Alpha vs. Beta Testing: How They Compare

After months of hard work, you are ready to launch a new feature in your app. You are ready to go. The development is completed. Marketing is in the queue.

Do you know what your users think of this add-on before you give it the go? Is there anything that could cause churn? Is this new feature reliable?

You can gain insight from testing to help you make a launch successful and, more importantly, save yourself from making a poor business decision.

This article explains alpha and beta testing. It will help you to understand their purpose, pros, and cons and how they can be beneficial for your app.

What’s Alpha Testing?

Alpha testing, which is most commonly used by software developers, is an internal form of user acceptance testing that is conducted before the launch of new features or products.

You want to find bugs and have your internal team use the feature like they are external users. To simulate what a user might experience with the new product, your development team should be able to go back and fix any problems or defects before it goes live.

Pro: Software developers can use Alpha testing to gain a better understanding of the product’s release so that they can fix any major issues before it launches.

Con: Some functionalities and capabilities are still being developed so they cannot be tested.

Alpha Testing Example

Without knowing where to begin, it can be difficult to initiate user acceptance testing. Here is an example of common alpha testing:

1. Define your goals: This test should help you achieve your goals. Are you looking for accuracy? Are you testing for speed? These results can be incorporated into future project plans.
2. Create a test plan: Test cases can be used to log defects, fix defects, retesting, multiple iterations, and so forth.
3. Get feedback and data from your QA team: Including usability, reliability, design, and design on an Alpha Stage Storage Code.
4. Communicate with your customers: They can update their product status via email or the app.

What’s Beta Testing?

Let’s start with a definition of beta testing: It’s an external acceptance testing process that involves real users testing the product in a real setting.

Although alpha testing is an intensive and thorough testing phase, it is impossible to test every feature of a product without making it available to users. Through customer validation, beta testing ensures that the product meets user standards and exceeds their expectations.

You have several options for releasing a product to beta users. You can invite customers to try the product, or you can make it available to the public with a disclaimer stating that it is still in beta.

Pro: Real-life customer usage of your product gives you better insight into its reliability, security, and usage.

Con: It can be hard to turn customer feedback into actionable information. Many companies have difficulty distinguishing between customer perceptions and the valid product issues that must be addressed.

Beta Testing Types

• Traditional: The product is distributed to the intended audience. Data is collected for product improvement.
• Public: The public can access the product via online channels. Data can also be obtained from anyone. Product improvements can be made based on feedback.
• Focused: The product is launched to the market, and customers provide feedback on certain features.
• Post-release: The product is launched to the market. Feedback is collected for future products.

Beta Testing Example

It takes a lot of diligence to release a new product for group customers. Here are some steps to take to ensure a successful beta test.

1. Select an OS platform to run your test Based on the technical specifications of your product.
2. Invite your beta-testers: Through various channels, such as your website and social media, directories online, online communities, and email.
3. Distribute the test: You can reach your audience through an online beta distribution tool. This is what you should see list of beta distribution tools.
4. Collect feedback: This will allow you to fine-tune the product.
5. Evaluate and iterate: For future product releases and versions.
6. Reward beta-testers: For their time, with discounts, coupons, or exclusive access to certain content