What is Load UI ?

LoadUI & The Art of Load Testing

LoadUI is a Open Source Load Testing solution that is free and cross-platform. With a visual, drag-and-drop interface, it allows you to create, configure and redistribute your Load Tests interactively and in real-time. In a single test environment, LoadUI provides complete test coverage and supports all the standard protocols and technologies. And it’s so powerful, it generates scalable, high-volume and real-world load from any number of local and remote computers. Meet LoadUI, the future of Load Testing.

Comes in two stunning editions

LoadUI comes in two stunning editions, LoadUI and LoadUI Pro. LoadUI is free and Open Source, so anyone can have free access to the full source code and you can modify or customize it any way you like. You are also free to redistribute it without paying any license fees. LoadUI Pro includes everything LoadUI has, but also adds Server Monitoring, Distribution, and Results Comparison to the mix. And, because LoadUI is Java-based, it works on most operating systems, like Windows, Linux and Mac OS. Read more about LoadUI Pro or go ahead and try a free 14-day trial of LoadUI Pro today! Fully functional and no credit card needed.

Server Monitoring

With extended server monitoring LoadUI Pro will not only deliver response times and through-put but also detailed information on anything from CPU and RAM usage to database performance and resource utilization. Basically LoadUI will answer the question "Are you all right?", while LoadUI Pro will tell you what’s wrong. LoadUI Pro is offered in two different versions, nodelocked or floating license. Either way you have unlimited load generation and virtual users with a twist of a nob. Read more about Server Monitoring.

Powerful Distribution

Running load tests usually involves simulating large amounts of traffic at specific times. Due to the amount of computer resources this takes, it can become difficult to do this using a single computer. In LoadUI Pro, each virtual user scenario can be distributed out to a number of LoadUI agents, where they will be executed just like in the desktop application. Having these LoadUI Pro agents physically located in a remote location can more accurately simulate traffic coming from outside the network.

Interactive Testing. In Real-Time.

Before LoadUI, Load Testing was very static and counter intuitive. You had to first create the tests and then run them to the end before you could update them. With its Real-time Testing technology, LoadUI changes all that. Now you can create, configure, and update your tests in real-time – while the tests are running. This allows you to more intuitively load test your service, and experiment to find results you would otherwise have missed. Also, the time of having to wait for your current test run is over, before editing certain parameters are over.

Elegant and Intuitive by Design

The first thing that will strike you about LoadUI is its elegant and intuitive user interface. It’s simply unlike anything you’ve ever seen. LoadUI is the first software to deliver a visual, drag-and-drop Load Testing experience, and to fully eliminate manual testing and scripting. Everything – from test design to distribution to analytics – is designed with simplicity and ease-of-use in mind. So the first time you start up LoadUI, you’ll know how to use it. You create even the most complex tests simply by dragging components from the Component Toolbar and dropping them onto the Canvas. And you can interactively move the components around the free-form canvas however you like, add new components, dynamically alter and fine-tune any test parameters, and much more – all while the tests are running.

Seamless soapUI Integration

Because SmartBear makes both LoadUI and soapUI, they work together seamlessly. Using the soapUI Runner component, you can leverage pre-existing functional soapUI TestCases and run them as high-capacity Load Tests in loadUI. This integration enables loadUI to deliver support for a wide range of protocols and technologies – from HTTP(S), HTML, SOAP/WSDL and REST to AMF, JDBC, JMS and POX. Want to also perform service simulations as part of your Load Testing scenario? Use the MockService component and run your SoapUI MockServices right on LoadUI. Of course, you can add any number of MockService and soapUI Runner components, and run them all at the same time, on your local computers or on the cloud. The options are yours! Read more about the soapUI integration.

Integrated Analytics

With advanced analysis and reporting features, LoadUI allows you to quickly and effectively drill into data – during and after test runs – to pinpoint performance bottlenecks and identify their causes. The Statistics Workbench built into LoadUI automatically captures and correlates performance metrics while tests are running, and instantly visualizes them in real-time charts. LoadUI monitors everything from the start, so there’s no need to predefine what metrics you want to see. In a matter of seconds, you can also compare historical results with each other, as well as LIVE statistics for your current test run. Once the test execution is over, you can generate comprehensive reports with just a click, and customize them however you like by selecting what performance metrics to appear in the report. Just as easy, you can print and export reports in standard formats.

Compare Results

LoadUI Pro allows you to compare data from previous executions with one another. It also gives you the opportunity to compare that older data with live statistics from the current test run. This means that, using the Statistics Workbench, you can compare historical results with live statistics, adjust the settings of your currently running test to identify diversions from previous executions, and export all of that data to be used with a third-party program all within a matter of minutes.

Scalable, Real-World Testing

LoadUI is an enterprise-level performance testing solution built to handle even the most demanding load requirements. Because of its efficient use of system resources, LoadUI handles and generates scalable, high-volume Load Tests with minimal overhead. That means even a standard machine can simulate traffic of up to hundreds of thousands of users. Or use a cloud infrastructure, such as Amazon EC2, to scale your load to millions of clients. Better yet, LoadUI tests can be run for weeks without consuming your memory or CPU. And, using the Delay Component, you can generate real-world load that accurately resembles the experience of a real user.

Modular and Extendable

Designed with modularity and component-orientation principles in mind, the core of LoadUI is built on the powerful OSGi and Groovy technologies, making it remarkably easy to create your own custom components. The entire infrastructure is so dynamic that every time you create or modify a custom component, it is automatically displayed and updated on the LoadUI interface – without having to restart LoadUI or even stop your tests. It all happens instantly and seamlessly.

Load UI Tutorial - Basic

1. Create a LoadUI Project

The first view that you will see when you open LoadUI is the Workspace View. This is where you manage your projects.

The Workspace View.

Create a new Project by dragging the New Project icon to the project list.

Creating a Project using drag and drop.

Now, in the Create New Project dialog, enter a name for the new project, and click Create. This will create and open a new project.

The Create New Project dialog.

2. Create a Web Page Load Test

Expand the Runners category in the component toolbar by clicking the grey arrow next to it.

Expanding the Runner category.

Then add a Web Page Runner component by dragging the Web Page Runner icon to the project canvas.

Creating a Web Page Runner using drag and drop.

Enter the URL of a web page which you wish to target for the test. Note that you will be sending several HTTP requests to this URL, so make sure to enter the URL of a site under your own control, which can handle the load.

Click Run Once to make sure that LoadUI can access the URL. This will send a single request to the target server. When the request is sent, the Requests counter in the black display is increased; when a response is received, the Completed counter increses.

Add a Fixed Rate VU Generator to generate some load; do this by dragging the Fixed Rate icon to the canvas, just as you did before with the Web Page Runner. VU is short for Virtual User — this component will spawn Virtual Users into your test.

Connect the two components by dragging the bottom connector of the Fixed Rate Generator to the top connector of the Web Page Runner component.

Connecting components using drag and drop.

The two components connected.

3. Run the project

Start running the Project by clicking on the Play button located near the top of the window. The Project is now running, sending 10 requests per second to the web site that you have specified.

The start button.

Congratulations, you have now created and are running a load test! You will see the Requests counter on the Runner increasing at a rate of 10 requests per second.

A Runner Component's display.

4. Next Steps

Now, you are ready to follow the Statistics Basic Tutorial, which shows how you can visualise statistics for your load tests in great-looking charts. If you feel you need to know the more advanced stuff before you get started with your real load tests, follow on to the statistics in-depth guide.

Performance Testing Tools

• VSTS
• NeoLoad
• LoadRunner
• LoadUI
• WebLOAD
• WAPT
• Loadster
• LoadImpact
• Rational Performance Tester
• Testing Anywhere
• OpenSTA
• QEngine (ManageEngine)
• Loadstorm
• CloudTest
• Httperf

1. NeoLoad

Description: Load and performance testing software: This is a tool used for measuring and analyzing the performance of the website. The performance and the end result can be evaluated by using this tool and any further steps can be taken. This helps you in improving and optimizing the performance of your web application. This tool analysis the performance of the web application by increasing the traffic to the website and the performance under heavy load can be determined. You can get to know the capacity of the application and the amount of users it can handle at the same time. This tool was developed by a French company named as Netosys and it was written in JAVA.  It is available in two different languages; English and French.
NeoLoad System Requirements:  This tool is compatible on operating systems like Microsoft windows, Linux and Solaris.
Download link: NeoLoad download

2. LoadRunner

Description: This is a HP product which can be used as a performance testing tool.  This can be bought as a HP product from its HP software division.  Also, it is very much useful in understanding and determining the performance and outcome of the system when there is actual load. One of the key attractive features of this testing tool is that, it can create and handle thousands of users at the same time. This tool enables you to gather all the required information with respect to the performance and also based on the infrastructure.  The LoadRunner comprises of different tools; namely, Virtual User Generator, Controller, Load Generator and Analysis.
LoadRunner System Requirements: Microsoft Windows and Linux are the favourable OS for this measuring tool.
Download link: LoadRunner download  

3. LoadUI

Description: Open Source Stress Testing Tool: Load UI is yet another open source and load testing software used for measuring the performance of the web applications. This tool works effectively when it is integrated with the functional testing tool soapUI. LoadUI is the most flexible and interactive testing tools. This allows you to create, configure and update your tests while the application is being tested. It also gives a visual Aid for the user with a drag and drop experience. This is not a static performance tool. The advanced analysis and report generating features allows you to examine the actual performance by pumping in new data even while the application is being tested. You need not bother to restart the LoadUI each and every time you modify or change the application. It automatically gets updated in the interface.
System Requirements: Cross platform.
Price: This tool being a open source application, it is available for free and everyone can have the easy access to its full source code.
Download link: LoadUI download  

4. WebLOAD

Description: Load testing and stress testing tool for web application: To find out the bottlenecks of the website, it is necessary to examine the pros and cons. There are many performance testing tools available for measuring the performance of the certain web application. WebLoad is one such tool used for load testing and stress testing. This tool can be used for Load testing any internet applications such as Ajax, Adobe Flex, Oracle Forms and much more. Through this tool, you have the ability to measure the working performance and also its response to the users. This was developed by the Radview Software for the testing of Web applications.  This tool was a famous and award fetching software of the Radview Software. This tool is widely used in the environment where there is a high demand for maximum Load testing. This tool gives you a clear information on the functionality and the actual capacity of the web applications.
WebLOAD System Requirements: Cross Platform.
Download link: WebLOAD download

5. WAPT

Description: Performance testing tool for web sites and intranet applications: WAPT refers to the Web Application Performance tool.  These are scales or analyzing tools for measuring the performance and output of any web application or web related interfaces. These tools help us to measure the performance of any web services, web applications or for any other web interfaces. With this tool you have the advantage of testing the web application performances in various different environment and different load conditions. WAPT provides detailed information about the virtual users and its output to its users during the load testing. This is considered to be the best cost effective tool for analyzing the performance of the web services. The WAPT tools can tests the web application on its compatibility with browser and operating system. It is also used for testing the compatibility with the windows application in certain cases.
WAPT System Requirement: Windows OS is required for this testing tool.
Download link: WAPT download

6. Loadster

Description: Loadster is a desktop based advanced HTTP load testing tool. The web browser can be used to record the scripts which is easy to use and record. Using the GUI you can modify the basic script with dynamic variables to validate response. With control over network bandwidth you can simulate large virtual user base for your application stress tests. After test is executed HTML report is generated for analysis. This tool is best to identify performance bottlenecks in your application.
Loadster System Requirements: Windows 7/Vista/XP
Download link: Loadster download

7. LoadImpact

Description: LoadImpact is a load testing tool which is mainly used in the cloud-based services. This also helps in website optimization and improvising the working of any web application. This tools generates traffic to the website by simulating users so as to find the stress and maximum load it can work. This LoadImpact comprises of two main parts; the load testing tool and the page analyzer. The load testing can be divided into three types such as Fixed, Ramp up and Timeout. The page analyzer works similar to a browser and it gives information regarding the working and statistics of the website. The fame of developing this load testing tool belongs to Gatorhole AB. This is a freemium service which means that, it can be acquired for free and also available for premium price. But, you have the advantage of many options and features when you buy them for premium price.

System Requirement: This works well on Windows OS and Linux.

Download link: LoadImpact download

8. Rational Performance Tester

Description: The Rational performance tester is an automated performance testing tool which can be used for a web application or a server based application where there is a process of input and output is involved. This tool creates a demo of the original transaction process between the user and the web service. By the end of it all the statistical information are gathered and they are analyzed to increase the efficiency. Any leakage in the website or the server can be identified and rectified immediately with the help of this tool. This tool can be the best option in building a effective and error free cloud computing service. This Rational Performance tester was developed by IBM (Rational software division). They have come up with many versions of this automated testing tool.
Rational Performance Tester System Requirement: Microsoft Windows and Linux AIX good enough for this performance testing tool.
Download link: Rational Performance Tester download

9. Testing Anywhere

Description: Test Anywhere is a automated testing tool which can be employed for testing the performance of any web sites, web applications or any other objects. Many developers and testers make use if this tool to find out any bottlenecks in their web application and rectify them accordingly. It is a powerful tool which can test any application automatically. This testing tool comes along with a built in editor which allows the users to edit the testing criteria according to their needs. The testing anywhere tool involves 5 simple steps to create a test. They are object recorder, advanced web recorder, SMART test recorder, Image recognition and Editor with 385+ comments. Originally, this testing software was developed by San Jose based Automation Anywhere Inc. Today, there are more than 25000 users for this product.
Testing Anywhere System Requirement:   This tool is compatible with all versions of Windows OS.
Download link: Testing Anywhere download

10. OpenSTA

Description: Open source HTTP performance test tools: Open STA stands for Open System Testing Architecture. This is a GUI based performance tool used by application developers for load testing and analyzing. This is believed to be a complex tool among the all other performance testing tools. It has proven capability in the past and the current toolset is capable of performing the heavy load test and analyses for the scripted HTTP and HTTPS. Here, the testing is carried out by using the recordings and simple scripts. To carry out the test successfully, results and other statistics are taken through various test runs. These data and results can be later exported to software for creating reports. This is a free testing tool and it is distributed under GNU GPL and it will remain free forever. This tool was originally developed by Cyrano, which was later taken over by Quotium.
OpenSTA System Requirement:  OpenSTA runs only on Windows operating system.
Download link: OpenSTA download

11. QEngine (ManageEngine)

Description: QEngine (ManageEngine) is a most common and easy-to-use automated testing tool helping in performance testing and load testing of your web applications. Many developers find it to be the most simple and easy tool to use for finding out any leakage in their web services or websites. The key important feature of this testing tool is its ability to perform remote testing of web services from any geographical location. Other than that, QEngine (ManageEngine) also offers carious other testing options such as functionality testing, compatibility testing, stress testing , load testing and regression testing. This automated testing tool has the capacity to generate and simulate lot if users so that the performance can be well analyzed in the during the maximum load. This is a free software available for the users online.
QEngine System Requirement:  This tool works with the Microsoft Windows and Linux.
Download link: QEngine download

12. Loadstorm

Description: Cloud load testing for web applications: Loadstorm is the cheapest available performance and load testing tool. Here, you have the option of creating your own test plans, testing criteria and testing scenario. You can generate up to 50000 concurrent users by generating traffic to your website and then carry out the testing. Through this tool, you can bring an end to all the expensive performance testing tools. The cloud infrastructure is used in this tool, which enables you to send huge amount of requests per second. There are thousands of servers available around the world for this software. They are proudly known as the lowest cloud load testing tool. There is no need of any scripting knowledge for using this tool. You will be provided with many graphs and reports which measures the performance in various metrics such as error rates, average response time and number of users. This tool is available for free, but the premium account comes with added features.
Loadstorm System Requirement:  Windows OS.
Download link: Loadstorm download

13. CloudTest

Description: SOASTA CloudTest is a performance testing tool for the cloud computers. The users or the developers can use the cloud platform as their virtual testing lab. The developers can carry out their per4formance or load testing in the cloud platform in the cost effective way through this CloudTest tool. This CloudTest has the capacity to enable number of users to use the website at the same time. It also increases the traffic of the website to know the actual performance under stress and heavy load. The credit of developing this software goes to an American Technology company, SOASTA Inc. They provide many services for testing the websites and other web applications and now they also help in testing the mobile applications. They are not free services, the price differs according to the number of load injector machines required per hour by you. The trial version with power of 100 concurrent users is available for free.
SOASTA CloudTest System Requirement:  It runs on Windows, Linux and Mac OS.
Download link: SOASTA CloudTest download

14. Httperf

Description: Httperf is a high performance testing tool for measuring and analyzing the performance of any web services and web applications. This is mainly used to the test the HTTP servers and its performance. The main objective of this testing tool would be to count the number of responses generated from this particular server. This generates the HTTP GET requests from the server which helps in summarizing the overall performance of the server. Through this tool, you will be able to conclude the rate at which the response is sent from each server and thereby the efficiency can be calculated. The ability to sustain the server overload, support the HTTP/1.1 protocol and compatibility with new workload are the three key features of this performance testing tool.  This was originally developed by David Mosberger and many others at HP. This is a Hewlett Packard product.