Difference Between Cross-Browser Testing and Responsive Testing

A website has become an information hub for users worldwide. Whether you want to buy a product or service, learn about a subject, or obtain important information about any specific thing, a website is always there for you. In order to enhance the level of a website in terms of compatibility, usability, responsiveness, robustness, scalability, performance, and functionality, the inclusion of cross-browser testing and responsive testing comes into perspective. 

Cross-browser testing deals with interoperability and functionality, and when it comes to responsive testing, it deals with adaptability and aesthetics. In this article, you will get to know the differences between cross-browser testing and responsive testing.    

What Is Cross-Browser Testing?

It is a testing method that is performed to ensure whether a specific website can be easily accessed on different websites such as Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Safari, and Edge, and also on operating system platforms such as Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This testing method also ensures whether a website can be interacted with and viewed on laptops, desktops, smartphones, etc. An application’s or website’s compatibility with various browsers is thoroughly evaluated.

Multiple test scripts are executed on different browsers in a step-by-step manner. Once the test execution of the current browser is completed, another browser will be invoked. The onus lies upon web developers because they are the ones responsible to check whether users can access a specific website or application across various browsers, operating system platforms, and devices. Popular automated tools such as Selenium WebDriver can be used for carrying out cross-browser testing efficiently.

What Is Responsive Testing?

It is a testing method that is performed in order to ensure whether a specific website can be tested from different devices or not. The browser window size can be resized as per the test scenario, then tested. 

 Responsive testing must include the following points:

• The content should be aligned and displayed consistently.

• The text should be legibly rendered on all viewports and scales.

• Images should be resized and displayed as needed.

• Users should be allowed to scroll horizontally and vertically. 

• Users must be able to navigate via menus and links on all devices.

• The content should be resized or scaled based on landscape and portrait orientations in mobile devices.

• Website navigation and speed of the website needs to be tested.

• Cross-browser compatibility issues, content placement, and element alignments should be tested.     

Initially, manual testing can be adopted to test the website on different viewport sizes. Also, work needs to be done to find inconsistencies in illustrations, fonts, colors, etc. A mobile responsive test needs to be done by using real mobile devices. 

Comparison

The differences between cross-browser testing and responsive testing are summarized as follows: