# Responsively App vs MobileViewer: Free Responsive Testing Compared
Choosing between Responsively App and MobileViewer comes down to whether you prefer a desktop application or a browser extension. Both tools are completely free and designed for responsive design testing, but they take different approaches to solving the same problem. Responsively App runs as a standalone desktop app with advanced features like screenshot syncing and element inspection. MobileViewer works as a lightweight Chrome extension that fits directly into your existing browser workflow. This guide compares both so you can pick the tool that matches how you work.
## Key Takeaways
Here are the most important differences between Responsively App and MobileViewer.
– Both tools are completely free with no paid tiers or usage limits
– Responsively App is a desktop application with more advanced features
– MobileViewer is a Chrome extension that works instantly in your browser
– Responsively App offers synchronized scrolling, clicking, and element inspection across all viewports
– MobileViewer is faster to launch and lighter on system resources
– Responsively App requires download and installation, MobileViewer installs in seconds from the Chrome Web Store
– MobileViewer integrates seamlessly with Chrome DevTools, Responsively App runs separately
## What to Look for in a Free Responsive Testing Tool
The best tool for you depends on your workflow and priorities.
– **Speed of access:** Do you want a tool that launches instantly in your browser or are you okay opening a separate app?
– **Feature depth:** Do you need advanced features like synchronized interactions and hot reloading, or just viewport previews?
– **System resources:** Are you working on a lightweight machine where every resource matters, or can you run heavier desktop apps?
– **Browser integration:** Do you want a tool that works inside your existing browser or a standalone environment?
– **Customization:** Do you need extensive viewport customization or are common presets enough?
– **Development workflow:** Do you already live in Chrome DevTools or do you prefer separate testing environments?
## 1. MobileViewer
MobileViewer is a free Chrome extension that shows your website across multiple device viewports at once. It works directly in your browser so there is no download, installation, or configuration. You click the extension icon and instantly see your site on iPhone, iPad, Android, and desktop viewports side by side. The tool is designed for speed and simplicity, focusing on the most common responsive testing use case without adding complexity.
The extension integrates seamlessly with your existing browser workflow. You can test localhost URLs, use Chrome DevTools on any viewport, and switch between devices with one click. Because MobileViewer runs entirely in the browser, it launches instantly and uses minimal system resources. There is no separate app to open, no updates to manage, and no account to create.
MobileViewer stands out because it removes all friction from responsive testing. Most developers and designers just need to see if their layout breaks on mobile and tablet viewports. MobileViewer does exactly that in the simplest way possible. You install it once and it is always available in your browser toolbar.
If you want a responsive testing tool that feels invisible until you need it, works instantly, and never gets in the way, MobileViewer is the right choice. It prioritizes speed and simplicity over advanced features most people never use.
### Key Features
Here is what makes MobileViewer the fastest way to test responsive designs.
– **Instant browser integration:** Works directly in Chrome without downloading or installing a separate app
– **Multi-device preview:** See your site on multiple viewports simultaneously
– **Localhost support:** Test local development environments before deploying
– **Chrome DevTools compatibility:** Use full DevTools functionality on any viewport
– **Custom viewports:** Add any screen size or device you need
– **Screenshot capture:** Take screenshots of each viewport for bug reports or design reviews
– **Zero configuration:** No setup, no account, no learning curve
### Pricing
MobileViewer is completely free. There are no paid plans, trial limits, or premium features.
## 2. Responsively App
Responsively App is a free, open-source desktop application for responsive web development. It displays your website across multiple device viewports with synchronized scrolling, clicking, and navigation. The app is built specifically for developers who need advanced testing features like hot reloading, element inspection, and custom device profiles. It runs as a standalone application on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The app offers features that browser extensions cannot easily provide. Synchronized interactions mean when you scroll or click in one viewport, all other viewports mirror that action. This makes it faster to test interactions across devices without repeating the same action multiple times. Responsively App also includes built-in DevTools, screenshot tools, and the ability to add custom user agents.
Responsively App is best for developers who want a dedicated responsive testing environment with more control than a browser extension can offer. It provides deeper customization, more viewport options, and synchronized interactions that save time when testing complex layouts. However, it requires downloading, installing, and launching a separate application, which adds friction compared to browser-based tools.
### Key Features
Here is what Responsively App offers for advanced responsive testing.
– **Synchronized interactions:** Scroll, click, and navigate across all viewports simultaneously
– **Hot reloading:** Automatically refresh when files change during development
– **Built-in DevTools:** Inspect elements and debug directly within the app
– **Custom device profiles:** Create and save custom viewport sizes and user agents
– **Screenshot tools:** Capture full-page or viewport-specific screenshots
– **Cross-platform:** Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
– **Open source:** Free forever with an active development community
### Pricing
Responsively App is completely free and open source. There are no paid plans or premium features.
## Responsively App vs MobileViewer: Feature Comparison
Both tools are free and solve the same core problem, but they differ in approach and feature depth.
**Ease of Access:**
– MobileViewer wins here. It is a one-click install from the Chrome Web Store and works instantly in your browser. Responsively App requires downloading an installer, running setup, and launching a separate application every time you need it.
**System Resources:**
– MobileViewer is lighter. It runs in your browser tab alongside your existing workflow without adding a new application to your system. Responsively App runs as a separate Electron app, which uses more memory and CPU.
**Integration with Workflow:**
– MobileViewer integrates directly with Chrome DevTools and your browser workflow. You never leave Chrome. Responsively App runs outside the browser, which means switching between your editor, browser, and the testing app.
**Advanced Features:**
– Responsively App has the edge. Synchronized scrolling, clicking, and hot reloading are powerful features that MobileViewer does not offer. These features save time when testing interactive components across multiple viewports.
**Customization:**
– Responsively App allows more customization. You can create detailed device profiles, set custom user agents, and tweak viewport settings extensively. MobileViewer focuses on common presets with the option to add custom sizes.
**Speed of Launch:**
– MobileViewer launches instantly because it is already in your browser. Responsively App requires opening a separate application, which takes a few seconds and interrupts your workflow.
**Learning Curve:**
– MobileViewer has no learning curve. Click the icon, see the viewports. Responsively App has more features, which means more to learn and configure.
## When to Choose MobileViewer
MobileViewer is the better choice when you prioritize speed, simplicity, and seamless integration with your existing browser workflow.
Choose MobileViewer if:
– You want instant access to responsive testing without leaving Chrome
– You prefer lightweight tools that do not consume extra system resources
– You already use Chrome DevTools extensively and want responsive testing to fit that workflow
– You need to test quickly and do not require synchronized interactions
– You value tools that stay out of your way until you need them
– You are a designer or frontend developer who needs fast visual checks
MobileViewer is ideal for teams and individuals who want responsive testing to feel effortless. It removes all barriers between you and seeing your design on multiple viewports.
## When to Choose Responsively App
Responsively App is the better choice when you need advanced features like synchronized interactions and hot reloading.
Choose Responsively App if:
– You want synchronized scrolling and clicking across all viewports
– You need hot reloading to automatically refresh when your code changes
– You prefer a dedicated testing environment separate from your browser
– You need extensive customization of device profiles and user agents
– You test complex interactive components that benefit from synchronized interactions
– You do not mind launching a separate application for testing
Responsively App is ideal for developers who want more control and advanced features that save time when testing intricate layouts and interactions.
## Conclusion
Both Responsively App and MobileViewer are excellent free tools for responsive testing, but they fit different workflows. MobileViewer is the best choice for designers and developers who want instant, lightweight responsive testing directly in their browser. It integrates seamlessly with Chrome DevTools and removes all friction from the testing process.
Responsively App is the best choice for developers who need advanced features like synchronized interactions and hot reloading. It offers more customization and control at the cost of being a separate application that requires installation and launch overhead.
For most people, MobileViewer is the faster, simpler option that gets the job done without adding complexity. Start with MobileViewer, and if you find yourself needing synchronized interactions or hot reloading, try Responsively App.
## Frequently Asked Questions
**1. Is Responsively App better than MobileViewer?**
Neither is objectively better. Responsively App has more advanced features like synchronized scrolling and hot reloading. MobileViewer is faster to access and integrates directly into Chrome. Choose based on whether you prioritize features or simplicity.
**2. Can I use both tools together?**
Yes, but there is usually no need. Both solve the same problem in different ways. Most users will prefer one over the other based on their workflow.
**3. Does MobileViewer work in browsers other than Chrome?**
No, MobileViewer is currently a Chrome extension. Responsively App works independently of any browser since it is a standalone desktop application.
**4. Are there any costs or paid features in either tool?**
No. Both MobileViewer and Responsively App are completely free with no paid tiers, trial limits, or premium features.
**5. Which tool is faster for quick responsive checks?**
MobileViewer is faster because it works instantly in your browser without launching a separate app. Responsively App takes a few seconds to open and is better suited for longer testing sessions.