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, state and identity across every run, on
persistent Android and iPhone devices. Configure location for any
region, start free, and scale from 5 concurrent
phones on Developer to 100 on Scaleup, unlimited on
Enterprise.
| Capability | mobilerun | BrowserStack |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Production agent workloads | CI test runs on your own build |
| Device type | Persistent Android + physical iPhones as an add-on · any-region configuration | 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 | Real device identity, compatible with the checks real apps run & app trust checks | Real hardware, shared test pool |
| Agent surface | REST API, Python/TypeScript SDKs, hosted MCP | Official MCP server + test SDKs |
| Agent benchmark | 98.34% iOSWorld · public replays | None published |
| Open source | MIT framework, 8,000+ stars | Closed |
| Billing model | Monthly plan, device minutes pooled across your phones | Per parallel, monthly |
| Pricing | Free plan · paid from $20/mo · $0.03/min extra · real iPhone $160/mo annual, $200 monthly | App Automate $199/mo per parallel · Live from $39/mo |
| Persistent logged-in session | Standard: stopped phones keep apps and data | 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. mobilerun pricing as of September 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.
- Persistent Android, plus physical iPhones as an add-on, with location configurable for any region.
- Connect routing and eSIM availability can be matched to the task separately from device configuration.
- Genuine device signals that pass the checks real apps run.
- Developer at $20/month pools 600 device minutes across 5 concurrent phones, where one App Automate parallel is $199/month. Extra minutes cost $0.03.
- Dedicated phones as add-ons: Android + dedicated IP from $64/month, a real iPhone from $160/month, billed annually.
- Your own models drive the device. REST API, Python/TypeScript SDK, hosted MCP.
- Open-source MIT framework, 8,000+ stars. Published benchmark results: 98.34% on iOSWorld and 100% on AndroidWorld.
- Social media runs here too, on your own and your clients' authorized accounts.
- Scales on demand. Up to 100 concurrent phones on Scaleup, unlimited on Enterprise, with device minutes pooled across them.
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 device matrix, and the device is reset afterwards. mobilerun is a runtime for production agents: persistent Android and iOS devices that keep logins and state across runs and are driven by your own models over REST API, SDKs or a hosted MCP server. BrowserStack also ships an official MCP server, but it drives test runs against your own build.
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.
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 sells monthly plans: a free plan to start, then Developer at $20/month with 5 concurrent phones and 600 device minutes, Startup at $99 and Scaleup at $299. Extra minutes cost $0.03 on paid plans. Dedicated phones are add-ons: Android + dedicated IP from $64/month, a real iPhone from $160/month and your own phone from $4/month, billed annually.
More comparisons: vs GeeLark · vs Multilogin · Appium alternative · all comparisons
Run your agent on a real phone.
Start free. Paid plans from $20/month include device minutes, credits and residential traffic.