Semaloop vs Firebase Test Lab
Firebase Test Lab is a Google service for running Android and iOS app tests on devices in Google data centres. Semaloop runs natural language tests on real iPhones and Android emulators against every build you ship.
What Firebase Test Lab is
Google describes Firebase Test Lab as a cloud-based service for testing Android and iOS apps on devices in Google data centres. It supports a no-code Robo test that explores an app automatically, Robo scripts, Instrumentation tests on Android and XCTest on iOS. Google's pricing page says Test Lab is deprecated and will be fully shut down on 30 September 2027, and points to the Developer Device Platform on Google Cloud.
Where they differ
| Semaloop | Firebase Test Lab | |
|---|---|---|
| How a test is written | A natural language description of the outcome | Instrumentation or XCTest code, a Robo script, or an automatic Robo crawl |
| What it checks | Whether the behaviour you described holds | Whatever your tests assert, or crashes found by exploring the app |
| Where tests run | Real iPhones on iOS; emulators on Android | Physical devices for Android and iOS, plus virtual Android devices |
| Status | Actively developed | Deprecated, with a shutdown date of 30 September 2027 per Google's pricing page |
| Pricing | Published per execution, with a calculator | $5 an hour per physical device and $1 an hour per virtual device beyond its free daily quota |
Choose Firebase Test Lab if
- You want inexpensive scripted Android coverage and the free daily quota fits your volume.
- You already write XCTest or Instrumentation tests and want them run across a device matrix.
- You want a no-code Robo crawl to find crashes, and a short-term tool is acceptable.
Choose Semaloop if
- You want a tool that will still be supported beyond 2027, with tests that outlive UI changes.
- You want to describe tests instead of writing and maintaining them.
- You want a failure to arrive with video, logs, network traces and a root cause analysis.
Sources
What this page says about Firebase Test Lab comes from its own pages below, last checked 26 October 2026. Tell us if anything is out of date.