Insights, thoughts &
announcements from Testpad

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EDITORIALS

Test plans, not test cases

Formal test cases cost more than they return. Most of their words are product documentation in the wrong place, and their step-by-step instructions keep testers from the bugs nobody wrote a step for. So here is the case for a different default: the test plan as an outline of one-line prompts, covering the same ground with a fraction of the words.

A collection of marker pens with colorful scribbles, representing creative exploratory testing

EDITORIALS | EXPLORATORY TESTING

What is exploratory testing?

Exploratory testing is essential to uncovering hidden issues and improving the quality of real-world usage. This guide covers what it is, when it pays off, and how to make it trackable.

Testpad and TestRail logos over a black and white photo of stacks of test paperwork

TESTING TOOLS

Testpad vs TestRail: test plans, not a database of test cases

TestRail stores tests as case records in a database; Testpad is a nested checklist of plain text prompts. How they differ, and when each fits.

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EDITORIALS

Agile testing: the complete guide

Agile testing means two things – testing within a formal Agile framework, and simply testing with agility. This guide covers both: the methods, the lifecycle, the tools, and the challenges.

Testpad and Xray logos over a black and white photo of a QA inspector checking a clipboard on a factory floor

TESTING TOOLS

Testpad vs Xray: test plans, not test cases inside Jira

In Xray, every test is a Jira issue; Testpad runs test plans as a checklist of plain text prompts. How they differ, and when each fits.

Testpad and Zephyr logos over a black and white photo of a QA inspector checking a clipboard

TESTING TOOLS

Testpad vs Zephyr: test plans, not Jira-native test cases

Zephyr manages test cases inside Jira; Testpad runs test plans as a checklist of plain text prompts. How they differ, and when each fits.

Testpad and TestLink logos over a black and white photo of a QA inspector checking a clipboard

TESTING TOOLS

Testpad vs TestLink: hosted vs self-hosted, and test plans not test cases

TestLink is a self-hosted, open-source test-case database; Testpad is a hosted checklist of plain text prompts. How they differ, and when each fits.

Testpad and qTest logos over a black and white photo of a QA inspector checking a clipboard

TESTING TOOLS

Testpad vs qTest: lightweight test plans, not an E2E enterprise platform

qTest is an enterprise test platform priced by quote; Testpad is a checklist of plain text prompts. How they differ, and when each fits.

Testpad and PractiTest logos over a black and white photo of a QA inspector checking a clipboard

TESTING TOOLS

Testpad vs PractiTest: lightweight test plans, not an E2E enterprise platform

PractiTest is an end-to-end test management platform; Testpad is a checklist of plain text prompts. How they differ, and when each fits.

Testpad and QMetry logos over a black and white photo of a QA inspector checking a clipboard

TESTING TOOLS

Testpad vs QMetry: just simple test plans, not an enterprise platform

QMetry is an enterprise test platform; Testpad is a checklist of plain text prompts. How they differ, what they cost, and when each fits.

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