What is Firebase Test Lab?

This article will explain Firebase Test Lab, it’s advantages, features, and pricing structure.

When it comes to increasing customer satisfaction, growing user base, and boosting your revenue, we understand that your application’s quality is essential for this. When we see any application’s reviews on Google, we know that most of the negative reviews are for app crashing and bugs.

That’s why finding and resolving the problems in the application before releasing that is highly important. And this is where Firebase Test Lab can hold you. 

What is Firebase Test Lab?

Throughout the history of app development, testing remains an integral aspect of each development process. Simultaneously, the availability of numerous device models, OS versions, and more app testing becomes challenging.

However, the Firebase Test Lab has taken an enormous step to deal with all of these challenging app testing aspects more effectively. It is an effective platform that allows developers to test their applications with plenty of device configurations simultaneously.

Firebase Test Lab will let you define different device configurations’ collection on which you want to test your application. Every device configuration collection will be working on a specific range of device types, language, and orientation configuration options. 

You will perform all the testing via virtual and physical devices located at the Google data center. It will allow the application to go under testing for a wide range of device platforms without configuring various emulator sessions or buying devices.

After the test matrix is defined, it will upload the app’s APK file. It will start the testing with a single click only. Tests in the matrix will go into the performance phase simultaneously.

Currently, Firebase Test Lab offers only three types of testing, including Game Loop, Instrumentation and Robo testing. 

Once testing is in completion state, the session results will be provided, including screenshots, logcat output, performance data, and video playback.

Firebase Test Lab Advantages

Do you want to find some reasons to use the Firebase Test lab to test your applications? Let’s have a look at the benefits of the Firebase Test Lab given below to get a better idea about the things in this regard:

• Run and test your app on real devices 

To ensure top-notch app quality, Firebase Test Lab will let you test your applications on physical devices that will help you to simulate a real usage environment. 

• Easier to integrate with your existing workflow 

Whichever workflow you are using currently, Firebase Test Lab is capable of fitting with your workflow and making it easier for you to begin app testing. 

• Test your app with ease and convenience 

The crawler will navigate your application for testing automatically. It will report you about crashes with screenshots. So that identifying the issue could become more comfortable for you.

• Get actionable results 

The Test Lab’s comprehensive test reports will offer you actionable insights, including screenshots, videos, and logs. It will make it easier for you to identify and test your app issues and take your application back to a more stable performance state. 

Firebase Test Lab Features

Here are some of the most promising features of the Firebase Test Lab that you must know:

• Test apps of both iOS and Android OS

If your application has both versions, i.e., android and iOS, Test Lab can offer you both types of devices to run your app on. 

• Test your apps on real devices 

If your application has both versions, i.e., Android and iOS, the Test Lab can offer you both types of devices to run your app on.

• Easier and convenient workflow integrations 

You can integrate the Test Lab with Google Cloud command line, Firebase console and Android Studio for enhanced workflow integration.

Firebase Test Lab Pricing

Do you want to know what it will cost you to use Firebase Test Lab services? Let’s have a look at its pricing plans given below to get a better idea about the things in this regard.

Test Lab is available under the Spark and Blaze plans. Both Test Lab services, Virtual Device Tests and Physical Device Tests, are offered, and there is no service restriction for the free plan.

• Firebase Test lab Free Tier and its limitations 

Firebase free tier offers ten tests per day on virtual devices and five tests per day on real devices. The free tier is okay for you until you are creating an app as a personal project.

However, if you are running a big software company or planning an app as a big project, you have to move for the Firebase Test Lab’s paid plan.

• Firebase Test Lab paid plan 

The Firebase Test lab premium version’s pricing plan is quite reasonable as it will let you test your apps on both virtual and real devices at a competitive price range.

You can test your app on real devices at a rate of $5 per device per hour. However, for virtual devices, you need to pay $1 per device per hour. 

Conclusion

Firebase Test Lab is an application-testing infrastructure. With a single operation, you can test an iOS and Android application through an extensive diversity of devices and device configurations.

The core benefits include easy work integrations, getting actionable results, and running tests on real devices.

Pricing wise, Test Labs provides are reasonable free tier for small apps and the paid plans start at $1 per device per hour for virtual testing.

So, that’s all for the Firebase Test lab. Overall, it is an excellent service to ensure optimal performance, quality, and reliability of your apps in the best possible way.

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