Side by side

IE NetRenderer vs Web Platform Tests

Both stand on cross-browser testing software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

IE NetRenderer

Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+2

IE NetRenderer focuses on capturing and comparing website appearance across older Internet Explorer versions. It is free, with donations welcome, and supports both web access and a Firefox extension.

Visit IE NetRenderer

Web Platform Tests offers public and local routes for checking browser compatibility, plus command-line reporting and CI support. Local setup has specific requirements, and multi-process runs can add noise.

Visit Web Platform Tests

The facts

	IE NetRenderer	Web Platform Tests
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	No	Not published
Runs on	Extension, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows	Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	2	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	netrenderer.com	web-platform-tests.org
On cross-browser testing software	#6 of 25	#10 of 25

IE NetRenderer: what it does well

Checks seven listed Internet Explorer versions.
Captures run in parallel and in real time.
Offers screenshot overlay and difference comparisons.
Allows a delayed capture and a vertical offset.

What to know first

Java and ActiveX are blocked.
Requests are logged to prevent abuse.

Web Platform Tests: what it does well

Public deployment lets anyone run tests in a browser.
Covers JavaScript, rendering, crash, WebDriver, and manual tests.
Command-line runs can produce JSON reports and screenshots.
Expected results support CI and regression tracking.
Free and open source.

What to know first

Local setup requires Python 3.9 or higher.
Test domains must be configured in the hosts file.
Multiple browser processes can make results less deterministic.

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