Stay ahead with these software testing trends for 2025

Software testing trends 2025 at a glance

The Software Testing Trends 2025 are characterized by a broad spectrum of innovations: from AI-based methods and machine learning to shift left and shift right testing approaches and topics such as security, compliance requirements and accessibility standards as well as digital resilience. Green coding and sustainable development as well as the use of public cloud infrastructures are also becoming increasingly important. Non-functional quality characteristics are a particular focus.

Software is becoming increasingly complex and traditional methods can only be adapted to the new requirements to a limited extent. Whether B2C applications, complex software applications in the corporate environment or highly sensitive systems in the DevOps area – customers everywhere expect high-quality software. It is no longer just about quality assurance in the traditional sense, but about continuous software quality assurance and flexibility throughout the entire software development lifecycle.

Another important topic is the increasing importance of compliance requirements and security testing. Due to regulations such as the EU Accessibility Act and increasing regulations in data protection like GDPR, organizations must regulate their software development processes more strictly in order to develop Accessible Rich Internet Applications and consistently carry out test cases for accessibility tests.

AI and machine learning continue to gain ground

Technologies based on AI and machine learning are becoming increasingly influential, which is also noticeable in software testing. For example, AI applications can automate test creation, prioritize test cases and enable intelligent test data generation. This speeds up the entire testing process - while at the same time increasing quality, as potential sources of error are detected earlier.

Companies that integrate AI and ML in a meaningful way gain a clear competitive advantage. This AI application can range from simple test scripts to complex systems that are based on change impact analyses and examine entire systems. At the same time, the use of AI brings with it new questions around ethics and transparency, which is why ethical AI testing is becoming a key factor.

AI-supported change impact analyses

Change impact analyses form the foundation for modern software quality assurance. They show which areas of software are affected by a change and where there are particularly high risks. AI-supported tools can be used to automate this analysis and make it more efficient. Algorithms can evaluate data from previous test results to make predictions about potential sources of error.

Such automated insights not only save time but also allow test cases to be prioritized in a more targeted manner. This allows teams and testers to focus on the really critical areas and ensure particularly high software quality there. For industries in which errors can have serious consequences (e.g. healthcare or finance), AI-supported change impact analyses are a real game changer. Even if, of course, the human factor, i.e. checking the AI output, remains indispensable at this stage.

Ethical AI testing and transparency

As AI and automated tests become more widespread, the responsibility to make AI systems and their test results transparent also increases. Ethical AI Testing deals with how algorithms are developed and tested in terms of fairness, data protection and social responsibility.

This approach takes into account not only the AI application itself, but also the impact on users and B2C applications. Compliance requirements are particularly high in Europe, so companies need to define at an early stage how their AI systems are tested, documented and monitored.

Focus on shift left and shift right testing

Shift left testing and shift right testing have become real software testing trends in recent years. While shift left means anchoring testing activities as early as possible in the development lifecycle, shift right is about carrying out tests in productive environments. Both approaches are essential to enable 2025 trends such as continuous delivery, high user satisfaction and fast response times.

• Shift Left: Tests are integrated as early as the planning and design phase. In this way, errors and security gaps can be identified at an early stage and costly rework can be avoided. One approach is Test Driven Development, or TDD for short.
• Shift Right: This approach is based on user acceptance testing and monitoring in live environments. In this way, data from ongoing operations can be used for further optimization and the real user experience (e.g. performance, security testing, stability) can be checked.

Both approaches complement each other perfectly. Shift Left minimizes risks in the development phase, while Shift Right validates the product under real conditions. By combining both testing methods, you can achieve consistent quality assurance throughout the entire software development lifecycle.

Security and compliance in software development

The increasing complexity of modern software applications goes hand in hand with growing compliance requirements and higher standards in terms of security. It is becoming increasingly important for companies to firmly anchor security testing in their development process and at the same time comply with regulations such as the EU Accessibility Act.

Security testing and API security

Sensitive application programming interfaces (APIs) are the backbone of modern applications in many industries. A compromise can have devastating consequences - from data leaks to complete system failures. Security testing therefore focuses on robust interfaces, data encryption and an effective rights and roles concept.

Automated tests and continuous monitoring are particularly crucial in the DevOps area in order to react quickly to new threats. This starts with secure test data sets for development and test environments and extends to the integration of penetration tests into the build process.

EU Accessibility Act and accessible applications

The EU Accessibility Act will come into full force from June 2025. This requires software providers to ensure that their products – including websites, accessible rich internet applications and mobile apps – are designed to be accessible. Accessibility tests are therefore mandatory for all those active in the European market.

Anyone developing accessible software must pay attention to contrasts, font sizes, navigation aids and other aspects so that people with disabilities can use the application without any problems. This introduction of appropriate guidelines not only makes sense from a regulatory perspective but also increases user-friendliness for all users.

Green coding and sustainability as a new test factor

One trend that has increasingly come to the fore in recent years is the topic of green coding. This refers to the sustainable design of software – for example through resource-saving algorithms or energy-saving infrastructures. As more and more companies and organizations are paying attention to their ecological footprint, green coding is also being incorporated into software testing.

When testing green coding principles, for example, it is checked whether the energy consumption of applications, processes and systems can be reduced. Tests in the public cloud environment can also help to scale dynamic resources in line with demand and quickly switch off unused capacities. This requires close cooperation between QA teams, developers and other specialist departments in order to ensure sustainable software quality.

Sustainability is not just a "nice-to-have“ but is developing into a real competitive advantage. Users and customers are increasingly looking for environmentally friendly solutions when choosing a provider. Taking green coding into account can therefore not only save costs but also strengthen the brand image and open up new business opportunities in ecologically conscious markets.

Cloud-based test environments and low-code solutions

The use of public cloud infrastructures for test creation and test automation solutions has become established in many industries. Cloud services offer virtually unlimited resources, high availability and the ability to quickly ramp up or ramp down test environments as required. This makes automation simpler, more cost-efficient and more scalable.

Low-code platforms are also on the rise. They make it possible to create and maintain tests without in-depth programming knowledge. In combination with AI and machine learning algorithms, intelligent test scripts can be generated that adapt flexibly to changing requirements. Low-code solutions are a popular choice, especially in teams that are under time pressure or have to meet frequently changing requirements.

Scalability and flexibility through public cloud infrastructure

The cloud-based approach offers decisive advantages for quality management. Instead of operating fixed servers on their own (private cloud), teams can rent and release test resources in a public cloud as required. This eliminates the need for high initial investments and automation can be flexibly adapted to project peaks.

DevOps and QA teams also benefit from better integration into the entire software development lifecycle: new builds can be automatically transferred to the test environment and test results are available virtually in real time. The flexibility gained in this way is particularly valuable when test coverage is high and various software applications need to be tested in parallel.

The limits of the public cloud lie in the sensitivity of the data and the desired maximum flexibility with regard to the cloud structure. Those who want to work in a particularly agile manner and do not want to contact the provider for every new interface will continue to prefer the private cloud variant despite other advantages.

Low-code platforms for faster test automation

Low-code platforms simplify the test creation process by offering graphical interfaces and pre-built modules. This can significantly lower the hurdle for test automation in the entire tech landscape. Even less experienced testers or specialist departments without a programming background can create and maintain test cases.

This leads to faster implementation of test strategies and greater agility. Ideally, the low-code components can even be extended by AI applications so that the test automation learns independently and adapts to changed functionalities. This creates a cycle in which quality management and software testing are continuously improved.

Our conclusion on the Software Testing Trends 2025

Whether shift left testing, ethical AI testing, security testing, EU Accessibility Act regulations or green coding - the software testing trends for 2025 reflect a dynamic tech landscape in which innovation and responsibility go hand in hand. Both companies and testers must continuously educate themselves in order to deliver high-quality software that is not only functional, but also secure, sustainable and accessible to all.

The mix of AI, or machine learning as part of it, cloud solutions and optimized test approaches offers great opportunities to establish more efficient processes and meet increasing requirements. It is important to take a holistic view of the entire development lifecycle – from the idea through to implementation and maintenance. Those who focus on these trends at an early stage have a good chance of successfully positioning their products on the market and creating real added value for customers. 

Frequently asked questions: Software Testing Trends 2025