Microsoft is retiring the Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT) on May 15, 2027. Testing Freemium by XPLUS is a free RSAT alternative for Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and Business Central that imports existing RSAT and Task Recorder recordings directly, with no rebuild required. The free tier includes 150 test cases and 1,200 test runs per year, with no credit card needed to start. This article compares RSAT and Testing Freemium features by feature, explains the exact migration steps, and states which tier fits which team size.
When does RSAT retire, and what happens after?
Microsoft’s Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT) retires on May 15, 2027. After that date, RSAT stops receiving updates from Microsoft and may stop functioning inside Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations environments entirely. Any organization using RSAT for regression testing needs a replacement in place before that date.
The retirement date is roughly a year and a half away from mid-2026, which is enough time to plan a migration without deadline pressure – but not enough time to ignore the decision. Two factors make earlier migration preferable to waiting: regression testing obligations continue every Dynamics 365 One Version update between now and 2027, and test-suite migration effort scales with the number of existing RSAT test cases, so larger suites take proportionally longer to move.
What is Testing Freemium by XPLUS?
Testing Freemium by XPLUS is a free, entry-tier version of the Testing by XPLUS regression and performance testing platform for Dynamics 365. It is built specifically to import existing RSAT and Microsoft Task Recorder recordings (.axtr and .xml files) directly, rather than requiring teams to rebuild test cases from scratch.
Testing Freemium includes an AI Optimizer that helps stabilize imported scripts against changes in the Dynamics 365 interface, while keeping a human reviewer in control of every change it suggests. The free tier covers Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, Business Central, and the wider Microsoft BizApps suite. No credit card and no time limit are required to start using it. XPLUS, the company behind Testing Freemium, is a Microsoft Solutions Partner and an AppSource-certified ISV, and the product is listed on Microsoft AppSource.
RSAT vs. Testing Freemium: full feature comparison
The core difference between RSAT and Testing Freemium is not price – both are free to start. The core difference is runway: RSAT has a fixed end date, while Testing Freemium is an actively maintained commercial product with a migration path built specifically to absorb existing RSAT test assets.
| Cost |
RSAT: Free (until May 15, 2027) Testing Freemium: Free — 150 test cases, 1,200 runs/year |
|---|---|
| Future support |
RSAT: Retiring May 15, 2027 Testing Freemium: Actively maintained, no end date |
| Setup |
RSAT: Requires Azure DevOps familiarity and technical setup Testing Freemium: Ready to use; existing recordings import directly |
| Migrating existing RSAT tests |
RSAT: Native format, no migration needed Testing Freemium: Imports RSAT and Task Recorder files (.axtr/.xml) with no rebuild |
| Script maintenance when D365 UI changes |
RSAT: Manual re-recording required Testing Freemium: AI Optimizer assists in stabilizing scripts |
| Platform coverage |
RSAT: Dynamics 365 F&O only Testing Freemium: Dynamics 365 F&O, Business Central, BizApps |
| Scripting required |
RSAT: Low-code via Task Recorder Testing Freemium: None required for import, edit, or extension |
| Path beyond the free tier |
RSAT: None — no paid tier exists Testing Freemium: Upgrade path to full Testing by XPLUS for higher volume and dedicated support |
| Support included |
RSAT: Standard Microsoft documentation channels Testing Freemium: Not included free; paid support packages available separately |
How does migrating from RSAT to Testing Freemium actually work?
Migrating from RSAT to Testing Freemium takes four steps and does not require rebuilding existing test cases manually. Because scripts are imported rather than re-recorded, the process is typically faster than recreating a regression suite from scratch — the exact time depends on how many test cases and how complex the underlying business processes are.
- Export from RSAT. Download existing test recordings as XML files, either directly from RSAT or from Microsoft Task Recorder (.axtr / .xml).
- Import into Testing Freemium. Upload the files. They convert automatically into full Testing by XPLUS test cases, ready to run, modify, or extend without manual re-recording.
- Run, edit, and extend. Imported scripts are executed immediately. Teams can edit individual steps, add new scenarios, or combine scripts into larger regression suites.
- Scale when ready. The free tier supports up to 150 test cases and 1,200 runs per year – enough to validate the approach on a real subset of a regression suite before deciding whether to expand to a paid tier.
What exactly does the Testing Freemium free tier include?
The Testing Freemium free tier includes 150 test cases per instance, and 1,200 test case runs per year, with the run count enforced as an annual hard cap. Once an account reaches 1,200 runs in a year, it pauses until the next year begins or until the account is upgraded to a paid plan.
Beyond the case and run limits, the free tier includes one user running test playback at a time, background test execution, and multi-tenant server hosting. Dedicated support is not included at the free tier; paid L1/L2/L3 support packages are available separately for teams that need them. No credit card is required to start, and there is no time limit on how long a team can use the free tier before deciding whether to upgrade.
Which teams should use Testing Freemium, and which need a paid platform?
Testing Freemium fits teams currently using RSAT that need a replacement before the May 2027 retirement date, have an existing RSAT or Task Recorder library they don’t want to rebuild, and run a small-to-mid-sized regression suite – generally one that fits within 150 test cases and 1,200 annual runs. It also fits teams piloting automated testing for the first time before a broader rollout, and teams working across both Dynamics 365 F&O and Business Central.
A paid platform, such as the full Testing by XPLUS product, fits teams running regression suites with hundreds of test cases executed frequently across multiple release cycles, teams that need dedicated support rather than self-service, and teams that need multi-user concurrent test execution rather than one playback session at a time. Teams that specifically want tests defined from real system usage rather than manually recorded scripts – a capability called autonomous regression testing — also need the paid platform, since this is not part of the free tier.
For a broader view of how AI-based testing tools for Dynamics 365 are evolving beyond RSAT, see AI testing tools for Dynamics 365 in 2026.
Is Testing Freemium by XPLUS really free?
Yes. The free tier includes up to 150 test cases and 1,200 test runs per year, with no credit card required and no time limit to start. Payment is only required to scale beyond those limits or to add dedicated support.
Can I import my existing RSAT test cases into Testing Freemium?
Yes. Testing Freemium imports recordings in both RSAT format and Microsoft Task Recorder format (.axtr and .xml). Once imported, scripts can be run immediately, edited, or extended without manual rebuilding.
What happens when RSAT retires on May 15, 2027?
Microsoft stops supporting RSAT after that date – it no longer receives updates and may stop functioning in Dynamics 365 environments. Any team relying on RSAT for regression testing needs a replacement in place before then.
Does Testing Freemium work with Business Central as well as F&O?
Yes. Testing Freemium covers Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, Business Central, and the wider Microsoft BizApps suite.
How long does migrating from RSAT to Testing Freemium take?
Migration time depends on the size and complexity of the existing test library, but because scripts import rather than get rebuilt, migration is typically faster than recreating a regression suite manually from scratch.
Is XPLUS an official Microsoft partner?
Yes. XPLUS is a Microsoft Solutions Partner and an AppSource-certified ISV, and Testing Freemium is listed on Microsoft AppSource.
What happens if a Testing Freemium account exceeds the 1,200 annual test runs?
The account pauses test execution until the next annual cycle begins, or until it is upgraded to a paid Testing by XPLUS plan. There is no overage charge on the free tier – the cap is a hard limit, not a billed threshold.
Start your RSAT migration for free
Import existing RSAT or Task Recorder recordings and start testing the same day. No rebuild is required, and upgrading is only necessary if a team outgrows the 150 test case / 1,200 run limit. Start free with Testing Freemium →
