Katalon vs UI Automator

Katalon vs UI Automator

31 January 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tool comparisons

Choosing the right testing tool can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your software quality assurance process. In this comparison, we delve into two prominent solutions: Katalon, a versatile software quality management platform with AI-augmented capabilities, and UI Automator, a framework tailored for Android UI testing that requires a hands-on coding approach.


While Katalon offers a no-code option and supports multiple platforms, UI Automator specializes in Android with a need for detailed scripting. Understanding their key differences is crucial for selecting the tool that best fits your project’s needs.


Latest update: 1/29/2024, 3:34:32 PM
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Feature comparison of Katalon and UI Automator

Feature Katalon UI Automator
Free Plan
On Premise
Device Farm
Scheduler
No Code
Uses Ai N/A
Generates Reports
Uses Computer Vision
Platforms web,Android,iOS Android
Ease Of Use easy to learn requires advanced technical knowledge
Is Open Source
Support Included
Review Pros Reduced Effort in Test Maintenance: Users report that Katalon simplifies the creation and maintenance of reusable methods, which can reduce time and effort significantly.
Built-in Reporting Features: The platform automatically captures snapshots on test failures, which enhances the efficiency of reporting.
Comprehensive Test Features: Offers features like Record, Object Spy, and Frame Handling, which streamline the testing process.
Low Learning Curve: Katalon is accessible to manual testers, allowing them to transition to automation testing with minimal training.
Cross-Functional Testing Support: It supports UI, API, and Mobile testing within a single platform, reducing the need to manage different tools for different types of testing.
Community and Customer Support: There is strong community support for the free version and dedicated customer support for the paid version.
Facilitates Cross-Functional Roles: Enables testers to handle both manual and automated testing, effectively becoming cross-functional team members.
CI/CD Integration: For those who opt for the paid version, it offers Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment integration.
Codeless Automation: Provides a codeless automation option, making it accessible for teams with limited coding knowledge.
Efficiency in Test Execution: Users find that Katalon allows for faster test execution compared to manual testing, enabling more extensive and frequent testing.
N/A
Review Cons Separate Licensing: Some users find the need for separate licenses for different features to be a disadvantage.
Cost for Advanced Features: Advanced features like CI/CD integration and Visual Testing require a paid license.
Mobile Execution Issues: There have been reports of instability during mobile test execution, where sessions unexpectedly close.
High Resource Usage: Users with less powerful hardware have experienced performance issues, indicating the platform may require substantial system resources.
Lack of Support for Legacy Systems: Katalon currently does not support automation testing for legacy Java UIs, which can be a limitation for some organizations.
Limited TestOps Analytics: The free version has limitations on the analytical results available through TestOps, pushing users towards the paid version for full functionality.
Separate Licensing for Cloud Features: Features like Parallel Cloud Execution and Cloud Tunnelling require additional licensing, which can increase costs.
Limited Free Features: Some users feel that the most valuable features are locked behind the paid version, which can be a barrier for smaller teams or individual users.
Hardware Demands: The platform’s demand on hardware resources can lead to slower performance on less capable machines.
No Bundled Packages: Users would prefer bundled packages for the various Katalon products to simplify licensing and possibly reduce costs.
N/A


Comparative Analysis of Katalon and UI Automator Pricing Models

Katalon Pricing Overview

Katalon presents a tiered pricing strategy for its Software Quality Management Platform, tailoring its plans to accommodate teams of various sizes and needs. It starts with a complimentary Starter Plan, intended for small teams or beginners in test automation, and scales up to Premium and Ultimate plans for more sophisticated requirements. The Premium plan is priced at $167 per month (when billed annually) and caters to professional-grade test creation and dynamic testing processes. The Ultimate plan, targeting enterprise-level needs, necessitates custom pricing. Katalon incentivizes annual billing with up to a 25% discount and offers package deals for combined licensing and test outcomes, as well as promotional discounts for new customers on initial licenses. Katalon’s pricing is constructed to deliver an integrated quality management journey throughout the entire testing lifecycle, accommodating web, API, mobile, and desktop testing, including AI and visual testing capabilities.

UI Automator Pricing Overview

UI Automator stands in contrast to Katalon by being a free, open-source software. It does not have a structured pricing model or tiers and is accessible to anyone without financial commitment. This makes it a potentially attractive option for individual developers, small startups, or organizations with limited budgets that are looking to implement automation without incurring additional costs.

Pricing Model Comparison

When comparing Katalon and UI Automator, several key distinctions in their pricing models become evident:

  • Cost Structure: Katalon operates on a subscription-based model with different tiers, while UI Automator is completely free and open-source.
  • Target Audience: Katalon’s tiered plans are designed to cater to a wide range of users, from small teams to large enterprises, whereas UI Automator is generally more suited for those who prefer an open-source solution, often smaller teams or individuals.
  • Advanced Features: With Katalon, premium features such as AI-powered and visual testing are locked behind higher-tier plans, which are not available in UI Automator.
  • Enterprise Support: Katalon provides enterprise-grade features and support in its Ultimate plan, a level of service typically not available with free, open-source tools like UI Automator.
  • Billing Incentives: Katalon offers significant discounts for annual billing and initial license purchases, a point of consideration for long-term planning and budgeting, which is not applicable to UI Automator.
  • Flexibility: Katalon’s package deals suggest a level of customization and flexibility in how the services can be bundled, contrasting with UI Automator’s one-size-fits-all approach.

In summary, businesses and individuals must consider their specific needs when choosing between Katalon and UI Automator. Katalon’s structured, feature-rich plans offer scalability and professional support at a cost, while UI Automator provides a no-cost solution that might appeal to those with budget constraints or a preference for open-source software. The decision should be guided by factors such as the size of the team, the complexity of the testing requirements, the need for specialized testing features, and the overall budget for test automation tools.

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