Checklist of Performance Test Types

Suppose you own a Google Analytics-like application for client websites. Since the client's website requires a JavaScript snippet, the performance of their website is dependent on your application. Any slowdown could lead to angry users and a high churn rate.

Load tests are to ensure your app meets the needs of your current users. But what if there’s a new, large client that needs more resources? Whereas load tests give you data on expected loads, stress tests let you know your load limits.

Take a closer look at the differences, plus some tools and best practices when using them.

Use the following checklist of performance test types to identify what tests you need to ensure an optimal user experience.

• Load Tests - Load tests seek to understand how an application will respond to an expected number of concurrent users or other metric.
• Stress Tests - Stress tests seek to understand the upper limits of an application by simulating an extreme number of concurrent users or other metrics.
• Soak Tests - Soak tests, or endurance tests, seek to understand how long an application can withstand an elevated number of concurrent users or other metrics.
• Spike Tests - Spike tests seek to understand how an application responds to sudden increases or decreases in concurrent users or other metrics.
• Breakpoint Tests - Breakpoints tests seek to incrementally apply higher concurrent users or other metrics until an application breaks, similar to a stress test.
• Configuration Tests - Configuration tests determine the effects of configuration changes to an application’s performance and behavior.
• Isolation Tests - Isolation tests test different parts of a system and how those destabilize the entire application.
• Internet Tests - Internet tests use load generators that are placed on the actual target continent to measure localization performance.

If you're looking for the most accurate performance results, take advantage of a browser-based testing tool right now –  sign up for a free trial of LoadNinja to start today or schedule a demo to learn more.