Cross-Browser Testing Tools: Comprehensive Overview

[Updated March 2024]

Introduction

Cross-browser testing verifies that a website or application works correctly on different browsers and devices. Since different browsers and devices can interpret and render code differently, that leads to potential issues such as layout problems, broken functionality, and security vulnerabilities. Cross-browser testing tools help developers identify and fix these issues before their products go live, ensuring users have a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Many cross-browser testing tools are available, ranging from simple screenshotting tools to full-featured cloud-based platforms. This guide will introduce you to some of the best tools in the market and compare their features, drawbacks, pricing, and platforms.

Cross-Browser Testing Tools: Overview

From live testing and responsive design to performance evaluation and network simulation, these tools offer a range of features to help you deliver top-quality products.

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1. Functionize

Functionize uses AI to perform cross-browser testing at scale, and allows testers to create one test to use for any browser, eliminating the need for managing multiple test scripts. As a result, users can scale hundreds or thousands of tests rapidly and execute them in parallel from any geolocation. There is no infrastructure overhead, third-party providers requirements or Selenium Grid, which means users don’t have to worry about managing external services. Furthermore, the system eliminates failures due to conflicting tests, making it an ideal solution for testers of all skill levels looking to improve their cross-browser testing capabilities.

Functionize empowers users with ML-assisted validations that self-heal, streamlining the testing process. The platform offers a user-friendly record and playback feature, capturing clicks, hovers, and data inputs. Integrated visual testing features, such as visual comparison and completion, enhance the overall testing experience. Functionize ensures simplicity and efficiency, making cross-browser testing accessible and effective for all users.

Functionize integrates with Jira, TestRail, Jenkins, Slack, Xray, and other popular platforms.

Drawbacks

• Internet Dependency: Functionize relies on a cloud-based infrastructure, which means that testing activities are dependent on a stable internet connection. This may not be suitable for organizations with offline testing requirements.
• Learning Curve: Mastering Functionize, especially for those new to AI-based testing, may require some time and effort in training and familiarization.

Features Valued by Users

• Cross-Browser Testing
• API Integration 
• Data Visualization
• Alerts/Notification Systems
• Parameterized Testing
• Real-Time Monitoring
• Parallel Execution Support
• Requirements-Based Testing
• Test Management

Platform

• Web-based

2. LambdaTest

LambdaTest is a cloud-based cross browser testing platform that allows developers to test their websites and applications on different browsers, devices, and operating systems. The cross-browser tests are dynamic and interactive, allowing for testing on more than 3,000 iOS and Android devices. This encompasses the ability to test on both locally hosted and publicly accessible websites. This platform offers a variety of features, including live testing, responsive testing, and integration with popular development tools. Another notable aspect is the one-click bug logging feature, streamlining the process of logging bugs directly from the LambdaTest platform to a range of bug management tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, Github, Paymo, TeamWork, Mantis, Hive, and more. LambdaTest is best for developers looking for a comprehensive testing solution.

Drawbacks

• Cost: May be more expensive than some other options
• Confusing Interface: Users might get confused by the platform's interface.
• Limited App Testing: Users can face limitations when testing apps because they have to use emulators instead of actual devices.
• Slow Load Times: Users may experience delays in page loading and extended setup times.

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4.5 (1136 reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.6 (247 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Parallel Execution Support
• Alerts/Notification Systems
• API Integration
• Data Visualization
• Parameterized Testing
• Real-Time Monitoring
• Requirements-Based Testing
• Test Management

Pricing

• Free trial available
• Prices start at $25/month for 50 concurrent minutes and go up to $499/month for unlimited concurrent minutes

Platform

• Cloud based

3. Browser-Stack

Browser-Stack is a cloud-based cross-browser testing platform that handles over two million tests daily across 15 global data centers. With a cloud-based infrastructure, it enables 50,000+ customers to speed up software delivery. Offering access to 3000+ devices and browsers, it supports both manual and automated tests for websites and apps, ensuring scalability. Its Real Device Cloud, integrated with Selenium, Cypress, Appium, and Percy, allows efficient testing and meets build time goals. BrowserStack's Real Device Cloud allows customers to run an extensive range of tests, ensuring thorough coverage and reliable results. The platform's seamless integration with various CI/CD tools and test automation frameworks enhances testing efficiency, making it a go-to solution for developers and QA teams seeking speed and accuracy in their testing workflows.

Drawbacks

• Cost: BrowserStack can be expensive, especially for small organizations or individual developers. 
• Limited Customization: Some users may feel it lacks enough customization options. For instance, users might find restrictions in adjusting the testing environment or controlling specific device settings.
• Internet Connectivity: Given BrowserStack's reliance on the cloud, a stable internet connection is crucial. Users in areas with limited connectivity or unreliable networks may face challenges using the platform effectively.

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4.5 (1318 reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.5 (166 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Parallel Execution Support
• Data Visualization
• Hierarchical View Option
• Requirements-Based Testing
• Test Management 

Pricing

• Free trial available
• Prices start at $29/month for 1 concurrent session and go up to $999/month for unlimited concurrent sessions

Platform

• Cloud-based

4. Katalon

Katalon Studio is a user-friendly automated testing tool supporting cross-browser testing. It operates in the cloud but can also be installed locally, allowing remote teams to access it from anywhere. It provides ready-made templates, test case libraries, keywords, and object repositories, making it a great codeless option for basic testing. For more advanced scenarios, coding skills are beneficial, and Katalon offers extensive script extension and customization features. Additionally, Katalon utilizes AI-powered XPath choices for auto-healing and object location, adapting to changes.

Drawbacks

• Complex Setup: New users might find the initial setup challenging, especially when integrating with specific external tools.
• Resource Demands: Katalon Studio can use a lot of resources during test execution, possibly slowing down other tasks on the same machine.
• Customization Limits: While user-friendly for beginners, the tool may restrict experienced testers seeking in-depth, custom configurations or adaptations.

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4.5 (70 reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.4 (707 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Parallel Execution Support
• Alerts/Notification Systems
• API Integration, Data Visualization
• Hierarchical View Option
• Parameterized Testing
• Requirements-Based Testing, Test Management 

Pricing

• Katalon offers three pricing options: free, premium, and ultimate packages, with pricing depending on the number of users across their various products

Platform

• Web-based

5. Sauce Labs

Sauce Labs offers a scalable, user-friendly cloud-based testing platform for continuous integration. Along with automated testing, it provides professional services, onboarding, and training in Selenium and Appium. The platform allows users to run tests in the cloud across more than 700 combinations of browsers, platforms, operating systems, and devices. This platform supports both automated and manual testing of desktop and mobile applications through Selenium, Appium, and JavaScript unit testing frameworks.

The straightforward interface facilitates easy configuration of test suites. Users can automate applications on cloud-based devices for efficient mobile testing and conduct tests across various browsers, emulators, and simulators. Sauce Labs seamlessly integrates with Jenkins, Appium, and Selenium.

Drawbacks

• More expensive than some other options
• Confusing User Interface: Users may find the tool's interface confusing due to its setup complexity.
• Stability Concerns: May cause disruptions and delays in the testing process.
• Limited Reporting and Customization: lack of comprehensive reporting and customization options for dashboards

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4.5 (142 reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.5 (29 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Parallel Execution Support
• Requirements-Based Testing

Pricing

• Free

Platform

• Cloud-based

6. TestingWhiz

TestingWhiz is a simple codeless automation testing tool that ensures fast, accurate, and flexible testing. The tool enables cross-browser automation testing, ensuring accurate functionality of the application. It operates and verifies the application's user interface independently of technology or source code. This provides a straightforward and fast way to test it across various combinations of browsers, platforms, operating systems, and their versions.TestingWhiz supports client-side browser testing on your configured system and enables cross-browser testing in the cloud without acquiring additional infrastructure. 

Integration with platforms such as LambdaTest, Sauce Labs, and BrowserStack facilitates cloud-based testing, resulting in reduced testing costs.

Drawbacks

• Cost: The cost of TestingWhiz may be a drawback for smaller organizations or individual testers, as it may be relatively higher
• Licensing Dependency: Scaling testing efforts or collaborating with team members without TestingWhiz licenses may pose challenges for users.

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4 (28 reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.2 (10 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Parallel Execution Support
• Alerts/Notification Systems
• API Integration
• Data Visualization
• Hierarchical View Option
• Parameterized Testing
• Requirements-Based Testing
• Test Management 

Pricing

• TestingWhiz offers two types of licenses
• For pricing details, users can choose their preferred license type and complete the form with their specific requirements.

Platform

• Web - based

7. Virtuoso

Virtuoso is an advanced testing tool that employs artificial intelligence to effortlessly automate end-to-end (E2E) testing across any browser, operating system (OS), or device. With Virtuoso, crafting functional tests is made seamless through natural language programming, integrated API testing, and visual regression tests, offering comprehensive, codeless E2E test coverage. This tool is designed to be scalable, effectively meeting testing requirements while facilitating team expansion. Virtuoso supports a variety of browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and Opera, with compatibility for different versions. Its parallel execution capabilities further enhance efficiency, making it a valuable solution for achieving thorough and reliable testing outcomes.

Drawbacks

• Learning Curve: users may need some time to familiarize themselves with the tool and its functionalities.
• Limited Customization: users may find it lacking the ability to create detailed user journeys, share checkpoints across goals, or utilize predefined extensions to tailor testing processes to specific needs.
• UI and Reporting Improvements Needed: some users have identified room for improvement in Virtuoso's user interface (UI) and reporting features. 

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4.5 (101 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Parallel Execution Support
• Alerts/Notification Systems
• API Integration
• Data Visualization
• Parameterized Testing
• Requirements-Based Testing
• Test Management 

Pricing

• Free trial available
• Prices start at $25/month for 50 concurrent minutes and go up to $499/month for unlimited concurrent minutes

Platform

• Cloud-based

8. Selenium

Selenium remains a reliable choice test automation tool, revered for its open-source nature. After extensive testing and analysis, it's clear that Selenium is meticulously designed for automating web browsers.  With its vast array of tools and libraries, Selenium equips testers and developers with the means to seamlessly interact with web applications. Its capabilities extend beyond mere testing, encompassing web scraping and browser automation. Notably, Selenium's versatility offers support for an array of programming languages, including Java, Python, C#, and more. It allows testing across multiple web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer.

Drawbacks

• Maintenance Effort: Selenium scripts may require frequent updates, especially when web application UI changes, leading to maintenance overhead.
• Limited Support for Non-Web Applications: Selenium is primarily designed for web automation and may not be suitable for automating desktop or mobile applications.
• Slow Execution: Selenium's speed can be relatively slower compared to some commercial automated testing tools
• No Built-In Reporting: It lacks comprehensive reporting capabilities, requiring the integration of additional tools or custom solutions for detailed test reporting.

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4.2 (125 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Requirements-Based Testing 
• Hierarchical View Option
• Parameterized Testing
• Alerts/Notification Systems
• Test Management

Pricing: Free

Platform

• Web - based

9. HeadSpin

HeadSpin is a cloud-based cross browser testing platform that allows developers to test their websites and applications on real devices in real-world conditions. It offers a variety of features, including performance testing, network simulation, and integration with popular development tools. Developers can monitor interference-free data through the platform's proprietary RF-compliant hardware and custom USB hub. It seamlessly integrates with popular tools like Appium, Selenium, and Appium Inspector. It's also compatible with various technologies such as Charles Proxy, Xcode, Android Studio, Flutter, Cucumber, and many more, making it a versatile choice for testing and collaboration with tools like Jira, Slack, and Jenkins.

HeadSpin is best for developers looking to test the performance and user experience of their products.

Drawbacks

• Integration Challenges: Users may encounter occasional difficulties integrating HeadSpin into specific development environments, potentially limiting its usability for certain teams.
• Cost: Without delving into specific pricing details, the overall cost structure of HeadSpin could be a drawback for smaller teams or startups with constrained budgets.
• Complex Interface: The interface may pose challenges for some users, resulting in a steeper learning curve for newcomers.

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4.5 (28 reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.5 (32 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Parallel Execution Support
• Alerts/Notification Systems
• API Integration
• Parameterized Testing
• Requirements-Based Testing

Pricing

• Free trial available
• Prices start at $49/month for 1 concurrent session and go up to $999/month for unlimited concurrent sessions

Platform

• Cloud-based

10. BitBar

BitBar is a cloud-based cross browser testing tool that allows developers to test their websites and applications on a wide range of browsers, devices, and operating systems.  It offers a simple interface and integrates with popular development tools such as Jenkins and Travis CI. BitBar provides advanced enterprise features like a dedicated VPN, single sign-on (SSO), priority support, and configured device cleanups in their private cloud services. With its user-friendly interface and emphasis on visual testing, BitBar is an excellent choice for UI testing and bug reporting. BitBar is best for developers looking for a quick and easy way to test their products across different environments.

Drawbacks

• Limited feature set compared to other tools
• Slow Mobile Performance: Users may encounter delays when loading the software on various mobile devices.
• Outdated Device List: The software may not provide real-time updates for users.

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4 (34 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Cross-Browser Testing
• Mobile Testing
• User Friendly Interface 

Pricing

• Free trial available     
• Prices start at $19/month for 1 concurrent session and go up to $399/month for - unlimited concurrent sessions

Platform

• Cloud-based

11. Applitools

Applitools is a cloud-based visual testing platform that allows developers to test their websites and applications on different browsers and devices simultaneously. It harnesses the power of Visual AI, an AI-assisted computer vision technology, to enhance test automation and self-maintaining tests. Whether users opt for Chrome, Firefox, IE, or any other web browser on desktop or mobile, this tool guarantees a seamless experience. It offers features such as layout testing and integration with popular development tools. Applitools rapidly replicates the entire User Interface, compares it to the baseline using advanced algorithms, and identifies critical visual defects for end users—achieving this at an impressive speed.

Drawbacks

• More expensive than some other options
• Complex Dashboard: Some users find the platform's dashboard to be clunky and complex, potentially impacting the ease of use.
• Incomplete JavaScript Documentation: The JavaScript documentation provided by Applitools has been noted as incomplete, which can pose challenges for users seeking comprehensive guidance.
• Slow Execution: In some cases, test execution speed may not meet the expectations of users, affecting testing efficiency.

Customer ratings and reviews

• G2 rating: 4.5 (47 reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.7 (30 reviews)

Features Valued by Users

• Parallel Execution Support
• Hierarchical View Option
• Parameterized Testing
• Requirements-Based Testing
• Test Management

Pricing

• Free trial available
• Prices start at $33/month for 1 user and go up to $499/month for 20 users

Platform

• Cloud-based

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Please note: Pricing and feature details of these tools could be changed by the time and it might vary depending on the plan you choose.

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Top Cross-Browser Testing Tools Selection Criteria and Methodology

The process of choosing the cross-browser testing tools featured in this guide involved a comprehensive evaluation based on various criteria. Our goal was to provide a diverse selection that involves different testing needs. The following factors played a crucial role in the selection process:

1. Cross-Browser and Cross-Platform Support:

The selected testing tools were specifically evaluated for their cross-browser and cross-platform capabilities, based on customer testimonials.

2. Popularity and Community Support:

Tools with a strong user community and widespread adoption were given priority.

• They had to have received evaluations from at least 30 satisfied users across various review sites, like g2.com, Capterra, TrustRadius (all had over 30 total reviews).
• They had to have a total Capterra or G2 rating of 4 or better.
• They could not have any completely negative reviews.

3. Features and Functionality:

We assessed the breadth and depth of features offered by each testing tool. The tools that have the widest range of features and functionality were given preference.

4. User-Friendly Interface:

We meticulously examined the user reviews to identify the level of user-friendliness of each of the aforementioned cross-browser testing tools. Those with interfaces that facilitate easy navigation and usage were highlighted.

5. Scalability:

The ability of the tools to support both small-scale projects and large, enterprise-level applications according to project requirements was considered. This metric was analyzed based on the “Company Size” information available in G2 platform for each of the testing tools. 

6. Integration Capabilities:

Tools that seamlessly integrate with popular development and continuous integration tools were favored.

7. Advancements and Updates:

Tools with active development and a commitment to staying current with industry trends were prioritized.

The combination of these criteria led to the selection of the cross-browser testing tools featured in this guide. There was no sponsorship involved in this process, and the tools were thoroughly investigated by real people, not algorithms.

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FAQ about cross-browser testing tools

Cross-browser testing can be a complex and confusing process, especially for those new to it. In this section, we'll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions about cross-browser testing tools. From the best tool for your needs, to what exactly these tools do, and even how to do it manually. We've got you covered. Dive in and discover everything you need to know about cross-browser testing and how to ensure your website or application performs seamlessly across different environments.

Which tool is best for cross-browser testing?

The best cross-browser testing tool depends on your specific needs and requirements. Some developers prefer a comprehensive platform like CrossBrowserTesting or Sauce Labs, while others prefer a specialized tool like Ghostlab or Applitools. It's important to evaluate your needs and budget before making a decision.

What is cross-browser testing software?

Cross-browser testing software is a type of software that allows developers to test the functionality and compatibility of their websites and applications on different browsers, devices, and operating systems. This type of testing helps to ensure that the product works seamlessly across different environments, providing a great user experience for all users.

Is Selenium a cross-browser?

Yes, Selenium is a cross-browser testing framework. It allows developers to create and execute automated tests on different browsers, devices, and operating systems. Selenium supports multiple languages such as Java, C#, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, and more.

Can we do cross-browser testing manually?

Yes, it is possible to do cross-browser testing manually. This involves manually checking how the website or application functions on different browsers, devices, and operating systems. This method can be time-consuming and prone to errors, but it can be useful for small projects or quick checks. However, with the availability of automation tools this method is not recommended as they are more efficient and reliable than manual testing.

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