Which are the best software testing conferences to attend in 2026?

Strong 2026 picks include the Testμ Conference (Aug 19-21, free and virtual), STARWEST in Anaheim (Sep 20-25), HUSTEF in Budapest (Oct 6-8), TestCon Europe in Vilnius (Oct 20-23), and Agile Testing Days in Potsdam (Nov 16-19). Your best fit depends on budget, format, and whether you want AI, automation, or leadership content.

Are there free virtual software testing conferences in 2026?

Yes. The Testμ Conference by TestMu AI is a free online event running August 19-21, 2026, expecting 75,000+ testers from 120+ countries across 80+ sessions. OnlineTestConf on October 14, 2026 is another fully virtual, community-driven option.

Why should QA professionals attend software testing conferences?

Attending software testing conferences helps QA professionals stay updated with the latest tools, trends, and methodologies. It also provides opportunities for networking, learning from industry leaders, and gaining practical insights through workshops and real-world case studies.

How do software testing conferences benefit QA teams?

Software testing conferences benefit QA teams by exposing them to new testing strategies, tools, and collaborative techniques. Teams can bring back actionable knowledge, improve testing efficiency, and align with current industry standards and innovations.

What topics dominate software testing conferences in 2026?

Across 2026 agendas like HUSTEF, Agile Testing Days, and STARWEST, the recurring themes are AI and agentic testing, autonomous QA, test automation at scale, observability, accessibility, and security. Sessions increasingly cover how to test AI systems and how AI agents are reshaping the tester's role.

What should QA professionals look for when choosing a software testing conference?

QA professionals should consider the conference agenda, speaker lineup, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and relevance to their current focus, such as automation, performance testing, or AI in QA. Location and format (in-person, virtual, or hybrid) also matter.

How can first-time attendees prepare for software testing conferences?

First-time attendees can get the most out of software testing conferences by reviewing the agenda in advance, identifying key sessions or speakers, preparing questions, and joining networking events or hands-on workshops.

Do software testing conferences offer certifications or training?

Many software testing conferences include training sessions or certification workshops on tools like Selenium, JMeter, or ISTQB-related topics, helping professionals gain credentials while attending the event.

Is the Testμ Conference free to attend in 2026?

Yes. The Testμ Conference 2026 by TestMu AI is a completely free, open-to-all online event held August 19-21, 2026. Registration includes access to live sessions, AMAs, hands-on workshops, and recordings afterward through the TestMu AI YouTube channel.

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13 Best Software Testing Conferences for QA Professionals in 2026

Testμ

13 Best Software Testing Conferences for QA Professionals in 2026

Discover the 13 best software testing conferences to attend in 2026, with verified dates, locations, and formats. Explore automation, AI, QA leadership, and global networking opportunities.

Yash Bansal

Author

Saurabh Prakash

Reviewer

Last Updated on: June 20, 2026

On This Page

2026 Conferences at a Glance
Best Conferences in 2026
How to Choose a Conference
Wrapping Up

If there is one thread running through every major software testing conference in 2026, it is AI. Reading through this year's agendas for HUSTEF, Agile Testing Days, and STARWEST, the headline talks center on agentic testing, autonomous QA, and how testers stay accountable while AI writes more of the code. Software testing conferences are where these shifts get debated first, and where you pick up the practical tactics, not just the buzzwords.

This guide lists 13 software testing conferences worth your time in 2026, each with verified dates, locations, and formats checked against the official event sites. Whether you want a free virtual event you can join from your desk or a hands-on workshop abroad, there is a fit below.

Overview

Why Attend a Software Testing Conference in 2026?

Conferences compress a year of trends into a few days. You learn proven practices, see how peers are adopting AI in testing, and build a network you can lean on long after the event ends. To put the agentic-QA ideas from these talks into practice, TestMu AI's KaneAI testing agent authors and self-heals tests from plain-English prompts.

Which Software Testing Conferences Should You Shortlist?

Testμ Conference 2026 - free, virtual, Aug 19-21
STARWEST - Anaheim and online, Sep 20-25
MoTaCon (formerly TestBash Brighton) - Brighton, Oct 1
HUSTEF - Budapest, Oct 6-8
TestCon Europe - Vilnius, Oct 20-23
Agile Testing Days - Potsdam and online, Nov 16-19

2026 Conferences at a Glance

Use this table to scan dates, locations, and formats before reading the detailed entries. All dates were verified against each conference's official site in June 2026.

Conference	Dates (2026)	Location	Format	Best For
Testing Talks Sydney	Aug 6	Sydney, Australia	In-person	Quality engineering and leadership
Testμ Conference	Aug 19-21	Virtual	Free, online	AI testing and automation, global reach
STARWEST	Sep 20-25	Anaheim, USA	Hybrid	Training and tutorials at scale
MoTaCon (TestBash Brighton)	Oct 1	Brighton, UK	In-person	Community and quality engineering
HUSTEF	Oct 6-8	Budapest, Hungary	Hybrid	AI, observability, automation
Testing Talks Melbourne	Oct 8	Melbourne, Australia	In-person	GenAI testing and automation
PNSQC	Oct 12-14	Portland, USA	In-person	Quality intelligence and research
OnlineTestConf	Oct 14	Virtual	Online	Remote-friendly, broad QA topics
TestCon Europe	Oct 20-23	Vilnius, Lithuania	Hybrid	AI-powered testing and TestOps
Nederlandse Testdag	Oct 30	Amersfoort, Netherlands	In-person	Academia meets industry
AutomationSTAR	Nov 4-5	Antwerp, Belgium	In-person	Test automation specialists
Agile Testing Days	Nov 16-19	Potsdam, Germany	Hybrid	Agile testing and team practices
Testing United	Nov 25-26	Copenhagen, Denmark	In-person	AI, automation, and new skills

Note: Many 2026 conference talks demo AI agents writing and healing tests live. You can try the same workflow yourself: TestMu AI's KaneAI authors end-to-end tests from natural language and self-heals them as your UI changes. Start free with KaneAI

Best Software Testing Conferences to Attend in 2026

Below are the 13 conferences in detail, in calendar order so you can plan travel and time off. Many of these events also feature on the AI conferences circuit, reflecting how tightly testing and AI now overlap.

1. Testing Talks Sydney

Testing Talks Sydney 2026 takes place on August 6 at the Sydney Masonic Centre, Australia. This in-person conference features expert-led sessions on quality engineering, AI in testing, automation frameworks, and leadership strategies.

Attendees can network globally, join interactive games with prizes, and take part in optional deep-dive workshops on leadership and advanced Playwright techniques.

Register here: Testing Talks Sydney 2026

2. Testμ Conference 2026 (by TestMu AI)

The Testμ Conference by TestMu AI is a free online event that brings together 75,000+ testers, developers, and engineers from 120+ countries to exchange ideas and the latest practices in software testing. The fifth edition runs August 19-21, 2026, fully virtual, so you can join from anywhere at no cost.

Testμ Conf'26 covers agentic engineering, autonomous QA, AI in testing, automation, DevOps, and quality engineering across 80+ sessions and 100+ speakers. In addition, the conference offers you:

A chance to connect with global QA leaders and industry experts from diverse backgrounds.
Hands-on workshops, tool demos, and real-world case studies to level up your skills.
Challenges like the Test-a-thon and Certification Marathon with prizes.
Live AMAs, expert panels, and deep-dive discussions on the future of testing.
Session recordings afterward through the TestMu AI YouTube channel.

It is an inclusive platform for everyone, whether you are new to testing or a senior engineering leader.

Register here: Testμ Conference 2026

3. STARWEST

STARWEST 2026 returns September 20-25 in Anaheim, California, and online, offering 75+ talks including keynotes, tutorials, hands-on training, and leadership-focused sessions. This hybrid conference helps QA professionals tackle real-world testing challenges, explore emerging trends, and network with peers.

Highlights include pre-conference training classes, deep-dive tutorials, and an Expo floor to discover tools and innovations in the testing space.

Register here: STARWEST 2026

4. MoTaCon (formerly TestBash Brighton)

MoTaCon 2026, hosted by the Ministry of Testing, takes place on October 1 at the recently renovated Brighton Dome, UK. TestBash was rebranded to MoTaCon to reflect a broader focus on quality engineering, and the event now spans quality engineering, AI, leadership, product, accessibility, and security.

Expect community-driven sessions and inclusive networking for both newcomers and experienced quality leaders. Note that attendance requires an active paid Professional Membership with the Ministry of Testing.

Register here: MoTaCon 2026

5. HUSTEF

The Hungarian Software Testing Forum (HUSTEF) 2026 runs October 6-8 in Budapest as one of Europe's top software testing conferences. This year's lineup leans heavily into AI, with keynotes on observability for AI, agentic quality engineering, and accountable building with AI tools.

Attendees explore practical strategies in test automation, security, and quality engineering, and connect with a large community of global QA professionals in a collaborative, knowledge-sharing environment.

Register here: HUSTEF 2026

6. Testing Talks Melbourne

Testing Talks Melbourne 2026 is back on October 8 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia. The event features expert-led sessions on GenAI testing, automation frameworks, and leadership.

Attendees can network, join hands-on workshops, and enjoy interactive games, swag, and prizes in a lively community setting.

Register here: Testing Talks Melbourne 2026

7. Pacific Northwest Software Quality Conference (PNSQC)

The 44th annual PNSQC 2026 takes place October 12-14 in Portland, Oregon. This long-running conference brings together practitioners, researchers, and leaders to share real-world knowledge on quality, automation, AI in QA, and systems thinking.

Its Poster Paper program is a lower-pressure path for first-time speakers, making PNSQC a welcoming venue if you want to present an idea to the community for the first time.

Register here: PNSQC 2026

8. OnlineTestConf

OnlineTestConf 2026 is a fully virtual testing event on October 14, now in its 14th edition. It gathers global speakers and fresh insights across QA topics, all accessible from your desk.

Join engaging sessions, network remotely, and access recordings afterward while staying connected to the QA community. It is a strong low-friction option if travel is not on the table.

Register here: OnlineTestConf 2026

9. TestCon Europe

TestCon Europe 2026, the 11th edition, returns to Vilnius with workshops on October 20 and the main conference from October 21-23. It is one of the largest software testing and QA conferences in Europe and runs as a hybrid event.

Attendees dive into AI-powered testing, TestOps, shift-left strategies, performance and load testing, security scanning, and test data automation, gaining hands-on skills to tackle real-world QA challenges at scale.

Register here: TestCon Europe 2026

10. Nederlandse Testdag

The 29th edition of Nederlandse Testdag (Dutch Testing Day) takes place on October 30 in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. This long-standing event unites academia, education, and industry to explore innovations in software testing, AI, automation, performance, and security.

It is the main Dutch venue where science and the business world share new ideas and insights, making it a good fit if you value research-backed testing perspectives.

Register here: Nederlandse Testdag 2026

11. AutomationSTAR

AutomationSTAR 2026 takes place November 4-5 in Antwerp, Belgium, as a EuroSTAR event focused entirely on test automation across Europe. The conference offers two days of expert-led sessions on AI-driven testing, sustainable automation, and practical strategies.

From beginners to leaders, attendees gain actionable insights and connect with a focused, forward-thinking automation community.

Register here: AutomationSTAR 2026

12. Agile Testing Days

Agile Testing Days 2026 runs November 16-19 in Potsdam, Germany, and virtually. This four-day hybrid conference brings 800+ attendees together for 100+ sessions and 80+ speakers across agile testing, automation, AI in quality engineering, DevOps, and leadership.

Keynotes, experience talks, hands-on workshops, and full-day tutorials make it a deep, immersive option for testers who want to share experiences and connect with global peers.

Register here: Agile Testing Days 2026

13. Testing United

Testing United 2026 takes place November 25-26 in Copenhagen, Denmark, focusing on how AI, automation, and new skills are reshaping QA. Join global experts for practical insights, interactive workshops, and networking.

With access to session recordings, it is a practical year-end event to consolidate the trends you saw earlier in the conference season.

Register here: Testing United 2026

How to Choose the Right Conference

You cannot attend all 13, so match the event to your goal, budget, and calendar. Use these criteria to shortlist two or three:

Budget is tight or zero: Start with the free, virtual Testμ Conference (Aug 19-21) or OnlineTestConf (Oct 14). No travel, no ticket cost, full agendas.
You want hands-on training: STARWEST and Agile Testing Days bundle multi-day tutorials and workshops alongside talks, so you leave with applied skills, not just notes.
Your focus is automation: AutomationSTAR is automation-only, while TestCon Europe and Testing United weight their agendas toward AI-driven testing and TestOps.
You care about leadership and community: MoTaCon, Testing Talks, and PNSQC emphasize quality culture, team practices, and first-time speaker tracks.
Region matters: Pick by geography to cut travel, Australia (Testing Talks), USA (STARWEST, PNSQC), or Europe (HUSTEF, TestCon, AutomationSTAR, Agile Testing Days, Testing United).

Automate web and mobile tests with KaneAI by TestMu AI

Wrapping Up

Block two or three of these dates now, before tickets and travel get expensive. If budget is the deciding factor, register for the free Testμ Conference 2026 (August 19-21) first, then add one regional in-person event for the hands-on workshops and hallway conversations you cannot get online.

Conferences are most valuable when the ideas leave the auditorium with you. Pair what you learn with TestMu AI's KaneAI to build and maintain AI-driven tests, and use the KaneAI documentation to ship your first agent-authored test the week you get back.

Note: This article was researched and drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed, fact-checked, and published by Yash Bansal, Product Marketing Manager at TestMu AI, whose listed expertise includes Software Testing and Automation Testing. Every conference date, location, and format was verified against the official event site in June 2026. Read our editorial process and AI use policy for details.

Author

Yash Bansal

Blogs: 14

Yash Bansal works as a Product Marketing Manager at TestMu AI. Previously worked as Content Marketing Manager with over 5+ years of experience in the e-learning industry; loves to share his thoughts about the latest trends and technologies in the industry.

Reviewer

Saurabh Prakash

Reviewer

Saurabh Prakash is an Engineering Manager at TestMu AI (formerly LambdaTest), where he leads engineering on agentic AI development and scalable system architecture for the quality engineering platform. He has also contributed to Test at Scale, the company's open-source test intelligence platform. He brings over 9 years of experience across Node.js, Java, Spring, MVC, data structures, algorithms, and scalable system design, with earlier roles as SDE 2 at Zomato, Senior Software Engineer at LogicHub, and Software Development Engineer at Directi. Saurabh holds a B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from Delhi Technological University.