Testing is a critical phase of every development project. Now that there is a multitude of different web browsers, operating systems, and devices for users to choose from, cross-browser testing must be a standard practice to ensure usability. Without it, users may encounter inconsistent functionalities, layout problems, and overall compatibility errors.
Cross-browser testing requires a significant amount of effort from both developers and testers. However, automation can help. With the right cross-browser testing tools, you can make testing more effective and efficient. The result is more dynamic and reliable software.
Understanding Cross-Browser Testing
Testing websites, apps, and software is always important. Cross-browser testing is an essential part of a comprehensive testing process.
Why Cross-Browser Testing is Crucial
Cross-browser testing helps you deliver a consistent experience no matter the user’s choice of browser or device. This process allows you to preemptively tackle compatibility issues before apps ever reach the hands of their intended audience. To prevent pitfalls created by the ways that browsers and devices interpret and display content, cross-browser testing gives developers a chance to identify and rectify layout, functionality, and performance discrepancies.
In doing so, developers bolster the user experience. The process helps improve visitor retention rates, foster a better sense of trust between users and the product, and encourage further engagement. Failure to conduct comprehensive cross-browser testing could fragment the user experience.
Although Google Chrome ranked as the number one choice of web browser in 2023 with more than 63% of the global market share of internet users, many users leverage other browsers like Safari, Edge, and Firefox. It’s important to confirm that your app works just as well on these browsers.
Challenges in Cross-Browser Tests
It isn’t difficult to see why development teams both appreciate and dread this testing process. Cross-browser testing introduces complex challenges you must navigate to ensure functionality and a positive user experience across browsers, devices, and operating systems.
Layout discrepancies are among the most prevalent issues in this type of testing. Visual inconsistencies frustrate users by negatively impacting usability and accessibility while also detracting from its overall aesthetic appeal.
Functionality bugs are another complication in software development. Features that work seamlessly in one browser or device may malfunction in others due to the different interpretations of web standards between technologies. Performance variations also create a challenge, with the same website loading at slower speeds or apps responding more sluggishly on some browsers and devices.
Already a challenging process, this form of testing escalates further due to the many different combinations of devices and operating systems. From desktops running Windows and Android devices to iOS on iPads and iPhones, each combination has the potential to introduce unique challenges.
Key Features of Cross-Browser Test Tools
Thankfully, cross-browser testing is no longer solely a manual process. Today, there are myriad tools to choose from.
When selecting a tool, you should look for certain key features to improve productivity and efficiency during testing. Automation is the most important features of a strong cross-browser testing tool. This allows you to rapidly execute tests across multiple environments to save time, while eliminating human error.
There should also be plenty of options for integrations because they enable these tools to connect with other development tools to enhance productivity. Support for a broad range of devices and browsers benefits developers and testers because these tools help ensure that the app functions across multiple environments. Look for real-time testing and debugging capabilities as well. They support you in identifying and resolving problems immediately, helping you maintain the quality and reliability of your software.
Automation in Cross-Browser Tests
Automation is the backbone of a cross-browser testing tool. Manual testing, in contrast, requires considerable time, effort, and resources. It also leaves more room for human error. Automation improves the accuracy and efficiency of the cross-browser testing process while reducing the need for manual labor.
Script generation is one example of an automated testing tool. It allows testers to create automatic testing scripts to speed up and standardize the test preparation process while allowing for easy replication across environments.
Automated regression testing, another important process, allows you to quickly identify new bugs or issues after software updates and/or changes. Agile development teams often use this. Automation is essential when you’re looking to optimize and accelerate cross-browser testing.
Integration with Development Tools
Some of the most common integration use cases for cross-browser testing tools are CI/CD pipelines. By connecting these tools together, developers run automatic cross-browser tests every time they push new code to the repository. Then, they can test changes in real-time. Developers identify bugs or issues in their code across various browsers and devices and deploy their solutions for retesting.
Connecting version control systems with cross-browser tools gives devs the ability to test every one of their code commits and branch merges for usability across a variety of mediums. By only allowing code tested across browsers to make it into the production codebase, you also help streamline final product testing because you already know each individual piece of code works across devices and browsers. Some tools for cross-browser testing even allow teams to integrate these tools with project management software to give both teams and product owners enhanced visibility into testing progress and bug management.
Review of Best Cross-Browser Testing Tools
With a multitude of tools flooding the testing market right now, there are plenty of cross-browser testing solutions for unique business needs and requirements.
Here are some of the top tools for cross-browser testing available today.
Tool 1: TestGrid
A standout tool for cross-browser testing, TestGrid takes an innovative approach to common challenges for both developers and testers. It caters to a wide variety of testing needs, technologies, and solutions, including web and mobile apps, API, and performance testing, in a single platform. TestGrid offers support for scriptless cloud-based and on-premise testing in a single unified platform.
One of the most useful features of TestGrid is its AI-based no-code automation abilities. This feature generates Appium and Selenium-based code. The tool allows you to execute tests at a faster and more efficient rate without requiring in-depth programming skills. TestGrid integrates with popular CI/CD tools as well as project management apps like Jira and Slack.
Features and Benefits
- Testing on Real Browsers and Devices – TestGrid users benefit from its ability to perform cross-browser testing on more than 1,000 Windows and Mac browsers and operating systems. It allows for testing on both legacy and newer iOS and Android browsers.
- Codeless and AI-Based Testing for Browsers – Using the power of AI, this tool helps testers and development teams test with codeless automation to speed up end-to-end cross-browser testing.
- Automated Cross-Browser Testing – TestGrid supports web and mobile automation frameworks, such as Robot, Appium, and Selenium. This allows you to run automated cross-browser tests across multiple operating systems and browsers at the same time.
- Geolocation Browser Testing – This feature allows you to utilize GPS to perform geolocation testing for more real-world testing scenarios by cross-browser testing from various IP locations to validate compatibility.
- Native Dev Tools – TestGrid’s native developer tools allow for simplified debugging across every desktop and mobile browser for faster testing and debugging.
Pricing and Plans
- Freemium Package – $0 per month and limits users to 200 minutes per month in 2-minute sessions.
- Manual/Scriptless Automation Package – Starts at $25 per month for 5 users and 1 parallel test.
- End-to-End Automation Package – Starts at $99 per month for 5 users and 1 parallel test.
- Private Dedicated Package – Starts at $30 per month for 5 users and 1 dedicated device.
- Enterprise Package – For segregated enterprise teams, pricing for this package is custom.
Tool 2: LambdaTest
LambdaTest enables developers and testers to effectively and efficiently perform cross-browser tests across a wide range of operating systems and browsers via a specially designed cloud-based platform. Some of the tool’s key features include the ability to perform automation testing, visual regression testing, responsive testing, and real-time browser testing. Supporting over 2,000 browsers, one of LambdaTest’s main features is its ability to facilitate thorough testing environments without requiring companies to set up extensive infrastructure in-house.
This tool integrates seamlessly with many CI/CD and project management tools while also offering instant access to many different browser environments. Paired with these integration capabilities, LambdaTest has innovative features like SmartUI Testing and HyperExecute, its next-gen orchestration platform for smart testing.
Features and Benefits
- Real-Time Cross-Browser Testing on 3,000+ Environments – Users have the ability to perform live, interactive online testing on thousands of desktop and mobile browsers via instant access to browsers, versions, screen resolutions, and operating systems.
- Testing on Real Mobile and Desktop Browsers – Testers choose from macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS versions on real devices, ranging from the latest to legacy versions.
- Integrated Native Dev Tools for Debugging – Every browser on LambdaTest has pre-installed native dev tools for assistance with debugging.
- Plugins and Extensions – LambdaTest offers a WordPress plugin and Chrom Extension to facilitate cross-browser testing and screenshotting.
- Geolocation Testing – Testers have the ability to use geoIPs to test software across all locations.
Pricing and Plans
- Free – For $0 per month forever, users may conduct one free parallel test at a time.
- Live – This plan starts at $15 per month for one parallel test with unlimited real-time testing and scales in price depending on the number of parallel tests.
- Real Device – Starting at $25 monthly for one parallel test at a time, users gain access to testing on real mobile devices and additional benefits.
- Enterprise – This level’s pricing depends on the needs of the enterprise and starts at 25 parallel tests.
Tool 3: HeadSpin
A multi-purpose cross-browser testing tool, HeadSpin enables teams to run cross-browser tests, debug web, mobile, audio, and video applications, and perform multi-browser testing with a single tool across real devices in real user conditions globally. Facilitating access to thousands of devices across the globe, it provides developers and testers with real-time insights, performance monitoring, and AI-driven analyses of the user experience, performance, and functionality of their app or website. HeadSpin further assists teams by using AI to power its analytics reporting to generate more actionable insights.
Features and Benefits
- Run Any App on Any Device Globally – HeadSpin gives teams access to thousands of real mobile and browser testing capabilities across remote devices with actual SIM cards via a secure global device cloud.
- Instantly Find and Fix Bugs – This tool offers enhanced visibility into performance issues to improve cross-browser automation testing and help teams quickly resolve bugs.
- Audio and Video Testing – HeadSpin allows teams to use cross-browser testing to check and measure audio quality for speech-enabled apps and audio streaming.
- Integrations – HeadSpin enhances cross-browser testing with its APIs and plugins to get automatic results and track testing issues.
Pricing and Plans
HeadSpin offers custom plans and pricing for a range of needs. Potential customers must contact the HeadSpin team to receive a cost quote.
Tool 4: BitBar
BitBar helps teams securely test apps across real environments via one cloud for all device and browser testing needs. With an emphasis on flexibility and efficiency, BitBar provides access to a vast device farm for real device testing, support for many frameworks, and parallel testing. It aims to further teams’ test coverage while decreasing execution times with automated parallel tests across browsers and devices. BitBar allows devs to use their preferred testing framework and language while also supporting non-tech savvy users with a direct integration via their TestComplete tool.
Features and Benefits
- Live, Local, and Automated Testing – BitBar helps dev teams conduct live testing across real browsers and devices with the ability to capture screenshots, videos, and logs. It also facilitates automated tests in parallel across devices, unlimited users, and unlimited devices. Teams may also choose local testing via SecureTunnel.
- Cloud-Side Execution – This allows users to execute tests on hundreds of real devices in parallel by uploading test packages to the cloud.
- Device Cloud – Users gain access to popular devices and browsers.
Pricing and Plans
- Live Testing – For $42 per parallel per month, you’ll have unlimited testing minutes, users, and powerful testing tools.
- BitBar Unlimited – This package offers one live parallel test with every automated parallel, access to desktop/headless browsers and real mobile devices, and scripted automation or tests in TestComplete for $188 per parallel per month.
- Enterprise – This level requires custom pricing for customizable solutions.
Tool 5: TestingBot
TestingBot offers app and browser cross-testing services across over 5,100 browsers with physical iOS and Android devices. With over 9 years of experience, this platform continues to provide one of the first cloud-based Selenium, Appium, and Cypress Grids with continually improving services. Using parallel tests across a cloud of real browsers and physical devices, TestingBot boosts UI testing suites to allow developers to release apps faster, catch bugs earlier, and improve team productivity.
Features and Benefits
- Comprehensive Coverage – TestingBot allows teams to test on thousands of desktop browsers and mobile devices, including popular options like Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari (mobile), Firefox, and many more.
- Automation and Testing Frameworks – This platform supports Selenium, Appium, Cypress, Puppeteer, and Playwright. TestingBot integrates into CI systems with plugins for Jenkins, Travis, TeamCity, and more. It also provides test examples for popular frameworks.
- Test Analytics – The tool’s advanced reporting and analytics filter provide teams with detailed testing results.
- Codeless Automation – TestingBot allows users to run tests at specific intervals by uploading Selenium IDE tests.
Pricing and Plans
- Live – With plans starting at $20 per month per user, teams can test on desktop and physical devices with unlimited live testing and screenshots.
- Automated – Teams gain access to 1,000 minutes of automated testing with 1 monthly parallel test starting at $50.
- Automated Pro – This package offers unlimited automation starting at $90 monthly with 1 parallel test.
- Enterprise – This level is custom pricing for a custom solutions package.
Best Practices in Cross-Browser Tests
The most effective cross-browser testing involves teams analyzing user analytics and demographics to identify which browsers and devices are the priorities for testing and then testing the rest. Automated testing tools help improve testing accuracy and efficiency rates, but real device testing is always important for accuracy insurance. Teams should also strive to update their testing tools and platforms to cover browser version updates, new devices, and new operating system releases.
Efficient Testing Strategies
- Identify the browser, device, and operating system priorities of the project’s intended audience and test for those first, before you test the rest.
- Use automated testing tools to simulate sessions faster and more effectively, followed by manual testing for final verification.
- Use cloud-based testing platforms to access a wider range of testing options while reducing the need for infrastructure.
- Prioritize testing the most critical functionalities of the project.
- Gather real user feedback through usability testing and beta sessions.
Overcoming Common Challenges
- Automating cross-browser testing is challenging. With the right tool or platform, however, teams can set up tests to run automatically in a more efficient and effective manner.
- There are many browsers, each with multiple versions, available today. The best way to solve this issue is to establish the priority browser versions for the project’s unique user base and to test those first. Then, use automated tools to assess the rest of the possible combinations.
- Devices, browsers, and operating systems release updates regularly. Automated testing tools are the best way to keep a project up to date with these releases.
Case Studies and Success Stories
- Chegg, an education tech company with millions of worldwide subscribers, utilized BrowserStack’s cross-browser test infrastructure to ensure that their Chegg Student Hubb Platform is accessible across a wide range of browser-device-OS combinations.
- eMoney Advisor relied on SauceLabs to effectively and efficiently scale their mobile, cross-browser, and visual testing to guarantee product quality.
- Airmeet, a virtual events platform, utilized LambdaTest to automate and improve cross-browser testing to ensure that their platform worked seamlessly across technologies for a better user experience.
Which Cross-Browser Testing Tool?
Development teams have many options available when it comes to choosing a cross-browser testing tool. This important decision, however, doesn’t have a simple answer or best option. Work with your team members to decide what your priorities are in a tool that will help you test across multiple browsers. By weighing the pros and cons of each option for every project and considering your existing tech stacks and niches, you can find the right tool to automate tests and conduct your assessments more effectively.
FAQ
What are cross-browser tests?
Cross-browser tests involve testing websites, apps, and software across various browsers, operating systems, and devices to identify compatibility and usability issues.
Why is automated testing important for a cross-browser test?
Automated cross-browser tests help you test more efficiently and effectively across a wider variety of use cases while reducing room for human error.
How do you choose the right tool for cross-browser tests?
Choosing the right cross-browser tool starts with prioritizing compatibility, test automation, cloud-scaling options, and options for real device testing. Every team must find the right tool for their specific needs.
Can cross-browser testing be integrated into continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines?
Yes, cross-browser testing integrates into CI/CD pipelines by setting up trigger-based executions of tests upon each code push or merge. This promotes continuous testing and improvement.
What are some common challenges in cross-browser tests, and how can they be addressed?
There are some challenges when you execute test cases in a cross-browser testing environment. They include:
- Too Many Tech Combinations: To resolve this, identify the priority browser, operating systems, and devices based on user analytics, then test the rest.
- Updates and Versioning – Using an automated testing tool updates tests automatically.
- Infrastructure Maintenance – A cloud-based automated testing tool relieves teams and companies of the need for costly infrastructure.
