Cross-Browser Compatibility Tools
We will never come to a time where everyone uses the same version of the same browser (in the same OS? … on the same resolution!). Most browsers render webpages differently from one another, so us developers are always going to run into issues where code looks right in one browser and not in the other. It can be very cumbersome to have many different browsers on your system, and sometimes impossible to have multiple versions of the same browser. Below is a list of handy tools that developers may want to consider using to help test website compatibility in different browsers, operating systems and resolutions.
CrossBrowserTesting.com
A web-based tool that connects you to a remote computer with different configurations where you can run multiple browsers. The free access is limited to five minutes per session and only has IE and FF available. You can buy credits individually or pay for a monthly subscription for access more browsers and a higher time limit.
Operating Systems: Windows, MAC OS
Browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari, Camino, Shiira, Sea Monkey, Netscape, AOL
IETester
A free Windows application which allows you to test your website and its functionality in different versions of Internet Explorer. IETester acts like a real browser and allows you to view your source code with a de-bugger (requires a plug-in).
Operating Systems: Windows XP, Vista, 7
Browsers: Internet Explorer 5.5 through 8
(left) good ole’ IE 5.5!
Adobe BrowserLab
A Web-based tool that shows screenshots of your website from different browsers. There is also a Dreamweaver CS4 extension that tests functionality. Currently, there are limited testing accounts, but you can follow BrowserLabs on Twitter to see when spots open up.
Operating Systems: Windows XP, Mac OS X
Browsers: Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari
Microsoft SuperPreview
An application that checks how your website looks in Internet Explorer. The free download allows you to compare renderings of IE6 with whatever other version of IE you have installed on your machine.
Operating Systems: Windows
Browsers: Internet Explorer 6, 8 running in 7 compatibility mode, 8
BrowserShots
A free web-based tool that takes screenshots of your website from many different browsers. Your request gets put into a queue that you can bookmark to check back on later and download in a zip.
Operating Systems: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, BSD
Browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari, Camino, Sea Monkey, Netscape, Avant, Flock, K-Meleon, Minefield, Dillo, Epiphany, Galeon, Iceweasel, Kazehakase, Konqueror, Minefield
Xenocode Browser Sandbox
A free web-based tool that allows you to test your website in different browsers. Once you download the plug-in, you can access the browsers and other applications.
Operating Systems: Windows
Browsers: Internet Explorer 6 to 8, Firefox 2 to 3, Chrome, Opera, Safari
Other free tools you may want to consider:
Litmus (Free is limited to FF2 & IE7)
CloudTesting (Seven day free trial)
netRednerer (IE only)
ieCapture (IE only)
BrowsrCamp (Mac OS, Safari only)
Multi-Safari (Mac OS, Safari only)