Cross Browser Compatibility is one such term which every designer and developers always remains cautious of, for the simple reason that there is no certainty as to what browser a user is going to utilize for viewing sites. Since there is multitude of browsers available nowadays, one cannot blame the users as well. Though it is an advantage of users to have the ability to experience the sites using different browsers, it adds on to the task of developers and designers, who have to make the sites compatible with various browsers. This takes us to another level of task, referred to as Cross Browser Compatibility Testing in which a site is checked against multiple browsers to ascertain that it appears as it ought to be.But how to check is the next question? Well, the answer lies with online tools that can test a site for Cross Browser Compatibility and provide results. Here we are going to discuss the best ones that offer the real help, mentioning both their beneficial feature as well as drawback. Also, we are going to display some results that we conducted.

Browser Shots

What makes this stand apart from others and have landed it in the best list is the fact that it is a FREE online application. Where one does get to test a site against so many browsers as well as various operating systems? Currently you can check your site against 88 browsers and for Linux, Windows and BSD operating systems. However, it doesn’t support MAC which can be counted as a negative point. To register with the site is quite simple and fast, which you may not find with other tools. The interface is not as friendly as it ought to be.

It provides screenshots of the site in various browsers. One thing noticeable about Browser Shots is that it has some useful features to the users including the option to select screen size, enable JavaScript or Flash and set color depth. Getting such features in a free service is really advantageous.

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Browser Shots

Add-ons Features

Priority Processing- It is a paid service ($29.95 USD or €20.95 EUR per month) that can be opted if one wishes to run a quick test as it promises to display the screenshots immediately.

Drawback

One major disadvantage of using too is a long response time, which may make you wait for hours. This is a critical drawback provided that other tools are quite quick to show the results. But given that it is free, it can be justified. Also the session expires and you may come across some errors for which you again have to make new requests for screenshots. This can consume a lot of time.

Test Run

In a test that we run, we were shown the following result which clearly shows that the time taken is too long and despite that, the screenshots are not complete.

Test Run

Browser Cam

Another effective tool by to check cross browser compatibility, Browser Cam is a paid tool but much to the delight of developers, it offers a 24 hour free trial service. The registration is simple and you get one whole day to test your site. Coming to the paid plan, it offers a wide range of services having their own advantages and includes Browser Capture, Remote Access, Email Capture and Device Capture.  The Classic Plan consists of the first three features while the Premium Plan contains includes device capture feature as well. For those who wish to test for only one feature, can opt for Individual Product plans and satisfy their needs. The plans range from One day-one user to One Year -10 users.

Browser Cam - Free Trial Info

Browser Cam

It is easy to test the site, the URL is added and the browsers- OS is selected along with screen size and other details. It will display the screen captures in a short span of time. You can handle various projects and offer the ability to analyze them with lot many other options that make the testing comprehensive.

Browsers Supported: AOL, Camino, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Konqueror, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera and Safari
OS : Linux, Windows and Mac
Mobile Support: Apple iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Windows mobile devices

Browser Cam - Website Capture

Advantages

The fact that it is a product of Gomez adds to its credibility. Another beneficial aspect of Browser Cam is its Money Back Guarantee.

Drawback

The cost may act against this tool for a user may not like to spend too much provided that there are other tools too. It does allow features of Remote access, device capture and Email capture in its free trial.

Browsera

Browsera comes out as yet another friendly Cross Browser Compatibility Check tool that offers a simple way to check a variety of issues related to a site and thus help sorting them. The tool is a Paid one and can bring to the fore Layout Problems, JavaScript errors while checking the site completely. There are plans Project, Standard and Premium Plans to choose from and as a welcome gesture, it offers a 30 day FREE trial period to users.

The interface is extremely good and facilitates every move and the response time is excellent.

One advantageous feature of this too is that it can check the entire site and provide a detailed report, something which is of real help to the developers. Another beneficial aspect of using this tool is its ability crawl the site’s pages and facility to compare layouts.

Drawback

The fact that it supports Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari only

Browsera

Browsera

Browsera Test

Browsera Test

Cross< Browser Testing

If one wishes to test the site and get screenshots as quickly as possible, then Cross Browser Testing is the perfect tool to opt for. Though it is a paid service but provisions like Live Test, Automated screen shot, mobile device testing make it endearing.

There are three testing plans- Basic, Professional and Business costing $29.95, $49.95, $199.95 each respectively. Users are also offered a 7 day Free trial period too.

All you need to do is select a Browser – OS combination (100+ combinations) and get ready to view the screenshots instantly. It supports all major browsers and operating systems along with support for Apple and android mobile devices.

Drawback

No major drawback as such but we wish it had been a little less pricey.

Cross Browser Testing Test

Cross Browser Testing - Seo-Semantic-Xhtml

An Overview

This was our overview of the four useful testing tools and we hope that you like this. We would be back with more on this very soon. Till that time, we would love to have the feedback of our readers.