Difference between Performance Testing, Load Testing and Stress Testing

by Ken Miller Tech Writer

The software developers constantly explore ways to make the application popular by delivering richer user experience. Along with the application’s look and feel, they also concentrate on improving its overall performance. A constant increase is also noted in the number of organizations adopting test-based development approach to deliver flawless user experience. The overall performance of a software application is evaluated by conducting a variety of tests. Normally, the testers conduct performance testing, load testing and stress testing to evaluate different aspects of the software. However, these three types of testing differ from each other based on some common points.

Major Difference between Performance Testing, Load Testing and Stress Testing

Nature of Testing

Performance testing is conducted to evaluate the performance of the components of a system under specific situations. Normally, the testing aims to validate scalability and reliability of the application, along with resource usage under a particular situation. However, the testing is conducted as part of the overall performance engineering process that aims to find the performance issues in the software’s design and architecture.

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Load testing is carried out the maximum load that a system can restrain. This form of testing is often referred as endurance testing or volume testing. Under this testing, a constantly and steadily increasing load is applied on the system till it reaches the threshold limit. Unlike other types of software testing, load testing can be conducted smoothly by using test automation tools like LoadRunner.

As the name indicates, stress testing is done to decide the level of stress required to break down a system. A number of activities are carried out to overload the system with excessive resources and functionality. Often negative testing is also conducted as part o stress testing to remove non-functioning components from the system. This form of testing is essential to evaluate the capacity of a web application when it is accessed at a time by a larger number of users.

Objectives of the Testing

Each software application also needs to meet a set of industry-defined benchmarks. The primary objective of performance testing is to check the system’s benchmark behavior. Instead of concentrating on finding errors, flaws and defects in an application, performance testing emphasizes on evaluating the software based on several benchmarks and standards. The performance testing results must be monitored closely and accurately to decide if the software meets industry-defined benchmarks.

The main objective of load testing is to identify the defects that affect the application’s performance negatively. The defects can be related to memory leak, memory mismanagement or buffer overflow. Also, the testing aims to decide the maximum limit of various components related to the application including hardware, database and network. Along with deciding the capacity of the existing system, load testing also identifies bandwidth problems and load balancing problems. Thus, the defects and components are managed effectively to make the app take more loads.

Stress testing is performed to check the behavior of an application after its failure. The post-crash reports are analyzed to decide what caused the failure. While determining the reason why the system failed, the testers need to ensure that the sensitive data remain completely secure despite the failure. An effective stress testing strategy will ensure that all components of the application become normal after the crash. The right stress testing plan can further make it easier to avoid the most terrible break downs in future.

An organization must keep in mind the key differences between performance testing, load testing and stress testing while choosing test automation tools. As the objective of each of these three types of testing differs, the testing automation needs to be done according to specific objectives. If you are planning to hire testing software companies, you must evaluate them to see if they are sufficiently agile or not!

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