IBM Rational Test Workbench and Apache JMeter are prominent tools in the software testing category. Apache JMeter tends to have the upper hand due to its adaptability and extensive feature set, despite IBM Rational Test Workbench's strengths in support and pricing.
Features: IBM Rational Test Workbench integrates well with other IBM tools and supports sophisticated scenario testing. It also provides robust customer support. Apache JMeter is open-source with extensive plugin support and is highly flexible, benefiting from community-driven improvements.
Room for Improvement: IBM Rational Test Workbench needs better reporting features, enhanced usability, and fewer crashes. Apache JMeter requires improvements in its documentation, a smoother learning curve, and better educational resources.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM Rational Test Workbench is praised for its straightforward deployment process and robust customer service. Apache JMeter’s deployment is more complex but is supported by an active community and abundant online resources.
Pricing and ROI: IBM Rational Test Workbench has higher setup costs but delivers high ROI through comprehensive features and support. Apache JMeter, being open-source, offers lower initial setup costs and delivers solid ROI via extensive functionality and minimal expenses.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Apache JMeter | 16.1% |
| IBM Rational Test Workbench | 1.3% |
| Other | 82.6% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 27 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 24 |
| Large Enterprise | 55 |
Apache JMeter is an open-source Java application that tests load and functional behavior and performance in applications. Created initially to test web applications, it has expanded its functionality to test other functions. For instance, you can test a server to see how efficiently it works and how many user requests can be handled simultaneously.
You can use JMeter to test functional performance and regression tests on different technologies. This Java desktop application has an easy-to-use graphical interface which uses the Swing graphical API. You can run JMeter on any environment that accepts a Java virtual machine, such as Windows, Linux, and Mac.
What protocols does JMeter support?
How does JMeter work?
JMeter sends requests to a target server by simulating a group of user requests. Then it collects and calculates statistics on the performance of the target. This target can be a server or an application.
You can test the performance of static resources, such as JavaScript or HTML, and dynamic resources, such as JSP, Servlets, and AJAX. It is also helpful to determine how many concurrent users your website can handle.
There are two main tests you can carry out with JMeter: load test and stress test. The load test models expected usage of a server by simulating multiple users accessing the web server simultaneously. The stress testing aims to find the maximum load capacity of the server or application.
Apache JMeter Key Features
Apache JMeter Benefits
The JMeter extensible core has numerous benefits:
Reviews from Real Users
Stephen B., I.T. Architect, Analyst, and Developer at an educational organization, says, "The scripting ability is most valuable. It is easy to use. There is a UI, and you can go in there and figure those things out. After you've got a good set of tests, you basically have a scripted document that you can grab and execute in a pipeline. It is pretty quick to set up, and you can scale it and version control it."
"I like the fact that JMeter integrates well with other tools," adds the Founder and Principal Consultant at a tech services company.
A Quality Engineering Delivery Leader at a financial services firm says, “The performance of the solution is excellent. They have designed the product so that it is very easy to configure. You can basically do anything you like with the product. It's not very restrictive. We like the fact that the technology is open-source.”
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