What is the difference between the graphical user interface testing and usability testing?

There are different types of testing and graphical user interface testing and usability testing are two of them. In this article we have taken up the discussion regarding two types of testings mentioned in the heading plus the differences between them.

Though the graphical user interface testing and usability testing sound quite similar to one another but they are quite different from each other. First we shall discuss about these two types individually and later we shall see the differences between them. 

Graphical User Interface Testing

- Graphical user interface or GUI testing is all about checking the graphical user interface of a developed software system or application as a measure for ensuring that it holds up to its specifications as mentioned in its documentation. 

- The GUI testing is carried out with the help of several varying test cases. 

- The generation of good and effective test cases depends a lot on the certainty of the test designers regarding whether or not the test suite designed by them will cover the over all functionality of the software system or application under question.

- It also depends on the extent up to which the designed test suite exercises the graphical user interface of the software system or application. 

Usability Testing

- Usability testing is more like an interaction design centered on the users for the evaluation of the software system or application.

- The usability testing has been known for giving the direct input regarding the usage of a particular software system or application by the real world users.

- The usability testing actually falls in contrast with the other available usability inspection methods since in these methods the methods used for the evaluation of a graphical user interface are quite different.

- The primary focus of the usability testing is on the capacity of the human designed software system or application to fulfill its intended purpose. 

- The outcome of the usability testing is actually a measure of the ease with which the software system or application can be used. 

- Usability testing falls under the category of the black box testing. 

- The basic goal of the usability testing is to measure the following four aspects mentioned below:

1. Efficiency
2. Accuracy
3. Recall and
4. Emotional response

- Usability testing is carried with the aim of observing the users using the software system or application in order to catch the errors and spot the areas where improvement can be made. 

Differences between Graphical User Interface Testing & Usability Testing

Difference #1:

The purpose of the graphical user interface testing is to see the look and feel of a particular software system or application differs in different operating system. On the other hand the purpose of the usability testing is to make it convenient for the users to use the software system or application.

Difference #2:

Graphical user interface testing involves making confirmations regarding whether or not the software system or application adheres to its design requirements checking on the aspects like:

         a)   Colors

         b)   Fonts

         c)   Control placements and so on.

On the other hand the usability testing goes much deeper in to the above mentioned aspects like whether or not the controls have been arranged in a logical sequence.

Difference #3:

In Graphical user interface testing the tests are executed to check the following:

        a)  whether or not the standards are in place,

        b)   All the screen validations namely navigation conditions, validation 

conditions, aesthetic conditions and so on.

Usability testing involves asking questions like:

       a)   Is navigation intuitive enough?

       b)   Does the GUI make sense to the user? Etc.