The real-time transient stability detection and emergency control technology based on wide area response has become a hot research area in power system stability studies. Several different technologies have been proposed, but lots of problems remain to be solved before they can be applied in practice. A wide area measurement system (WAMS) based test platform is developed for transient stability detection and control. The design as well as main function modules of the platform are introduced. In addition, three generator power angle prediction methods and six response based transient instability detection technologies are given. Results of engineering application demonstrate that the developed test platform can provide a real-time operation environment, which can effectively compare and analyze the validity and practicability of these transient stability detection technologies. Based on the measured perturbed trajectories from actual power systems or the Real-Time Digital Simulators (RTDS), the platform can realize the assessment and visual result presentation of various responses from different transient instability detection technologies. The test platform can be applied to different power systems and it is convenient to embed new transient instability detection modules. Meanwhile some deficiencies and shortcomings in engineering application are pointed out and corresponding suggestions are given. In conclusion, the hardware and software structure, function modulus and engineering applications are presented. The application in actual power systems shows that it has a good application perspective.