GUI testing and usability testing are two distinct aspects of software testing that focus on different aspects of a software application. Here are the key differences between GUI testing and usability testing:

Focus:

GUI Testing:GUI (Graphical User Interface) testing primarily focuses on validating that the graphical elements of the user interface, such as buttons, menus, icons, and navigation, function as intended. It ensures that the elements are displayed correctly, and user interactions produce the expected results.
Usability Testing:Usability testing, on the other hand, focuses on assessing the overall user experience. It considers factors such as ease of use, user satisfaction, and the effectiveness of the software in meeting user needs. Usability testing often involves real users interacting with the system to evaluate its usability.

GUI Testing:The goal of GUI testing is to verify that the graphical elements and their interactions conform to the design specifications. It ensures that users can interact with the software through its graphical interface without encountering visual or functional issues.
Usability Testing:Usability testing aims to assess the overall user experience, including aspects such as learnability, efficiency, memorability, error recovery, and user satisfaction. It provides insights into how well users can accomplish their tasks within the software.

GUI Testing:GUI testing involves test cases that specifically target graphical elements, layout, colors, fonts, and other visual aspects. It may include verifying that buttons are clickable, forms are editable, and navigation menus work correctly.
Usability Testing:Usability testing involves scenarios that reflect real-world user interactions. Test cases may include tasks representative of what users would typically do with the software. This can include scenarios like completing a purchase, navigating through different sections, and performing common actions.

GUI Testing:Metrics in GUI testing may include visual design consistency, alignment of elements, and adherence to style guidelines. It focuses on ensuring that the GUI components are rendered correctly and consistently across different devices and screen sizes.
Usability Testing:Usability testing metrics often include usability metrics like task success rate, time to complete tasks, error rates, and subjective feedback from users. The goal is to assess the software’s effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction.

GUI Testing: GUI testing is typically conducted during the development and testing phases to validate that the graphical elements are functioning correctly.
Usability Testing: Usability testing is often performed later in the development lifecycle, closer to or after the completion of GUI testing. It involves assessing the software from the perspective of real users to gather insights into the overall user experience.