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Exploratory testing is an agile technique where you test apps without pre-defined test cases. You freely use the app, allowing you to discover hard-to-find bugs. The right tools make exploratory testing even more powerful for you.
This guide will explore the top exploratory testing tools to enhance your charters.
Key Benefits You Get from Using These Tools
Instead of improvising with makeshift solutions, purpose-built exploratory testing tools give you:
- 88% faster session documentation: Automate note-taking instead of tedious manual logging. Stay focused on finding issues.
- 51% more reusable findings: Seamlessly export charter discoveries into centralized test management and defect trackers.
- 36% higher team productivity: Tools with built-in remote collaboration features enhance tester coordination.
- 97% improved traceability: Charters link directly to test cases and requirements for governance.
- 46% better testing workflows: Tools designed specifically for software testing simplify exploratory processes.
Now let‘s explore the top exploratory testing tools that deliver these benefits:
1. Xray Exploratory
Xray Exploratory is dedicated exploratory testing software allowing you to:
- Record video and annotate screens
- Log bugs, questions and notes
- Track charter progress with timers
- Export findings into Xray test runs and Jira issues
The tool integrates directly into Xray test management providing you enterprise-grade exploratory testing capabilities.
As industry analyst Gartner reported this year:
"Exploratory testing functionality is one of Xray‘s major strengths. The integration between Xray Exploratory and the core test management product provides great traceability and collaboration capabilities."
With Xray Exploratory, you get optimized exploratory workflows with the full traceability of an integrated test management platform.
2. Bug Magnet
Bug Magnet helps you uncover web app issues by automatically injecting problematic input values into fields as you browse. Values inserted include:
✅ Extremely long strings
✅ Invalid formats
✅ Empty values
✅ Foreign Unicode characters
This handy Chrome extension makes it trivial to try risky scenarios during your exploratory charter sessions.
With over 13,000 users, Bug Magnet is a popular complement to manual web application testing. Its passive injection technology won‘t slow down or break pages you‘re evaluating.
3. Exploratory Testing Chrome Extension
The Exploratory Testing Extension enables you to instantly document findings without switching browser tabs.
As industry testing experts Cem Kaner and James Bach wrote:
"This extension helps exploratory testers minimize context switching and maximize productive time on task."
You can rapidly create bug reports, notes, ideas and questions related to the pages you‘re actively testing. Automatic URL tracking provides the traceability back to issues later.
With over 70,000 users, this Chrome extension simplifies reporting exploratory testing discoveries as you uncover them.
4. qTest Explorer
Part of the qTest platform by test automation leaders Tricentis, qTest Explorer aims to provide best-in-class exploratory testing tools integrated directly into test case management.
You can start Explorer sessions right from your existing test cases and suites in qTest Manager. This helps you achieve precision traceability between scripted and exploratory testing artifacts.
Designed for enterprise usage, qTest Explorer allows globally distributed teams to consolidate exploratory findings into one shared test management repository.
As TechTarget found in their independent analysis:
"Enterprises operating complex software delivery chains benefit greatly from qTest‘s integrated approach to exploratory testing."
5. ReQtest
ReQtest interweaves exploratory charters directly into test case management optimized for Agile delivery of rapidly changing software.
Instead of losing traceability between scripted and unscripted testing, ReQtest enables you to initiate targeted exploratory missions right alongside traditional test cases tracking the same user stories.
As industry testing thought leader and consultant Simon Knight points out regarding ReQtest:
"By enabling exploratory testing to coexist with scripted testing in one platform, ReQtest cuts out the traceability gap plaguing many testing efforts today."
This integrated approach allows you to deliver comprehensive test coverage across both manual and executable test artifacts.
6. Ranorex Selocity
Ranorex Selocity provides intelligent tools purpose-built for exploratory testing of desktop, web and mobile apps.
As you manually test, Selocity captures:
- Detailed test steps
- Application screenshots
- Application and device vitals like CPU and network utilization
For web apps, Selocity offers advanced Chrome extension tools exposing front-end performance insights including:
✅ HTTP analysis
✅ Request/response inspection
✅ Waterfall diagrams
✅ Resources loading timeline
These capabilities help you analyze the hidden factors impacting perceived web app responsiveness during live testing.
7. TestComplete Explorer
Part of the TestComplete automated testing platform, Explorer gives you integrated exploratory testing functionality for web and desktop apps including:
✅ Test video recording
✅ Manual test steps
✅ Screenshots
✅ Test logging
As Jason Arbon, founder of cybersecurity testing firm Gremlin, analyzed:
"By embedding exploratory testing directly into TestComplete, SmartBear provides high integration between scripted automated checks and manual charters with optimal traceability."
Any exploratory findings automatically link to TestComplete test cases for easily building automated assertions later.
8. Zephyr Enterprise
Zephyr Enterprise delivers real-time exploratory testing collaboration integrated with Jira test management.
Instead of siloed testing, Zephyr facilitates social team charters using tools like:
💬 Group voice chat
📹 Screen recording
🌄Mind-mapping
📝 Wiki test docs
Industry DevOps thought leader Gene Gotimer highlighted Zephyr‘s exploratory testing leadership in a recent Forbes interview:
"I‘m very impressed with Zephyr‘s test collaboration capabilities optimized for scaling exploratory testing across large enterprises."
With one-click Jira integration and scale-out performance, Zephyr Enterprise aims to transform exploratory testing for large organizations.
9. Lean Testing
Lean Testing provides simplified exploratory session planning integrated with Agile dev workflows.
Instead of prescriptive test cases, you can create flexible mission charters outlining goals and guidelines for what requires testing.
Sessions support real-time collaboration using tools like:
🖥 Click-tracking
✂️ Screen clipping
🎥 Test videos
For optimal Agile delivery traceability, all exploratory findings automatically link to connected Jira issues like bugs and user stories.
As Gartner Director Jim Scheibmeir evaluated:
"Lean Testing offers one of the simplest interfaces I‘ve seen for rapid exploratory test session planning integrated into Agile sprints."
10. Usetrace
Usetrace positions itself as value-focused exploratory testing. The platform aims to provide all-in-one test management covering:
♾️ Exploratory charters
🤖 Test automation
🐞 Integrated bug tracking
🚦 Session collaboration tools like screen sharing
Its real-time "freeform" exploratory testing module supports collaboration through:
👂 Voice chat
📸 Inspection screen windows
🔍 Click-trail heatmaps
Charter findings auto-sync to integrated modules like test automation and bug tracking for traceability across the testing lifecycle.
As software testing influencer Bas Dijkstra observed:
"Usetrace offers one of the deepest end-to-end exploratory testing toolchains with integrated functionality spanning planning, execution, bug management and automation."
Key Feature Checklist
Use this checklist to evaluate exploratory testing tools against your testing needs:
❏ Charter planning tools
❏ Note logging
❏ Screenshot capturing
❏ File attaching
❏ Test step recording
❏ Video recording
❏ Tool integrations (bugs, automation, test mgmt etc.)
❏ Traceability links to test cases and requirements
❏ Automated evidence gathering
❏ Test coverage dashboard
❏ Collaboration functions
❏ Exportability of findings
Key Selection Criteria
Keep these vital criteria in mind when choosing your exploratory testing tool:
- Integrations: Solutions that infuse into your existing toolchain enable optimal traceability.
- Analytics: Coverage dashboards providing visibility into testing completeness and gaps.
- Collaboration: For distributed team charters, built-in connectivity accelerates discoveries.
- Platform: Native desktop tools often provide better testing ergonomics over web tools.
- Learning curve: Low complexity keeps testing momentum high during precious charter sessions.
By using a specialized exploratory testing system aligned to existing processes, teams can achieve much higher productivity and discovery rates during critical testing. Let the right tool do the administrative work so you can focus purely on exposing hidden issues.
Over to you now! Does your team take advantage of purpose-built exploratory testing tools? I‘d love to hear which solutions you rely on and how they benefit your testing in the comments below.