AI, cybersecurity & new tools: top 10 trends in manual testing for 2025

The field of manual testing is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements and evolving software development practices. As we step into 2025, it's essential to explore how these changes will reshape manual testing and the overall QA (Quality Assurance) landscape. This article delves into key trends and emerging tools in manual QA, as well as the growing influence of AI, DevOps, and IoT, to outline what businesses and testers can expect in the near future.

Introduction

In recent years, the QA domain has experienced significant growth. The software testing market, valued at over USD 47.25 billion in 2023, is expected to surpass USD 103.5 billion by 2033, underlining its critical role in software development.

As testing evolves alongside major trends in software development—such as Big Data, AI, cloud computing, and DevOps—manual testing remains a vital component. By complementing automated testing, it ensures thorough user experience (UX) validation, exploratory testing, and more. Let’s uncover the trends that will define manual QA testing in 2025.

Trend #1: The Fusion of Manual and Automated Testing

The push for efficiency in testing has fostered a hybrid approach that combines the strengths of manual and automated testing. While automation excels in repetitive tasks like regression testing and performance evaluation, manual testing is indispensable for tasks requiring human intuition, such as:

UX and UI Testing: Understanding user emotions and behavior during interaction.
Exploratory Testing: Discovering new bugs through creative problem-solving.
Ad Hoc Testing: Flexibility in uncovering unexpected issues.

In 2025, this fusion will gain more traction, allowing teams to achieve better test coverage while maintaining human oversight for complex scenarios.

Trend #2: AI’s Transformative Impact on Manual QA

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing manual testing by streamlining processes and enhancing accuracy. Here’s how AI will shape QA in 2025:

Test Case Generation: Tools powered by AI can analyze user stories and requirements to automatically generate comprehensive test cases.
Error Categorization and Reporting: AI simplifies error analysis by categorizing bugs based on root causes and offering actionable insights.
Visual Testing: Machine learning algorithms enable precise visual comparisons between the UI design and the application interface.
Optimized Test Execution: AI-powered tools prioritize test cases, reducing execution time while maximizing coverage.

This integration of AI into manual testing tools empowers QA teams to focus on high-priority issues, ensuring faster releases with superior quality.

Trend #3: Data Testing for Enhanced Quality

Data is the backbone of modern applications, making data testing a crucial trend in 2025. New tools are emerging to validate and profile data for accuracy, consistency, and security.

Data Validation Tools: Detect issues like missing or duplicate values, ensuring clean and reliable datasets.
Data Profiling Tools: Provide detailed insights into patterns and relationships within datasets, aiding in informed decision-making.

As organizations increasingly rely on data-driven systems, robust data testing practices will be essential for delivering high-quality software.

Trend #4: Rise of Quality Test Centers

2025 will see the rise of Quality Test Centers (QTCs) as specialized hubs for comprehensive testing activities. Unlike traditional QA teams, QTCs operate as centralized entities, offering a wide range of testing services, including:

Test automation and performance testing.
Security testing and penetration testing.
Dedicated teams for exploratory and IoT testing.

This shift will ensure consistent quality standards and streamlined workflows across projects, helping businesses adapt to growing software complexity.

Trend #5: Cybersecurity and Risk Compliance in QA

Cybersecurity remains a top concern, with 493.33 million ransomware attacks recorded globally in 2022. As software systems become more interconnected, robust security testing is critical.

Manual testers will increasingly focus on penetration testing, identifying vulnerabilities in APIs, microservices, and backend systems. In 2025, expect:

Stronger encryption and secure coding practices.
Advanced testing tools for real-time risk assessment.
Proactive compliance with data protection regulations.

Businesses that prioritize cybersecurity in QA will safeguard their users and brand reputation.

Trend #6: IoT Testing Gains Prominence

The Internet of Things (IoT) market is poised to grow from $662.21 billion in 2023 to $3.35 trillion by 2030, driving the demand for IoT testing. Manual testers will play a crucial role in ensuring:

Compatibility and interoperability of devices.
Data integrity and security in connected ecosystems.
Scalability and performance under varying network conditions.

IoT testing will become a cornerstone of QA strategies, given the expanding use of smart devices across industries.

Trend #7: QAOps and the Integration of QA with DevOps

QAOps—integrating QA processes into DevOps workflows—will gain momentum in 2025. This approach enhances:

Collaboration between developers, testers, and operations teams.
Continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
Faster identification and resolution of issues.

Manual testers will adopt a proactive role, contributing to every phase of the software development lifecycle.

Trend #8: Emergence of Next-Generation Testing Tools

2025 will introduce cutting-edge tools that expand the scope of manual testing. Examples include:

AI-Driven Testing Tools: Advanced algorithms for automated analysis and decision-making.
Quantum Computing Tools: Testing frameworks for quantum applications.
AR/VR Testing Tools: Specialized solutions for immersive technologies.

These tools will enhance manual testing capabilities, enabling businesses to tackle new challenges with confidence.

Trend #9: Shift-Left Testing for Early Bug Detection

In 2025, Shift-Left Testing will dominate QA practices by moving testing activities earlier in the development cycle. Developers will actively participate in:

Writing unit tests and conducting code reviews.
Collaborating with QA teams to identify defects early.
Reducing costly rework in later stages.

This approach fosters a culture of quality within development teams, ensuring smoother project execution.

Trend #10: Exploratory Testing as a Creative Process

Exploratory testing will thrive as a manual testing methodology in 2025, encouraging testers to:

Define clear missions for testing sessions.
Investigate user stories creatively.
Pair up with colleagues to uncover hidden issues.

By embracing creativity and intuition, exploratory testing delivers unique value that automation cannot replicate.

Conclusion: A Dynamic Future for Manual QA

The QA landscape in 2025 promises exciting opportunities and challenges for manual testers. From blending manual and automated approaches to leveraging AI and embracing innovative tools, the industry is poised for transformation.

For businesses, staying ahead in QA means adopting these trends, fostering collaboration, and investing in upskilling QA teams. Manual testing will continue to hold its place as an indispensable part of software development, ensuring that technology delivers exceptional user experiences and robust functionality.

By adapting to these trends, businesses and testers alike can thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving digital world.

For businesses seeking to stay at the forefront of the QA landscape, QAonTOP Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd. provides cutting-edge manual testing services to help companies evolve with the latest trends and innovations.