Can you release a web app without running the testing process for it on multiple browsers? No? This is because every browser will behave differently when it comes to web element rendering.
However, it is a very complex process to install multiple browsers on a testing machine and run them simultaneously. This is the exact issue that a web browser online tries to resolve.
You can run multiple browser scenarios through your default browser without installing the actual software on your system.
This process not only helps save a lot of time and resources but also streamlines the testing infrastructure.
Cross-browser testing is one of the pillars of ensuring seamless functionality of your application along with a consistent design implementation.
Don’t have enough idea about modern web browser online? Don’t worry! We are here for you.
Our article will help you understand some of the most popular and efficient web browsers online that are currently available in the market.
We will closely analyze all of these options while understanding their major advantages.
Article Contents
Best Web Browsers Online For Website Testing
The popularity of web browsers varies depending on the platform, demographics, and application type.
So, to create an inclusive list, we have mentioned all the browsers that are currently popular and also serve most of the user requirements.
This list will help you get a starting point to initiate your cross-browser testing processes:
1. Google Chrome Online
Google Chrome is possibly the most popular browser both on the desktop and the mobile platform.
This browser runs on the Blink rendering engine and has an approximate market share of 65% all around the globe.
Let us now go through some of the major features of Google Chrome online that will assist you in executing cross-browser testing:
- The Chrome online browser will provide you with comprehensive DevTools for live editing, performance analysis, and debugging. These tools will also assist you to perform minor resolution steps in the browser itself.
- This browser also supports various extensions like Lighthouse, which can help implement performance audits to understand the behavior of the application in various parameters like unusual traffic, network delays, and user interaction errors.
- Finally, Google Chrome has a massive developer community and documentation, which assists the new testers to get started with this browser. You can also refer to the community whenever you are stuck with any feature of this browser.
Why Use Chrome Online?
As it is the most dominant browser that is currently operational, testing on Chrome online will ensure that the majority of your users have a smooth experience with your application.
Moreover, the powerful developer tools will also allow you to implement in-depth analysis of JavaScript performance, network requests, and CSS rendering.
2. Mozilla Firefox Online
Mozilla Firefox is another popular browser that is mostly known for its open-source infrastructure and secure browser operations.
It is based on the Gecko rendering engine and has a total market share of almost 8%. While using the
Mozilla Firefox browser for executing cross-browser testing, You can utilize the following features:
- The browser instance comes with robust developer tools along with responsive design modes that can allow you to verify the performance of your application on multiple device types from your testing system itself.
- Mozilla Firefox also has a web console and JavaScript debugger so that you can check the visual discrepancies on multiple user interface elements present in the application.
- It also supports network throttling to simulate various connection speeds. You can use this feature to understand the performance of an application when subjected to low bandwidth or high latency errors.
- Mozilla Firefox also has privacy-focused testing environments to ensure that your application is highly secure from internal and external threats. It will also help you understand how the user information is securely stored within the app interface.
Why Use Mozilla Firefox Online?
Firefox is one of the most popular browsers for its strict compliance with multiple web standards and privacy concerns.
So, by testing your web application on Mozilla Firefox, you can ensure that the website meets the modern accessibility and security standards.
During the testing process you can also utilize its huge suite of multiple developer tools for debugging complex CSS and JavaScript errors.
3. Apple Safari Online
Apple Safari does not require any introduction as it is the dominant browser throughout the Apple ecosystem.
This browser runs on the WebKit rendering engine and has 19% of the total market share, which is primarily occupied by all the devices running MacOS and iOS.
While using Safari online, you can utilize the following features to improve your cross-browser testing processes:
- Apple Safari comes with a web inspector to implement live element inspection. This feature will help you understand the functioning and also the proper placement of all the elements present in your application.
- You can also use the device simulation feature to simulate iOS devices in a MacOS environment. This feature is primarily useful when you’re trying to launch a responsive application and want to verify its rendering on mobile devices.
- Apple Safari comes with an excellent performance analysis tool that helps understand the performance of your application under various usage parameters and device specification restrictions.
- Finally, this browser will ensure compatibility with all the devices built under the Apple ecosystem. So, it has a massive role in extending your app compatibility to a complete ecosystem.
Why Use Safari Online?
Apple’s total market share is growing rapidly every year. This is especially true when it comes to mobile devices.
So, by testing your application on Safari online, you can ensure its compatibility with iPhones and iPads.
You can also use Safari’s device simulation features to replicate various Apple devices without accessing the physical hardware itself.
4. Microsoft Edge Online
Microsoft Edge is often considered as the improved version of the previously present Internet Explorer.
Microsoft Edge has gone through several updates and has gained a lot of popularity. This browser currently controls 11% of the total browser market.
Microsoft Edge is a Chromium-based browser but runs on the Blink rendering engine. While using this browser, you can utilize the following benefits in cross-browser testing:
- It comes with the Internet Explorer mode for implementing legacy testing and also integrates seamlessly with multiple Microsoft ecosystems.
- Microsoft Edge also provides access to the Chromium DevTools which is similar to what you get with Google Chrome.
- Finally, it also has the WebView protocol for testing hybrid applications in your testing environment.
Why Use Edge Online?
The chromium foundation of this browser will ensure its compatibility with most web apps. On the other hand, the Internet Explorer mode will help you test older and enterprise-specific applications.
So, the combination of these both will help you implement a holistic testing protocol with this versatile tool.
Online Tools For Browser Testing
There are various tools available in the market which will provide you access to online browser tools.
You can also consider integrating cloud platforms like LambdaTest that can provide you access to remote device farms through online servers.
Let us now divert our attention towards LambdaTest to understand how cloud platforms can influence cross-browser testing:
LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform that lets you perform manual and automation testing at scale with over 3000 real devices, browsers, and OS combinations.
It also includes legacy browsers like Safari for Windows for even better test coverage. This platform will also help you initiate JUnit testing to automatically run the unit test cases on your web application.
The following code snippet will help you improve your understanding of executing JUnit testing with LambdaTest.
It is also worth mentioning that after executing the cross-browser test cases, LambdaTest will automatically generate a very detailed test report.
This report will provide you with multiple screenshots and videos that can assist in the debugging process that will follow soon after.
LambdaTest also keeps track of the testing process with a live test activity log so that you can follow along at every phase of the test execution process.
Best Practices for Cross-Browser Testing
Finally, let us go through some of the best practices that can elevate the standards of modern cross-browser testing practices.
These inclusions will also have a certain role in improving the overall quality of the applications that you’re currently working on:
- You must begin by prioritizing the browsers depending on your audience’s market share. You should also focus on the browsers that are currently popular in your chosen demographic. This data will help you create a list to focus on your core priorities and ensure a smooth user experience to your customers.
- We suggest the testers to include cross-browser testing in the development phase of the application creation lifecycle. This will allow you to find crucial bugs in the earlier phases before they can turn into serious concerns. It is also important to adopt continuous testing so that you can ensure that any new addition or exclusion does not impact the core functioning.
- We strongly suggest the testers to include automated cross-browser testing by using frameworks like Selenium and Appium. Cloud-based platforms like LambdaTest can also help you include this process. To shed more light over this segment, we have mentioned a sample code snippet for the same.
- While performing cross-browser testing, you should emulate various device categories with different screen sizes and resolutions. This will help you develop a broad idea about your application’s functioning when it is subjected to various forms of user parameters.
- Finally, it is important to check the performance variations of your application depending on various usage parameters or device configurations. For example, you must test for loading speed and responsiveness under varying conditions like user errors and device inputs.
The Bottom Line
Based on all the factors that we have put forward in this article, we can safely say that selecting the right web browser for online testing is very important to develop a robust, user-friendly website.
By selecting the popular browsers online that we have mentioned in this article, along with complementing them with niche options, you can massively expand your overall test coverage.
We also advise the testers to consider using cloud platforms like LambdaTest along with the best practices that are mentioned in this article.
This practice will help you create a core development strategy which will guarantee a polished and consistent user experience.
All of these bases are aimed towards creating proper trust and engagement with your target audience.
