At TestResults.io, we’ve spent the past year talking to professionals in industries like banking, insurance, and MedTech to understand the real struggles and successes of software testing today.

The result is the Test Automation Report 2024-25, where we share honest, practical insights about what’s working, what isn’t, and where teams can do better.

We’re not here to sugarcoat it—testing is tough. Whether it’s flaky tools, messy test data, or the constant tug-of-war between manual and automated testing, most teams are feeling the strain.

But the good news is, there are solutions.

And this report is packed with ideas to help you get started.

E2E testing: What it is and why it matters

When we asked professionals about end-to-end (E2E) testing, we got a range of answers.

For some, it’s about checking one application from start to finish to make sure everything works the way it should.

For others, it’s bigger than that—it’s about testing entire systems and how they connect, ensuring every part of the process runs smoothly.

In fact, 70% of the people we spoke to said E2E testing is about verifying the full system, from the frontend to the backend. Another 60% emphasized the importance of testing customer journeys—making sure everything works the way it would in real life.

At the end of the day, E2E testing is about more than just finding bugs. It’s about making sure that all the pieces fit together so users have a seamless experience, no matter how complex your systems are.

What’s slowing teams down?

We heard a lot about the challenges teams face when it comes to automation, and some patterns were hard to miss. These are the big ones:

• Complicated tools: More than half of the people we talked to (53%) said their tools are hard to use and even harder to maintain. Flaky tests and constant updates make automation feel like more trouble than it’s worth.
• Test data headaches: About 52% of teams struggle to create test data that works. If you’re using legacy systems or dealing with sensitive data, setting up realistic test environments can feel impossible.
• Resource drains: Almost half (48%) said testing takes a lot of time and energy. Maintaining automated tests is often just as demanding as running manual ones, which defeats the whole purpose of automation.
• Cross-system chaos: Testing workflows that span multiple apps, browsers, or devices is a major challenge for 38% of respondents. Many end up going back to manual testing, which is time-consuming and expensive.

The hidden costs of poor test automation

Automation is often seen as a way to save time and resources, but when done poorly, it can end up costing more than it delivers. One of the most overlooked costs is test maintenance.

Teams dedicate significant resources to updating test cases after every software change, and for some, this involves multiple full-time employees.

Another hidden cost is reliability. When automated tests are unstable, teams waste time troubleshooting false positives or flaky tests. This not only delays releases but also creates frustration, leading some organizations to abandon automation efforts altogether.

Finally, there’s the cost of missed opportunities. Without effective automation, teams are forced to rely more heavily on manual testing, which limits their ability to scale, explore innovative solutions, and focus on delivering high-quality software.

Addressing these hidden costs requires a proactive approach—choosing stable tools, fostering collaboration across teams, and investing in processes that simplify maintenance while maximizing test coverage.

Why E2E testing can’t be ignored

So, if it’s this hard, why does E2E testing matter? Because without it, you’re flying blind. It’s the only way to know if your entire system—interfaces, databases, backend services, everything—works together the way it should.

This is especially important in industries like finance and insurance, where mistakes can have serious consequences. A single error in one part of the system can throw off everything else, leading to compliance issues or a loss of customer trust.

The reality, though, is that a lot of teams are still stuck doing manual testing because their tools aren’t up to the task. That slows everything down and leaves room for mistakes. But the teams who figure out how to automate E2E testing effectively are the ones setting themselves up for long-term success.

What the best teams are doing differently

While many teams struggle with automation testing, some have found ways to deliver better results with less frustration. Here’s what these successful teams are doing differently:

They prioritize stability

Flaky tests are a common source of frustration, causing unnecessary test failures and slowing progress. 

Successful teams focus on tools and processes that enhance stability, ensuring reliable results and minimizing maintenance. This lets them spend less time fixing issues and more time optimizing their test execution strategies.

They use flexible tools

Modern systems are complex, and rigid tools can’t keep up. Leading teams use automation testing tools that adapt to different systems and environments. 

This flexibility ensures seamless integration and consistent performance, even when working across multiple platforms.

They fix test data problems early

Instead of letting data issues disrupt progress, these teams address test data challenges from the start.

They invest in systems that allow them to create realistic and reusable data, which helps them run meaningful tests and avoid bottlenecks during execution.

They work as a team

What sets the best teams apart is their collaborative approach.

Developers, testers, and business users all play a role in ensuring quality. By sharing responsibility, they make testing more efficient, reduce errors, and improve outcomes across the board.

What we learned

The conversations we had made one thing clear: testing is not a one-person job. It’s a team effort from start to finish.

No matter how advanced your test automation tools are or how well-designed your testing process might seem, they won’t deliver reliable test results unless your team is working together.

Developers, testers, and business users all have a role to play in ensuring software quality. Developers need to think beyond writing code and actively collaborate with testers to ensure that automated tests are well-integrated into the development process.

Testers need to bridge the gap between technical teams and business requirements, ensuring that tests align with real-world scenarios.

And business users? They bring valuable insights into how the software will be used, helping the team prioritize what matters most to the end-user.

This shared responsibility is what sets high-performing teams apart.

When everyone is aligned and working toward the same goal, your testing process becomes smoother, your test results become more reliable, and your team is better equipped to handle challenges like flaky tests, cross-system dependencies, or messy test data.

Ready to improve your testing?

If testing feels like it’s slowing your team down, you’re not alone.

But you don’t have to stay stuck.

The Test Automation Report 2024-25 gives you a clear picture of what’s working, what’s not, and what you can do to make testing easier and more effective.

You’ll get:

• Real-world insights from professionals across industries, sharing their challenges and solutions.
• Practical strategies to help you streamline your testing processes and improve efficiency.

Testing is hard, but it doesn’t have to be this hard. Download the Test Automation Report 2024-25 today and take the first step toward smarter, simpler testing.