The right conference can sharpen your testing strategy, expand your toolkit, and connect you with the people shaping modern QA.
Software Testing Conferences: Key Findings
- Major global conferences like EuroSTAR, STAREAST, and Agile Testing Days highlight the growing shift toward quality engineering, automation, and DevOps-driven testing.
- Specialized events such as SeleniumConf & AppiumConf, TACON, and AutomationSTAR show how test automation is becoming central to modern QA strategies.
- Regional gatherings including Swiss Testing Day, Test Coast, and TestCon Europe demonstrate the strength of local testing communities driving innovation and knowledge sharing.
Attending Software Testing Events in 2026
Poor software quality comes with a steep price, but with software systems getting more complicated and release cycles accelerating, testing and quality engineering matters more than ever.
About 40% of organizations lose more than $1 million annually due to software quality issues, while 45% of U.S. businesses report losses exceeding $5 million a year.
Software testing conferences give teams the opportunity to learn the tools, strategies, and practices that help prevent these costly failures.
That’s why we’ve provided this guide of the most valuable software testing conferences taking place around the world where testers, engineers, and QA leaders share practical insights, tools, strategies and new innovations to improve software quality.
1. TestCrunch
Ideal for testers who want practical insights into modern testing tools and techniques.
- Date: March 26, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Brno, Czech Republic
- Key Speakers:
- Robert Batůšek, organization consultant and agile coach
- Florian Fieber, Senior consultant, product strategist, and recognized expert in SW QA
- Petr Fifka, founder of Tredgate
- Kristián Kottfer, QA analyst at BAE OneArc Czechia
- Price:
- Regular pass: ~$211
- Full pass: ~$260.70
TestCrunch is a community-driven software testing conference focused on practical insights and real-world testing challenges.
Hosted in Brno, the event brings together testers, developers, and QA engineers for a day of talks, workshops, and networking centered on modern testing practices.
Sessions explore topics like automation frameworks, exploratory testing, CI/CD quality pipelines, and testing in Agile environments.
Because the conference is run by practitioners rather than vendors, the talks tend to emphasize real lessons from production environments rather than theoretical concepts.
The event’s community atmosphere also makes it especially valuable for networking with QA professionals from across Central and Eastern Europe.
Grab your TestCrunch pass today.
2. Swiss Testing Day
Best for testing professionals across Europe looking to stay current with emerging QA trends.
- Date: March 26, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Zurich, Switzerland
- Key Speakers:
- Bertrand Meyer: programmer, author, and software engineering researcher at Constructor Institute of Technology
- Robert Sabourin: Adjunct professor of software engineering at McGill University
- Iosif Itkin: Testing expert at Exactpro
- Abiola Rasaq: Chief Quality Officer at The Bug Detective
- Elmar Jürgens: Founder and software quality expert at Deutschen Telekom
- Price:
- Single conference ticket: ~$834
- Group ticket (5+): ~$667.46
Swiss Testing Day is one of the most established software testing conferences in Europe. It brings together hundreds of QA professionals, developers, and technology leaders to focus on the evolving role of quality engineering as organizations scale complex software systems.
The conference program covers everything from test automation and quality engineering to AI in testing and modern DevOps pipelines. Keynotes and expert-led sessions provide insights into how companies are adapting their testing strategies to support faster development cycles.
Swiss Testing Day offers a well-rounded program and strong networking opportunities within the European testing community.
Secure your Swiss Testing Day seat.
3. STAREAST
For QA teams working in large organizations who want to improve testing strategy, automation, and quality management.
- Date: April 26 – May 1, 2026
- Medium: Hybrid (In person + Online)
- Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
- Key Speakers:
- Chris Huntingford, ANS Group
- Dona Sarker, Microsoft
- Joel Deutscher, RobotFood
- Price:
- Early bird: $599
- After March 28: $699
STAREAST is one of the largest and longest-running software testing conferences in North America. Organized by TechWell, it gathers testers, engineers, and QA leaders from enterprise organizations.
The broad program includes tutorials, hands-on training sessions, keynote presentations, and networking events. Topics often cover automation frameworks, AI-assisted testing, performance testing, and strategies for integrating testing into DevOps workflows.
STAREAST offers a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners and discover new approaches to building quality into complex software systems.
Reserve your STAREAST conference pass.
4. SeleniumConf & AppiumConf
Best for engineers building automation frameworks or working with Selenium, Appium, and modern testing tools.
- Date: May 6–7, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Valencia, Spain
- Key Speakers:
- Ana Duarte, documentation manager at Xray
- Anna Kalypso Podimata, QA at Novibet
- Aristotelis Ntouros, team lead at Novibet
- Price:
- Regular ticket: ~$464
- Conference + workshop: ~$812.50
SeleniumConf & AppiumConf brings together the global communities behind two of the most widely used open-source automation frameworks for web and mobile testing.
Sessions often explore topics such as advanced Selenium techniques, mobile testing strategies with Appium, automation architecture, and integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines. Attendees also gain direct insights from the developers and maintainers behind these frameworks.
The QA event offers automation engineers and teams building large-scale testing infrastructure a rare chance to connect with the community driving some of the most important tools in modern test automation.
Join the automation testing community.
5. QA Financial Forum New York
For testing professionals working in finance who need to ensure reliability, compliance, and system stability.
- Date: May 12–15, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: New York, New York, USA
- Key Speakers:
- Abhijeet Das, practice lead, Data as a Service (Daas) Platform & QE Practice at TD Bank
- Abhijit Banerjee, director digital assurance at Canada Life
- Braulio Lam, senior director of engineering at EQ Bank
- Chandni Tibrewal, senior QA manager at Moneris
- Diederik van Liere, Chief Technology Officer at Wealthsimple
- Price: Free for employees of recognized financial and eCommerce firms
QA Financial Forum New York focuses on the unique challenges of testing software in the financial sector. Banks, fintech companies, and trading platforms rely heavily on stable, high-performance systems, making rigorous testing practices essential.
Expect sessions to explore topics such as automation in complex trading systems, AI-assisted testing, regulatory compliance, and ensuring system reliability under heavy workloads.
The conference also highlights emerging technologies shaping financial software development, and attendees will gain practical insights from practitioners working on mission-critical financial platforms.
6. Software Quality Days
Ideal for leaders focused on advancing quality engineering practices and integrating testing across the development lifecycle.
- Date: May 19–21, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Vienna, Austria
- Key Speakers:
- Dr. Alistair Cockburn, Agile & Software development expert
- Nora Mack, coach, creator and consultant
- Henry Muccini, professor of Software Engineering at the University of L’Aquila
- Price:
- Conference pass: ~$1,617
- Day ticket 1st day: ~$569
- Day ticket 2nd day: ~$965.48
- Day ticket 3rd day: ~$732.83
- Half-day workshop-ticket: ~$1,035
Software Quality Days is dedicated to improving software and system quality across the development lifecycle. The program covers topics like test automation, AI in software quality, DevOps testing, and quality management strategies.
Participants benefit from a balanced mix of technical and strategic perspectives, making the conference particularly valuable for teams working to integrate testing more deeply into modern development pipelines.
Book your Software Quality Days ticket.
7. Test Coast
A conference for testers who value community learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
- Date: May 21, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
- Key Speakers: TBA
- Price: ~$200
Test Coast is a boutique software testing conference organized by the Test Scouts community. It combines technical talks, workshops, and networking activities in a relaxed environment that encourages open discussion.
Expect to learn about exploratory testing, automation strategies, and quality engineering in Agile teams.
Its smaller scale and highly interactive format makes Test Coast a welcoming space for testers to exchange ideas, build professional connections, and learn from peers.
Jörgen Damberg, QA Consultant at Zington, said of the event: “During the last decades I’ve been involved in arranging about 100 QA conferences and events. That only make me more impressed by the Test Coast 2024 conference by Test Scouts AB. Well done.”
8. ExpoQA
Best for QA professionals focused on building and scaling effective automation strategies.
- Date: May 26–28, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Key Speakers:
- Nicole van der Hoeven, senior developer advocate at Grafana Labs
- Pablo Garcia, founder of Sharpness
- Rhian Lewis, technologist and author
- Price:
- Full ticket: ~$1,500
- One-day workshop: ~$755
- One-day conference: ~$640
expoQA is one of Spain’s largest conferences dedicated to software testing and quality engineering. The event brings together professionals interested in modern testing practices, tools, and methodologies.
Across three days of presentations and workshops, attendees explore topics such as automation architecture, performance testing and quality in DevOps environments.
With more than 40 sessions on the agenda, expoQA offers a diverse learning experience and opportunities to connect with testing experts from across Europe.
Get your expoQA conference ticket.
9. Innovate QA
For QA leaders looking to modernize testing practices and build high-performing quality teams.
- Date: June 4–5, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Bellevue, Washington, USA
- Key Speakers:
- Ronit Bohrer Hillel, engineering leader, Business & Industry Frontline Applications at Microsoft
- Sidharth Shukla, SDET 2 at Amazon
- Dr. Bastian Baudisch, lead sales engineer US at UBS HAINER
- Krishna Seerapu, CEO of FlintLab Inc.
- Price:
- 2-day early bird: $589.34
- 1-day early bird: $412.80
- 2-day early bird (group): $530.49
Innovate QA focuses on helping organizations modernize their testing strategies as software delivery continues to accelerate. The conference highlights practical approaches for building quality into development workflows.
Talks typically explore automation frameworks, quality engineering culture, testing in CI/CD pipelines, and strategies for scaling QA teams effectively.
The event attracts both experienced testers and engineering leaders looking for new ways to strengthen quality across their organizations.
Claim your Innovate QA ticket.
10. EuroSTAR Software Testing Conference
One of the industry’s largest gatherings for testers seeking inspiration, innovation, and networking with the global QA community.
- Date: June 15–18, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Oslo, Norway
- Key Speakers:
- Wolfgang Platz: Founder, Katharo Ventures
- Dona Sarkar: Director of Technology, Microsoft
- Michael Kutz: Engineering Leader, REWE Digital GmbH
- Sanne Visser: QA Engineering Leader and Testing Consultant
- Price: ~$1,200
EuroSTAR is one of the largest and most influential software testing conferences in Europe. The event gathers thousands of QA professionals, developers, and technology leaders to discuss the future of testing.
The multi-day program features keynotes, technical talks, and workshops covering automation, exploratory testing, DevOps integration, and emerging quality engineering practices.
In addition to the educational sessions, EuroSTAR is known for its vibrant testing community and networking opportunities, making it a major annual gathering for professionals across the global QA ecosystem.
Register for EuroSTAR 2026 today.
11. National Software Testing Conference
A focused event for testing professionals in the UK looking to share insights and improve software quality practices.
- Date: July 14–15, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Key Speakers:
- Sanne Visser, Praegus
- Dona Sarkar, Microsoft
- Wolfgang Platz, Katharo Ventures
- Laveena Ramchandani, Easyjet
- Price:
- 2-day ticket: ~$1,768
- 3-day ticket: ~$2,407
- 4-day ticket: ~$2,826
The National Software Testing Conference is a prominent event for the UK testing community, bringing together practitioners from across industries to explore modern testing practices.
The agenda usually includes case studies, practical workshops, and talks on topics like test automation, quality engineering, and testing strategies in Agile and DevOps environments.
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Expect practical insights from experienced testers alongside opportunities to connect with peers working in similar roles across the UK technology sector.
Secure your NSTC conference pass.
12. Test Automation Conference (TACON)
A must-attend for experts designing large-scale automation frameworks and advanced testing infrastructure.
- Date: September 16–17, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Leipzig, Germany
- Key Speakers: TBA
- Price:
- Early bird: ~$987
- After 13 April: ~$1,104
TACON focuses on the technical side of test automation with in-depth sessions on designing, building, and maintaining scalable automation frameworks.
Topics include automation architecture, continuous testing pipelines, test data management, and advanced testing tools.
Because of its strong technical focus, TACON attracts experienced testers and engineers looking to deepen their understanding of automation infrastructure and testing strategies.
Thomas Max was there for QF-Test and said: “In addition to many exciting presentations, there were great reunions and new acquaintances. Many thanks to everyone involved and to the summit team for the excellent organization”
13. STARWEST
Best for enterprise teams looking to improve testing strategy, automation, and DevOps quality practices.
- Date: September 20–25, 2026
- Medium: Hybrid (In person + Online)
- Location: Anaheim, California, USA
- Key Speakers:
- Robert Sabourin, AmiBug.Com
- Nishadhi Nikalandawatte, Slalom Inc.
- Dionny Santiago, Indeed
- Adam Auerbach, EPAM Systems
- Price: TBA
STARWEST is another flagship event from TechWell and one of the most recognized conferences in the software testing industry. The event offers a comprehensive program that includes training sessions, tutorials, and conference talks.
Sessions often address enterprise-level testing challenges such as automation strategy, performance testing, and building quality engineering practices across large development teams.
Expect a strong balance between technical learning and leadership insights, which means it suits both hands-on testers and QA managers.
14. SEETEST
Well suited for testers exploring new technologies, modern testing tools, and evolving QA practices.
- Date: October 6–7, 2026
- Medium: Hybrid (In person + Online)
- Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Key Speakers: TBA
- Price:
- Full conference ticket: ~$523
- Virtual only: $173
SEETEST is one of the leading software testing conferences in Southeast Europe, drawing professionals interested in modern QA methodologies and emerging technologies.
The event covers a broad range of topics including automation, performance testing, Agile testing practices, and quality engineering.
SEETEST offers valuable exposure to diverse perspectives on testing challenges and solutions.
Book your SEETEST conference ticket.
15. Pacific Northwest Software Quality Conference (PNSQC)
Best for testers and engineers interested in advancing software quality through research, technical insight, and community collaboration.
- Date: October 12–14, 2026
- Medium: Hybrid (In person + Online)
- Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
- Key speakers:
- Kristine O'Connor, Sr. Agile Transformation Consultant, Agile Rising (invited)
- Price:
- Conference pass: ~$950
- Virtual pass: ~$350
The Pacific Northwest Software Quality Conference (PNSQC) is one of the longest-running events dedicated to software quality and testing.
The conference is organized by a nonprofit community of quality professionals, and unlike many industry events, PNSQC places strong emphasis on peer-reviewed technical papers and practitioner-led sessions.
Presentations often explore topics such as software testing strategies, security testing, quality engineering practices, and lessons learned from real-world development projects.
Its blend of research insights and practical experience makes PNSQC ideal for professionals looking to deepen their expertise in software quality while connecting with a collaborative testing community.
16. TestCon Europe
Great for experienced testers seeking deep technical sessions and cutting-edge testing strategies.
- Date: October 20–23, 2026
- Medium: Hybrid (In person + Online)
- Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
- Key Speakers:
- Adam Sandman, CEO and founder of Inflectra
- Ana Duerte, documentation manager at WriterXray
- Ankan Das, IT integrator, domain chain test manager and Tribe test lead at ING Bank Netherlands BV
- Price:
- 3-day on-site: ~$930
- 4-day full conference: ~$1,188
- 3-day online conference: ~$930
TestCon Europe is one of the largest software testing conferences in the region, with several days of workshops and technical sessions.
Topics often include test automation, quality engineering, testing strategies for modern architectures, and building effective QA teams.
The conference’s mix of workshops and presentations allows attendees to both learn new concepts and explore practical techniques for improving software testing processes.
Join the TestCon Europe community.
17. AutomationSTAR Conference
Best for those shaping test automation strategy across their organizations.
- Date: November 4–5, 2026
- Medium: In person
- Location: Antwerp, Belgium
- Key Speakers: TBA
- Price:
- Super Early Bird: ~$1,159
- Team rate: ~$867
AutomationSTAR is a conference dedicated entirely to test automation, bringing together professionals focused on improving automated testing practices.
Sessions cover topics such as automation strategy, scaling test frameworks, CI/CD integration, and testing complex software systems.
The event attracts engineers and QA leaders looking to strengthen automation capabilities within their organizations while learning from experts in the field.
Reserve your AutomationSTAR ticket today.
18. Agile Testing Days
For testers working in Agile and DevOps environments who want to strengthen collaboration and continuous testing practices.
- Date: November 16–19, 2026
- Medium: Hybrid (In person + Online)
- Location: Potsdam, Germany
- Key Speakers: TBA
- Price:
- Tutorial day + 3 conference days: ~$3,402
- Tutorial day + 2 conference days: ~$2,712
- Tutorial day + 1 conference day: ~$1,908
- Tutorial day: ~$932
- 3 conference days: ~$2,471
- 2 conference days: ~$1,780
- 1 day conference: ~$$976
- Online pass: ~$348
Agile Testing Days is widely regarded as one of the most influential conferences dedicated to Agile testing and quality engineering.
The event combines technical talks, workshops, and collaborative sessions focused on improving testing practices in Agile and DevOps environments.
Its community-driven atmosphere and diverse program make it a valuable experience for testers looking to deepen their expertise while connecting with peers from the global testing community.
Get your Agile Testing Days pass.
Choosing a Softweare Testing Conference to Attend
| Event | Date | Location | Best For | Starting Price |
| TestCrunch | Mar 26 | Brno, Czech Republic | Hands-on QA practitioners | ~$211 |
| Swiss Testing Day | Mar 26 | Zurich, Switzerland | European QA professionals | ~$667 |
| STAREAST | Apr 26 – May 1 | Orlando, Florida, USA | Enterprise testing teams | $599 |
| SeleniumConf & AppiumConf | May 6–7 | Valencia, Spain | Automation engineers | ~$464 |
| QA Financial Forum New York | May 12–15 | New York, USA | QA in financial systems | Free (qualified attendees) |
| Software Quality Days | May 19–21 | Vienna, Austria | Quality engineering leaders | ~$569 |
| Test Coast | May 21 | Gothenburg, Sweden | Community-driven testers | ~$200 |
| expoQA | May 26–28 | Madrid, Spain | Test automation specialists | ~$640 |
| Innovate QA | Jun 4–5 | Bellevue, Washington, USA | QA transformation leaders | ~$412 |
| EuroSTAR | Jun 15–18 | Oslo, Norway | Global testing experts | ~$1,200 |
| National Software Testing Conference | Jul 14–15 | London, UK | UK QA professionals | ~$1,768 |
| TACON | Sep 16–17 | Leipzig, Germany | Automation architects | ~$987 |
| STARWEST | Sep 20–25 | Anaheim, California, USA | Large-scale QA teams | TBA |
| SEETEST | Oct 6–7 | Ljubljana, Slovenia | Emerging tech testers | ~$173 |
| PNSQC | October 12–14 | Portland, Oregon, USA | Quality engineering professionals | ~$350 |
| TestCon Europe | Oct 20–23 | Vilnius, Lithuania | Advanced QA practitioners | ~$930 |
| AutomationSTAR | Nov 4–5 | Antwerp, Belgium | Automation strategy leaders | ~$867 |
| Agile Testing Days | Nov 16–19 | Potsdam, Germany | Agile testing specialists | ~$976 |
Software testing conferences offer practical ways to improve how teams build, test, and release software (in addition to networking).
The events on this list highlight where the latest ideas, tools, and strategies are shaping modern QA, so choose the right conference for your role and goals and bring stronger quality practices back to your team.
Our team ranks agencies worldwide to help you find a qualified partner. Visit our Agency Directory for the Top Software Testing Companies, as well as:
- Top Software Consulting Companies
- Top Software Development Companies
- Top Usability Testing Agencies
- Top Performance Testing Companies
- Top Software Testing Companies in Atlanta
Software Testing Conferences FAQs
1. What are the benefits of attending a software testing conference?
Software testing conferences provide opportunities to learn new tools, testing techniques, and quality engineering practices while connecting with other QA professionals facing similar challenges.
2. Who should attend software testing conferences?
These events are valuable for QA engineers, test automation specialists, developers, DevOps professionals, and engineering leaders responsible for improving software quality.
3. How do I choose the right software testing conference?
Look for conferences that align with your role, such as automation-focused events, enterprise testing conferences, or gatherings centered on Agile and DevOps testing practices.
4. Are software testing conferences worth the cost?
For many professionals, the insights, training sessions, and networking opportunities gained at these events can provide long-term value that outweighs the ticket price.
5. Do software QA conferences offer virtual attendance options?
Many events now offer hybrid formats, allowing participants to attend sessions online if they cannot travel to the conference location.
6. What topics are commonly covered at software testing conferences?
Typical sessions cover test automation, AI-driven testing, performance testing, quality engineering, DevOps testing, and strategies for improving software reliability.
