New Mobilerun VA is now in beta, a hosted 24/7 agent for mobile automation
Comparison

mobilerun vs BrowserStack: agent runtime vs test cloud.

Both hand your code a real phone over an API. The difference is what survives between runs, and whether that phone is allowed to hold a login.

TL;DR
BrowserStack is a CI test cloud. You upload your own build, it runs across a device matrix, then the device is reset and the session is gone.
mobilerun is production infrastructure. A phone that keeps its logins, its state and its identity across every run, on real Android and iPhone hardware we own and operate in the US and EU. The most human-like behaviour of any provider, hundreds of devices at once, from $0.03 a minute.
Capability mobilerun BrowserStack
Built for Production agent workloads CI test runs on your own build
Device type Stateful hosted Android (EU/US) + physical iPhones on request Real Android & iOS, "30,000+" claimed
State across runs Persists, spin down and resume later Device reset after the session
Google account sign-in Supported and persistent Restricted on the public cloud
Play Store installs Yes Restricted on the public cloud
Third-party App Store apps Drive any installed app Entry point is your own app build
Device identity Authentic hardware identity, Compatible with Play Integrity & App Attest Real hardware, shared test pool
Agent surface REST API, Python/TypeScript SDKs, hosted MCP Official MCP server + test SDKs
Agent benchmark 91.4% AndroidWorld, reproducible None published
Open source MIT framework, 8,000+ stars Closed
Billing model Per minute, pay as you go Per parallel, monthly
Pricing (July 2026) $0.03/min · rentals from $5/mo · iPhone $200/mo App Automate $199/mo per parallel · Live from $39/mo
Persistent logged-in session Standard on every device Private Devices / Custom Device Lab only

BrowserStack details from browserstack.com/pricing and its support FAQ on default-app restrictions, which states it "restricts access to some of the default apps" on its public cloud. July 2026. Prices and device policies change, check both vendors.

Why teams choose mobilerun

  • Your phone keeps its logins. Spin it down, resume later with sessions and state intact.
  • Sign in to Google, install from the Play Store, drive any third-party app on the device.
  • Devices we own and operate in the US and EU: hosted Android, plus physical iPhones on request.
  • Stateful Android hosted in EU and US regions, no data outside those regions.
  • The most human-like behaviour of any provider. Authentic hardware identity that is compatible with Play Integrity and App Attest.
  • Billed by the minute at $0.03, not per parallel seat. Rentals from $5/month.
  • Dedicated Android from $80/month, a real iPhone from $200/month.
  • Your own models drive the device. REST API, Python/TypeScript SDK, hosted MCP.
  • Open-source MIT framework, 8,000+ stars, reproducible 91.4% AndroidWorld.
  • Social media runs here too, on your own and your clients' authorized accounts.
  • Scales on demand. Hundreds of devices at once, billed by the minute, state intact.
FAQ

mobilerun vs BrowserStack, common questions.

What is the main difference between mobilerun and BrowserStack?+
BrowserStack is a testing cloud: you upload your own app build, run it across a large real-device matrix, and the device is reset afterwards. mobilerun is a runtime for production agents: real Android and iOS devices we own and operate in the US and EU, plus stateful hosted Android in EU/US regions, that keep their logins and state across runs and are driven by your own models over REST API, SDKs or a hosted MCP server.
Can I sign in to a Google account or install from the Play Store on BrowserStack?+
Not on the public cloud. BrowserStack's own support FAQ says it restricts access to some default apps there, and the Android list includes Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Photos, Settings, Camera and Google Account Login. Persistent, signed-in setups are possible on their Private Devices or Custom Device Lab. On mobilerun every device can sign in and stay signed in.
Does BrowserStack have an MCP server?+
Yes. BrowserStack ships an official MCP server that covers native mobile on real devices, so both products have an agent surface. The difference is the workload behind it: their MCP drives test runs against your own build, ours drives production work on a real phone that keeps its state and identity between runs.
How does the pricing model compare?+
BrowserStack sells parallels: App Automate Device Cloud is $199/month per parallel on annual billing, Device Cloud Pro is $249, and Live Desktop & Mobile starts at $39/month. mobilerun bills by the minute at $0.03 pay as you go, with your own phone at $5/month, a dedicated Android at $80/month and an iPhone at $200/month on request.

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Run your agent on a real phone.

Pay as you go from $0.03/minute, or bring your own phone for $5/month.

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