Quickly create and execute load tests within a matter of minutes.

BlazeMeter, like LoadView, is also an on-demand SaaS-based performance testing solution, but there are many key differences between the two platforms.  On major difference is that BlazeMeter was originally built around Apache JMeter, which is an open-source Java application that was designed to carry out many different kinds of software development tests, such as load, functional, and regression tests. It has since been expanded upon to support other open-source testing tools.

We receive questions from customers looking for alternatives to BlazeMeter, and specifically, how LoadView compares to BlazeMeter.  In the following sections, we’ll try to show you the key differentiators between the two platforms, so as you’re searching for stress and load testing solutions and gathering information, you have a greater understanding of both platforms and can make a better-informed decision.

BlazeMeter vs. LoadView – What Makes LoadView Different

LoadView was created with functionality in mind.  We realized the same teams and individuals who monitor their sites, applications, and servers may also be interested in performance testing their systems to ensure a consistent user experience.  LoadView is a cloud-based peformance testing solution, so unlike other tools and platforms, there’s no need to invest in additional hardware or creating load injectors. All that is managed so that performance engineers and developers can focus their efforts on the tests themselves.

Many load testing solutions, especially the open-source variety, can only run protocol-based user simulations, which is not enough. You can stress the server at the protocol level, but a significant part of end-to-end response time is neglected.  With the LoadView platform, users can run multiple user simulation types:  HTTP/S and real browser-based tests. Here are some key points to consider in order to understand which method is best for your needs:

HTTP/S-Based Load Simulation

• No client-side rendering
• Programming skills required for scripting
• Low-level analysis required
• Low impact on load injection machines

Real Browser-Based Load Simulation

• Real user simulation
• Easy to customize scripts
• Script replay
• High impact on load injection machines

BlazeMeter and LoadView:

How the EveryStep Web Recorder Makes All the Difference

The EveryStep Web Recorder allows users to step through their web pages and applications, creating a script of all the transactions during the process.  There are no additional plugins or downloads and the recorder supports many of the popular application frameworks and technologies.    LoadView supports the following set of popular languages/technologies. Learn more about the capabilities of the EveryStep Web Recorder.

BlazeMeter and LoadView: The Open-Source Question

BlazeMeter is an on-demand SaaS-based performance testing solution, allowing users to test from anywhere, including public or private locations.  BlazeMeter can simulate thousands or millions of virtual users from over 50 locations across the world (Asia Pacific, Europe, North and South America) through multiple cloud providers, such as AWS, Google, or Azure.  Some of the main features that BlazeMeter promotes include the following:

• The ability for developers to create tests in their preferred editor (using YAML or JSON syntax)
• Create/modify tests side by side with code without having to open other tools
• API functional tests with a click of the mouse, no coding necessary
• API testing in the cloud or on-premises
• Create tests or utilize existing open-source scripts in their favorite editor using straightforward YAML or JSON syntax.
• Supports mobile and web applications
• Maintain tests in preferred version control repositories to track changes

Recording a JMeter script requires a bit of a learning curve.  JMeter may look and feel like a real browser, but it is not. Since it is not a browser, one of the well-know disadvantages of JMeter is its inability to execute JavaScript, which also means it does not naturally support AJAX requests. BlazeMeter uses a Chrome extension that allows users to record HTTP/S traffic to anything they can point their browser at and turn that into a JMeter script. One important note about the BlazeMeter Chrome extension.  Users need to have a BlazeMeter account to utilize the record function of the Chrome extension, however, it does not have to be a paid account, it can be a free account.

Other important benefits include:

• Multiple options to record native or mobile web app traffic from any type of device.
• Use the BlazeMeter secure proxy to capture all requests coming from your mobile device to a JMeter script.
• Record browser actions to a JMeter script with the Chrome Plugin. It can also run script less load tests just by following your point and click actions.
• If you already have scripts, use the BlazeMeter automatic script converters to convert HP LoadRunner VUGen, SoapUI, pcap, or HAR files to JMeter/Selenium scripts.

When you open JMeter, you are given options for different tests to run, which include the following;

• JMeter test (load test, which is commonly selected)
• URL/API test
• Multi-test (multiple test simultaneously or multiple geo-locations)
• Taurus test
• Webdriver Test (based on Selenium web driver plugin with JMeter that allows you to open up JavaScript for front-end testing.

Additional options include:

• Network emulation for testing mobile traffic
  • 3G, LTE, Wi-Fi, as well as setting custom latency and bandwidth properties.
• APM Integrations
  • CloudWatch
  • CA Technologies APM
  • New Relic APM
  • New Relic Insights
  • Dynatrace APM
  • AppDynamics
• Run as Functional API Test
• Sandbox mode (free, low-scale test for debugging purposes)
• Load origination
  • Over 40 locations (AWS/Google/Azure)

It’s important to note that front-end tests that use Selenium WebDriver plug-in may take longer because they are very resource intensive, so users will typically see delays.

BlazeMeter was originally built around Apache JMeter (for more on how to load test with JMeter, check out our ultimate guide), but now includes support for 19 additional tools. Some of the more popular open-source tools BlazeMeter support include the following:

• Apache JMeter – JMeter is a popular open-source software used as a load testing tool for measuring the performance of various web services, with a focus on web applications. Because it is Java-based, it can run on virtually any platform or operating system.

• Locust – Locust is an open-source Python-based load testing tool. The main feature of Locust is that it allows users to create and define user behavior in Python code, so there’s no need for a UI, but also no functionality for script recording.

• Gatling – Gatling is an open-source performance testing framework. The backbone of Gatling is based on Scala, Akka, and Netty. Designed for analyzing and measuring performance, its focus is testing web applications.  Similar to Locust, it allows developers to write their performance tests as code.

• Selenium – Selenium is an open-source testing framework that assists developers in automating web application testing across different browsers. It’s not a single tool, rather, it’s a suite of tools and languages, such as C#, Groovy, Java, Perl, PHP, Python Ruby, and Scala. Selenium can be deployed on Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms.

• Jenkins – Jenkins is an open-source automation server that is written in Java. Its main purpose is to assist with and automate the Continuous Integration process, allowing developers to continually test, commit, and deploy new code. It supports hundreds of plugins and can be deployed on Windows, macOS, and UNIX environments.

• The Grinder – The Grinder is an open-source load testing framework that simplifies the process of running multiple load injector machines. Java-based, its key features include the ability to load test anything that has a Java API and test scripts can be written in Jython or Clojure languages.

One of the positive aspects to using open-source tools and software is that they tend to be free and/or have a lower cost of entry than commercially available alternatives, helping companies save money.  Companies aren’t locked into a specific package and you can use the software as you see fit.  However, one of the drawbacks to using open-source tools is that you need to have someone that is familiar and comfortable with using any one of these platforms.

The learning curve can be steep and can add to the time it takes to just setup a test. They’re typically not as user-friendly as their commercially available alternatives.  Additionally, the complexity of creating a large test can in itself become a bottleneck, as just reviewing the code can become problematic and you may find that there is not a dedicated support line at your disposal.

Taurus:  Open Source Performance Testing Automation

Taurus is an open source, non-GUI, test automation tool that integrates with and extends many other load testing and functional testing tools that we outlined earlier, such as Gatling, The Grinder, Selenium, and Apache JMeter. It is a command line tool that is based on the Python programming language, using domain specific language (YAML or JSON syntax) to define performance tests. It is a command line tool that must be installed on a local machine and supports Windows, macOS, Linux, CentOS, and Docker Image.

One of the major benefits is that it allows developers to do baselining of code before committing to their source code repositories and also supports GitHub.  Additionally, developers can view specific metrics and data points, such as percentiles, number of hits, errors, average time, and local resource usage data in a single place.

BlazeMeter Compared to LoadView: Pricing & Plans

BlazeMeter offers a free forever plan in addition to paid plan options with annual or month-to-month pricing available.

Free

• 50 Concurrent Users
• 10 Tests/month for up to 20 minutes and 50 concurrent users.
• Tests run from BlazeMeter shared servers.
• 1 Shared Load Generator

Basic

• $99 per month annually or $149 month-to-month
• 1,000 Concurrent Users
• 200 Tests/Year
• 1 Load Generator

Pro

• $499 per month annually or $649 month-to-month
• 5,000 Concurrent Users
• 80,000 Virtual User Hours/Year
• 20 Load Generators

Unleashed

• Customizable (contact BlazeMeter for pricing)
• Volume Discounts
• Fixed Cost (Unlimited) Plans
• Dedicated IPs and On-premises options
• Priority Support

BlazeMeter Professional Services

BlazeMeter offers professional services to customers who may need additional assistance with their performance testing. Features include:

• Scripting Services
• Managed Test Events
• Consulting & Training Sessions

LoadView Pricing

LoadView offers a variety of subscription-based plans, starting at $199 per month and our free trial includes free load testing. With our subscription-based plans, you are billed a fixed amount at a regular interval, monthly or yearly.  Unused virtual user minutes and load injector hours roll over from one month to the next as long as your plan remains valid.  Alternatively, you can also select from an on-demand, pay-as-you-go plan. Pricing is calculated and displayed before you begin new test, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

If your specific needs require more than what is listed above, please contact us for Enterprise-level plans.

LoadView Professional Services

Want to test your websites and web applications, but don’t have the necessary resources? No worries.  We offer Professional Services for clients that want to ensure their sites, applications, and systems are performing as intended and providing a great user experience.  Contact us today to talk with one of our performance engineers and let us know how we can help!