Regression & Stress Testing Tools Required

Hi,

I am looking for a resonably priced regression and strees testing tool. The application is written in C# and there is a client and server component communication with each other using .NET Remoting. It is a WinForms application. The server is running as a ConsoleHost application or can also be run as a ServiceHost (i.e. Windows Service). Pretty much everything is fully object oriented with the exception of some classes but they are ok to be ignored. DLLs are loaded dynamically on the server as well as client side as they are plugins.

Ideally the tool should be able to monitor user's usage pattern and then automate those part of application, kinda recording a macro but this is outside of my area of expertise so can't say for sure that this can be achieved.

I hear most of the tools are script based so there is some sort of programming effort required to get them to work but I want it usable for the end user too so the least amount of scripting is better or at least an easier way of scripting.

The application is used by around 500-1000 users at any given time so stress testing is necessary too. I know most of the tools charge per connection so getting a 500 connection license is kinda too expensive so if it is a per developer license (i.e. Unlimited or at least 1000 connection), that would be really great.

Now comes the thousand dollar question? What is the budget? I don't want to brek the bank, if you know what I mean. I am willing to spend US$5000 but if it goes a little more than that then I am also OK with that given the price justifies the functionality.

Hope this provides enough information. Please ask any question and I will try to answer them as best as I can.

Cheers :)