Azure App Testing: Central platform for load and functional testing in the cloud

Microsoft introduces Azure App Testing. The cloud service is designed to simplify and accelerate the validation of web and app applications. For the first time, it bundles load tests and end-to-end web tests centrally in the Azure Portal. Users can carry out both functional and performance tests on a large scale without having to set up their own test infrastructure. Azure App Testing combines the capabilities of Azure Load Testing and Playwright Testing in a unified testing environment; deployment, access control, and billing are now all done from one platform.

Development and QA teams can configure and execute test runs using frameworks such as Playwright, JMeter, or Locust. AI features are also on board to help with both the creation and evaluation of tests. These include automatic error detection and specific recommendations for action. Azure App Testing scales automatically so that realistic traffic loads from different regions can also be simulated. The cloud service also carries out cross-platform and cross-browser tests. Microsoft takes care of the provisioning and maintenance of the test environments.

Azure Load Testing users can continue to use their existing tests directly, while Playwright Testing users should migrate to the new Playwright Workspaces, according to Microsoft. These support Windows and Linux as well as Chromium-, Firefox-, and WebKit-based browsers for testing. Azure App Testing is now available in the Azure portal. An overview of the service and instructions on how to get started can be found in the Microsoft Tech Community. Prices are based on the Virtual User Hours (VUH) used.

(fo)