Imagine seeing disoriented text and pictures of a site on your mobile device when it was working fine on a computer. Sounds frustrating, right? Now, you have a taste of how users feel when a site doesn’t work the same way across different platforms. So, let’s get to the solution.
There is a wide range of web browsers available that viewers can use for surfing a website. Even though Internet Explorer days are gone to some extent, the world of browsers doesn’t end at Chrome and Firefox.
Therefore, with a broad array of devices, Operating Systems, and Browsers, cross-browser testing has become more necessary than ever. After all, the users need to have a consistent browsing experience regardless of the device, platform, OS, or the browser they are using. This is where cross-browser testing comes into play.
What is Cross Browser Testing?
Cross-browser testing is the process of analyzing and comparing your site’s behavior in various browser environments. CBT ensures that your website offers a seamless and consistent user experience regardless of the browser they are viewing it on.
Why is Cross Browser Testing Important?
Optimal user experience is one of the most important aspects of a successful website. On that note, let’s take a look at some reasons which make cross-browser testing so important.
Ensuring Impeccable Functionality In all Browsers
When we talk about the site behavior in different browsers, it’s not just about the style or aesthetics. It’s also about functionality. It’s vital for the site to be functional regardless of where a user is viewing it.
Cross-browser testing teams should verify the correct functionality across various browsers. It involves repeating the same tests and use cases across various browsers. Another essential action is to automate ways to compare differences for information and actions.
Fewer Bugs, Happier Users!
If you are looking forward to providing an impeccable user experience, then cross-browser testing is not optional. When you make sure to cover at least all the major browsers, it expands your audience base.
There are plenty of users who take to the less popular browsers for surfing through different websites. If you say that you offer support for a particular browser, ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises for the end-user. And of course, fewer the bugs, happier the users are going to be.
Pinpointing Browser Compatibility Issues
Cross-browser testing points out compatibility errors specific to browsers. This way, you can easily debug them fast. IT also helps to make sure that you are not missing out on a crucial portion of the target audience. The lack of CBT can alienate a part of your audience just because a site doesn’t work on their OS or browser.
Tools to Use for Cross Browser Testing
Installing every single browser in a single machine is next to impossible. But thanks to different cross-browser testing tools out there, you can easily understand how your site performs on different browsers.
To save you from the trouble of trying and testing different tools, we have prepared a list. This list comprises 11 best tools for cross-browser testing. You can select the one that suits you the best. So, let’s dive in.
LambdaTest
LambdaTest is the one-stop destination if you are looking forward to a simple and quick responsive web testing. You can easily perform automated CBT and live interactive testing on more than 2000 OS and browsers online.
You can select from a broad array of Mac and Windows operating systems. Not only that but with LambdaTest, you can also test your app or site on mobile browsers with iOS and Android OS.
Some other features of LambdaTest include geo-location testing, online selenium grid, integrated debugging, and testing of locally hosted pages. It also boasts a seamless collaboration with which you can easily integrate LambdaTest with the tool of your choice.
BrowserStack
Just like LambdaTest, Browserstack is also one of the most reliable cross-browser testing platforms. With the liberty of testing across 2000+ browsers and real devices, you don’t need to compromise with simulators and emulators.
You can easily speed up your releases thanks to zero setup and maintenance. Some of the primary features include automated Selenium testing, interactive native and hybrid app testing, and test automation.
The developer tools are pre-installed. They speed up the entire process of debugging and CBT. The platform also offers support for Windows, Android, iOS, snow leopard, OSX, lion, opera mobile, and mountain lion.
Cross Browser Testing
Packed with the benefits of mobile emulators and automated screenshots, Cross Browser testing is one of the most promising CBT tools. Lately, they have amped up their performance as well as user experience.
Some of its key features include Appium and Selenium web testing. The record and replay feature is relatively new. But it is sure to revolutionalize the way the tool works for the long haul. The cloud-supported testing environment is definitely a plus.
BrowserShots
If you want to check the basics with the utmost accuracy, BrowserShots is the way to go. It’s a service available online that will capture screenshots of a site in different browsers. This will help determine how a website looks in various browsers and versions.
The best part about this tool is that it’s free to use. Moreover, you can rest assured that you are off to a pretty good start! You can also enable or disable Flash and Javascript and play around a bit. All in all, the tool is a boon for checking pages with simple content. However, if you are looking forward to testing interactive functionality, you might need to choose another cross-browser testing tool.
Browserling
Browserling is a little outside of the mainstream when it comes to CBT tools. It offers a decent collection of browsers with a fast VM speed. However, it’s not as loaded with features or has the fastest speed like some other tools in this list.
One of the key features includes an API for embedding live interactive browsers in an application. The platform also offers customized solutions according to your requirement. The free plan is limited to a few browsers. But it offers a glimpse into the features you’ll be getting.
EndTest
EndTest is the one-stop destination for those who are looking forward to maximum productivity in a short time frame. The primary feature of this tool is Codeless Automated Testing. It means that you don’t have to write the code from scratch since it enables the automation of repetitive tests across various browsers.
The platform offers both free and paid versions with different utility sets. Demo test suits help you understand the working of the tool and its practical application. Moreover, thanks to cloud-based text execution, it avoids the need for installing the software you’re planning on testing with.
Experitest
Experitest is filled with standard features useful for an impeccable cross-browser testing experience. The best part is its reasonable price point. The tool also offers a lucrative freemium option like LambdaTest. However, it’s not as versatile as the others. So, if you are on a strict budget, Experitest can be your pick.
Functionize
Functionize is a unique tool in the sense of the use of Artificial Intelligence. It’s a big time saver, that is if you have set up tests for a single browser, it eliminates the need for writing code for tests for other browsers. So, instead of spending all your time coding, you can utilize the time for a better analysis of results.
Functionize is a larger platform and cross-browser testing is a part of it. The key features include visual testing, code debugging, and autonomous testing.
Saucelabs
Saucelabs is one of the pioneers when it comes to cross-browser testing tools. It provides stable testing with faster results and increased test coverage. They offer a selenium based cloud solution helpful for solving automation issues.
They offer a free trial that has validity for 14 days. It offers 100 minutes for automation testing, 60 minutes of real-time testing, and a total of two concurrent sessions. You can contact their support team for detailed pricing and structure.
Ranorex Studio
Ranorex Studio is a complete solution for cross-browser and web application testing. The platform offers support for cross-domain iframes, shadow DOM elements, open-source CEF based hybrid desktop applications, etc.
Some of the key features Ranorex Studio offers object identification, keyword and data-driven testing, video reports for test execution, parallel running of cross-browser tests, testing on Selenium Grid. You can also integrate it with tools such as Travis CI, Jira, TestRail, Jenkins, Git, and more.
TestComplete
TestComplete offers detailed and automated browser compatibility checks on various Operating Systems and browsers. It’s a functional UI testing tool for creating and running tests on web applications.
Without fretting over a lengthy setup or complex configurations, the tool enables the parallel running of tests across 1500+ test environments. The on-demand cloud lab allows you to gain access to different resolutions, devices, browsers, and operating systems.
Optimize User Experience With Cross-Browser Testing
Even though cross-browser testing is one of the major pain points of the QA teams, it’s worth spending time on. Every browser has a different way of interpreting the same style or code. There are several variations you have to take into account while performing cross-browser testing. For instance, a site has to work the same in different versions of the same browsers.
All in all, cross-browser testing will determine that your site operates consistently on different OS, browsers, browser versions, and devices. Therefore, to ensure a wider reach and optimum user experience, CBT is a must!