Testing is a crucial aspect of shipping high quality digital experiences. However, with the diversity of mobile devices, browsers, operating systems and other variables, testing apps comprehensively poses some big challenges:
- New browser versions ship frequently, causing compatibility issues
- Testing locally across every real device is impractical
- Flaky tests slow down release cycles
- Achieving sufficient test coverage is tough
This is where LambdaTest comes in. LambdaTest is an innovative cloud testing platform built to make both mobile and web app testing simple, fast and complete.
In this guide, I‘ll provide an in-depth look at LambdaTest‘s capabilities for enabling painless app testing and compare it to leading alternatives like Sauce Labs and BrowserStack.
By the end, you‘ll have all the information needed to evaluate if LambdaTest is the right test cloud for your needs.
LambdaTest Detailed Capabilities
Let‘s explore LambdaTest‘s key features across live testing, test automation and mobile testing.
Live Testing Features
LambdaTest enables true interactive testing through its live platform:
Cross Browser Testing
LambdaTest supports live testing across 3000+ browsers encompassing Windows, Mac, Linux platforms. This includes all browser types – Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge covering even rare versions.
Chrome | 108 versions |
Firefox | 102 versions |
Safari | 28 versions |
This cross browser support ensures your app works seamlessly across what actual users have.
Debugging Tools
LambdaTest embeds native developer tools like the Chrome DevTools into all its hosted browser environments. This means you can inspect HTML, debug JavaScript and analyze network requests when testing – vastly simplifying diagnosing issues.
Accessibility Testing
To test accessibility, LambdaTest provides integrated screen readers and other assistive technologies into its test environments. This helps confirm your app works well for users with disabilities – an important aspect often overlooked.
Testing with Extensions
LambdaTest allows easily installing Chrome and Firefox extensions into its test browsers. For example, you could install ad blockers, password managers or other productivity extensions to gain confidence your app functions properly for users who have these installed.
Automated Testing Features
LambdaTest also accelerates running test automation at scale across browsers and devices:
Test Parallelization
LambdaTest enables executing tests in parallel to reduce overall test duration. You can run automation for up to 30 browsers concurrently – allowing far more tests than local infrastructure typically permits.
Framework Integration
Major test frameworks integrate seamlessly with LambdaTest to run automation on its cloud infrastructure. This includes Selenium, Playwright, Cypress and Appium among others.
For example, getting started with Selenium on LambdaTest only takes adding your LambdaTest credentials:
from selenium import webdriver
user = "YOUR_USERNAME"
accesskey = "YOUR_ACCESS_KEY"
caps = {
"platform" : "Windows 10",
"browserName" : "Chrome",
"version" : "101.0",
}
driver = webdriver.Remote(
command_executor="https://"+user+":"+accesskey+"@hub.lambdatest.com/wd/hub",
desired_capabilities=caps)
driver.get("https://lambdatest.github.io/sample-todo-app/")
This tight integration minimizes any changes to run tests on LambdaTest versus locally.
Advanced Analytics
LambdaTest provides intelligent analytics around test executions like:
- Tests Grouped by Failure Type
- Flaky Test Analysis
- Step Execution Benchmarks
- Logs & Screenshots
These actionable testing insights help optimize automation stability, speed and completeness.
Mobile Testing Features
LambdaTest also eases testing native and hybrid mobile apps:
Real Device Testing
LambdaTest provides access to over 3000 real mobile devices on its cloud to test apps on actual end user hardware. This diverse device catalogue encompasses:
- Popular Flagship Phones
- Older Model Phones
- Tablets
- Foldables
- Wearables
Supporting this breadth of mobile devices helps confirm your app works reliably before release.
Easy Setup
Getting started with mobile testing on LambdaTest is straightforward. You simply upload your iOS IPA or Android APK binary. LambdaTest then generates a test URL instantly to access on any desired device.
No hardware, emulators or simulators to manage!
Native App Automation
For automated mobile testing, LambdaTest integrates with Appium out of the box.
You can write Appium test scripts using your preferred language like Java, Python or JavaScript and execute on LambdaTest mobile devices without any environment setup.
Here is an Appium Java test script example:
//Initialize appium driver
AppiumDriver driver = new AndroidDriver(new URL("https://USER:[email protected]/wd/hub"), caps);
//Locate elements
MobileElement color = (MobileElement) driver.findElementById("com.lambdatest.proverbial:id/color");
color.click();
//Assertion
Assert.assertEquals(color.getText(),"Blue");
//Quit driver
driver.quit();
This showcases LambdaTest‘s seamless mobile test automation integration.
Comparisons to Top Alternatives
How does LambdaTest compare to the other well known cloud testing solutions – Sauce Labs and BrowserStack?
LambdaTest | Sauce Labs | BrowserStack | |
---|---|---|---|
Test Coverage | 3000+ browsers and devices | 1000+ browsers and devices | 2000+ browsers and devices |
Testing Speed | HyperExecute enables fastest automation | Fast parallel testing | Good test velocity |
Ease of Use | Intuitive platform and onboarding | Steep learning curve | Easy for mid-size usage |
Smart Analytics | Robust dashboards and capabilities | Decent analytics | Basic historical reporting |
Mobile Devices | 3000+ real mobile devices | 1000+ simulator/emulators | 500+ simulators/emulators |
Based on these criteria, LambdaTest either leads the pack or offers comparable capabilities versus these alternatives.
Getting Started Guide
Here are some best practices when onboarding onto LambdaTest:
Integrations
Install LambdaTest integrations with your task tracker like Jira, communications channels like Slack and IDE/Editors to enable seamless usage workflow.
Customization
Leverage LambdaTest‘s automation SDKs (npm, python etc) and CLI capabilities for greater control over test orchestration. Custom dashboards can also help.
Optimization
Use LambdaTest‘s smart analytics to shape a resilient test suite, minimize flakiness and monitor overall quality metrics. Target test parallelization opportunities early on.
Reporting
Here is a sample LambdaTest test report providing actionable performance insights:
Study these reports during initial runs to establish benchmarks and focus areas.
The Testing Future with LambdaTest
LambdaTest is pioneering innovations leveraging AI/ML to accelerate testing velocity even further:
HyperExecute
HyperExecute uses intelligent test orchestration techniques to enable exceptionally fast test execution – up to 70% quicker than alternatives as per benchmarks.
Visual Regression Testing
LambdaTest Visual Regression identifies UI changes and visual bugs instantly through AI based image comparison – critical for design heavy digital experiences.
Test at Scale (TAS)
LambdaTest TAS allows running an almost limitless number of tests by auto-scaling infrastructure dynamically. This is crucial for large enterprises needing lots of parallel testing.
These innovations showcase LambdaTest‘s ambition to redefine testing boundaries through cutting edge technology.
Conclusion
As explored in this guide, LambdaTest enables simplified, high-performance testing for both mobile and web apps via its cloud delivery model and deep capabilities.
With its unparalleled test coverage across desktop browsers, mobile devices, automation innovation and advanced analytics, teams can achieve comprehensive app testing and delivery confidence with LambdaTest.
So check out LambdaTest today with a free account to experience its next-gen testing platform firsthand!
Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions as you get started. Happy testing!