Katalon Studio is a robust automation tool initially released in January 2015 with a Selenium-based engine. Mostly, Katalon is designed to create and reuse automated test scripts for UI without coding. Katalon Studio allows running automated tests of UI elements, including pop-ups, iFrames, and wait-time. The tool can be launched on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Katalon’s main advantage is its ease of deployment and a wider set of integrations compared to Selenium, the market leader. Katalon has dual scripting interfaces for users with different programming skills. This means that testers with limited technical knowledge can use a simpler user interface that doesn’t require writing code.
The mode for more proficient users has access to scripting with syntax highlighting, code suggestion, and debugging. Katalon Studio has a pre-defined artifact structure: a number of templates for test cases, test suites, test objects, and reports. Katalon Studio supports local and remote testing, as well as parallel and sequential executions. It runs on Groovy (Java) scripting language.
This solution has a quick setup and a number of pre-installed templates that allow repeating some testing patterns. Katalon Studio is a cross-browser tool that supports Web, mobile, Windows desktop, and API testing. These solutions go with analytics and recording modules. Let’s look closer at each Katalon product.
API testing
Unlike Selenium and Ranorex, with Katalon Studio you can test APIs without additional integrations. This inbuilt module allows testers to conduct end-to-end API testing, automate scripting, and maintain their tests. Main features of this module are code auto-completion, code inspection, code snippeting, references, and debugger. The software supports all types of REST, SOAP/1.1 and SOAP/1.2 requests and multiple data sources (XLS, XML, databases with dynamic mapping to maximize test coverage).
The API testing mode allows users to import tests from such API testing and editing tools as Swagger, Postman, and WSDL. Katalon API testing also has an inbuilt response viewer with auto-formatting and search for access to artifacts.
Web testing
Katalon offers a complete web testing solution with inbuilt Continuous Delivery/Continuous Integration and DevOps integrations. The tool is Selenium compliant and has code-assist utilities like built-in object spy, code refactoring, and in-context references. It also offers a smart XPath location mechanism and a range of reporting options. Besides, native plugins easily integrate with Jenkins, Git, JIRA, and qTest.
Katalon’s web-testing execution mechanism uses multiple configurations and datasets. It also allows for customizing execution workflow and running it automatically. The module features importing external libraries to improve the automation functions.
Mobile testing
This module allows users to test mobile Web, native iOS and Android apps, and hybrid apps. With native integration by means of Appium, a test automation tool for mobile applications, the module supports testing for the latest mobile platforms and devices without additional installations. Katalon speeds up mobile testing by detecting and storing the objects. With cross-environment execution capabilities, tests can be executed locally and remotely with real devices, simulators, or cloud-based services.
Desktop testing
Starting from Katalon Studio 7, Katalon supports automation testing (both locally and remotely) for desktop apps written on
- Universal Windows Platform (UWP),
- Windows Forms (WinForms),
- Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), and
- Classic Windows (Win32).
The module has a rich set of built-in and custom Windows keywords to support the testing process. The main features are Spy Windows Objects (to locate, capture, and analyze all app objects) and Record Windows Action (to record test actions, inspect all running app objects, and present them in a tree view).
Katalon Runtime Engine
Katalon Runtime Engine (KRE) is the Katalon Studio add-on that allows users to schedule and execute automation tests in console mode and CLI (command-line interface) mode. Various scenarios exist for KRE implementation. It can be used for scheduling your tests, integrating with CI/CD system, or bundling your tests to execute in virtual containers like Docker.
KRE can be activated on a paid basis with either a node-locked or floating license model. For more details, see the pricing page.
Katalon TestOps (formerly Katalon Analytics)
TestOps is a web-based app designed to orchestrate tests and DevOps. Its key modules are test management, test planning, and test execution. It’s seamlessly integrated with other Katalon products, testing frameworks, and CI/CD tools.
Katalon TestOps has powerful reporting and analytics functionality. The tool provides insights in the testing activities, creating real-time test reports and allowing users to monitor test quality, coverage, flakiness, etc. Testing areas can be prioritized, highlighting the most crucial parts. All execution patterns are recorded on screenshots and videos, and test results are displayed as specific KPIs on dashboards. Customizable alerts can also be set up for full control over the testing process.
Katalon Recorder
Katalon is shipped with a Selenium-based recording module for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. It records tests, allows testers to perform debugging, automate test management, and export testing scripts into C#, Java, Ruby, Python, Groovy, and Robot Framework. Katalon Recorder has a record and playback feature for testers without programming skills and saves the methods previously used in testing.
Katalium
Katalium is an open-source framework designed for users who still need to work with TestNG and Selenium. Basically, it’s a lightweight platform that provides a blueprint for test automation projects based on Selenium and TestNG.
A component of the Katalium framework, Katalium Server is a set of enhancements to improve the user experience with Selenium Grid. For more details, check the Katalium documentation and the related GitHub page.