TestComplete

Basic Information

SmartBear TestComplete is a proprietary functional automated testing platform developed by SmartBear Software. It provides comprehensive solutions for automating UI testing across desktop, web, and mobile applications.

• Model: TestComplete
• Version: Latest stable version is 15.78.
• Release Date: Initial release in 1999 by AutomatedQA. Version 15.78 was released on October 6, 2025.
• Minimum Requirements: Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, 4 GB free space on the system disk, 2 GB free disk space for installation, and 1024x768 display resolution.
• Supported Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 (64-bit recommended), and Windows Server versions including 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025.
• Latest Stable Version: 15.78.
• End of Support Date: Full support is provided for the latest three releases, typically for three months after release. Limited support extends for the three preceding releases for another three months. Version 15.78 has full support until January 2026 and limited support until February 2026.
• End of Life Date: Support and maintenance for perpetual licenses may not be available beyond the end of 2025, requiring a switch to subscription licensing for continued access to updates and support. The load testing module reached its end of life on October 1, 2012.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly specified, but tied to the end of support and maintenance lifecycle.
• License Type: Proprietary. SmartBear has transitioned to an ID-based licensing model (SmartBear License Management - SLM) since September 2023, replacing the legacy key-based system. Current license types include Fixed User and Floating, which can be subscription-based (time-limited) or perpetual.
• Deployment Model: Primarily an on-premise thick-client application, allowing operation offline or within a secure local network. A cloud-based solution, Reflect, is available for web application testing.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 2 GB; Recommended 16 GB or more for optimal performance.
• Processor: Minimum Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz; Recommended Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 (3rd generation or newer) or AMD Ryzen 5/7.
• Storage: Minimum 4 GB free on the system disk plus 2 GB for installation. Recommended 5 GB free on the system disk plus 2 GB for installation. Large projects may require an additional 1-2 GB for temporary files during test runs. Optimal configurations suggest 5-10 GB of free disk space, preferably on an SSD.
• Display: Minimum 1024x768 resolution; Recommended 1920x1080 or higher.
• Ports: USB ports are required for connecting physical mobile devices for testing.
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 (32-bit or 64-bit) up to Windows 11. Windows Server versions are also supported.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

TestComplete is a Windows-native application that benefits significantly from robust hardware. While it can run on minimal specifications, achieving optimal performance, especially with complex test suites or large applications, necessitates higher RAM and a more powerful processor. The disk space requirements are substantial, particularly for temporary files generated during extensive test runs. The software's reliance on specific browser versions and .NET Framework for certain functionalities underscores the importance of a well-configured Windows environment. Users should aim for recommended specifications to ensure smooth operation and efficient test execution.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: 15.78.
• OS Support: Supports a wide range of Windows operating systems from Windows 7 SP1 to Windows 11, and various Windows Server editions. Windows 10 64-bit or later is recommended for the best experience.
• End of Support Date: SmartBear provides full support for the three most recent TestComplete releases and limited support for the three preceding ones. This policy encourages users to stay updated for comprehensive assistance.
• Localization: TestComplete supports Unicode languages for its user interface and can handle localized operating system versions for object recognition. It offers solutions like Name Mapping and regular expressions to account for differences in control captions across languages.
• Available Drivers: TestComplete integrates with various web browsers including Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based), Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. For mobile testing, it requires Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java SE Development Kit (JDK) version 8 and later, Android SDK Tools for Android applications, and iTunes for iOS applications.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

TestComplete demonstrates strong compatibility with the Windows ecosystem, which is its primary operating environment. The tiered support policy ensures that users on recent versions receive full assistance, while older versions transition to limited support, prompting upgrades. Its localization features are valuable for international teams or testing applications in diverse language environments. The need for external components like Java and mobile SDKs for specific testing types means that users must maintain a comprehensive and correctly configured testing environment. Overall, TestComplete offers broad compatibility and structured support, but users should plan for regular updates to leverage full support and the latest features.

Security Status

• Security Features: TestComplete operates as a thick-client application, enabling secure usage offline or within a local network. It supports local data storage and allows disabling data sharing, enhancing data protection. SmartBear employs a "security by design" approach, conducting vulnerability assessments on releases and managing third-party risks.
• Known Vulnerabilities: SmartBear proactively addresses Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) and performs vulnerability assessments on ongoing product releases to identify and mitigate security flaws.
• Blacklist Status: No information regarding a blacklist status is available.
• Certifications: SmartBear adheres to international industry-standard security certifications and regulations, including GDPR and CCPA, ensuring compliance and data privacy.
• Encryption Support: For SmartBear's SaaS platforms, data is encrypted both at rest and in transit. For on-premise deployments, the license server's HTTP communications are unencrypted by default, necessitating system security maintenance or configuration for HTTPS if encryption is required. TestComplete supports certificate authentication for tested web applications.
• Authentication Methods: The platform supports certificate authentication for applications under test. SmartBear ID-based licensing uses user account credentials for activation and management.
• General Recommendations: Users should ensure the operating system of the server hosting TestComplete is securely maintained. For on-premise license servers, configuring HTTPS is recommended to encrypt communications if sensitive data is involved.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

SmartBear demonstrates a strong commitment to security, integrating it into the product development lifecycle and adhering to global data privacy regulations. TestComplete's ability to function in isolated or local network environments provides a secure operational model. While the SaaS offerings include robust encryption, on-premise deployments require user vigilance in securing the underlying infrastructure and configuring communication channels, particularly for the license server. The proactive approach to vulnerability management and support for application-level certificate authentication contribute to a generally secure testing environment.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, publicly available benchmark scores for TestComplete are not provided in the search results.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: TestComplete can monitor various performance counters of tested applications and environments, such as CPU load, memory usage, and disk activity. Its own performance can be impacted by factors like large script tests (over 15 MB per GB of RAM), extensive log items, and Test Visualizer data collection. Performance optimization strategies include distributing large projects, using lower-level commands for faster playback, and configuring the Test Visualizer to reduce overhead.
• Power Consumption: No specific data on power consumption is available.
• Carbon Footprint: No specific data on carbon footprint is available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: User reviews indicate that TestComplete is often perceived as having a higher cost compared to open-source alternatives like Selenium. PeerSpot ranks TestComplete as #5 in Regression Testing Tools, #6 in Test Automation Tools, and #9 in Functional Testing Tools.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

TestComplete offers valuable capabilities for monitoring the performance of applications under test, providing insights into CPU, memory, and disk usage. While direct benchmark scores are not readily available, user feedback and SmartBear's own documentation highlight that TestComplete's performance is highly dependent on system resources and project complexity. Large test suites and extensive logging can lead to performance degradation, but the platform offers various optimization techniques to enhance execution speed. Its position in industry rankings suggests it is a competitive tool, though its premium pricing is a consideration when compared to free alternatives.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for SmartBear TestComplete highlight several strengths and weaknesses:

• Strengths:
  • Versatility: Supports cross-platform automation for web, desktop, mobile, and API testing, reducing the need for multiple tools.
  • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Azure DevOps, Jenkins) and bug tracking systems (e.g., Jira, Bugzilla).
  • Ease of Use: Features like scriptless record and replay, keyword-driven testing, and AI-powered object recognition make it accessible for both technical and non-technical testers.
  • Maintenance: Offers self-healing capabilities to adapt to UI changes, reducing test maintenance efforts.
  • Reporting: Provides strong, detailed reporting with screenshots and video recordings, aiding in troubleshooting.
  • Language Support: Supports multiple programming languages including Python, JavaScript, C#, Delphi, and Java for advanced scripting.
  • Support & Community: Users appreciate the dedicated support options and active online community.
• Weaknesses:
  • Stability Issues: Some users report occasional crashes and stability challenges.
  • Integration Challenges: Specific integration issues have been noted with tools like Jenkins and Git.
  • Cost: TestComplete is considered expensive compared to open-source alternatives like Selenium.
  • Windows-centric: The development environment is Windows-based, which can be a limitation for some teams.
  • Customization: Offers less granular control and customization compared to pure scripting languages.
  • Logging: Log files can be difficult to read when large.
  • Headless Testing: Lacks native headless testing capabilities, requiring virtual machines for regression suites.
• Recommended Use Cases: TestComplete is highly recommended for automating UI, functional, regression, and integration testing across desktop, web, and mobile applications. It is particularly suitable for organizations seeking a comprehensive tool that supports both scriptless and script-based automation, and that needs robust reporting and integration with their existing DevOps toolchains.

Summary

SmartBear TestComplete is a powerful and versatile automated testing platform designed to streamline quality assurance across various application types. Its key strengths lie in its broad cross-platform automation capabilities for desktop, web, and mobile applications, coupled with robust integration options for CI/CD pipelines and bug tracking systems. The platform caters to a wide range of users, offering both scriptless record-and-replay features for less technical testers and extensive scripting support for advanced users. Its AI-powered object recognition and self-healing tests contribute to easier maintenance and adaptability to UI changes. Strong reporting features, including detailed logs and screenshots, are also highly valued by users.

However, TestComplete faces criticisms regarding its stability, occasional integration complexities with certain third-party tools, and its premium pricing compared to open-source alternatives. The Windows-centric nature of its development environment can also be a drawback for teams operating on other platforms. While it excels in functional and UI testing, some users desire improvements in API testing features and native headless testing support.

Overall, TestComplete is an excellent choice for enterprises seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for automated testing, especially those heavily invested in Windows environments and requiring extensive reporting and integration. Organizations should weigh its significant capabilities and support against its cost and consider their specific needs for stability and integration flexibility. For optimal performance, investing in recommended hardware specifications is crucial.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.