code. It’s also free, easy to set up, and has been downloaded over 30 million times, making it the world’s most popular automated software testing tool for BDD.
5. Eggplant Functional
Eggplant Functional was conceived by Doug Simons, Jonathan Gillaspie, and John McIntosh and first released in 2002 by Redstone Software. Unlike other automated software testing tools on this list, Eggplant Functional uses an image-based approach to testing, as opposed to looking at the tested application from the object perspective. This means that the technology used to build the tested application is irrelevant, as is the system on which the application runs.
Plug-ins for some of the most popular continuous integration and application lifecycle management (ALM) tools are available, including IBM UrbanCode, Bamboo, HP Application Lifecycle Management, IBM RQM, and Jenkins, among others. Because Eggplant Functional has secured a patent for its intelligent image recognition method, it has been able to enjoy a somewhat privileged position on the market, but its accomplishments stand on their own.
Conclusion
Automation testing has matured significantly since the days of SQA, Mercury, and Segue. Modern automated software testing tools are versatile, polished, and more than able to support any sound testing strategy. When selecting an automated software testing tool, it’s important not to let a tool’s popularity and the hype around it influence the decision-making process.