CrossBrowserTesting.com

Recently, after writing our article Is Your Website Cross-Browser Compatible?, we were contacted about a brand new service that enables users to view a website in various browsers and platforms.

At first, we assumed that it was another BrowserShots type of website, in which screenshots would be generated for selected browsers. However, this service is quite different, and is definitely worth a try.

Features

This service has two main features:

1. Remote Desktop

Currently, there are 5 operating systems and 7 browsers (each with multiple versions) that you can choose from.

After selecting an operating system-browser combination, a remote desktop is loaded within a java applet matching the configuration that you want to test. This remote desktop enables you to open multiple browsers and load websites, just as easily as if you were browsing on your own computer. This means that you will also be able to test JavaScript, CSS drop-down menus, and AJAX for cross-browser compatibility as well!

The image above is a screenshot that we took of our own website on the remote Mac OS desktop. If you look closely, you can see the the Mac OS desktop and browser window is loaded inside an Internet Explorer browser on our own desktop.

2. Easily Take Screenshots

This service also enables you to take screenshots. And instead of having only temporary access to the images, when screenshots are taken, they are stored within your Flickr account.

Pricing

While you do not need to pay to use this service, free customers are limited to 5 minute blocks of time. And unfortunately, the free testing service is only available when capacity allows.

On the other hand, if users opt for the priority service, they are not limited to 5 minute blocks, but can pay for extended sessions. Additionally, they receive priority over free users. (See CrossBrowserTesting.com website for pricing details.)

This service is still in the Beta phase, so some features are still being perfected. However, it is definitely worth a try now; it will go a long way towards helping you test your website’s cross browser compatibility.

Visit their website at CrossBrowserTesting.com.