Overview

Loader.io

Stacks71

Followers173

Votes18

Apache JMeter

Stacks435

Followers285

Votes10

Apache JMeter vs Loader.io: What are the differences?

Introduction

Apache JMeter and Loader.io are both tools used for performance testing, but they have some key differences that set them apart.

Purposes: Apache JMeter is a versatile tool used for load and performance testing of both static and dynamic resources. It can simulate heavy loads on servers, network or objects, and can perform functional testing as well. On the other hand, Loader.io is a cloud-based load testing framework specifically designed for web applications and APIs. It helps to measure the application's performance and identify potential bottlenecks under heavy loads.
Testing Approach: Apache JMeter follows a black-box testing approach as it does not require access to the source code or internal structure of the application being tested. It is capable of simulating different network protocols, recording user scenarios, and replaying them. Loader.io follows a white-box testing approach, where the application's code structure and internal workings are available. It allows the users to write custom JavaScript test scripts to simulate real user interactions.
Scalability: Apache JMeter is a desktop-based application, and its scalability depends on the hardware and resources of the machine on which it is installed. In contrast, Loader.io is a cloud-based service provided by SendGrid, which can scale up to handle large loads by leveraging its cloud infrastructure. It can distribute load tests across multiple servers and locations with ease, allowing for higher scalability.
User Interface: Apache JMeter has a rich desktop-based graphical user interface (GUI) that allows testers to create and manage test plans easily. It provides a wide range of built-in components and functions that can be used to design complex test scenarios. Loader.io, on the other hand, provides a web-based user interface that is intuitive and easy to use. It offers a simple and straightforward way to create and execute load tests without the need for any installation or setup.
Cost: Apache JMeter is an open-source tool and is available for free to users. It can be downloaded, installed, and used without any additional cost. Loader.io, on the other hand, is a commercial service provided by SendGrid, and it offers different pricing plans based on the number of concurrent users and the duration of the load tests. The cost of using Loader.io varies depending on the specific testing requirements.
Integration: Apache JMeter provides extensive integration capabilities with other tools and technologies. It can be easily integrated with frameworks like Selenium for web application testing or with CI/CD pipelines for incorporating load testing as part of the development process. Loader.io offers integrations with popular platforms like Heroku, AWS, and Docker, allowing users to incorporate load testing into their existing workflows seamlessly.

In summary, Apache JMeter is a versatile desktop-based tool that supports various protocols and is suitable for both load and functional testing. On the other hand, Loader.io is a cloud-based load testing framework specifically designed for web applications and APIs, offering convenience, scalability, and a user-friendly interface.

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Advice on Loader.io, Apache JMeter

Ratan

QA Manager at Verisys

Feb 12, 2020

Needs advice

I have a team that is not heavy on programming skills. I am looking for a load testing tool that is easy to use. Preferably, the tool should be a record and playback tool without much programming. Also, the tool should be able to test APIs apart from web-based applications. What tool should I opt for?

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Detailed Comparison

Loader.io	Apache JMeter
Loader.io is a free load testing service that allows you to stress test your web-apps/apis with thousands of concurrent connections.	It is open source software, a 100% pure Java application designed to load test functional behavior and measure performance. It was originally designed for testing Web Applications but has since expanded to other test functions.
Share Graphs and Stats- anytime, anywhere;GUI or API- load test how you want	-
Statistics
Stacks 71	Stacks 435
Followers 173	Followers 285
Votes 18	Votes 10
Pros & Cons
Pros 9 Easy to use 6 Free tier 3 Heroku add-on	Pros 5 Requires no programming knowledge 3 Supports distributed 2 Open-source Cons 1 It's GUI-first 1 Too complicated
Integrations
cloudControl	No integrations available

What are some alternatives to Loader.io, Apache JMeter?

k6

It is a developer centric open source load testing tool for testing the performance of your backend infrastructure. It’s built with Go and JavaScript to integrate well into your development workflow.

Locust

Locust is an easy-to-use, distributed, user load testing tool. Intended for load testing web sites (or other systems) and figuring out how many concurrent users a system can handle.

Gatling

Gatling is a highly capable load testing tool. It is designed for ease of use, maintainability and high performance. Out of the box, Gatling comes with excellent support of the HTTP protocol that makes it a tool of choice for load testing any HTTP server. As the core engine is actually protocol agnostic, it is perfectly possible to implement support for other protocols. For example, Gatling currently also ships JMS support.

BlazeMeter

Simulate any user scenario for webapps, websites, mobile apps or web services. 100% Apache JMeter compatible. Scalable from 1 to 1,000,000+ concurrent users.<br>

RedLine13

It is a load testing platform that brings the low cost power of the cloud to JMeter and other open source load testing tools.

AWS Device Farm

Run tests across a large selection of physical devices in parallel from various manufacturers with varying hardware, OS versions and form factors.

Flood IO

Performance testing with Flood increases customer satisfaction and confidence in your production apps and reduces business risk.

Blitz

Build bulletproof, scalable solutions with Blitz - a simple and fun service for load testing web apps and APIs in the cloud. Blitz offers powerful yet simple capabilities including continuous monitoring, performance testing and remediation. Blitz enables you to instantly burst up to 50,000 concurrent users against your app in seconds from multiple points of presence around the world.

LoadNinja

It is  a  cloud-based platform for engineers and performance professionals who load test web applications. It makes load testing simple and fast. Test your website and web apps on real browsers, in the cloud, without the need for dynamic correlation.

Artillery

It is a modern, open-source, powerful & easy-to-use performance testing toolkit. Use it to ship scalable applications that stay performant & resilient under high load. It prioritizes developer productivity and happiness and follows the “batteries-included” philosophy.