Alpha vs Beta Testing – Difference and Comparison

What is Alpha Testing?

User acceptability testing is one sort of user testing. The mission is to find all potential flaws and errors a product might cause and fix them all before the final product is distributed to the end-user or the general public. Alpha testing is named because it is carried out early in the software life cycle, before beta testing.

Internal corporate staff, such as testers and Quality Analysts (QA), do this type of experiment. It is end-to-end testing carried out in a testing environment to verify that the system generated fulfills all expectations and functions by the specifications specified at the outset of development.

There are two stages to alpha testing. The first step is carried out by the organization’s software engineers utilizing debugging software or tools. The testers or quality analysts are in charge of the second phase. This phase also includes black-and-white box testing. The procedure for alpha testing is as follows:

  1. The functional and design specifications are examined.
  2. Creating test strategies and test cases.
  3. Putting those test ideas into action.
  4. Defects discovered as a result of such test plans are noted and reported to the developers.
  5. Developers fix the issues that were mentioned and retest the system.

What is Beta Testing?

Beta testing is a type of acceptance testing that is performed by a limited group of real app users. As the highest degree of testing, it is conducted in production or real-world setting. To do this type of testing, a small group of external members or consumers is given access to the program and asked to provide feedback on the product’s design, functionality, and overall quality.

This testing is incredibly beneficial since it allows us to get direct input from individuals who will be using the product when it is published, reducing the likelihood of software failure. Beta testing can take several forms, including traditional beta testing, public beta testing, technical beta testing, targeted beta testing, and post-release beta testing.

  1. No need for a testing environment.
  2. Software is tested for dependability, robustness, and security during beta testing.
  3. It takes place at the end-location. user’s
  4. It is carried out by genuine users who are not affiliated with the firm.
  5. In beta testing, black box testing is frequently employed.

Difference Between Alpha Testing and Beta Testing

  1. A lab is required for Alpha screening, but not for Beta testing.
  2. In Alpha testing, both black and white boxes are used, however, in Beta testing, only black boxes are used.
  3. Alpha testing is carried out by internal testers and classic “, whereas Beta results came out by real users who will be employing the product.
  4. Alpha testing takes longer to complete, but Beta testing is finished in a matter of weeks.
  5. The Alpha testing stage occurs in the company’s facility, whereas Beta testing occurs at the client’s facility.

Comparison Between Alpha and Beta Testing

Parameter of ComparisonAlpha TestingBeta Testing
TestingPersonnel from the organization conducted the exam.The testing is done by clients who are not employees of the organization.
Places requireThe level of assessment needs a particular testing environment..This does not need a testing environment
security TestingRobustness and security checks are not included in alpha testing.During testing, these criteria are evaluated.
when the process PerformedIt really is done out before the product’s introduction to the market.It is carried out throughout the marketing of a product.
DurationTo finish the testing, it goes through several cycles. This may change depending on the number of concerns discovered.To finish the testing, it goes through 1-2 cycles. This may change depending on the user’s comments.

Reference

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042815037982
  2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=XoKrMjrsU8EC&oi=fnd&pg=PR3&dq=+Beta+Testing&ots=akm7eQLowp&sig=u2OCVzlu–lIQDrJ0h-44i1JpL4