Cross Browser Testing Solutions – The Ultimate Guide

In modern web development, it is crucial that websites and applications work seamlessly across browsers. Different browsers can interpret standards and specifications differently, which can lead to inconsistencies in user experience. Cross-browser testing solutions come into play to minimize these issues and ensure that users experience the same quality across platforms.

Browserling

Browserling stands out as an affordable and lightweight HTML5-based cross-browser testing service. Offering fast and interactive testing sessions for Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Opera browsers, this platform is an ideal option for developers who want to do quick tests. While its free plan is limited to supporting only one version of Internet Explorer, it provides access to the full list of versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Opera. Browserling’s basic service is quite affordable and allows you to start browser testing in minutes. The platform offers practical tools such as changing the resolution, local testing (with SSH), screenshots and video recording. However, it is limited in terms of advanced features. While you can see the behavior of the relevant browser by only changing the resolution in mobile device tests, you cannot detect the errors specific to mobile platforms. However, it provides more flexible use with the Live-API feature that offers automation support via HTML5 and JavaScript. Browserling stands out as an attractive option for those looking for a practical solution for desktop browser testing.

BrowseEmAll

BrowseEmAll offers a comprehensive testing solution for both desktop and mobile browsers. Thanks to the extensive browser and mobile device list, users can compare their sites side by side on four different platforms and make quick edits. Simulations are rendered quickly and accurately, while the side-by-side comparison feature allows for visual analysis on four platforms simultaneously; for further comparison, you can open browsers and simulators separately. As a native desktop application, it launches quickly and runs cleanly, unlike cloud or web-based solutions. This makes it possible to run in a test environment without the need for SSH or Java tunneling. The standard version does not offer mobile device support, so users who prefer the professional version can get their needs met with affordable license options. BrowseEmAll offers a user-friendly experience with features such as automatic compatibility check, screenshots, and full control over resolution.

CrossBrowserTesting

CrossBrowserTesting.com offers a comprehensive solution that allows developers to run live tests on over 900 platform combinations on their chosen operating system and browser type. This web-based service supports compatibility with popular plugins and includes essential components like Flash to ensure users have a realistic experience. Screenshots and videos can be recorded, while basic authentication support allows for testing websites with passwords. Native support via Java and a user-friendly interface make testing quick. However, the service is subscription-based, which means an ongoing cost, which is usually not a problem for professional users. CrossBrowserTesting.com offers affordable plans for a variety of user needs, and also offers its own plugin for Selenium, making it easy to record and analyze tests later. With a wide range of platform and browser combinations, users can test their sites in different environments to see potential issues in detail.

BrowserStack

BrowserStack is a web-based sandbox testing and screenshotting service that allows users to quickly test websites in their chosen environment. Offering over 700 platform options, BrowserStack promises 100% reliability with Rapid Selenium WebDriver cloud testing. Users can upload websites and instantly view them in the chosen environment by making a few selections. Subscription plans vary by the number of parallel tests or sessions, with each account offering unlimited testing time. Basic accounts allow one session for live testing and two parallel tests for automated testing. Enterprise accounts are available for larger companies, with services offered in tiers based on company size. As a web-based solution, it can be used on any platform and major browser. Designers and developers can quickly review the layout of their websites by taking screenshots on various platforms and test small changes while focusing on major issues. However, due to security issues experienced in late 2014, customers with security concerns may want to consider alternative, non-web-based testing solutions.

Sauce Labs

Sauce Labs is a powerful cross-browser testing solution that lets you test your websites on the cloud with over 450 browser and operating system combinations. This feature allows users to interact with others in real-time and debug websites simultaneously, making it perfect for large teams. With subscription fees starting at $12 per month (annual basis), Sauce Labs is among the affordable solutions. Starting with a free trial, the service offers real-time virtual machines, a wide selection of debugging tools, video and screenshot capture, and automated testing. The Basic account offers unlimited manual testing and two hours of automated testing for a single user, while local testing is provided via secure tunneling. Sauce Labs is a young startup that aims to shorten the development process and speed up testing processes by using open source products. It offers automated tests that can be triggered with various languages ​​such as Java and Ruby, and includes advanced development tools on virtual machines. It also stands out from its competitors with its comprehensive online documentation, which can be reviewed by anyone interested in learning about the product. Sauce Labs is a good option for developers looking for a budget-friendly and powerful solution, and it is expected to become more powerful and accessible over time.

Multi-Browser Viewer

Multi-Browser Viewer creates a comprehensive test environment on your local computer, allowing you to test Android and iOS devices with 373 virtual browsers and mobile emulators on Windows. The program offers 80 screen capture browsers for taking high-resolution screenshots and includes development tools such as HTML 4 validation. However, the $199 license fee may be high for some users, and maintenance plans may be required after the annual support period ends. Although the program offers a fast and convenient solution for automated testing and screenshot creation, being a desktop application and using a virtual machine on the web may cause some web-related delays. It may also be limited for users testing gated websites, as it does not support authentication.

Browsera

Browsera offers developers the ability to quickly test their sites and detect JavaScript errors. This automated testing tool quickly scans your site across all its pages, something most other testing solutions don’t offer. With its authentication support, you can also test login screens and dynamic user-based pages. It also takes high-resolution screenshots to identify and highlight layout and JavaScript inconsistencies, and displays errors and warnings. However, Browsera does have its limitations; only Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer are supported, and its standard package price of $49 per month can be high compared to other services. The free version is limited to 25 pages, with 300 pages tested on a per-project basis, while the standard subscription offers 500 pages per month. These limitations can be restrictive for large development companies. Browsera is a great solution for those looking to quickly and automatically test large-scale editing and JavaScript errors; however, its limited browser support and page restrictions may be a disadvantage for some users.

TestingBot

TestingBot is an automated and manual virtual machine-supported cross-browser testing service that offers a wide range of browser and operating system combinations. TestingBot supports Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and Android test environments, and provides a secure tunnel for local support. In addition to standard cross-browser compatibility testing, it also offers detailed analytics and reporting tools that note when tests fail or have other issues. This can be very valuable to developers. As a cloud-based service, TestingBot is almost always very fast, claiming to be faster than most other cross-browser testing solutions. TestingBot offers the most automated testing time for standard accounts; the free trial version offers 100 minutes of automated testing time, while small team packages provide 1,000 minutes. Basic accounts support four simultaneous tests, and video and screenshots are captured throughout the automated testing process. Tests can also be scheduled in advance or run at regular intervals, and alerts can be sent via phone or text, allowing you to use TestingBot as a constant website monitor. Manual testing can also be done easily, and live tests can be shared so others can collaborate without having to have their own TestingBot accounts. However, TestingBot may not offer as many development environments as some other solutions.

Final Verdict

The best cross-browser testing solution depends entirely on your needs. If you are looking for a lightweight, fast and clean tool, Spoon is the best option; if you want a balance of features and affordability, Sauce Labs is the best option; and if you want a local and secure solution, BrowseEmAll is the best option. Sometimes, you may need to use more than one tool to create a complete testing environment.