There has been an increase in testing tools, including paid and free ones. The software testing process has been automated to a great extent with the use of different tools. Among the tools that are available to us today, API Automation testing tools hold a lot of importance in the whole process of software testing.
With the adoption of agile development methodology, development cycles will shorten for software companies. API automation testing enables teams to validate the functionality and performance of APIs quickly, ensuring that changes can be deployed with confidence and without compromising quality.
Companies are investing in the best API automation testing tools because of the ease of testing that these tools bring out. Automation is the revolution that is transforming application and API testing every day. This allows the software development teams to focus on creating new features in the software. By automating repetitive test cases, teams can achieve higher test coverage and identify issues earlier in the development process.
In this article, we will go through the many benefits of automation API testing and also offer you a list of the backend API automation testing tools that work the best.
History of API Automation Testing Tools
API testing has evolved alongside the growth of software development and the increasing complexity of interconnected systems. Initially, testing focused primarily on user interfaces. However, as software architectures shifted towards service-oriented and microservices-based designs, API testing became essential.
In the early stages, manual testing predominated, but the need for faster and more reliable testing led to the automation of API testing processes.
Today, API testing is indispensable for ensuring the performance of APIs in various contexts. The API tools include web, mobile, cloud, and IoT applications, driving the demand for robust API testing frameworks and strategies.
Software QA automation services are now using API automation testing tools, open-source, and paid-in forms. Automation has revolutionized API testing by streamlining processes and enhancing reliability.
The QA automation services enable rapid execution of test cases. These services create the scope for quicker feedback from the client.
With automation, teams can achieve higher test coverage, ensuring comprehensive validation of API functionality. The automation testing tools aid developers in the reduction of errors and issues that arise in the testing phase. Integration with continuous integration pipelines facilitates seamless testing throughout the development lifecycle.
Overall, automation has significantly elevated the effectiveness and scalability of API testing in modern software development practices.
Also Read: Top 10 Best API Security Testing Tools To Use in 2024
Why Automate API Testing Tools?
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Speed and efficiency
The automated tools for API testing work with high performance and speed. Software testers prefer them for their efficiency. The process of automating the software testing process is well supported with the help of API automation tools. The automated algorithms followed by the tools are what make sure that the processes are completed efficiently.
The processes and speed of the automated API testing tools complete the testing cases at a very fast pace. The API automation testing tools are open-source tools that bring out the efficiency of the testing environment and handle the errors that arise.
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Accuracy and consistency
The automated tools for API testing are also very accurate and consistent. The processes that the API automation testing tools bring forth are very accurate and support testing environments. The tools are used to automate the testing process and the repetitive tasks involved in them. The consistency and accurate processes of the tools help in creating more efficient workflows for the testing team. Rest API automation testing tools are highly accurate and precise in their functions.
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Scalability
The scalability of the automation API testing tools is a feature that sets them apart from other tools. The automated tools are highly scalable and can be used to test applications and devices of different dimensions. The high scalability of the tools is what supports versatile testing environments and bits. A scalable tool is used across multiple projects simultaneously and very successfully.
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Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) support
The continuous integration and continuous delivery support system by the automated tools is what completes the project quickly. It not only supports the completion of the main testing process but also supports associated processes very easily. Automated API testing tools support Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery pipelines. These pipelines enable the testing and integration of APIs at a faster rate. By incorporating API tests into CI/CD workflows, teams can quickly validate changes to APIs and identify any regressions early in the development cycle.
Key Features to Look for in API Automation Testing Tools Open-source
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Ease of use
When choosing the next API automation testing tools, you have to look for the ease of use factor of these tools. You should check the ease with which you can use this tool. The controls and navigation of the tool should be very simple and accessible. Whether it is a beginner in your team or an experienced developer, the testing tool should be open to use by everyone.
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Integration capabilities
The integration capabilities of the API testing tool should also be very good. The tool should seamlessly integrate into the testing environment. The API testing tool should work with multiple testing environments and be open to easily testing the app of your choice.
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Support for various API protocols and standards
The API protocols and standards of the industry should be supported by the API automation testing tool. The API protocols should stay updated with time. Automated API testing tools must be compatible with API protocols to simulate API interactions accurately and validate functionality. Compatibility ensures seamless integration with various API types, such as REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and more, enabling comprehensive testing across different technologies and environments.
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Comprehensive reporting and analytics
The API testing tool that you use for checking the application should have a strong reporting process. The reports generated by the API testing tool are comprehensive in nature and include all the details of the testing process and test outcome. The API testing algorithms and their results, as well as the path forward, should be clear in the report. The reports should be easy to analyze so the testers can easily analyze the details and move forward. According to the analytics, the applications are improved and enhanced.
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Scalability and performance
The API automation testing tool should be scalable and high-performance. The scalability of the API testing tool should be very high and compatible with different applications. The testing tool should not have any downtime or glitches in the use process.
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Community and support
The API automation testing tool should be used by a large community of testers. The API automation testing tool should extend great customer support and user support. The API automation testing tool should offer technical support in case of some issues that might arise in the testing process.
Top Automation API Testing Tools of 2024
Tool 1: SoapUI
The SoapUI is a very popular and most used API testing tool of today. The SoapUI tool is a good testing automation tool that offers a lot of features to the testing team.
Key features
The testing tool offers a lot of features like API performance testing and API security testing process. API mocking and test reporting are the features that are included in the SoapUI Tool.
Website
https://www.soapui.org/
Pricing
SoapUI has affordable and flexible pricing plans. Your team can use the tool for free in a 14-day trial.
Tool 2: Postman
The Postman tool is known to be user-friendly and excellent in test execution for APIs. It also simplifies the documentation and collaboration process on APIs. It offers a user-friendly interface for the creation and execution of API requests and tests.
Key features
With features like automated testing, mock servers, and comprehensive documentation generation, Postman streamlines API development workflows. Its collection of pre-built integrations with popular services enables seamless API testing across different environments. In addition to this, Postman’s collaboration features facilitate teamwork by allowing users to share API collections, collaborate on projects, and track changes. Postman automation API testing service is highly useful for the software testing team.
Website
https://www.postman.com/product/tools/.
Pricing
You can sign up for the Postman API testing tool for free. The Postman API testing tool can be used with different plans. The automation API testing using Postman can be highly streamlined.
Also Read: 2023’s Automation Tools for Mobile Application Testing
Tool 3: Karate DSL
Karate DSL is a much preferred and free tool for API testing that software developers are using these days. Built on top of the Cucumber framework, Karate DSL allows developers to write API tests in a concise and expressive manner using a domain-specific language.
Key features
With its simple syntax and built-in assertions, Karate DSL enables teams to quickly create and execute API tests without extensive coding knowledge. Additionally, Karate DSL supports data-driven testing, parallel test execution, and integration with continuous integration pipelines, making it a versatile tool.
Website
https://github.com/karatelabs/karate
Pricing
Karate DSL is open-source and free to use for developers.
Tool 4: Rest Assured
Rest Assured is a versatile and useful API automation tool that works seamlessly with multiple operating systems. It provides a fluent and intuitive API that simplifies the creation of HTTP requests and assertions, making API testing more accessible to developers.
Key features
With Rest Assured, testers can easily validate responses, headers, and status codes, as well as perform complex validations using JSON and XML parsing. The tool works smoothly with frameworks like JUnit and TestNG. The tool also supports authentication, SSL, and cookies.
Website
https://rest-assured.io/
Pricing
The pricing for Rest Assured can be different for different plans.
Tool 5: Katalon
Katalon is an API test automation tool that works excellently for web and API cross-platform testing.
Key features
Katalon has a really interesting user interface that works across different devices and smooths out the testing process. It supports various scripting languages like Groovy and JavaScript, enabling flexible and customizable test automation workflows.
Website
https://katalon.com/download
Pricing
You can try Katalon’s features for free during the 30-day trial period.
Tool 6: Airborne
The Airborne tool is a recent API automation testing tool that has been created recently for API framework testing.
Key features
This tool is very versatile and can be easily adapted to different kinds of testing environments. Although it is not as popular as the leading API testing tools, developers are starting to use it more and more.
Website
https://brooklyndev.github.io/airborne/
Pricing
The basic version of Airborne is free to use.
Tool 7: Appium
Appium is an open-source test automation tool used for application and API testing across multiple platforms. These platforms include iOS, Android, and Windows OS.
Key features
Appium’s extensive community support, active development, and integration with CI/CD tools make it a preferred choice for mobile application testing in agile software development environments.
Website
https://appium.io/docs/en/latest/
Pricing
Appium is open-source and free to use.
Tool 8: Ranorex
Ranorex is a powerful test automation tool that offers desktop, web, and cross-platform testing capabilities. The tool is user-friendly and helps testers create automated tests with a graphical user interface.
Key features
With Ranorex, testers can perform cross-browser and cross-device testing, as well as data-driven and keyword-driven testing. Its robust object recognition capabilities enable reliable test automation even in complex UI scenarios. Moreover, the tool is an extensive testing tool that helps in the management of the testing environment.
Website
https://www.ranorex.com/
Pricing
There are three different plans for the Ranorex features and usage.
Tool 9: Swagger
Swagger is the next-gen API testing tool that works towards testing and documenting the API tests and results. It provides a suite of tools that streamline the API development process. Automation API testing using swagger UI can be highly streamlined.
Key features
Swagger offers built-in support for API testing, allowing testers to validate API endpoints, parameters, and responses directly within the Swagger UI. The Swagger tool is a modern automation framework that supports accurate API testing and a collaborative environment in the team itself.
Website
https://swagger.io/
Pricing
You can create a free account on Swagger and try its features for free.
Best Practices for Implementing API Automation Testing
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Planning and strategy
When using the API automation testing tools, you should first sit down with the team and discuss the goals of the project. According to the goals and needs of the project, you can plan and strategize the plan to access the automation tools.
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Choosing the right tool for your needs
According to the goals and objectives of the software development project, the right kind of tools go for selection. You need to select the tools that will be the most useful and work the best with the project requirements. The team should be well-trained to work with the tools selected.
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Setting up a testing environment
The testing environment of the project should be set up with the tools and complete regard to what is needed for the testing process. The testing tool should integrate into the testing environment seamlessly.
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Writing effective and reusable test cases
The testers have to write efficient and reusable test cases which can be used for multiple purposes. The test cases and the environment should completely line up with the application tested through them.
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Integrating API testing into the CI/CD pipeline
The Automation API testing process should be completely integrated with the CI/CD pipeline for faster feedback exchange and completion of the process. The results are delivered on time with the help of the CI/CD pipeline.
Future Trends in Backend API Automation Testing Tools
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Predictions about API testing methodologies
API testing methodologies evolve with important advancements in software technology. Software testers expect to see increased adoption of strategies like contract testing, shift-left testing, and AI-driven testing. The automation testing sector is expanding, and not only applications but also APIs of different kinds are getting tested.
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Emerging tools and technologies
There are many emerging tools and technologies that are arising now from the API testing processes. Some of these emerging API testing tools are mentioned in the list above.
Maximize Quality: Discover Leading API Automation Tools!
Automation testing services are using automated testing tools more and more for the faster delivery of applications. These testing tools are easy to access and affordable for mid-scale enterprises and companies. Today, software developers and testers are also enhancing their skills to adapt to automation in testing. Testing teams and professionals are getting used to automation tools and processes for better delivery of applications and APIs.