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Apache JMeter vs IBM Rational Test Workbench comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 11, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.5
Apache JMeter lacks official support but benefits from a strong, helpful community offering prompt assistance and extensive online resources.
No sentiment score available
Users praise IBM Rational Test Workbench's responsive, knowledgeable support, though some mention occasional delays; overall satisfaction is high.
 

Room For Improvement

Sentiment score
5.3
Apache JMeter faces challenges with SSL, scalability, UI, performance, integration, complexity, documentation, user-friendliness, plugins, and scripting.
No sentiment score available
IBM Rational Test Workbench needs better integration, improved reporting, enhanced performance, increased stability, simplified setup, and more comprehensive documentation.
With BlazeMeter, you can view the results in real-time.
Currently, we need to use multiple separate JMeter instances to simulate reductions in load, which isn't ideal.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
6.6
Apache JMeter is scalable and customizable but faces challenges with memory, setup, and performance compared to paid tools.
No sentiment score available
IBM Rational Test Workbench is efficient for large-scale testing, praised for automation, adaptability, and strong integration capabilities despite setup complexity.
JMeter is highly scalable, easily handling increased loads through the use of multiple servers.
 

Setup Cost

Sentiment score
7.9
Apache JMeter is a free, open-source tool favored for its cost-effectiveness despite potential additional integration or infrastructure expenses.
No sentiment score available
IBM Rational Test Workbench offers flexible, potentially costly pricing, appreciated for features but expensive compared to alternatives, with volume licensing available.
Using JMeter helps us avoid additional costs for high-load testing since it is open-source and allows for unlimited virtual users at no extra cost.
Monetary benefits with Apache JMeter are notable as it doesn't require a licensed version, whereas BlazeMeter involves costs.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
6.7
Apache JMeter is stable but may require optimizations for high loads; expert users find it more reliable.
No sentiment score available
Users praise IBM Rational Test Workbench for its reliability, robustness, and integration, but some report occasional glitches needing attention.
JMeter performs exceptionally well, especially in non-GUI mode, which supports high loads efficiently.
 

Valuable Features

Sentiment score
8.5
Apache JMeter is a popular, affordable, and versatile testing tool appreciated for its usability, extensibility, and comprehensive feature set.
No sentiment score available
IBM Rational Test Workbench is favored for its integration, automation, comprehensive test coverage, and performance in continuous integration and delivery processes.
It's useful for both the person conducting the test and the higher management, like project managers or senior executives, who may not know about the test.
JMeter's open-source nature allows us to create scripts easily, add any number of users during load tests, and handle large volumes of data without additional cost.
 

Categories and Ranking

Apache JMeter
Ranking in Performance Testing Tools
1st
Ranking in API Testing Tools
3rd
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
90
Ranking in other categories
Load Testing Tools (1st)
IBM Rational Test Workbench
Ranking in Performance Testing Tools
18th
Ranking in API Testing Tools
12th
Average Rating
7.6
Number of Reviews
4
Ranking in other categories
Test Automation Tools (34th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Performance Testing Tools category, the mindshare of Apache JMeter is 25.0%, up from 22.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Rational Test Workbench is 0.4%, down from 0.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Performance Testing Tools
 

Featured Reviews

AlexLogan - PeerSpot reviewer
It's a free tool with a vast knowledge base, but the reporting is lackluster, and it has a steep learning curve
I rate JMeter five out of 10. You need knowledgeable employees to work with the tool because it's difficult to learn. There is a steep learning curve, so you shouldn't expect an entry-level engineer to pick up the tool quickly and become proficient. It takes a considerable amount of time.
reviewer1513668 - PeerSpot reviewer
Good reporting and interface, but supports limited types of protocols and requires low-level script editing
It should have more interfaces. In terms of interfaces or protocols, what you can do with Rational is far limited as compared to other products out there. What it does, it does great, but it only gives you limited types of protocols. It supports between 8 to 15 types of protocols, whereas other test tools give you 20 to 30 types of protocols with which you can do testing and convert to script. It records Javascript-based scripts, and you got to know a little bit of Java to basically be able to edit them, but the level of editing you got to do is very low. I like that, but the ability to edit the script is not as good as Parasoft or LoadRunner, which have C-Script.
report
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
19%
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
7%
Financial Services Firm
27%
Manufacturing Company
12%
Computer Software Company
12%
Government
11%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

How does Postman compare with Apache JMeter?
Postman lets you easily define variables, which then get updated automatically. This is a huge time-saver and makes processes very efficient. We can also export the test cases we create and share t...
How does BlazeMeter compare with Apache JMeter?
Blazemeter is a continuous testing platform that provides scriptless test automation. It unifies functional and performance testing, enabling users to monitor and test public and private APIs. We ...
What do you like most about Apache JMeter?
I appreciate JMeter's simplicity and power for performance testing.
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Also Known As

JMeter
Rational Test Workbench, IBM Rational Performance Tester, IBM Functional Tester, IBM Rational Test Virtualization Server
 

Learn More

 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

AOL, Orbitz, Innopath Software, PrepMe, Sapient, Corporate Express Australia, CSIRO, Ephibian, Talis, DATACOM, ALALOOP, eFusion, Panter, Sourcepole, University of Western Cape
Financial Insurance Management Corp.
Find out what your peers are saying about Apache JMeter vs. IBM Rational Test Workbench and other solutions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.