Effective Screen Recording Tools for Exploratory Testing

Effective Screen Recording Tools for Exploratory Testing

16 July 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment QA

During exploratory testing, capturing your screen can be invaluable. It allows you to review and reproduce defects easily. However, finding a tool that does not slow down your testing machine can be challenging. Below, we provide a detailed guide on effective screen recording tools that work well across various Windows operating systems.

SnagIt

SnagIt is a versatile screen capture tool that works efficiently on both Windows XP and Windows 7. It provides smooth video recording without significant performance degradation, making it an excellent choice for capturing test sessions.

BB TestAssistant

BB TestAssistant is highly recommended for recording longer exploratory test sessions. It offers a free express license and does not exhibit the performance issues often associated with other screen capture tools. You can download it from the official BB TestAssistant website.

Jing

Jing is another free tool that is excellent for quick screenshots and short video recordings. It is user-friendly and can be configured to start from a hotkey combination, making it less intrusive during testing sessions. You can find more information on the Jing website.

Additional Tools

  • Rapid Reporter: While it does not support video recording, Rapid Reporter is a useful exploratory testing tool that complements SnagIt for video capture once a defect is identified.
  • FFmpeg: A free solution that works well with ScreenCapturer on Windows for full-screen recording. For Linux users, FFmpeg can record the screen natively.
  • Camstudio: Another free tool that provides good screen recording capabilities, though the output files tend to be large.
  • PSR.exe: Part of Windows 7, PSR.exe records user actions and saves them in a step-by-step presentation, making it easy to highlight specific regions and add comments.

Practical Considerations

When selecting a screen recording tool, consider the following:

  • Compatibility with different Windows OS versions.
  • Impact on system performance.
  • Ease of use and non-intrusiveness.
  • Output file formats and sizes.

Enhancing Your Testing Workflow with Repeato

For those looking to streamline their testing processes further, consider using Repeato, a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android. Repeato helps you create, run, and maintain automated tests for your apps efficiently. It leverages computer vision and AI, making it particularly fast to edit and run tests. Repeato is simple to set up and use, making it an excellent choice for quality assurance professionals.

For more information on how Repeato can enhance your testing workflow, visit our documentation or check out our blog for the latest updates.

By integrating effective screen recording tools and leveraging advanced test automation solutions like Repeato, you can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of your exploratory testing efforts.

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