How to Install Apache JMeter on Linux?

Apache JMeter is an open-source tool designed for load testing and performance measurement. It’s widely used by developers and testers for analyzing and measuring the performance of web applications.

Here, we will learn the process of installing Apache JMeter on Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution based on Debian. Before getting started, ensure that your system has Java 8 or higher, as JMeter is developed in Java and requires a compatible version to run.

Introduction

Apache JMeter is a must-have tool for anyone involved in performance testing or load testing of applications. It supports various protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, JDBC, and more, making it versatile for testing different types of applications. This article provides a comprehensive guide on installing JMeter on Ubuntu, ensuring you have everything set up to begin your testing journey.

Prerequisites

Before installing JMeter, it’s important to verify that your system has Java installed, as it is a prerequisite for running JMeter.

Checking Java Installation

Use java --version or javac --version to check if java is already installed on your computer or not.

$ java --version

If you get the same message then skip step 2 i.e. installation of java and move to step 3.

If you get "java not found" in output, so first install Java.

Installing  Java 11.0

Step 1: Use the following command to install openjdk - 11-jre.

$ sudo apt install openjdk-11-jre-headless

Then enter the sudo password and enter "Y" to confirm the download. 

It will take some time according to your internet speed.

Step 2: Use the following command to install openjdk-11-jdk.

$ sudo apt install openjdk-11-jdk-headless

Step 3: If download completes then check again using java --version command.

Steps to Installing Apache JMeter on Linux

First, we will download the latest JMeter version from the official JMeter website. Go to the given link and click on the "apache-jmeter-5.4.1.zip" link to download the binary zip file of JMeter.

After clicking on the zip file a dialog box will appear and check the save file box and click ok. It will start the download.

The file will be placed in the Downloads folder. Open the folder, right-click on the zip file and click on Extract here.

Now we have successfully downloaded the JMeter and extracted it.

Running Apache JMeter

Open the terminal and use the following command to go to the directory from where we can run JMeter

$ cd Downloads/apache-jmeter-5.4.1/bin

Cd stands for change directory, a Linux command to move between directories.

Run the following command to start the JMeter.

$ ./jmeter

This will look like this.

This command starts the JMeter GUI, which should open in a new window, ready for you to create and run your test plans.

Conclusion

Installing Apache JMeter on Ubuntu is a straightforward process that requires just a few steps. By making sure Java is installed and following the instructions provided, you can easily get JMeter up and running to begin performance testing your applications.