Performance testing is performed over the software to test its performance under a particular workload for its sensitivity, reaction time and its stability.
Stress testing checks the reliability and stability of software under a particular workload. It checks the system for extreme conditions like a heavy load.
The following are some of the important differences between Performance Testing and Stress Testing.
Sr. No. | Key | Performance Testing | Stress Testing |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Purpose | Performance testing tests system performance under varying loads. | Stress testing tests system performance for a sudden surge in loads. |
2 | Superset | Performance testing has stress testing and load testing as its components. | Stress testing is a subset of performance testing. |
3 | Targets | Performance testing checks the reliability, scalability, and speed of the system. | Stress testing checks the stability of the system. |
4 | Threshold | Performance testing is conducted at below and above threshold limits. | Stress testing is conducted at above threshold limits. |
5 | Result | Performance testing ensures that the system is performing perfectly under varying loads. | Stress testing ensures that the system can handle a sudden surge in load within given limits. |
6 | Application | Performance testing is conducted by varying loads on the system in a uniform fashion. | Stress testing is conducted by increasing the load in a single go. |
7 | Load | Load varies from low to very high in a uniform manner. | The load is increased from low to very high directly. |