The Rise of Automation Testing: Tools Every Tester Should Learn

Over 55% of all software testing is automated.

The testing domain is evolving at a fast pace. Automation is becoming the primary choice of companies for faster deliveries and cost-cutting.

The implication for the testers is more job openings, better pay scales, and new skills to be acquired. The fact is, manual testing is not totally eliminated, but rather it coexists alongside automation. The most desirable positions are the ones that require testers to have expertise in both areas: manual testing for exploration and creative testing, and automation for repetitive and regression testing.

InterSmart EduTech, the leading provider of software testing courses in Kochi, trains testers in both areas. We see how skills need to evolve. In this article, you’ll learn which automation tools will be in demand in 2025 and why they will advance your career.

Why is Automation Testing Growing so Rapidly?

Despite slight differences in valuations of the automation testing market by various analysts, the unanimous conclusion is that it is extremely explosive in terms of growth. According to Fortune Business Insights, the market will be worth $63.05 billion in 2032, which translates into a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.3%. MarketsandMarkets predicts a figure of $55.2 billion by 2028, which corresponds to a CAGR of 14.5%.

Why this massive increase? Several factors are driving this development:

Agile and DevOps approaches: Business enterprises target fast software deployment. The automated tests are required in CI/CD processes. The nature of tests through manual testing is not effective in modern-day development cycles, as it is slow.

Cloud-based solutions: AI combined with machine learning in cloud-based automation testing is turning it into an industry-friendly solution, and associated solutions, therefore, are undergoing expansion.

IoT growth: Its current Global smartphone user base has reached 6 billion already, and it is projected that the connected IoT devices will shoot to 29 billion in 2030. This increase presents testing opportunities.

Cost pressure: Automated testing ensures no manual errors, quicker testing, and lower overall cost. So, companies will not be able to avoid it.

Quality requirements: Perfect applications are the minimum expectation of users. A bad experience can take away millions from a company. Early automation is a solution to getting bugs eliminated and fixed.

Which Tools Will Be Most Important in 2026?

There are dozens of automation testing tools. But as a tester, you don’t need to know them all. You need expertise in the tools that are most in demand and future-proof.

Here are the top 5 tools every tester should master by 2025:

1. Selenium

Selenium is not new, and it is the most commonly used automation testing tool that has existed since 2004. It is the biggest community and best documented, with practically all the large companies utilising it.

Why learn Selenium?

• Works with the most popular browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
• Supported with the majority of programming languages: Java, Python, C#, JavaScript, Ruby, and PHP.
• A massive community implies the abundance of both learning resources and problem-solving.
• Selenium Grid also allows making parallel tests on several machines.
• The foundation of other tools, such as Appium and WebDriverIO.

The disadvantages:

• Learning curve is steep for new entrants.
• Configuration and setup may be time-consuming.
• May turn unsynchronised with complicated asynchronous processes.
• There is more code needed than for more recent equipment.

Selenium is still relevant since it is adaptable, strong and well known. Selenium should be your choice of tool to learn, in case you have only one tool. There is a high demand for Selenium skills.

2. Playwright

The latest and most popular of the three prominent tools that have been developed by Microsoft and released in 2020 is Playwright. Since it is contemporary, quick and developer-friendly.

Why learn Playwright?

• Single-API support in Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit.
• Automatic Waiting (WaitFors are irritating)
• Trace viewer is an in-built debugging tool.
• Codegen tool is an automatic code generator which is created based on browser interactions.
• Quicker and more efficient than Selenium on Web apps.
• Supports TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, .NET and Java.

The downsides:

• Selenium-sized or smaller and fast-growing community.
• The learning resources are fewer and relatively new.
• May necessitate the transition of teams that are used to traditional tools.

Playwright works particularly well with modern single-page applications (SPAs) and when you require the highest level of speed and reliability. Most companies are moving away in favour of Playwright on new projects.

The Playwright team created Puppeteer as well, which shows that they are proficient in browser automation.

3. Cypress

The interface of Cypress is said to be user-friendly, with features aimed at developers. It is a browser-native application and is therefore fast and less susceptible to flaky tests.

Why learn Cypress?

• It is extremely easy to learn and use.
• Instant feedback is given by real-time reloading when creating a test.
• Automatic element waiting
• Time-travel debugging is a speciality.
• Built-in screenshots and videos of failed tests.
• Ideally suited to front-end developers and JavaScript staff.

The drawbacks:

• JavaScript-based (there is no multi-language support, such as Selenium or Playwright).
• Poor browser support (primarily Chromium-based browsers)
• Not perfect for doing complicated cross-browser testing.

The best one is Cypress when your team is very JavaScript-intensive and when you test mainly modern web applications. The user interface is unsurpassed, and the learning curve is low.

4. Appium

Although the initial three tools are mainly used to test the web, it is Appium that is the standard of testing mobile apps. In case you have to test native iOS or Android apps, you cannot avoid Appium.

Why learn Appium?

• Open-source and free
• Develops native, hybrid and mobile web applications.
• iOS, Android, Windows.
• No modifications of the app to test it.
• Supports several programming languages.

The disadvantages:

• Installation is complicated, particularly with iOS.
• Less fast than native systems
• Needs other tools on different platforms.

Appium is an invaluable expert in the rise of mobile apps. The majority of companies test web and mobile; thus, Appium is a logical extension of Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress.

5. Postman/REST Assured

Postman is the most commonly used tool for manual API testing and is frequently also automated. REST Assured is a Java-based library specifically used to test the API.

Why learn API testing tools?

• Modern applications are based on APIs.
• Compared to the UI tests, API tests are more reliable and quicker.
• They may be undertaken at an earlier stage during the development cycle.
• They are used to supplement tests of UI in order to cover tests fully.

How to Choose the Right Test Tool

How Long Does it Take to Learn Automation Testing?

That depends on your background, but here are realistic timeframes:

Absolute beginner (no programming experience):

• 3-6 months for the basics in one tool
• 1 year for solid experience

Manual tester with some coding experience:

• 2-3 months for functional skills in one tool
• 6 months for job-ready level

Developer getting into testing:

• 1-2 months for one tool
• 3-4 months for multiple tools and best practices

The key is consistent, hands-on learning. No theory courses that just explain concepts. You need hands-on training with real projects.

InterSmart EduTech designs software testing training in Kochi with a focus on practical application.

Key Takeaways

• The automation testing market is growing at 15-17% annually.
• Companies are massively automating their tests.
• Manual testers without automation skills are in less demand.
• The learning curve is manageable if you have the right resources.
• Tools like Selenium, Playwright, and Cypress are now standard.

InterSmart EduTech makes it easy for you to get started. Practical courses, experienced mentors, flexible formats.

The automation revolution in testing is happening now. The tools you learn today are the tools that will secure your career tomorrow.

Are you ready to take the next step? InterSmart EduTech is ready to guide you.