LoadRunner (now called HP LoadRunner, since HP bought Mercury Interactive) is one of the most popular software automation and testing programs on the market. It is a comprehensive testing program that gives webmasters and developers the ability to test the functionality and load managing ability of their website. There are many reasons why LoadRunner is so popular and why it is a good choice as a software testing tool for your website. LoadRunner also has some drawbacks if you are considering it that you should be aware of. Many companies are searching for alternatives to the enormous price tag of this tool. It is legacy, originally coded in the 1990's and mostly intact, and many cloud software test tools offer a much higher value to feature ratio.

LoadRunner is relatively easy to install and use and is one of the most comprehensive software testing programs available. It allows you to run load tests, analyze the results, and create or edit custom scripts for performing tests. You can simulate the actions of a website visitor as well as the communication of your web server with different types of browsers.

One of the best features of LoadRunner is the ability to record the actions of the simulated users so that you can see exactly what the transaction looks like from their perspective. You can then see how your website functions for different types of users with different variables and check for glitches and errors.

LoadRunner also features different ways of testing for load handling capacity such as running more or less users simultaneously, running users for a set duration, or running users continuously.

Analyzing your test results is easy with LoadRunner and it offers ways to customize the way you display and organize your results. You can build custom graphs to interpret your data and break it down according to different categories. You can save your result display preferences as well as export your test results into Microsoft Word or HTML format.

LoadRunner’s features and functionality leaves little to be desired, and the only drawback to the program is the cost. Unlike other open source software testing programs LoadRunner is expensive and may not be practicable for small website owners who do not have a large budget for software testing. If you are considering LoadRunner for your software testing needs you can get a free trial from their website to see if its features are worth the price.