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BrowserStack vs pCloudy: What are the differences?

Introduction

BrowserStack and pCloudy are both popular cloud-based testing platforms that provide developers and testers the ability to test their applications across multiple devices and browsers. However, there are several key differences between the two platforms that set them apart.

  1. Deployment options: pCloudy offers both public cloud and private cloud options, giving users more flexibility in choosing how they want to deploy their testing environments. On the other hand, BrowserStack only provides a public cloud option, which may not be suitable for organizations with strict security requirements or those that prefer a more customized testing setup.

  2. Device coverage: BrowserStack boasts an extensive device lab with a wide range of real devices and virtual machines for testing. They offer coverage across various operating systems, browsers, and mobile devices. pCloudy, on the other hand, also provides a decent device coverage but is known for its deep integration with various OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and their specific devices, making it an excellent choice for testing on specific device models.

  3. Automation capabilities: While both platforms support test automation, pCloudy provides advanced automation features such as scriptless automation, AI-driven bots, and integrations with popular frameworks like Selenium and Appium. BrowserStack also offers automation capabilities, but their focus is more on providing a wide range of devices and browsers for manual testing.

  4. Network simulation: pCloudy stands out with its network simulation capabilities, allowing users to test their applications under different network conditions like 2G, 3G, 4G, and even low bandwidth scenarios. This feature helps identify any performance issues or bottlenecks that may arise under varying network conditions. BrowserStack, on the other hand, does not offer built-in network simulation capabilities.

  5. Collaboration and reporting: Both platforms provide collaboration features, allowing team members to share test results, notes, and insights. However, pCloudy offers additional features like real-time audio and video streaming during testing sessions, making it easier for team members to communicate and troubleshoot issues. BrowserStack, on the other hand, focuses more on providing detailed reports and analysis of test results.

  6. Pricing plans: When it comes to pricing, BrowserStack offers a variety of plans based on usage, such as Live, Automate, and Enterprise plans. pCloudy offers flexible pricing options like pay-as-you-go, monthly, and yearly plans. This can be advantageous for organizations that have specific budget requirements or testing needs.

In summary, BrowserStack offers a public cloud-only deployment option, extensive device coverage, and a focus on manual testing and reporting. On the other hand, pCloudy provides both public and private cloud options, deep integration with specific device models, advanced automation capabilities, network simulation features, real-time collaboration, and flexible pricing plans.

Advice on BrowserStack and pCloudy

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 · 16K 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 pCloudy
  • 134
    Multiple browsers
  • 75
    Ease of use
  • 64
    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
    Multiple Desktop OS
  • 7
    Selenium compatible
  • 7
    Screenshots
  • 6
    Can be used for Testing and E2E
  • 5
    Pre-installed developer tools
  • 4
    Video of test runs
  • 3
    Many browsers
  • 3
    Favourites
  • 3
    Webdriver compatible
  • 3
    Supports Manual, Functional and Visual Diff Testing
  • 2
    Free for Open Source
  • 2
    Unify and track test cases
  • 2
    Test automation dashboard
  • 2
    Test Management
  • 2
    Cross-browser testing
  • 2
    Cypress Compatible
  • 2
    Bi-directional Jira Sync
  • 1
    Speed is fast
  • 1
    Real devices
  • 0
    Visual testing and review
  • 0
    Test WCAG Compliance
  • 0
    Web accessibility
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    Cons of BrowserStack
    Cons of pCloudy
    • 2
      Very limited choice of minor versions
      Be the first to leave a con

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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 pCloudy?

      It is a smart mobile app testing solution that lets developers ensure their users enjoy a smooth and consistent experience. With it, developers can access manual and automated testing options to facilitate the swift debugging of their applications.

      Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

      What companies use BrowserStack?
      What companies use pCloudy?
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      What tools integrate with pCloudy?

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      What are some alternatives to BrowserStack and pCloudy?
      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