What is Compatibility Testing and Why Does It Matter?

So you launched a new app that looks flawless and runs smoothly—at least on your own device. You’re thrilled, expecting rave reviews. But soon, user feedback starts rolling in: “The buttons don’t work on my phone,” “The layout breaks on my tablet,” “It crashes on my friend’s computer.” It turns out that your app, though well-designed, isn’t universally functional. 

According to Zippia, the Google Play Store and Apple App Store have more than 5.7 million apps combined. On top of that, Andrew Chen, an investor in games, AR/VR, and metaverse, says that mobile apps are losing up to 80% of its users, adding that developers and testers need to do better.

This is where compatibility testing steps in, making sure your software works seamlessly for everyone, everywhere. But, what exactly is compatibility testing, and why does it matter?

What is compatibility testing?

Compatibility testing is a type of non-functional testing that ensures software operates smoothly across different computing environments, including devices, operating systems, browsers, networks, and hardware setups. The goal is simple: make sure your mobile, web, or desktop app provides a consistent experience, no matter where or how it’s accessed. Without compatibility testing, software that works perfectly on one setup could perform poorly or even break on others.

For example, an e-commerce website that displays flawlessly on a laptop using Google Chrome but has overlapping text and broken buttons on a smartphone running Safari. Or a banking app functions well on the latest iOS but crashes on older Android devices. These are exactly the kinds of issues compatibility testing is designed to prevent. By testing across varied configurations, compatibility testing allows software developers to anticipate potential issues and ensure a more reliable, enjoyable experience for all users.

Why does compatibility testing matter?

Many companies often view compatibility testing as an optional add-on to their software testing processes, but this mindset can lead to some downfalls. In truth, it should be treated as a critical component of any software release strategy. Why? Because compatibility issues can result in frustrating user experiences, negative reviews, and even legal ramifications, like this class-action lawsuit, for a bad software update that caused a five-day disruption for a business, leading to significant financial losses.

Here’s why compatibility testing should be a top priority for your software products.

Wider market reach

An application that runs smoothly on various platforms opens the door to a much larger audience. According to GSMA, approximately 4.3 billion people are smartphone owners, and they use a wide range of devices and operating systems. So, if 97.6% of all internet users own a smartphone it’s crucial that your mobile app delivers a consistent experience across all of them. 

Improving user satisfaction

Today’s users expect applications to function flawlessly on their chosen devices and platforms. By conducting thorough compatibility testing, you can meet those expectations, leading to increased user experience, better user retention, and more positive word-of-mouth recommendations. After all, happy users are your best marketers!

Cutting down costs

Addressing compatibility issues early in the development cycle can save you a lot of money down the line. By identifying potential problems before your software hits the market, you can significantly cut down on post-release support costs. This means fewer patches, less need for updates, and a decrease in customer support inquiries—allowing your team to focus on what really matters.

Maintaining brand reputation

Consistent performance across different environments helps build user trust and strengthens your brand's reputation. On the flip side, compatibility issues can lead to negative reviews and tarnish your company’s image, which can be difficult to recover from in a crowded marketplace. 

Gaining a competitive advantage

In a saturated software landscape, offering a product that works seamlessly across multiple platforms can set you apart from your competitors. This versatility can be a decisive factor for potential customers when they’re making purchasing decisions, giving you that extra edge needed to stand out.

What are some types of compatibility testing?

When it comes to compatibility testing, there are several key types you should know about to ensure your software performs well across different environments.

Operating system compatibility 

OS compatibility is all about verifying that your application works smoothly on major operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Each OS can have its quirks, and ensuring that your software operates consistently across these platforms is crucial for user satisfaction.

Example: If you’re developing a new photo editing app, you want to be sure it performs well not just on the latest version of Windows but also on older versions that some users may still be using.

Device compatibility

Device compatibility focuses on making sure your application functions well on various devices, including smartphones, desktops, and tablets. With users accessing your software on an array of devices, it’s essential that it looks good and runs efficiently, no matter what the user is using.

Example: In a mobile game scenario—compatibility testing will help you verify that it functions well on various smartphones with different screen sizes and resolutions, ensuring a great gaming experience for all users.

Browser compatibility

Browser compatibility is another important aspect, as it tests your software's performance across different web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, as well as their different versions. Given that each browser may render websites differently, cross-browser compatibility testing ensures that your site provides a uniform experience for all users, regardless of their browser choice.

Example: For an online shopping site, you need to ensure that the shopping cart features and checkout process work flawlessly on both Chrome and Safari, as users might have different preferences.

Network compatibility

Network compatibility is an assessment of how your application behaves under various real-world network conditions. Whether a user is connected to Wi-Fi, 4G, or 5G, ensuring that your app performs well in different connectivity scenarios is vital for retaining users, especially for mobile applications.

Example: For a video streaming service compatibility testing will reveal if users experience buffering or lag on slower connections, allowing you to optimize the app for better performance across all networks.

Hardware compatibility

Hardware compatibility involves testing your software with different hardware configurations, such as various processors, memory capacities, and graphic cards. This step ensures that your application remains stable and performs optimally, regardless of the user’s hardware setup.

Example: For graphic-intensive software like a 3D modeling tool, you need to verify that it runs smoothly on both high-end workstations and more modest setups, ensuring all users can benefit from its capabilities.

Take the time to address these types of compatibility testing, and you can provide a seamless experience for all your users, helping to build trust and satisfaction with your product.

The compatibility testing process

Compatibility testing is a systematic process that involves a few steps. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Define testing environments

The first step in compatibility testing is to clearly identify which environments are critical to your users. This includes specifying the operating systems (like Windows, macOS, and various versions of Linux), devices (such as smartphones, tablets, and desktops), and browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge) that your software needs to support. By understanding where your users are coming from, you can focus your testing efforts on the most relevant configurations, ensuring a comprehensive approach.

You may be interested in Best Practices for Writing Test Cases: An Introduction

Step 2: Create and execute test scenarios

Once you’ve defined your testing environments, it’s time to craft test scenarios that mimic real-world user interactions. This step involves creating detailed test cases that outline specific actions users might take within your application, such as logging in, completing a purchase, or navigating between screens. By executing these test scenarios across your identified environments, you can identify potential compatibility issues and ensure that users will have a smooth experience, regardless of how they access your software.

Step 3: Document the results

After executing your test scenarios, the next crucial step is to document the results meticulously. This means logging any environment-specific issues you encounter, including detailed descriptions of the problems, the environments in which they occurred, and any relevant screenshots or error messages. Test documentation not only helps your team track issues for follow-up but also serves as a valuable resource for future testing and development efforts. Proper documentation is essential for effective communication within the team and can significantly streamline the debugging process.

Step 4: Re-test after fixes

The final step in the compatibility testing process is to verify that bugs have been reported and any identified issues have been resolved by re-running tests in the affected problem areas. Once fixes have been implemented, it’s critical to re-test those specific scenarios across the previously impacted environments to ensure that the issues are truly resolved and that no new problems have emerged as a result of the changes. This iterative approach ensures ongoing software reliability and helps maintain a positive user experience.

Common challenges in compatibility testing

While compatibility testing is essential for delivering a high-quality user experience, it also presents several challenges that can complicate the testing process. Below are some of the most common obstacles you may find.

Device and OS variety

One of the primary challenges in compatibility testing is the vast array of devices and operating systems available today. With a multitude of smartphones, tablets, and desktops, each running different OS versions, testing across all these configurations can feel overwhelming. For example, consider the variety of Android devices, each with unique screen sizes, resolutions, and OS variations—ensuring your application looks and functions correctly on every one of them can be a monumental task. This diversity requires meticulous planning and often leads to the need for extensive testing cycles.

Constant updates

Another significant challenge is the frequency of updates to operating systems, browsers, and devices. Technology evolves at an astonishing pace, and new versions can be released often. For instance, a new version of iOS or Android might introduce changes that affect how your application behaves, necessitating continuous compatibility checks to ensure everything functions smoothly. This ongoing requirement for testing not only adds to the workload but also demands that teams remain agile and responsive to changes in the tech landscape, which can feel like an endless cycle.

Difficulty for future-proofing

One major drawback of compatibility testing is its inability to anticipate future platform changes. While it can assess existing systems, it can’t guarantee that your application will function properly with future updates to software like Windows or Google Chrome. Consequently, organizations often find themselves addressing these issues only after launch, which can be more costly. This approach may even lead to the application becoming obsolete if it cannot adapt to new environments.

Time and resource intensive

Compatibility testing is not only complex but also time-consuming and resource-intensive. The need to run numerous tests across different environments can strain development teams, especially when resources are limited. Testing for compatibility can sometimes feel like a race against time, particularly if you’re on a tight deadline for product release. Additionally, the costs associated with acquiring multiple devices, setting up different testing environments, and employing specialized tools can add up quickly, making it a considerable investment for many companies.

You may be interested in Software Testing on Real Devices vs. Emulators/Simulators

Top tools for compatibility testing

Ensuring your app is compatible with a wide variety of software and hardware has never been more critical. With the diverse landscape of operating systems, browsers, and devices out there, it's essential to test your application thoroughly before it hits the market. Luckily, developers and testers have a range of compatibility testing tools at their disposal. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular ones.

BrowserStack

BrowserStack is a popular tool that makes testing your app’s compatibility a breeze. It covers a wide range of browsers, devices, and operating systems. You can kick things off with a free trial, but to keep enjoying uninterrupted service, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. This tool allows you to simulate how your site will look on various devices for a minute during the trial. This tool integrates seamlessly with popular testing frameworks like Selenium and Cypress, and they offer straightforward tutorials to help you get started.

LambdaTest

LambdaTest is another fantastic cloud-based tool that offers a plethora of browser and device options for testing your application. It also provides a free trial for up to three sessions. Once you sign up, you can choose from real-time, automated, or device testing right from the get-go. One handy feature is the ability to file bug reports, adjust resolutions, and record videos—all great for keeping track of your testing process. This tool has a free tier, however, the full access requires a paid plan, which may be pricey for individuals or small businesses.

Sauce Labs

With Sauce Labs, both developers and testers can conduct manual and automated compatibility testing in the cloud. It allows testing on real devices, emulators, and simulators across various operating systems and browsers.

It has a user-friendly dashboard that lets you choose manual, automated, or API testing. Sauce Labs integrates with several automated testing platforms, including Selenium and Appium, and supports popular CI tools like Jenkins. 

TestingBot

TestingBot is another cloud-based option that offers compatibility testing for over 1,000 browser, operating system, and device combinations. After signing up, you can choose between manual or automated testing. The platform displays all the available browser and device options, and you can even switch devices in the middle of a test.

One of its standout features is the ability to take screenshots and record video evidence of your test execution, making it easier to log issues. TestingBot also supports parallel testing, allowing you to run multiple tests across different configurations simultaneously. For automated compatibility testing, you can import your Selenium tests and customize them as needed.

Final thoughts

Compatibility testing is making sure your app or website plays nice with all the different gadgets and software people use. It's about checking if your software works smoothly on different computers, phones, tablets, and browsers. Although it may come with some challenges, compatibility testing is essential to avoid annoying glitches and crashes that can really frustrate users. By testing on various setups, you can make sure your product works seamlessly for everyone, no matter what device they're using.

Is your app compatible with different devices or platforms? Reach out to our team to learn more about our compatibility testing services and how we can help you ensure a quality user experience no matter the operating system, device, or browser.