Apache JMeter vs SmartBear LoadNinja comparison

Apache JMeter is an open-source Java application that tests load and functional behavior and performance in applications. Created initially to test web applications, it has expanded its functionality to test other functions. For instance, you can test a server to see how efficiently it works and how many user requests can be handled simultaneously.

You can use JMeter to test functional performance and regression tests on different technologies. This Java desktop application has an easy-to-use graphical interface which uses the Swing graphical API. You can run JMeter on any environment that accepts a Java virtual machine, such as Windows, Linux, and Mac.

What protocols does JMeter support?

• Web - HTTP, HTTPS
• Web services - SOAP/XML-RPC
• Email service - POP3, IMAP, SMTP
• FTP service
• Database via JDBC drivers
• LDAP
• Native commands or shell scripts
• TCP
• Java objects

How does JMeter work?

JMeter sends requests to a target server by simulating a group of user requests. Then it collects and calculates statistics on the performance of the target. This target can be a server or an application.

You can test the performance of static resources, such as JavaScript or HTML, and dynamic resources, such as JSP, Servlets, and AJAX. It is also helpful to determine how many concurrent users your website can handle.

There are two main tests you can carry out with JMeter: load test and stress test. The load test models expected usage of a server by simulating multiple users accessing the web server simultaneously. The stress testing aims to find the maximum load capacity of the server or application.

Apache JMeter Key Features

• JMeter enables fast test plan recording, building, and debugging via a featured test IDE (integrated development environment).
• Command-line mode allows carrying out load tests from any OS compatible with Java.
• JMeter can extract data from most popular response formats, such as HTML, JSON, XML.
• JMeter is entirely portable.
• A multithreading framework allows you to simultaneously test multiple samplings and separate thread groups.
• Thanks to the caching feature, you can conduct offline analysis or replay test results.

Apache JMeter Benefits

• As open-source software, it is freely available and continuously improved.
• The setup is user-friendly, and no installation is needed.
• The GUI (graphic user interface) is intuitive and easy to use.
• You can write your own tests and use the visualization plugins to extend the testing.
• It is a platform-agnostic tool. For example, JMeter can work with Linux by clicking on the JMeter shell script. On Windows, you can call up JMeter by starting the jmeter.bat file.
• Since the test plans are stored in XML format, you can generate a test plan using any text editor.
• You can simulate a heavy load on a server, a group of servers, a network, or an object. Use JMeter to test an application or server's strength and performance under different load types.

The JMeter extensible core has numerous benefits:

• Unlimited testing capabilities via pluggable samplers.
• You can choose multiple load statistics with pluggable timers.
• Visualization plugins and data analysis enable customization.
• Continuous integration via third-party open-source libraries (Maven, Gradle, and Jenkins).

Reviews from Real Users

Stephen B., I.T. Architect, Analyst, and Developer at an educational organization, says, "The scripting ability is most valuable. It is easy to use. There is a UI, and you can go in there and figure those things out. After you've got a good set of tests, you basically have a scripted document that you can grab and execute in a pipeline. It is pretty quick to set up, and you can scale it and version control it."

"I like the fact that JMeter integrates well with other tools," adds the Founder and Principal Consultant at a tech services company.

A Quality Engineering Delivery Leader at a financial services firm says, “The performance of the solution is excellent. They have designed the product so that it is very easy to configure. You can basically do anything you like with the product. It's not very restrictive. We like the fact that the technology is open-source.”

SmartBear LoadNinja is a cloud-based next-generation tool designed to develop and implement automated load tests for web services and web applications. LoadNinja helps organizations test their web server’s performance during tremendous load and will determine scalability and define overall dynamics.

Load testing is integral in today's aggressive marketplace so that organizations can quickly and easily determine how their web servers will operate during extreme load (requests). LoadNinja intuitively creates load tests using automation developed by documenting past interactions over web pages and reproduces these interactions with hundreds of virtual users (VUs) simultaneously. These tests help organizations fully comprehend what load their websites, pages, etc, can successfully sustain without interruption or downtime.

LoadNinja provides various metrics, such as CPU usage and traffic generated during each test run. LoadNinja integrates well with many of today’s popular browsers and web servers.

LoadNinja Testing - How it works:

• Develop a UI or API test scenario: These are single-instance tests. Each test is representative of an actual application usage process, such as updating client information, making or tracking an order, etc. A UI test replicates the actions of one user on the tested website. An API test replicates the behavior of one client application. Organizations will run these tests numerous times to replicate tremendous load on the specified web application being tested.

• Load testing scenario: This is the example of an organization’s load test. The scenario will integrate one of many single-instance tests, designate the number of virtual users (VUs), advance load parameters, and other specific metrics.
  
• Work the scenario: LoadNinja processes the load tests in the cloud and provides cloud machines automatically for the entirety of the test. During a UI test, each VU utilizes a real browser to conduct a test action to interact with the organization's web applications appropriately mimicking real user responses, including “think times” and experiencing client-side scripts. Throughout the entire process, LoadNinja will create real-time charts so that organizations are able to best monitor test metrics and the overall wellbeing of the application.
  
• Study the results: Once the test is finished, LoadNinja will create a report detailing all the critical performance metrics gathered during the test. This report will give a good determination of an organization’s server capabilities and if it meets the established SLA.

Top Features:

• Real-life load tests, simulated real user actions: LoadNinja will document real user actions on the site to be tested, then replicate those actions with the assistance of hundreds or even thousands of virtual users. This ensures load tests are as close to real-life processes as possible. LoadNinja does not just test one URL of a website; it replicates the entire user experience. This is one feature that differentiates LoadNinja from most other solutions in the marketplace.
  
• Real browsers, real user replication: LoadNInja replays the documented traffic from real browsers. Every VU utilizes its own browser; there is no overlapping. LoadNinja precisely replicates each user action. Whatever code or script is used, it will be completely tested for every page.
  
• Develop tests quickly and easily: Organizations are able to quickly develop UI tests by documenting user actions in the embedded browser. API tests can be developed using the embedded request editor. There is no coding, downloading, or installation of browser plugins necessary.
  
• Scales easily: LoadNinja is a cloud solution; there is no need to designate drive space or add extra “agent” devices to save recorded scripts or test results. LoadNinja does it all intuitively and automatically in the cloud. Organizations simply choose the determined amount of VUs desired to replicate, and begin. It’s that simple!