Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing

Difference Between Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing

Both regression testing and smoke testing are the testing techniques that are used to check the software. The goal of these testing types is the same to check the software but methods and techniques are different. They are different from each other in their functionality. Regression testing is deep-level testing whereas smoke testing is surface-level testing. Let us discuss Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing.

Regression Testing

Regression testing is re-running testing functional and non-functional tests to ensure that previously developed and tested software still performs after the change. If not that would be called a regression. Changes that may require regression testing include software environment, bug fixes, configuration changes, and even substitution of electronic components. Test automation is frequently involved as regression test suites tend to grow with each found defect. Regression testing is not only used for checking the correctness of the software but also track the quality of the outputs. It can be achieved through multiple approaches, if a test-all approach is followed, but provides certainty that the changes made to the software have not affected the existing functionality which is unaltered. Various regression techniques are retest all, test case prioritization, regression test collection, hybrid.

Smoke Testing

Smoke testing is a software testing process that determines whether the deployed software build is stable or not.  It acts a confirmation for the questions answer team to proceed with further software testing. It consists of a minimal set of tests that run on each build to test software functionalities. It is used to ensure that all the critical functionalities are working properly or not. As it ensures the correctness of the software at the initial stage, it requires less amount of effort and cost. If we don’t perform smoke testing at an early stage, defects may be encountered in later stages where it can be cost-effective. And the defects found in the later stage can be show stopper where it may affect the release of the deliverables. Smoke testing minimizes the integration risks.

Head to Head Comparison between Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing (Infographics)

Below are the top 11 comparisons between Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing:

Key differences between Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing

Let us discuss some key differences between Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing in the following points:

• Smoke testing is also called build verification testing, while regression testing does not have any other name.
• Regression testing is executed by professional testers while smoke testing is performed by code developers and testers.
• Regression testing is carried out frequently through the testing phase while smoke testing is followed by regression testing.
• Regression testing is deep level testing as it is used to check whether the changed part of the code affects the existing features or not While smoke testing is surface-level testing as it is used to check the newly developed products.
• Regression testing is used to check the rationality of the system whether the smoke testing is used to the stability of the system.
• While performing smoke testing, every detail of the test is documented and scripted whereas in regression testing details are not documented and scripted.
• The cost of regression testing is high as it requires more time and manpower whereas smoke testing requires less amount of cost as it requires less amount of time and manpower.

Comparison Table of Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing

The table below summarizes the comparisons between Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing:

Regression Testing	Smoke Testing
Regression testing is used to verify the rationality of the system.	Smoke testing is used to verify the stability of the system.
It is deep-level testing.	It is surface-level testing.
Regression testing is carried out through the testing phase.	Smoke testing is always followed by regression tests.
Regression testing is performed by the testers.	Smoke testing is performed by web developers.
It is obtained from software requirements specification or functional specifications.	A test case of smoke testing is a part of the regression testing and covers only core functionalities.
The whole process of regression testing is not documented and scripted.	The whole process of smoke testing is documented and scripted.
It requires more amount of time and manpower than smoke testing.	It requires less amount of time and manpower than regression testing.
The cost of regression testing is high than smoke testing.	The cost of smoke testing is low than regression testing.
Regression test is not accountable for accepting and rejecting software build for further testing procedures	A smoke test is performed quickly to confirm whether to accept or reject the build.
Regression testing is performed to check whether the changed code affects the existing features or not.	Smoke testing is performed on newly developed software.
Regression testing is executed either manually or automation tools.	Smoke testing is executed using both manually and automation tools.

Conclusion

Both regression testing and smoke testing are important in their own ways. Each has its own techniques, methods, and concern. Here in this article, we have discussed the difference between these two testing techniques with the help of a comparison table and key differences. Hope you enjoyed the article.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to the top differences between Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing. Here we discuss the Regression Testing vs Smoke Testing key differences with infographics, and comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –

1. Regression Testing Tools
2. Regression Testing
3. Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing
4. Smoke Testing