Google Chrome extensions are a great way to enhance the browser's functionality, making tasks more efficient and productive. Chrome offers a wide range of extensions for testers that help simplify various testing aspects. Here are the top 10 Chrome extensions that every software tester should consider using to make the testing process faster and easier.

TestCase Studio

TestCase Studio is an extension that helps testers record actions performed on a webpage in natural English sentences, making communicating the steps to reproduce bugs easier. In addition to generating screenshots, this tool automatically creates XPath and automation code for each user action. Recorded steps can be saved or copied for future reference.

How to use:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for TestCase Studio, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the TestCase Studio icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Start recording your test cases by clicking the icon and performing actions on the webpage.
4. View the automatically generated test steps in a readable format and export them to your testing framework.

Video tutorial: TestCase Studio Tutorial: https://youtu.be/KQ81oE1x6ao

iMacros

iMacros is a powerful extension for recording web page actions and replaying them for regression, performance, or web transaction monitoring. It’s especially useful for automating repetitive tasks and improving productivity. With a secure password manager and 256-bit encryption, iMacros simplifies running test scripts.

Here is a guide to use iMacros:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for iMicros, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the iMicros icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Set up the extension by adjusting settings or granting required permissions.
4. Utilize the extension for its intended function, like automating tasks or managing forms.

Video tutorial: https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0vYG41zkcs

Window Resizer

Window Resizer allows testers to resize the browser window to various predefined resolutions to test website layouts on different screen sizes. Customizable resolutions can be added, deleted, or reordered, and testers can save these settings to be used across devices.

How to use:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for Window Resizer, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the Window Resizer icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Set your preferred screen sizes or choose from preset options in the extension's settings.
4. Click the icon to resize your browser window to the selected testing or web development dimensions.

Video tutorial: https: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adjC__JENHg

Awesome Screenshot: Screen & Video Recorder

This extension enables testers to capture screenshots and record videos of the browser screen. It supports various resolutions (720p, 1080p, 4K), allows saving to local disks or online accounts, and offers editing and annotation features. Additionally, it integrates with project management tools like Jira, Slack, and Trello. To use this extension, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for Awesome Screenshot: Screen & Video Recorder, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the extension icon at the top-right corner of ChromeSet preferences to access screenshot and video recording options.
3. Capture screenshots or record your screen by selecting the desired area and using the available tools for editing or sharing.

Video tutorial: https://youtu.be/8X0kLXlyxN0

Check My Links

Check My Links is essential for finding broken links on a webpage. It scans all the links, highlighting valid and broken ones, and allows users to copy broken links with a single click. This extension also displays HTTP response codes and complete URLs for broken links in the console log.

How to add the Check My Links Chrome extension:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for Check My Links, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the Check My Links icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Navigate to the webpage you want to check and click the icon to scan for broken links.
4. The extension will highlight broken links in red and working links in green for easy identification.

Video tutorial: https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1cxbFvb-0s

SelectorHub

SelectorHub helps testers generate unique XPath, CSS selectors, and other selectors like Playwright and jQuery. It’s a valuable tool for writing, verifying, and managing selectors for web automation testing.

To use SelectorHub, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for SelectorHub, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the SelectorHub icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Open a webpage, then click the icon to inspect and generate CSS selectors and XPath for elements.
4. Using the extension's tools to copy and refine the selector or XPath makes web scraping and testing easier.

Video tutorial:https: //youtu.be/srExpm-d9dU

LambdaTest

LambdaTest offers cloud-based cross-browser testing, supporting over 2000 browsers. With this extension, testers can quickly perform tests across various browsers without selecting each one individually. Additional features include generating and scheduling screenshots and performing geolocation tests.

How to add the LambdaTest Chrome extension:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for LambdaTest, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the LambdaTest icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Sign in to your LambdaTest account and select a browser and OS combination for cross-browser testing.
4. Launch live testing or automate tests directly from the extension on your chosen web application.

Video tutorial: https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfnVAAw6PV4

Lighthouse

Lighthouse is an open-source tool designed to improve the performance, quality, and accessibility of web applications. By running audits on a URL, Lighthouse generates a report highlighting improvement areas and providing detailed references to help fix issues.

Adding the Lighthouse Chrome extension requires the following steps:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for Lighthouse, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the Lighthouse icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Select the type of audit (Performance, Accessibility, SEO, etc.) you want to run.
4. Click Generate Report to analyze the webpage and review the detailed performance and accessibility results.

Video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyaHwvPWuZU

Page Ruler

Page Ruler is an essential tool for UI testing. It lets testers measure distances on a webpage in pixels. The extension provides real-time height, width, start, and end values while moving the mouse, which is helpful when evaluating design layouts.

How to add Page Ruler:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for Page Ruler, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the Page Ruler icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Click and drag on the webpage to measure elements in pixels, including width, height, and position.
4. Use the tool's options to fine-tune measurements and quickly inspect design layout details.

Video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZNJOkwfbSY

Page Load Time

This extension measures the load time of each webpage and displays it in the Chrome toolbar. It helps testers identify performance bottlenecks and optimize page load speeds across different pages.

Adding the Page Load Time extension can be done by following the steps mentioned below:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for Page Load Time, and click Add to Chrome.
2. After installation, click the Page Load Time icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Visit any webpage, then click the icon to measure and display the page’s load time.
4. View the load time metrics for analysis, including overall duration and individual resource load times.

Video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4gtkJFHeyQ

‍

Optimizing Software Testing with Must-Have Chrome Extensions

When selecting Chrome extensions for software testing, it is crucial to consider the specific requirements of the testing environment and project. The tools listed above are regarded as indispensable by many testers due to their effectiveness in simplifying tasks, improving efficiency, and streamlining the testing process. These extensions offer a range of functionalities, from automating test case documentation and identifying broken links to improving cross-browser compatibility and performance testing. By integrating these tools into the workflow, testers can significantly reduce the time spent on manual tasks, accelerating the overall testing cycle.

Furthermore, it’s important to remember that the Chrome Web Store is home to a vast collection of other extensions designed to enhance various aspects of the testing process. Whether you are focused on improving UI/UX testing, automating repetitive actions, or monitoring network activity, an extension can likely be customized to meet your needs. Testing tools evolve rapidly, and staying updated with the latest extensions ensures that testing practices remain optimized.

In conclusion, the right combination of Chrome extensions can transform the software testing approach, making workflows more efficient, accurate, and effective. By leveraging these tools, testers can overcome common challenges, improve productivity, and deliver high-quality software.