How to Be a Software Tester in 2026

Step 1: Understand the Basics

Before you dive into tools and frameworks, start by understanding how software actually works. Think about Gmail — what are the key steps in sending an email? What happens when you click "Send"? Be curious. Ask questions. This critical mindset will not only make you a better software tester, but it will also serve you well in life.

Learn About the Methodologies

There are several testing methodologies out there, but one of the most widely adopted today is the Shift-Left approach. This means integrating testing early in the software development lifecycle, rather than waiting until the end. You don't need to master every methodology, but having a good understanding of the most popular ones will give you a solid foundation and help you adapt to different team environments.

Mastery of Tools

There are countless tools out there to help you with testing, reporting, and managing your work. If you're looking for a great place to start, Jira is an excellent choice. It's widely used for bug reporting and project management. You can easily create a free account and start practicing right away.

Start with Manual Testing

Manual testing is far from dead. Even in 2026, most companies still rely heavily on manual testers. Yes, automation is growing, but manual testing remains relevant — especially for exploratory testing and usability checks. Look for websites or platforms that pay for manual testing work. Create an account, pick a project, and start testing. This hands-on experience is invaluable.

Learn a Programming Language

There are many languages you can learn for automation testing, but I strongly recommend Python. Why? Because mastering Python opens doors to development, AI, cybersecurity, and more. I built this very website using Django — and I could do it because I understand Python. Don't feel overwhelmed — start with small, simple automation tasks. There's an amazing book I recommend for learning Python — it's perfect for beginners. Once you get comfortable, you can move on to the next step: learning a testing framework.

Find the Right Framework

This is arguably the most important part of your journey. If you're currently working in software testing, you've likely heard of Selenium — and for good reason. It's the most popular open-source framework for browser automation. But here's the thing: the market is shifting fast. While Selenium is still widely used, Playwright is gaining massive traction. In fact, I believe Playwright is the future. There are tons of tutorials out there for both, so start with Selenium if you're new, and then gradually explore Playwright. I plan to write a separate article comparing the two — because I really loved learning about Playwright. Don't be afraid to experiment — you can learn Playwright yourself, and it's the best way to future-proof your career.

Conclusion

You can absolutely start a career in software testing in 2026 — without hesitation. My advice? Be great at critical thinking, out-of-the-box problem solving, and adaptability. Master at least one programming language and one testing framework. I know there’s a lot more out there — I missed some things, I didn’t cover everything. But that’s okay. The key is to start, learn, and grow. This path isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. So go ahead — start learning, start testing, and build your future in the software industry.