{"id":124044,"date":"2020-07-23T12:13:40","date_gmt":"2020-07-23T12:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.softwaretestinghelp.com\/?page_id=124044"},"modified":"2025-04-01T08:30:57","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T08:30:57","slug":"headless-browser-testing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.softwaretestinghelp.com\/headless-browser-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Headless Browser And Headless Browser Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This tutorial explains what is a Headless Browser, its Advantages, Examples & Headless Browser Testing with Selenium. You will also learn about HtmlUnitDrvier:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past few years, we have seen the web being evolved from simple to highly advanced websites built with beautiful UI. In short, nowadays JavaScript controls the web extremely well so that it can handle almost every interaction on websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we can see that Browsers are so efficient that they can easily understand how to process JavaScript. In coordination with JavaScript, a Browser is taken care of programmatically. Headless Browsers are being considered very useful for Web Browser Testing as they improve our efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n

\"Headless<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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What Is A Headless Browser?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Headless – Oh Yes, you read it right. Headless, means a Web Browser without User Interface. To elaborate, Headless Browsers are those that access the Web Page, but the GUI is hidden from the user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further reading =>> Top Internet Browsers for PC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A headless browser is just like any other browser, the only difference is we cannot see anything on the screen. Here we can say that the program runs in the backend and nothing can be viewed on the screen. Thus, it is known to be the one without a Head\/GUI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like a normal browser a Headless Browser performs all the functions like clicking links, navigating pages, downloading the document, uploading a document, etc. by performing all the instructions as per our program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A normal browser would proceed with each step of the program with a GUI presentation, whereas for a Headless Browser, all the steps of the program are carried out sequentially and correctly and we can keep track of it with the help of a Console or command-line interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages Of Headless Browser<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

#1)<\/strong> Headless Browsers are used when the machine has no GUI, that is while using Linux (an OS without GUI) is executed via the command-line interface and has no interface to display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2)<\/strong> Also, these can be used in a case where there is no need to view anything and our purpose is just to ensure that all tests are getting executed successfully line by line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3)<\/strong> When there is a need for executing parallel tests, UI-based browsers consume a lot of memory and\/or resources. Hence, here Headless browser is the preferred use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4)<\/strong> If we want to perform Regression Testing for the next coming releases with continuous Integration and we are done with the Cross Browser Testing, then Headless browser testing can be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5)<\/strong> If we wish to simulate multiple browsers on a single machine or run test cases just for data creation, then we use Headless Browsers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6)<\/strong> When compared to Real Browsers, Headless Browsers are faster. So, these are chosen for faster execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disadvantages Of Headless Browser<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

#1)<\/strong> Although Headless Browsers are very fast, still there are some disadvantages as well. Due to its faster page loading ability, sometimes it is difficult to debug the issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2)<\/strong> Real Browser Testing includes performing test cases in the presence of GUI. Also, these tests are performed in front of the user, hence the user can interact with the team, referring the GUI and discuss where ever changes or corrections are required. In such a case, Headless Browsers cannot be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3)<\/strong> As Headless Browsers don\u2019t represent GUI, it is troublesome to report errors with the help of screenshots. A Real Browser helps to present the defects by generating screenshots as screenshots are a must in testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4)<\/strong> In the case where a lot of browser debugging is required, the use of Headless Browsers can be challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples Of Headless Browsers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are various Headless Browsers available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enlisted below are some examples:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n