The 3 Biggest Challenges You Will Face Cross Browser Testing

Today’s internet users expect all websites to work seamlessly regardless of the browser or device they use. However, meeting this expectation requires a highly meticulous process. When different browsers, devices, operating systems, and screen sizes come into play, delivering a consistent user experience across every combination becomes challenging. This is where cross-browser testing comes in. Testing web applications across a wide range of devices and browsers presents both technical and time management challenges for development and QA teams. Let’s take a closer look at the three main issues most often encountered during cross-browser testing.

Testing Every Browser and Device Combination Is Impossible

Designing a web application to work seamlessly on all devices and browsers may sound simple with the “works on every browser” slogan, but in practice, it’s quite complex. Nowadays, web applications need to be compatible not only with operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux but also with Android and iOS mobile devices. Additionally, different browser versions and screen sizes significantly increase the number of combinations that need to be tested. For example, a web application that works perfectly on the latest version of Safari may encounter issues on an older version of Chrome. Testing all these combinations creates an excessive workload and can challenge project timelines. For this reason, many teams prioritize specific devices and browsers to streamline the testing process and achieve faster, more efficient results.

While testing each combination is a challenging and time-consuming process, there are tools available to help simplify the task. For instance, cross-browser testing tools like BrowseEmAll make it quick and practical to test a variety of browser and device combinations simultaneously. This tool allows you to see how your application appears on different operating systems and browsers, minimizing the need for manual testing. In this way, teams can save time, test more combinations efficiently, and immediately resolve any issues that arise.

The Constant Updates of Browsers and Devices

Browsers and device operating systems are constantly updated to improve user experience. While these updates bring new features and security enhancements, they can also create compatibility issues with existing web applications. For instance, browsers like Chrome or Safari, which release new versions every 4–6 weeks, may introduce small changes that can render certain web components unusable. Since most users receive updates automatically, teams must ensure compatibility with each new version as it’s released. Otherwise, there’s a risk that the application may not work on some browsers or may encounter unexpected errors. This constant update cycle places pressure on developers and testers to keep applications compatible with the latest versions.

Although it’s challenging to keep up with this continuous update cycle, tools like BrowseEmAll simplify the process considerably. BrowseEmAll regularly updates its browser list by adding the newest versions to the platform, enabling teams to test swiftly with each new release. It allows testing of both older and newer browser versions simultaneously, helping to identify compatibility issues promptly, especially with frequently updated browsers. In this way, teams can minimize the risks associated with each new update, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Challenges of Test Automation

With the widespread adoption of test automation, many teams are turning to automated testing tools for cross-browser testing. However, while functional tests can be conducted with these tools, user interface testing continues to be particularly challenging. For example, it is difficult to automatically test whether a button is displayed at the correct size and position in the same way across different browsers. Tools for visual regression testing (such as Applitools and Percy) can detect differences by comparing screenshots, but implementing them comprehensively in every project can be costly and time-consuming. Additionally, the maintenance requirements for such tests are high; test scenarios need to be rearranged with every minor change. Therefore, while functional validations can be performed with automated tests, manual review still retains its significance in user interface testing.

Despite these challenges, tools like BrowseEmAll make significant contributions to test automation. BrowseEmAll enables rapid testing across various browser and device combinations, providing convenience, especially in visual compatibility testing. This tool allows for quick comparisons of screenshots, making it easy to examine how the application appears in each browser and minimizing the need for manual review. Furthermore, with a continuously updated selection of browsers and devices, it accelerates the process of adapting to browser changes.