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Simulator vs Emulator: 6 Top Key Differences

October 3, 2024
Harish Rajora
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Everything you need to know about Simulator vs. Emulator vs. Real Device - Mobile Testing cover
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In 2021, an astounding 1.43 billion mobile devices were sold. This indicates the increasing dependence on these mobile devices for the performance of tasks that were traditionally done by desktops. There are 2.65 million apps on Google Play; therefore, it is very essential that your app be found and without any errors. Simulators and emulators can be cost-effective alternatives for testing on real mobile devices, offering unique advantages. Let’s see how these tools can help in developing your app and what unique advantages they provide.

Simulator vs Emulator: Overview

What is a Simulator?

Simulators create an abstract model of a system, mimicking its behavior and functionality without replicating its exact underlying architecture. They are often used for training and educational purposes, allowing users to experiment with various scenarios safely and efficiently. Read here – Simulation Test

What is an Emulator?

Emulators, on the other hand, strive to reproduce the exact hardware and software environment of a system. This means that applications can run as if they are on the original platform, making emulators essential for testing software compatibility and performance across different environments.

Simulator vs Emulator: 6 Key Differences

Here is a table to explain the differences in detail:

CriteriaSimulatorEmulator
Hardware ReplicationDoes not replicate the exact hardware.Closely replicates both hardware and software environments.
AccuracyMay not reflect real-world performance accurately.Accurate representation of device behavior.
Resource RequirementsGenerally less resource-intensive.Can be resource-intensive.
ConfigurationOften easier to set up.May require specific configuration and setup.
SpeedTypically faster than emulators.Slower than simulators due to hardware emulation.
Use CasesIdeal for early-stage testing, UI/UX evaluation, and quick feedback.Suitable for testing hardware-specific features, detailed performance evaluation, and preparing for release.

What is a Real Device?

A real device is not a specially crafted device for testing or development. 

It is the same device that you, I, and any other end-user use personally. So you just need to buy a device, install your application, and start testing right away.

A real device is the best way to test your application because since it is an actual device, all the parameters you would see will be accurate. So, why did we talk about emulators and simulators when a real device looks like the best option? 

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Why Real Device is not always used for Mobile Testing?

This question always pops out: Why Real Devices Aren’t Always Used for Mobile Testing?

Using just real devices for mobile testing is impractical because of the huge number of mobile devices, high costs, and infrastructure requirements associated with them. 

Keeping a device fleet alive and ensuring network connectivity and software updates could be expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, organizations are typically forced to look at alternative solutions, such as using simulators or emulators to keep up-to-date without all the overhead.

We can take Testsigma as an example and see how to overcome any problem with real-time devices.

Overcoming Real Device Problems with Testsigma

In this section, let me show you how you can tackle device-related issues without the hassle of maintenance or purchasing new devices. With Testsigma, it’s possible!

Overcoming Real Device Problems with Testsigma

Testsigma offers access to real devices for testers who want to deliver high-quality apps but are limited by budget or maintenance costs.

Here’s how to test your mobile app on Testsigma:

  1. Sign up on Testsigma.
  2. Create a new project or open an existing one, then click “Record.”
  3. Select the device and OS version, and upload your application.
  4. Once uploaded, click “Record” to start capturing your testing session.
  5. Click “LOG IN” to fill in the necessary details.

Using Testsigma’s mobile recorder, you can see your app running on a real device, just like a user would. You can interact with the app—tapping buttons, entering text, and more—all of which gets recorded and translated into plain English on the left side.

These recorded steps can be saved and reused for future versions of your app.

Testsigma is an excellent choice for mobile app testing, allowing you to use real devices without high costs. 

Try our platform and share your feedback in the comments!

Automate and execute your tests on real devices, 5x faster, with Testsigma

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Wrap up!

The growth and affordability of mobile phones have made app testing essential. Effective testing often requires real devices, though this can be challenging. We can choose among emulators, simulators (rarely), and real devices based on their strengths. While real devices offer thorough testing, they may not always be cost-effective.

Lastly, we recommend an online platform for testing apps that provide access to real devices without the hassle of procurement or maintenance.

I hope this post helps your mobile app testing efforts. 

Thank you for your time! Happy Testing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is better, an emulator or a real device?

Among emulators and real devices, the latter is better for performing mobile device testing. It provides the same environment to run the application and gives proper results for performance and functional testing.

What is simulator vs emulator in the mobile testing example?

In mobile testing, simulator/emulator are the machines designed to mimic the mobile device environment on a desktop. Both serve the same purpose but have different functioning scenarios. While the former only simulates the software on top of the system hardware, the latter recreates both software and hardware similar to a mobile device environment. Get here . IOS Simulator Online

How does an emulator compare to a real device for developing purposes?

Emulators emulate (or imitate) another program or device, but real devices show the exact performance and functional environment where the application will be running.

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Testsigma Author - Harish Rajora

Harish Rajora

A senior software engineer by profession who likes to contribute to the world by sharing knowledge through my writings. Loves reading books and implementing ideas into reality through a computer.

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