BrowserStack testing tool review: a cloud platform for web application testing

What is BrowserStack?

What is BrowserStack? BrowserStack is a cloud-based testing platform that enables developers and testers to perform real-time testing of web applications across a wide range of browsers, operating systems, and devices. It offers a comprehensive suite of testing tools and features to help streamline the testing process and ensure optimal performance of web applications. It also enables automated application testing. In this article, we’ll look at the features and benefits of BrowserStack, and where and how it can be used.

BrowserStack features

Cross testing with different browsers on different operating systems

BrowserStack offers a comprehensive cross-browser testing platform. It provides a wide range of browsers including popular options such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge and more. Web applications can therefore be easily tested in different versions of these browsers, ensuring compatibility across multiple environments. In addition, BrowserStack allows you to perform testing on different operating systems such as Windows and macOS.

BrowserStack mobile app testing – test native apps on real mobile devices

In addition to cross-browser testing, BrowserStack also supports native application testing on mobile devices. Thanks to its cloud infrastructure, you can effortlessly test mobile apps on a wide range of real-world iOS and Android devices. This eliminates the need to set up and maintain a physical devices laboratory, saving time and resources.

This is what the BrowserStack view looks like when selecting iOS devices
This is what the BrowserStack view looks like when selecting iOS devices
This is what the BrowserStack view looks like when selecting Android devices:
Here’s what BrowserStack’s view looks like when selecting Android devices

Hybrid application testing

BrowserStack also meets the needs of hybrid application testing. Whether the application combines web and native elements or relies on frameworks like React Native or Flutter, BrowserStack provides a seamless testing environment. Hybrid apps can be tested on multiple devices and in multiple browsers to make sure they work as intended and offer consistent performance and functionality.

Automation of web and mobile applications

Automating testing processes can significantly increase efficiency and scalability. BrowserStack supports automation for both web and mobile applications. Integrations with popular testing frameworks such as Selenium, Appium, Cypress and Playwright make it possible to write automated scripts and run them across a wide range of browsers and devices. This allows us to efficiently perform regression testing, smoke tests and other repetitive tasks, freeing up time for the team to focus on more important aspects of development.

In addition, BrowserStack also offers many other features such as responsive testing, WebView support, reporting, REST API for integration with existing systems, the ability to test on different networks via proxy, the ability to use plugins for different development environments (IDEs), and support for local testing. In addition, BrowserStack can be integrated with popular code management tools such as GitHub and GitLab, making it easy to synchronize code and manage test scenarios.

Another interesting aspect is the support for Playwright, which is a popular automation tool for testing web applications. BrowserStack Playwright provides integration with the Playwright framework, allowing developers to write and run tests using its powerful features and capabilities.

It also provides VPN (Virtual Private Network) security options. A VPN is a technology that allows you to create a secure and encrypted connection between a user’s device and a network. This ensures that data sent and received between the user and the destination network is protected from unauthorized access and eavesdropping.

For mobile app testing, BrowserStack also offers support for Appium, an open-source tool for automating mobile app testing. Using BrowserStack and Appium, testing can be automated on a wide range of mobile devices and operating systems.

BrowserStack benefits

  • Wide support for browsers, operating systems and devices, allowing you to test applications in a variety of environments.
  • Realistic test environment using real devices and browsers.
  • The ability to automate testing processes with support for popular testing frameworks.
  • A cloud-based solution eliminates the need to maintain your own infrastructure and physical devices for testing.
  • Quick and easy deployment of the test environment.

BrowserStack disadvantages

  • It can be considered a more expensive option compared to other testing tools.
  • Limited customizability of the testing environment because it depends on the BrowserStack cloud environment.
  • Dependence on internet connectivity as the test environment is provided via the cloud.

BrowserStack alternative

BrowserStack vs LambdaTest

BrowserStack and LambdaTest are two major software testing platforms that specialize in cross-browser testing. Although they have similar goals, there are some differences between them that you need to consider when choosing the right platform for your needs.

LambdaTest is a cloud-based platform for automated testing of web applications and websites. It allows you to run tests on different browser and operating system configurations using the cloud, without the need to own physical devices. With over 2000 available browsers, operating systems and devices, LambdaTest enables parallel testing and report generation of test results.

LambdaTest:

  • Parallel testing: LambdaTest offers the option of parallel testing, which allows you to run multiple tests simultaneously. This reduces the time required to complete the testing process and improves efficiency.
  • Visual testing: LambdaTest provides a visual testing feature that allows you to compare the visual appearance of websites and apps on different browsers and devices. This ensures consistent visual output across platforms.
  • Performance Monitoring: LambdaTest provides tools to monitor application performance and identify issues such as slow page loads or misbehaviour on certain platforms.

When comparing the two platforms, it’s important to consider your specific needs and requirements. BrowserStack is widely recognized for its extensive browsers and operating systems support, integrations with popular tools, and the ability to test on real devices. LambdaTest, on the other hand, focuses on parallel testing and visual testing.

If you need broad support for browsers and operating systems, or if you prefer testing on real devices, BrowserStack may be a good choice. If you prefer parallel testing and visual testing, LambdaTest may be a better option.

Link to the LambdaTest official website.

BrowserStack vs Saucelabs

BrowserStack and Sauce Labs are both major software testing platforms that specialize in cross-browser testing and multi-device testing.

Sauce Labs is a cloud-based platform for automation testing of web and mobile applications. It allows you to run tests on different combinations of browsers, operating systems and devices using the cloud. With thousands of configurations available and support for popular tools and languages, Sauce Labs provides an efficient testing environment and test result management.

Sauce Labs

  • Cloud-based testing environment: Sauce Labs is a cloud-based platform that enables software testing in different browsers and on different devices. It offers a wide range of browsers and operating systems to test on. It provides the possibility of testing on real devices.
  • Parallel testing: Sauce Labs allows parallel testing, which means you can run multiple tests simultaneously on different browsers and devices. This reduces the time required to complete tests and improves the efficiency of testing processes.
  • CI/CD integrations: Sauce Labs integrates well with continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) tools such as Jenkins. This makes it easy to automate testing processes and integrate testing into your development cycle.

When choosing between BrowserStack and Sauce Labs, it’s important to consider your specific needs, such as required browser and operating system support, the need to test on real devices, automation of testing processes, and integration with existing tools. Both platforms are reliable tools for cross-browser testing and multi-device testing, and your choice should depend on the specific functions and features that are most important to you.

Link to Sauce Labs official website.

BrowserStack vs Selenium

BrowserStack and Selenium are two different tools that have different purposes, but are often used together when testing software.

Selenium is an open-source web application testing automation tool that allows you to create and run automated tests across multiple browsers and programming languages. Read more about it in our article Selenium.

Selenium

  • Test framework: Selenium is a testing framework that is widely used for automated testing of web applications. Selenium provides a programming interface for creating test scripts in a variety of programming languages, including Java, Python, JavaScript, and more.
  • Browser support: Selenium allows you to test applications on different browsers using WebDriver. It provides support for most popular browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge. Selenium allows you to interact with web elements, perform actions, and verify that the application is working properly.
  • Flexibility: Selenium is a very flexible tool and provides a wide range of options to customize test scenarios to your needs. You can integrate it with different testing frameworks and tools, and it can also be used with different programming languages.

When comparing BrowserStack and Selenium, it is important to understand that they are two different tools with different purposes. BrowserStack is a cloud-based testing platform that provides an environment for testing on a variety of browsers and operating systems, including testing on real devices. Selenium is a testing framework that enables automation of web application testing and interaction with browsers.

Link to the Selenium official website.

BrowserStack vs Kobiton

BrowserStack and Kobiton are two popular software testing platforms that focus on testing on a variety of browsers and devices. Although they have similar goals, there are some differences between them that you need to consider when choosing the right platform for your testing needs.

Kobiton is a cloud-based platform for mobile app testing. It allows you to test applications on different mobile devices and operating systems in the cloud without the need to own physical devices. It provides automated and manual testing, bug management and integration with popular tools.

Kobiton

  • Testing on real devices: Kobiton specializes in testing on real physical devices. It provides access to a wide range of devices such as smartphones, tablets and wearables, allowing testing on real device models and compatibility verification.
  • Integration with automation tools: Kobiton integrates well with automation tools such as Selenium, Appium and XCUITest. This allows you to create and run automated tests on a variety of devices using these tools.
  • Simultaneous testing across multiple browsers and devices: Kobiton enables parallel testing, which means you can test your apps across multiple browsers and devices at the same time. This approach increases the speed and efficiency of the testing process.

Link to the Kobiton official website.

BrowserStack vs AWS Device Farm

BrowserStack and AWS Device Farm are two tools that provide software testing in a cloud environment, but there are some differences between them.

AWS Device Farm is a cloud-based testing service from Amazon Web Services (AWS) that enables testing of mobile applications on a variety of devices in the cloud.

AWS Device Farm

  • Integration with the AWS ecosystem: AWS Device Farm is part of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) ecosystem and offers software testing capabilities within the platform. It provides integration with other AWS tools and services, such as AWS CodePipeline and AWS CodeBuild, enabling easy automation of testing processes within the CI/CD pipeline.
  • Scalability and flexibility: the AWS Device Farm provides the ability to test applications on a range of virtual devices hosted in the AWS cloud. This means you can run tests on multiple devices in parallel and quickly scale as needed. It also supports testing on real devices, but with limitations against BrowserStack.
  • Cost: In terms of price, BrowserStack and AWS Device Farm differ. BrowserStack has a pricing structure based on monthly or annual subscription plans, where you pay for access to various features and the number of simultaneously running tests. AWS Device Farm uses a pay-per-minute model, which means you only pay for the time you spend testing. For some users, AWS Device Farm may offer more cost-effective options.

When choosing between BrowserStack and AWS Device Farm, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your organization and testing scenarios. If browser and operating system support, testing on real devices, and integration with automation tools are important, BrowserStack may be a good choice. If you already use other services and tools from AWS and prefer integration within this ecosystem or need more scalability and flexibility, AWS Device Farm may be a good choice.

Link to the AWS Device Farm official website.

BrowserStack vs Cypress

BrowserStack and Cypress are two different tools that have different uses and focuses, but can be used in combination for effective software testing.

Cypress is a modern open-source tool for automation testing of web applications. It is easy to use and combines testing, browser control and authentication in one tool. Tests are written in JavaScript and it provides clear test outputs. Cypress is popular for its simplicity and efficiency in testing web applications. We also wrote about this tool in the article Cypress testing.

Cypress

  • End-to-end testing tool: Cypress is a modern end-to-end testing tool that focuses on testing web applications. It provides robust and simple test automation with a very intuitive API.
  • Unique Features and Capabilities: Cypress has some unique features that improve testing processes, such as automatic recovery checking, real-time tracking, and automatic DOM change detection. It also has an integrated development tool that allows programmers to debug conveniently.

Link to the Cypress official website.

Summary

BrowserStack is a versatile and powerful platform for software testing. With its broad support for browsers, operating systems and devices, test automation capabilities and integrated tools, it provides test teams with everything they need to test applications efficiently and reliably. Its diverse features and capabilities make BrowserStack one of the leading choices for software testing in today’s competitive digital landscape.

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About the author

Michaela Kojnoková

Agile Test Engineer

Po štúdiu informatiky na ŽU a TUKE som sa najviac ponorila do oblasti automatizácie testovania. Okrem toho sa venujem tvorbe webov, databázam, dátovej analytike, umelej inteligencii a strojovému učeniu. Mám rada cestovanie, šport a najviac si užívam čas strávený v prírode s mojimi blízkymi. LinkedIn

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