Choosing the right tool is crucial to succeed in test automation. There are several factors that need to be considered when selecting a test automation tool. Some of the tools are free, some are expensive.

Here are some factors that you might need to consider before selecting the tool:

- Does the tool fit into current process and infrastructure?
- Does the tool vendor support training and provide good services?
- Do you have the budget for the tool?
- Product features: How does the tool identify the objects? Image based recognition? Object-based recognition?
- Which programming languages does it support? Does the QA team have the knowledge on these languages?
- If using an open source tool: Does the tool have good community support and enough documentation?
- The list goes on

Many a times there is a risk that vendors going out of stock and the tool used is being retired. It is an exceptional practice, a tool can be explored on small scale along with a pilot project to determine that the tool can get what is required.

One should keep in mind that the tools are not perfect, whether its commercial or open-source. In order to select the tool that solves our purpose and provide excellent Return on Investment we have to consider the above given points.