Top 7 software testing companies & how to choose the right one

Hiring a software testing company can be a good way to get more testing done without recruiting expensive, full-time QA engineers.

However, through conversations with engineering leaders and developers, we frequently hear complaints about software testing companies bottlenecking release pipelines, missing apparent visual bugs, and highlighting non-issues as bugs.

To avoid these problems, we advise considering five factors before outsourcing to a software testing company:

1. How do they write tests? Most software testing companies write tests that evaluate an application’s code and therefore tend to overlook bugs that don’t show up in the code. (We discuss how this can happen in more detail below.) Instead, go with a company that tests both the UI and code.

2. Do they work in your time zone? Engineering leaders mentioned that many testing companies work in different time zones, so they have to wait overnight for a reply, slowing releases. Opt for a QA testing company that caters to your time zone.

3. Are outsourced testers dedicated to your account? Many testing companies rotate personnel, so engineering leaders must constantly re-explain things and spend hours overseeing test creation. The best QA testing companies offer dedicated personnel who learn the ins and outs of your application like an internal hire.

4. Can you view and understand tests? Most testing companies write code-based tests and don’t provide clients with access to these test scripts, creating a black box. We recommend partnering with a company that emphasizes transparency by enabling everyone, including non-technical employees, to see and understand tests.

5. Do they offer automated and manual testing services? Automated testing isn’t the best option for applications that are still being developed and require the interpretation of a human tester. Software testing companies should also offer a network of crowd testers that you can tap into for manual testing.

Below, we cover the best software testing companies, including how our software testing service, Rainforest QA, addresses the five above-mentioned factors.

We also reviewed a few additional software testing companies, such as QA Wolf, MuukTest, QA Mentor, QualityLogic, DeviQA, and QASource.

Book a quick demo with our team to discover how Rainforest can help scale your software testing.

1. Rainforest QA: Top software testing company

Reliable software testing that moves as fast as your product team

Rainforest QA is a US-based software testing company that uses a proprietary, no-code platform and virtual machines (VMs) to do agile end-to-end, functional, regression, and compatibility testing.

Here’s how Rainforest approaches the five factors discussed above:

1. Our tests evaluate the application’s UI, enabling us to spot bugs that don’t appear in the code, leading to more reliable test results.

2. Test managers work in U.S. time zones, ensuring you get quick responses and don’t have to wait until the next day for a reply.

3. Test managers are dedicated to your account and learn the nuances of your product and testing priorities like an internal hire. As test managers learn more about your product, you can step away until there’s almost zero oversight required.

4. Our tests are written in no code, meaning anyone, including non-technical individuals, can see what tests are being run and their results.

5. We have a network of crowd testers in addition to automated QA testing services that you can leverage to manually test your application.

Let’s discuss each of these advantages in more detail below.

Rainforest test managers write tests inside our proprietary, no-code platform

We test the UI, not the application’s code, allowing you to perform true end-to-end testing

Most independent software testing companies create tests inside open-source frameworks such as Selenium, Playwright, and Cypress.

These testing tools test applications by interacting with the behind-the-scenes code, also known as the DOM, rather than the UI. For example, when verifying that a form field is functioning correctly, open source tests won’t click on the form field from the UI layer; instead, it looks for the form field element locator in the code.

The issue with interacting with the code is that open-source frameworks may miss bugs that appear in the UI but not in the code itself.

For example, if a notification blocked users from filling out a form, open-source frameworks might not notice — they see the form field element locator in the application’s code and believe users can engage with it.

Because Rainforest interacts with the application’s UI, we can detect bugs that don’t show up in the code. Using the example above, Rainforest will attempt to click on the form field during testing. Since the notification obstructs the element, the test will fail and inform developers about the bug.

Our tests don’t need to be updated every time the application’s code changes

Tests that evaluate software products’ code usually break when there are changes to the code, regardless of whether they made a difference to the UI.

For instance, if a developer updates a form field’s name attribute from “email_address” to “user_email”, the test script will attempt to find the old name attribute “email_address” which doesn’t exist anymore. The test breaks even though the form works.

This is known as brittle tests and requires independent software testing companies to update test scripts whenever there’s a code change.

Brittle tests pose three problems for developers:

1. Repeated bottlenecks in the release process: Testing teams must constantly update broken tests and will usually block the release pipeline until all tests pass. The more code updates you make, the longer companies need to spend updating scripts.

2. Buggy code making its way into production: To unblock release pipelines, software testing companies sometimes ignore failing tests. This enables developers to ship faster, but puts the application’s quality at risk.

3. Developer hours wasted looking for bugs that don’t exist: If QA companies fail to update a test script, it may trigger a false alarm, reporting a bug to developers when no actual issue exists.

Rainforest no-code tests are more resilient because it uses three matching methods:

• Rainforest evaluates the UI first: Our test managers create tests by capturing screenshots of elements and specifying the actions to perform. Rainforest uses pixel-matching to find the element in the UI when running tests. As a result, code changes that don’t affect the UI won’t break our tests.

• Rainforest can use the DOM as a fallback: However, we realize that intentional UI changes can break Rainforest tests, which is why we use the DOM as a fallback. If the UI changes and the element locator remains the same, Rainforest passes the test. If there are changes to the DOM, we use our third matching method, AI.

• Rainforest’s artificial intelligence (AI) replicates human judgment: Rainforest can determine if users will notice a given UI change. If they can, the test will break. If it’s something small, say “Add to Cart” changed to “Buy Now,” the AI knows it’s the same and passes the test. However, we will notify your developers of the change.

Rainforest minimizes test maintenance by using three matching methods instead of relying solely on the application’s code. This saves your software development team from wasting hours on bugs that are actually intended changes, enabling faster, more confident releases.

That said, you don’t have to use all three matching methods. For instance, you can switch off the DOM and AI if you want to surface any UI changes. Or, if you know the UI will change in the coming months but the DOM will stay the same, you can use DOM and AI matching.

Rainforest can test actions and elements outside the browser

Open-source frameworks run tests in web browsers and cannot test actions outside the browser tab. This can cause bugs outside the browser to slip into production.

To tackle this issue, Rainforest runs tests inside full VMs that simulate Mac and Windows environments, so we can test anything on the screen, even actions performed outside the browser window. Note that Rainforest also supports iOS and Android mobile app testing.

For instance, you can test installing a web app, downloading a PDF to verify its contents, or simulating multi-user interactions — particularly useful for testing chat features. This improves test accuracy by considering all actions.

Test managers can create tests in Rainforest 3x faster than in open-source

We often hear engineering leaders and developers expressing frustration that software testing companies fail to meet deadlines.

In our experience, a key contributor to this is the sheer amount of time and expertise it takes to write, run, and debug test code.

Whenever you release updates to your application, outsourced QA teams must hard code test scripts from scratch, which can take hours or even days. They need to write lines of code that specify the element’s color, location, text, shape, and the action to perform.

Writing tests in Rainforest is 3x faster than in open-source frameworks, thanks to our easy-to-use, no-code interface. Test managers don’t have to write complex code.

Here’s what the testing process looks like within Rainforest:

1. You’ll see a VM on the right of your screen. This is where tests will run. On the left is the Rainforest editor, where you’ll create tests.

2. Begin by selecting the type of interaction you want to test (e.g., clicking a button, hovering over an element, scrolling through a page). To keep things simple, we’ll use a click action in this example. Next, capture the element you want to interact with by taking a screenshot of it.

3. Continue this process for each test step.

If you want to learn how we create more advanced tests, we’ve written an entire guide on that topic, which you can read here.

We’d also like to point out that Rainforest runs tests in parallel on a cloud of VMs (without additional costs), enabling you to execute hundreds of tests simultaneously across different environments. This reduces testing times compared to sequential testing methods. 

In fact, Rainforest clients receive results from parallel testing in just 4 minutes.

Test managers are dedicated to your account and work in your time zone

Rainforest assigns two dedicated test managers to your account, and they integrate into your team and workflows like internal hires; we don’t rotate test managers.

The advantage of having dedicated test managers is that the longer they spend on your account, the more they learn about your application. Engineering leaders may spend time at the beginning of the engagement getting test managers up to speed, but they can step back overtime until there’s little to no management required.

Our clients typically send test instructions to their test manager through Slack, but we can accept test instructions through almost any communication channel.

If there’s a bug, Rainforest automatically creates a Jira ticket with a video recording of the bug alongside any other relevant information and assigns it to a developer. Developers don’t have to dig into lines of code to see where the break happened and what caused it — the video clip provides clarity.

In addition, test managers work in your time zone, so you get quick responses to test instructions or questions.

Rainforest doesn’t operate inside a black box

Many software testing companies write code-based tests, creating a black box where only technical employees who can read JavaScript or Python code can see what’s being tested, which tests broke and why, and evaluate the product’s quality. For example, a non-technical product manager or CEO cannot understand tests.

Additionally, many software testing companies give you little control over test suites. Sometimes, you may not have access to the test scripts in the first place. They aim to get you to a certain percentage of coverage, and you have no control over how to get there.

With Rainforest, because our test managers write tests in no-code, anyone within your company, including non-technical employees, can log into their dashboard and easily understand them. They have full control over the QA process and can even create their own tests.

Rainforest also has native integrations with CircleCI and GitHub and can connect to your DevOps pipeline for continuous deployment. This way, new updates are validated before reaching production, and software development teams catch bugs early, lowering the risk of regressions.

Read more: CI/CD automated testing: How to release fast, with confidence

Teams can manage automated and manual application testing within the same platform

While automated testing can help teams avoid the burden of clicking through each button and performing tasks manually, certain scenarios call for manual testing over automated testing.

For example, if certain features are in a state of flux (maybe because developers are still building and refining them) and require human interpretation, manual testing is a better option because automated tests will likely break.

With this in mind, we offer a network of crowd testers to tackle test cases more appropriate for manual testing.

Creating manual tests inside Rainforest is easy. You or your Rainforest test manager can head over to the plain-text editor and write test steps in plain English like this:

Once you’ve completed the test script, simply hit “Run Test,” and Rainforest’s network of crowd testers will manually complete the test and send you a video recording.

Our crowd testers return manual test results in 17 minutes on average, the fastest of any manual testing service provider. Available 24/7, 365, they ensure you get test results even on weekends and holidays.

Rainforest pricing

Our pricing plans offer great scalability, allowing you to easily adjust test manager hours based on your testing needs.

What sets Rainforest apart from other testing companies in terms of pricing is that we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.

At the beginning of the partnership, we’ll both agree on benchmarks to achieve at the 60-day mark. If we don’t accomplish these benchmarks after 60 days, we’ll refund you. We’ll also provide you with all the tests we’ve created, converted into Playwright format.

Get Started

Schedule a demo to discover how Rainforest can help you scale testing and confidently ship code.

2. MuukTest

MuukTest is an ISO-compliant software testing service that uses their own no-code platform to write tests, enabling engineering teams to increase test coverage fast.

MuukTest’s platform integrates into existing CI/CD pipelines, accelerating test execution and catching defects early in the development process. The platform also generates detailed reports containing insights about test runs, detected issues, and success rates, helping teams improve the quality of their application.

Key features

• No-code and low-code test automation for ease of use.
• AI-powered test creation and maintenance.
• Self-healing automation to reduce flaky tests.
• Support for end-to-end, API, and regression testing.
• Seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines for continuous testing.
• Advanced reporting and analytics for actionable insights.

3. QA Mentor

QA Mentor is a full-service quality assurance company based in New York that provides different types of testing solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes. 

QA Mentor combines manual and automated testing to ensure comprehensive software quality. With a global team of experienced testers, they offer services such as user experience testing, acceptance testing, security testing, API testing, and usability testing.

One of QA Mentor’s standout advantages is its flexibility. The company offers on-demand QA services, allowing businesses to scale testing efforts based on project needs without committing to a full-time in-house team.

QA Mentor uses open-source frameworks such as Selenium, Appium, and JMeter, tailoring the framework to fit the client’s technology stack. Again, it’s worth pointing out that these tests don’t evaluate the UI but instead the application’s code, so they may not be able to spot all visual bugs like Rainforest.

Key features

• Comprehensive QA services, including functional, cybersecurity, and performance testing.
• Flexible engagement models, from staff augmentation to fully managed QA.
• Expertise in both manual and automated testing strategies.
• Integration with leading automation tools like Selenium, Appium, and JMeter.
• On-demand QA support for scalable and cost-effective testing.

4. QualityLogic

QualityLogic is a software testing company based in the USA that specializes in functional, performance, and interoperability testing. With decades of experience, QualityLogic provides high-quality software testing solutions for industries such as e-commerce, healthcare, big data, and telecommunications. 

For test creation, QualityLogic employs an approach that includes manual test design and automation using industry-leading tools. Their experts develop test plans based on the specifics of your industry. When automation is required, they use tools like Selenium and Appium to create test scripts.

QualityLogic offers functional testing, accessibility testing, penetration testing, exploratory testing, integration testing, and load testing services.

Key features

• Expertise in functional, performance, and interoperability testing.
• Strong focus on standards compliance and protocol validation.
• Manual and automated test creation using Selenium, Appium, and other tools.
• Specialized testing for industries like smart energy, telecom, and printing.
• Real-world testing scenarios to ensure cross-platform compatibility.

5. DeviQA

DeviQA is a well-regarded software testing and QA consulting company with years of experience. They specialize in cutting-edge testing services for web, and mobile applications. 

This software testing services company leverages frameworks like Selenium, Appium, and Cypress to create automated tests. Their ability to integrate with DevOps pipelines ensures continuous testing, reducing bottlenecks in the development cycle.

Clients appreciate DeviQA’s responsiveness, thorough test coverage, and commitment to delivering high-quality results. Their flexible engagement models make them suitable for startups and enterprises alike, whether a company needs full-cycle QA outsourcing or dedicated testers to augment an in-house team.

However, as with many outsourced QA providers, communication and time zone differences can be a challenge, depending on the client’s location. 

Key features

• Comprehensive software QA with expertise in Selenium, Appium & Cypress.
• CI/CD integration for automated testing within development pipelines.
• End-to-end manual testing, including functional, usability, exploratory, and regression testing.
• Flexible engagement models, from full-cycle QA to dedicated testers.
• Scalability with adaptable testing solutions for growing businesses.
• Blockchain testing for security, smart contract integrity, and performance.

6. QASource

QASource is a leading QA company that offers comprehensive testing solutions such as functional and non-functional testing, Internet of Things (IOT) testing, Salesforce testing, localization testing, and cybersecurity testing. This helps companies ensure their application works as intended.

QASource supports a variety of testing methodologies, such as open-source frameworks to write tests. However, this means that you don’t test from the end user experience like Rainforest, so this is something to consider.

Key features

• Comprehensive testing services covering functional, automation, performance, security, and localization testing.
• Expertise in IoT and Salesforce testing for connected devices and enterprise applications.
• Strong security focus to identify vulnerabilities and enhance software protection.
• CI/CD integration for faster releases and seamless testing within the development pipeline.
• Proven track record with years of experience improving software quality.

7. Test IO

Test IO is a fully managed, crowd-powered software testing service designed to help teams quickly achieve high test coverage. 

What stands out about Test IO is that they can onboard new clients in less than 24 hours and immediately have their independent contractors running tests all around the world.

However, because they write tests in a combination of open-source frameworks such as Playwright, Selenium, and Cypress, clients may face some of the challenges we discussed above, such as slower release times and unreported bugs.

Key features

• Access to a global pool of testers for real-world testing conditions.
• Flexible testing options to support agile development and continuous delivery.
• Seamless integration with in-house development tools like Jira and GitHub.
• Comprehensive bug reports with detailed reproduction steps and media.
• Cross-browser and cross-device compatibility testing.
• Support for open-source automation frameworks to enhance test efficiency.

Scale software testing fast with Rainforest QA

Book a call with our team to see how Rainforest can help you achieve your software testing goals.