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Browser Execution vs Cloud Execution

When you click Run on a test case, QAlity asks you to choose how to run it. In Run Configuration this appears under Select run environment as Browser Extension (Browser Execution) or Cloud (Cloud Execution).

If you are recording your first flow, start with Your first test before choosing a run mode.

Scope: This choice applies to individual test cases only. Test suites and test plans always run on Cloud — Browser Execution is not available for them. Both options capture screenshots and include a stop button.

How they workHow they work

Browser Execution

UI label: Browser Extension

Runs a single test case in your local browser with live playback. Opens in an Incognito window for a clean session. Reaches your local network and VPN — useful for apps behind a firewall.

Cloud Execution

UI label: Cloud

Runs on QAlity cloud machines in the background — headless, no live view. Clean isolated session every run. Use for unattended runs and for all suite and plan runs.

Comparison at a glanceComparison at a glance

Browser Execution
Cloud Execution
UI label
Browser Extension
Cloud
Available for
Individual test cases only
Test cases, suites, and plans
Runs in
Your local browser
QAlity's cloud machines
Visual playback
Yes — live, real-time
No — headless background
Scheduled plans
Not available
Automated on a schedule
Screenshots
Yes
Yes
Stop button
Yes
Yes
Speed
Slower (renders visually)
Faster (no rendering)
Browser session
Clean Incognito every run
Fresh, clean session every run
Network access
Local network and VPN
Public internet only
Resource usage
Your machine's CPU and RAM
QAlity's infrastructure
Failure evidence
Live view and screenshots
Screenshots and logs
Agent type
WEB_AGENT
QAlity

When to use Browser ExecutionWhen to use Browser Execution

Use Browser Execution only when running a single test case:

Debugging
Watch the browser in real time to see exactly where and why something breaks.
New test cases
Confirm a case behaves as expected before trusting it unattended.
VPN / firewall
Reach internal URLs that QAlity's cloud servers cannot.
Quick single run
No setup or queue — click and watch.
Visual checks
Catch layout issues that screenshots alone might miss.

When to use Cloud ExecutionWhen to use Cloud Execution

Regression
Run suites or plans after a release without watching each case.
Scheduled plans
Trigger plans on a cadence so regression runs without manual starts.
Suites and plans
Browser Execution is not available — these always run on Cloud.
Consistency
Isolated cloud machines give reproducible runs.
Local resources
Keep your machine free while tests run on QAlity.
Speed
Headless execution skips visual rendering.

Detailed guidesDetailed guides