TL;DR

The BrowserStack API gives developers programmatic access to BrowserStack’s cloud testing platform. It lets you start and stop tests, fetch results, manage sessions, and integrate automated testing directly into CI/CD pipelines with Selenium, Playwright, and Cypress.

Introduction

For modern engineering teams, automation is not optional. Running tests manually or clicking through dashboards is too slow when you’re deploying multiple times a day. BrowserStack provides a RESTful API that allows developers to control BrowserStack services directly from code and CI/CD tools. 

By using the BrowserStack API, you can start browser sessions, upload app builds, trigger automated tests, and pull logs or results without touching the BrowserStack web interface. This makes it easier to embed BrowserStack into fast-moving development workflows.

What the BrowserStack API Offers

Session management  Start, stop, and monitor browser sessions programmatically. Perfect for scaling automated test runs.

Build uploads  Upload .apk or .ipa files to BrowserStack App Live or App Automate using API calls. This is useful for mobile CI pipelines.

Test results and logs  Fetch video recordings, screenshots, console logs, and network logs directly through the API.

Parallel test control  Use the API to control how many parallel sessions run at once. This is key for large regression runs.

CI/CD automation  Integrate with Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab, Bitbucket, and other CI tools using API endpoints. This allows every commit or pull request to trigger tests automatically.

User and project management  Enterprise customers can use the API to manage access, projects, and resources at scale.

Why Teams Use the BrowserStack API

  • Efficiency: Automates test triggers and results collection. 
  • Integration: Fits directly into DevOps and CI/CD workflows. 
  • Scalability: Easily scale test runs across browsers and devices. 
  • Debugging: Pull logs, screenshots, and recordings automatically. 
  • Flexibility: Control test sessions without logging into the BrowserStack dashboard. 

Example Workflow

A team is building a new web app with a fast release cycle. Every pull request must be tested on multiple browsers before merging. 

They set up GitHub Actions to trigger BrowserStack Automate using the API. Each commit uploads the build, launches parallel browser sessions, and fetches results automatically. If a test fails, the API call provides a video recording and console log, which is attached to the GitHub PR for quick debugging. Developers never leave their workflow, and QA gets instant visibility.

BrowserStack API vs Alternatives

  • Sauce Labs API: Provides similar endpoints but with a slightly different structure. 
  • LambdaTest API: Also RESTful, with focus on orchestrating HyperExecute runs. 
  • Custom Selenium Grids: Require more infrastructure and don’t have the same easy-to-use APIs. 

BrowserStack’s API stands out because it integrates tightly with its Automate, App Live, Percy, and Test Management products, making it a one-stop shop for test automation.

FAQs

What kind of API is it?  It’s a REST API, easy to use with tools like curl, Postman, or any HTTP client.

Does the API support authentication?  Yes, you authenticate with your BrowserStack username and access key.

Can I upload mobile apps with the API?  Yes, you can upload .apk and .ipa files programmatically.

Do I get logs and videos through the API?  Yes, you can pull all session assets like screenshots, network logs, and videos.

Is the API available in all plans?  API access is included with most paid plans. Some enterprise features require higher-tier plans.

Conclusion

The BrowserStack API makes it easy to integrate BrowserStack testing into automated workflows. From starting browser sessions to fetching logs and managing builds, the API removes manual steps and speeds up QA. For teams running continuous integration and frequent releases, BrowserStack’s API is a key piece of making testing seamless and scalable.