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BrowserStack vs Xcode: What are the differences?

Key differences between BrowserStack and Xcode

Introduction

BrowserStack and Xcode are both software tools used for testing and developing applications, but they have distinct differences. Here are the key differences between BrowserStack and Xcode explained in detail.

  1. BrowserStack: BrowserStack is a cloud-based testing platform that allows developers to test their applications on a wide range of browsers and devices. It provides real-time testing capabilities and supports cross-browser and cross-platform testing. With BrowserStack, developers can test their applications on various operating systems, browsers, and mobile devices without the need for physical devices.

  2. Xcode: Xcode is an integrated development environment (IDE) provided by Apple for developing applications for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS platforms. It is specifically designed for macOS and provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources for building, debugging, and testing iOS and macOS applications. Xcode supports various app development features, including code editing, debugging, performance analysis, and interface design.

  3. Browser Compatibility: BrowserStack offers extensive browser compatibility, allowing developers to test their applications on multiple browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and more. On the other hand, Xcode primarily focuses on iOS and macOS development, providing testing capabilities specifically for Safari browser on these platforms.

  4. Device Compatibility: BrowserStack provides a wide range of device options for testing applications, including smartphones, tablets, and even IoT devices. It covers major operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, allowing developers to thoroughly test their applications on different devices and screen sizes. As for Xcode, it is limited to testing on Apple devices only, including iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macs.

  5. Platform Support: BrowserStack supports cross-platform testing, allowing developers to test their applications on different operating systems and browsers. It provides a seamless testing experience across multiple platforms, ensuring consistent behavior of applications on different devices. On the other hand, Xcode is specifically designed for Apple's platforms and focuses on providing the best development and testing experience exclusively for iOS and macOS.

  6. Development Tools Integration: Xcode is deeply integrated with various Apple development tools and technologies, including Interface Builder, Core Data, Auto Layout, and more. It offers extensive support for iOS frameworks and libraries, making it easier for developers to leverage Apple's specific features and capabilities. BrowserStack, on the other hand, is platform-agnostic and does not offer the same level of integration with specific development tools and technologies.

  7. Cost and Availability: BrowserStack is a commercial service that requires a subscription to access its features and capabilities. It offers different pricing plans based on the needs of developers and organizations, providing flexible options for testing applications. On the contrary, Xcode is a free IDE provided by Apple for developers, making it more accessible and cost-effective for iOS and macOS app development.

In summary, BrowserStack is a cloud-based testing platform that supports cross-browser and cross-platform testing, while Xcode is a development environment specifically designed for iOS and macOS app development. BrowserStack offers extensive browser and device compatibility, cross-platform support, and integration flexibility, while Xcode provides deep integration with Apple development tools and technologies, limited device and browser compatibility, and free access.

Advice on BrowserStack and Xcode

I am looking to purchase one of these tools for Mobile testing for my team. It should support Native, hybrid, and responsive app testing. It should also feature debugging, parallel execution, automation testing/easy integration with automation testing tools like Selenium, and the capability to provide availability of devices specifically for us to use at any time with good speed of performing all these activities.

I have already used Perfecto mobile, and Sauce Labs in my other projects before. I want to know how different or better is AWS Device farm in usage and how advantageous it would be for us to use it over other mentioned tools

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Replies (3)
Aaron Evans
Testing Strategist at One Shore · | 3 upvotes · 6.4K views

A SaaS offering like Sauce Labs (or BrowserStack or LambdaTest, etc) will provide a remote Selenium/Appium Grid including the ability to run test automation in parallel (up to the amount based your subscription level) an a wide array of browsers and mobile devices.

These tools can be expensive, but if you can afford them, the expertise and effort of maintaining the grid, browser updates, etc. is worth it.

AWS Device Farm can be significantly cheaper, but is much more work to setup and run. It will not give you as many devices, or the reporting and screen/video capture you get with the the services. And there is no support for AWS Device Farm, and very poor documentation. I have used it, but do not recommend it. Running your own grid and physical device lab is better, but I'd stick with a service like Sauce Labs or Perfecto which will save you time and give you better services despite the higher price tag.

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Stability - Just works. Availability - More than 15 datacenters. Enterprise features like SSO, local testing and SOC2/GDPR compliant.

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Jaymie Falconi
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BitBar's Dedicated Devices would be a great option for you. It allows you to dedicate (reserve) devices for your use only which also having access to all of the devices in the shared cloud. BitBar has the features and integrations that you are looking for as well.

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Pros of BrowserStack
Pros of Xcode
  • 134
    Multiple browsers
  • 75
    Ease of use
  • 63
    Real browsers
  • 43
    Ability to use it locally
  • 26
    Good price
  • 20
    Great web interface
  • 18
    IE support
  • 16
    Official mobile emulators
  • 14
    Instant access
  • 14
    Cloud-based access
  • 11
    Real mobile devices
  • 7
    Selenium compatible
  • 7
    Screenshots
  • 7
    Multiple Desktop OS
  • 6
    Can be used for Testing and E2E
  • 5
    Pre-installed developer tools
  • 4
    Video of test runs
  • 3
    Webdriver compatible
  • 3
    Many browsers
  • 3
    Supports Manual, Functional and Visual Diff Testing
  • 3
    Favourites
  • 2
    Cypress Compatible
  • 2
    Test automation dashboard
  • 2
    Unify and track test cases
  • 2
    Free for Open Source
  • 2
    Test Management
  • 2
    Cross-browser testing
  • 2
    Bi-directional Jira Sync
  • 1
    Speed is fast
  • 1
    Real devices
  • 0
    Web accessibility
  • 0
    Test WCAG Compliance
  • 0
    Visual testing and review
  • 130
    IOS Development
  • 33
    Personal assistant on steroids
  • 29
    Easy setup
  • 17
    Excellent integration with Clang
  • 3
    Beautiful
  • 1
    Built-in everything

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Cons of BrowserStack
Cons of Xcode
  • 2
    Very limited choice of minor versions
  • 6
    Massively bloated and complicated for smaller projects
  • 3
    Horrible auto completiting and text editing
  • 1
    Slow startup
  • 1
    Very slow emulator

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What is BrowserStack?

BrowserStack is the leading test platform built for developers & QAs to expand test coverage, scale & optimize testing with cross-browser, real device cloud, accessibility, visual testing, test management, and test observability.

What is Xcode?

The Xcode IDE is at the center of the Apple development experience. Tightly integrated with the Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks, Xcode is an incredibly productive environment for building amazing apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

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What are some alternatives to BrowserStack and Xcode?
Browserling
We run the browsers on our servers. Fully interactive sessions, not static screenshots. No flash, no applets, nothing to install. Powered entirely by <canvas> and javascript.
LambdaTest
LambdaTest platform provides secure, scalable and insightful test orchestration for website, and mobile app testing. Customers at different points in their DevOps lifecycle can leverage Automation and/or Manual testing on LambdaTest.
Ghost Inspector
It lets you create and manage UI tests that check specific functionality in your website or application. We execute these automated browser tests continuously from the cloud and alert you if anything breaks.
AWS Device Farm
Run tests across a large selection of physical devices in parallel from various manufacturers with varying hardware, OS versions and form factors.
Appium
Appium is an open source test automation framework for use with native, hybrid, and mobile web apps. It drives iOS and Android apps using the WebDriver protocol. Appium is sponsored by Sauce Labs and a thriving community of open source developers.
See all alternatives