Let's face it - we've all deleted apps that crashed or websites that frustrated us. That's exactly why rigorous testing matters more than ever. It's not just about fixing bugs; it's about creating digital experiences that keep customers coming back rather than walking away in frustration.
Testing mobile apps isn't the same as checking websites. Phones have cameras, GPS, touchscreens - things browsers don't. Websites need to work across Chrome, Safari, and Firefox while looking good on everything from a desktop monitor to a smartphone. Each requires its own testing playbook.
After testing thousands of apps, we've learned what really works. We'll show you the smart ways to test both mobile and web apps, sharing hard-earned tips that go beyond the textbook approaches. These are the real-world strategies that separate the apps that thrive from those that barely survive.
Table of Contents
- What Are Mobile Applications?
- What Are Web Applications
- Differences Between Mobile App Vs. Web App Testing
- Choosing the Best Tool for Mobile & Web Application Testing
- Role of Devices In Testing Mobile And Web Applications
- Conclusion
What Are Mobile Applications?
Mobile App are software programs designed to run on mobile devices like tablets. Here are the different types of mobile applications and their purposes with advantages:
Hybrid App
Combining aspects of native and web-based apps, hybrid mobile apps are built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript wrapped within a native application container. Hybrid apps are available on multiple platforms and app store distribution. They also require less development time and fewer resources than native mobile apps.
Native Application
Native applications are created through the use of programming languages unique to the platform and for one specific operating system such as IOS and Android. The greatest advantage of such apps is that they are able to leverage the entire feature set of the device that they are running on, such as the camera, GPS, and other sensors. They also provide faster loads and more responsive interfaces.
Mobile Web Applications
Mobile web apps are an application accessed through a mobile web browser instead of being downloaded from a store. Developed using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, these apps provide:
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Require no installation
- Provide real-time updates.
What Are Web Applications?
Web applications are computer programs designed by web-based development languages such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript. They are stored in web servers and can be accessed using a number of browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
Static Web Applications
A static web application refers to a web app that does not consist of server-side processing. Built by static files like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, such programs do not require dynamic servers to create content. They are mostly employed for plain websites that are not in need of intricate dynamic functionality like blogs, portfolios, or even small business websites.
Dynamic Web Applications
Dynamic web programs integrate server-side processing to produce and modify content. Written with coding languages such as PHP, Ruby on Rails, ASP.NET, or Node.js, dynamic programs interact with databases, file systems, and other server-side resources. Ideal for e-commerce sites, social networking apps, and enterprise-level web applications requiring server-side processing and live updates.
Single Page Applications
Single-page applications employ new JavaScript frameworks such as Angular, React, or Vue.js to refresh content dynamically without reloading the entire page. By refreshing only the parts of the page that need it, SPAs produce smooth, app-like interactions that are instant in feel to users. This cost-effective method eliminates jarring screen refreshes, resulting in a smoother overall experience than multi-page websites.
Multi-Page Web Applications
Multi-page web applications are built as a series of separate HTML pages linked together by navigation. They use the browser to reload the entire page each time the user navigates to a new page. The multi-page web applications offer better accessibility and search engine optimization compared to SPAs. However, they require more development time and resources.
Differences Between Mobile App Vs. Web App Testing
When comparing app testing and web app testing, we must keep in mind that they are two different forms of software testing. In mobile app testing, the main concern is to ensure the best performance of the app on various devices, screen resolutions, and sizes. It also checks whether the app supports different network conditions and hardware features or not.
Additionally, it includes verifying the app‘s compatibility with the latest operating systems, platforms, and devices while making sure that it is secure and user-friendly.
However, in web app testing, testers perform test codes to ensure that the web application works well on different web browsers and is compatible with target systems and network conditions.
Choosing the Best Tool for Mobile & Web Application Testing
Both web app and mobile app testing employ different tools to identify faults and bugs and fix them properly. Based on a number of factors, including testing needs, platform support, cost, and usability, the tester might pick one or multiple tools for his or her project.
A key difference between mobile app vs. web app testing is the types of tools:
Mobile App Testing Tools
App testing includes a range of automated and manual testing tools that help testers ensure that the application runs smoothly and meets the standards set forth by the industry. Testers evaluate the project‘s specific requirements and choose a suitable strategy to get comprehensive and consistent results. Some of the most popular mobile app testing tools are:
- Appium
- Espresso
- XCUI Test
- Robotium
- Selendroid
Web App Testing Tools
Testers utilize manual and automated web application testing tools to determine web application functional, security, performance, and usability issues. Based on the complexity of the project, the timeline, scale, and goals, testers select from the following web application testing tools:
- Cypress
- Playwright
- Tosca
- Ghost Inspector
- Lambda Test
Different Types of Mobile App Tests
Mobile app testing services involve several methods that help developers verify their optimal user experience. Testers have to work closely with the developers to understand their needs and the application's structure to plan an appropriate and thorough mobile app testing plan. This may involve one or a combination of these testing techniques:
- Usability Testing
- Performance Testing
- Security Testing
- Interruption Testing
- Compatibility Testing
- Localization Testing
- Installation Testing
Different Types of Web Application Tests
There is a range of web application testing techniques, each designed to test different aspects of the web application to ensure it’s dependable, stable, and provides the desired user experience. The following are the most common techniques testers utilize for reliable results:
- Functionality Testing
- Usability Testing
- Interface Testing
- Performance Testing
- Security Testing
Role of Devices In Testing Mobile And Web Applications
Devices ensure the compatibility of software programs with the target environment. That's why they play a very crucial part in deciding the testing strategy of web and mobile applications.
Testers usually execute a set of tests on several different devices in order to spot any defects and faults concerning the app's functionality over different operating systems, hardware specs, and display sizes.
To subject mobile apps to testing, the testers have to choose devices from the latest and most sought-after models (e.g., iPhone 14, Galaxy S23, etc.) to ensure compatibility with a large consumer base. Similarly, for web applications, testing on multiple web browsers and devices is necessary to guarantee the web application performs correctly.
Conclusion
In this blog, we went through mobile app testing vs. web app testing and discussed the different techniques and tools for identifying and addressing defects. By investing in comprehensive testing tools, methodologies, and strategies, a Software Testing Company can help developers minimize costs and stand out in the competition.
PixelQA's expert testers have an extensive experience in fragmentation issues and can help developers and business owners optimize their user experience, security, and performance. With our agile approach to mobile application testing, rest assured knowing that errors are detected and resolved early.
Contact us today and learn how we can reduce your time-to-market and maximize ROI.