Virtual Browser by Browserling

What is a virtual browser?

A virtual browser is a web browser that runs in a virtual machine. Compared to a browser that's installed on your own system, a virtual browser is physically separated from your system. The biggest advantage of a virtual browser is that it's not linked to your usual browsing activities and all cookies, files, local storage, browser history, and extensions stay in the virtual machine. This way, your virtual browsing profile is isolated from your primary browsing profile.

What can you do with virtual browsers?

Primarily, virtual browsers are used by web developers and security professionals. Web developers use virtual browsers to access multiple versions of the same browser for cross-browser testing purposes. For example, a website that works in Chrome 90 and uses the latest browser features may not work in earlier Chrome versions that don't have these features, so it has to be tested in multiple browser versions. Security professionals use virtual browsers to keep their data safe from browser-based attacks. As a virtual browser runs in a virtual environment, they are protected from cyber-attacks data leaks. A new use case for a virtual browser is to bypass content firewalls. Often, employees and students who are behind a corporate firewall can't watch YouTube videos or access their private emails, so by combining a virtual browser with an online browser, they get an online virtual browser that can access web pages that are blocked by network administrators.

Try a virtual browser!

Below, you can try a virtual browser. We have pre-selected the latest Firefox version 88 but you can select any other browser and browser version. Click the test button to start a virtual browser test.

The free test allows you to use one virtual browser for three minutes but to get unlimited access to all browsers without a time limit, you'll have to buy the developer or team plan.

Virtual Browser FAQ

What virtual browsers do you support?

We support all the browsers! We have virtual Chrome, virtual Firefox, virtual Opera, virtual Safari, virtual Internet Explorer, and virtual Edge. We keep all browser versions updated, so you always have access to the latest version of each browser.

What virtual operating systems do you support?

Each of the virtual browsers (listed above) can also run in different virtual operating systems. We have installed all virtual Windows versions (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10) as well as all virtual Android versions (KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat). For example, you can get a virtual Opera 80 running in virtual Windows 7 or virtual Windows 10.

Do you offer virtual Android browsers, too?

Yes, as we run Androids in virtual machines and you can access the virtual version of the default Android browser as well as the virtual Android Chrome version.

Is there an API for virtual browsers?

Yes, there's the Live API that you can use to access a virtual browser from your own webapp.

Any other questions about virtual browsers?

Please contact us at hello@browserling.com or use our contact form. Thank you!