Beta Testing Explained – What It Is, Benefits & Challenges

You've developed your software and went through all the rigorous testing processes, and now you’re wondering, “What’s next?” This is where beta testing comes in.

But what exactly is beta testing? 

It’s the phase where your software undergoes real-world testing by actual users—people who will use it in everyday situations. 

Established companies like PlayStation and IBM have launched their beta programs to let users try out their latest features before they hit the market. It’s a chance to iron out any issues and ensure the software is functional and user-friendly. 

Let’s see what beta testing is and how you can make it work for you.

Table of Contents

What is Beta Testing?

Beta testing is a critical pre-release phase in the software development process, during which a company releases its product to a limited audience outside its team prior to the official launch.

Beta testing aims to evaluate the software in various real-world scenarios. Testers try software on as many combinations of devices, operating systems, browsers, and platforms as possible while developers also rely on beta testing tools to improve the overall testing process.

Different types of beta testing include closed, open, technical, focused, and post-release beta testing. 

The purpose of beta testing is to:

  • Validate end-users are satisfied with the product
  • Assess how the product performs in a real-world setting. 
  • Gather user feedback to improve design, functionality, and usability. 
  • Identify any issues, such as bugs, glitches, or usability challenges missed during internal testing. 

Some organizations also follow an 80/20 rule for beta testing – 80% of users use only 20% of the app’s essential features. Focusing on these key features can help maximize testing efficiency.

The more users participate as beta testers, the better the organization can understand the product’s acceptance and perception among their target audience.

Ultimately, beta testing helps developers refine their products based on real-world feedback. At the same time, users benefit from improved functionality and enhanced user-friendliness. 

Types Of Beta Testing

Beta testing encompasses various approaches tailored to different objectives and user bases. 

Understanding the various types of beta tests can help organizations choose the most suitable method for their specific needs. 

Here are the primary types:

1. Closed Beta

  • Closed beta testing involves releasing the software to a restricted group of users, often by invitation only. 
  • These users are typically selected based on specific criteria such as technical expertise, demographic profiles, or previous interactions with the company. 
  • This controlled environment allows for focused feedback and ensures critical issues are identified and resolved before a broader release.

2. Open Beta

  • Open beta testing makes the software available to a larger, often public, audience. 
  • This type of testing provides a broader range of feedback as it involves users with varied technical skills and use cases. 
  • Open beta tests help identify widespread issues and gather diverse user insights, making it invaluable for refining the product before its official launch.

3. Technical Beta

  • Technical beta testing involves users who have a high level of technical expertise. These users focus on identifying complex bugs, performance issues, and security vulnerabilities. 
  • This type of beta testing is beneficial for products that require rigorous technical scrutiny to ensure robustness and reliability.

4. Focused Beta

  • Focused beta testing targets a specific segment of users who test particular features or functionalities of the software. 
  • This approach allows developers to gather detailed feedback on specific aspects of the product. Furthermore, they ensure critical features meet user expectations and perform as intended.

5. Marketing Beta

  • Marketing beta testing aims to generate buzz and gather early feedback on the product’s market appeal. 
  • This type of testing often involves influencers, bloggers, or media representatives who can provide visibility and initial reviews. 
  • The feedback helps refine marketing strategies and address potential public concerns before the official launch.

6. Post-Release Beta

  • Post-release beta testing occurs after the product has been officially launched. It involves ongoing user feedback to identify and fix issues that still need to be discovered during pre-release testing. 
  • This continuous testing process helps maintain product quality and user satisfaction over time.

7. Parallel Beta

  • Parallel beta testing involves releasing multiple software versions simultaneously to different user groups. 
  • This approach helps compare the performance and user feedback across various versions, providing valuable insights into which features and configurations are most effective.

8. A/B Testing

  • A/B testing, or split testing, involves comparing two product versions to determine which performs better. 
  • This type of testing helps optimize specific features, user interfaces, or marketing strategies based on user interactions and feedback.

The Difference Between Beta Testing and Alpha Testing

Though this guide is dedicated to beta testing, it’s worth noting alpha testing and the differences between the two testing types.

Alpha testing is the initial testing phase conducted by developers before releasing the product to external testers. 

The primary goal of alpha testing is to identify and fix any major issues or bugs early in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Meanwhile, the goal of beta testing is to collect user feedback and uncover minor bugs/visibility problems. 

Ultimately, the difference between alpha and beta testing is that alpha testing is done early in the SDLC while beta testing is done near the final stages when the software/product is close to release.

Alpha testing offers early bug detection, ensures software stability before release, and saves time and costs. 

On the other hand, beta testing provides real-world user insights and enhances product functionality and usability. It also detects minor bugs and issues missed in earlier phases.

Who Performs Beta Testing?

Beta testing isn’t a one-man (or one-team) show.

In fact, different groups of individuals perform beta testing to ensure a comprehensive pre-launch evaluation. 

Initially, internal testers from the development team may perform early beta testing to verify their product’s basic functionality. 

However, the primary value of beta testing comes from external testers who provide an unbiased and fresh perspective based on real-world usage scenarios.

​External beta testers can be:

  • Loyal customers
  • Industry experts
  • Random users

External beta testers offer unbiased feedback and can identify usability issues missed by the development team. Based on their experience, they can highlight the software’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Feedback from beta testing can be positive or negative. Positive feedback helps validate successful aspects of the software, while negative feedback highlights areas that need improvement.

Developers should prioritize critical issues identified by beta testers and address them promptly. 

Why You Need Beta Testing?

As we mentioned earlier, beta testing is a crucial stage in the software development process. But why?

Ultimately, beta testing helps developers ensure that their product meets end user needs and expectations when they launch their product.

How? Well, in exchange for early access to a company’s product, users provide developers with critical feedback. 

Below, we’ve provided a breakdown on exactly what we mean and why you shouldn’t skip on beta testing. They key reasons include:

  • Gather valuable user feedback: Developers can collect insights and suggestions from real users, helping to refine the product before its official launch.
  • Identify unforeseen issues: Beta testing helps uncover bugs, usability problems, and performance issues that may have been missed during internal testing.
  • Validate functionality: Testing the software in real-world scenarios ensures it functions correctly across various environments and usage patterns.
  • Improve user experience: Incorporating feedback from beta testers allows developers to enhance the product’s user interface and overall user experience.
  • Build customer trust: Involving users in the testing process demonstrates that the company values their input and is committed to delivering high-quality software.

When Should You Perform Beta Testing?

Beta tests help ensure your software has passed all QA phases and is ready for release without any errors. 

Here are some instances when beta testing should be performed:

1. Learn More About Users

Conduct beta testing to understand how users interact with your product. This helps you gather feedback on their needs, preferences, and pain points. As a result, you can make user-centric improvements.

2. Test New Features or Layouts

Imagine that you want to introduce a new feature or layout to your existing software. 

Beta testing will ensure they work as intended, and will help avoid surprise backlash from your customer base upon release. 

This is because you’re giving real users the opportunity to test your software in various scenarios, highlighting any issues or improvements needed prior to official release.

One of the best examples to think about here is when Google or Apple release a new version of their operating systems (OS) – Android or iOS. 

New OS versions come jam packed with new feature sets and updated layouts, and beta testing allows both companies to collect feedback from loyal community members. 

3. Determine Readiness

Beta tests help determine if your product is ready for release. While that does sound like a given, testers may find unexpected bugs or exploits in your software.

These may cause a delay in product launch, however, you’ll be able to ensure a smoother launch and a better user experience (UX) – and thus customer satisfaction – as you’ll identify bugs or usability issues on time.

4. Validate New Products

Another great reason to engage in beta testing is that you’ll get indicators as to whether your product meets your target market’s expectations. 

There’s nothing worse than releasing a product that doesn’t function as expected.

Through beta testing, you’ll be able to comfortably validate your product’s new functionalities and market appeal before launching it to market.

5. Test System Stability

Finally, you can also perform beta testing to assess your system’s overall stability. This can help identify performance issues, compatibility problems, and other critical factors you must address before the final release.

For example, let’s say you’ve invested a ton of resources into advertising your product and thus you’ve created lots of hype around its launch. There’d be nothing worse than your system crashing upon a spike in software usage upon launch. 

Beta Testing Myths and Realities

Companies often cite several common reasons for bypassing beta tests. However, a closer examination reveals that these rationales highlight the essential nature of beta testing.

Myth #1: We Can’t Afford Beta Tests Because of Time or Budget Constraints

The pressure to skip beta tests and move directly from alpha testing to product launch can be significant for software teams with tight budgets and deadlines. 

Beta tests can extend timelines and require additional resources, raising concerns about missing deadlines or losing a competitive edge. 

Additionally, budget constraints might make beta tests seem unaffordable, especially after thorough alpha testing.

Reality: Beta testing saves time and money in the long term

While skipping beta tests could save time and money initially, it often results in more significant costs later. Identifying and fixing bugs before launch prevents costly and time-consuming post-release patches. 

This proactive approach allows development teams to focus on new projects rather than troubleshooting and reduces the volume of support tickets. 

Moreover, delivering a polished product enhances customer satisfaction, retention, and brand loyalty, ultimately providing a higher return on investment.

Myth #2: QA Processes Make Beta Testing Redundant

Some teams believe that thorough quality assurance (QA) processes and thorough alpha testing are enough to catch all significant bugs. 

QA teams design tests based on internal data and customer journeys to cover as many scenarios as possible.

Reality: Beta testing addresses issues QA teams can miss

Despite the best efforts of QA teams, they can only anticipate some real-world scenarios. 

External customers may use the product unexpectedly or encounter issues in diverse environments that internal testing did not cover.

A beta test extends the reach of QA by involving real users who interact with the product on different devices, operating systems, and locations. 

This broader testing base helps uncover issues that, if left unresolved, could negatively impact the wider customer base and harm the brand.

Myth #3: Beta Tests Can Frustrate Customers

Some companies avoid beta testing due to concerns about brand reputation. They fear that exposing users to an unfinished product might frustrate them. 

The unpredictability and loss of control associated with beta testing can also be intimidating.

Reality: Beta tests promote customer engagement

Properly executed beta testing can enhance customer relationships. 

Beta testers, often brand champions and early adopters, appreciate being included in the development process and having their feedback valued. 

Engaging with testers through surveys, open-field questions, and bug reports fosters trust and loyalty. 

Additionally, beta testers can become enthusiastic advocates for the product, generating positive word-of-mouth and excitement around new features.

Real-Life Examples of Beta Tests

We’ve talked quite a bit about beta testing. But what about beta testing in action? Below, we’ve left some great examples of beta tests conducted by well-known companies:

  • The developer of Socrates announced its launch for open beta tests in 2023. Socrates is a web3 social media and entertainment platform based on the blockchain. 
  • Google also has a beta version of Google Chrome, known as Chrome Beta. Users can preview upcoming Chrome features before they are released. 
  • Apple has an Apple Beta Program, where registered members can test pre-release versions of Apple products. 
  • Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has launched a Closed Beta version of his new social networking app, Bluesky. Currently, only a select group of users can access it from the App Store.

Additional Benefits of Beta Testing

Beyond addressing these myths, a beta test provides several other key benefits. 

  • It offers valuable insights into user behavior and preferences, aiding in refining product features and improving user satisfaction. 
  • Early feedback from beta testers helps prioritize development efforts and focus on the most critical issues. 
  • Furthermore, beta tests generate early market interest and visibility, enhancing product adoption rates. 
  • Companies can ensure their software is robust, user-friendly, and well-received.

The Beta Testing Process

Beta tests start with thorough planning but doesn’t end there. Several other steps ensure a successful testing phase. These include: 

  1. Identify Scope and Goals: Define what you want to achieve with beta testing. Without clear goals, it’ll obviously be difficult to measure how successful your testing efforts are. In addition to goal setting, you want to determine the features and functionalities that will be tested.
  2. Select Beta Testers and Tools: Next, you want to choose a diverse group of beta testers representing your target audience in order to minimize any sort of bias during testing. In addition, you’ll need to select the tools for bug tracking, feedback collection, and communication that will facilitate the testing process.
  3. Set Up The Test Environment: Prepare the test environment to resemble the production environment closely. This helps identify real-world issues that users might encounter. As we’ve already mentioned, test simulation can only take you so far.
  4. Develop Test Scenarios and Cases: In order to conduct successful beta testing, create detailed test scenarios and cases that guide testers. Both the test scenarios and cases you’ve written should cover all functionalities and possible user interactions, and be in line with company protocols. Not sure how to write a test case? Dayana Mayfield from Testlio has you covered.
  5. Build Feedback Channels: Collecting feedback during testing will help you understand the specific needs of your target market, prioritize features, and spread the word about any new additions to your software. Some feedback collection methods you can utilize include surveys, bug-reporting tools, and discussion forums.
  6. Establish Timelines: Time is money. And without strict deadlines, you may end up delaying your product or feature release. Set a timeline for the beta testing phase, including start and end dates and key milestones.

Entry and Exit Criteria of Beta Testing

Establishing a clear entry and exit criteria will lead to more successful beta testing. 

Entry and exit criteria ensure that the software is tested comprehensively and that the testing phase concludes effectively. 

We go through each below:

1. Entry Criteria for Beta Testing

Determining an entry criteria will set clear guidelines on whether your software is ready for beta testing. 

In other words you’ll be ensuring that external testers jump into testing your software at the right moment.

You may consider some of the following criteria as an entry signal for beta testing entry:

  • Completion of Alpha Testing: All critical issues identified during alpha testing have been resolved.
  • Stability and Functionality: The software has reached a certain level of stability, and core functionalities are working correctly.
  • Feature Implementation: All major features have been implemented and are operational.

2. Exit Criteria for Beta Testing

Conversely, exit criteria define when beta testing can be concluded, and indicate that your software has been thoroughly tested and is ready for release. 

Exit criteria help ensure that all necessary improvements have been made based on real tester feedback.

Below, we’ve outlined some criteria which you may take into consideration for exiting the beta testing phase:

  • Bug Resolution: All identified bugs and issues have been resolved or documented for future fixes.
  • Feedback Analysis: User feedback has been collected and analyzed, and appropriate changes have been implemented.
  • Performance and Usability: The software meets predefined performance and usability targets, ensuring a satisfactory user experience.

Beta Testing Best Practices

To help make sure that your beta testing efforts are as effective as possible, we’ve outlined  some best practices.

Here’s a look at a few:

1. Identify Potential Challenges

Conduct a risk assessment in order to pinpoint potential issues that may arise during beta testing, including technical issues, user engagement problems, or communication breakdowns.

Doing so will allow you to develop contingency plans to address these challenges quickly and efficiently.

2. Set Clear Objectives

Next, define and align on clear beta testing goals with all key stakeholders. As you define your objectives, make sure to keep to the SMART principles of goal setting, and to also outline your KPIs in order to measure the success of your testing efforts.

3. Select Diverse Beta Testers

We’ve previously touched on avoiding bias during testing. That’s why you should choose a group of testers with differing demographics, technical skills, and usage patterns – as well as existing and new customers. 

With so many different profiles of testers evaluating your software, you’ll gain an understanding of how different user segments interact with your product.

4. Provide Clear Instructions and Documentation

Ensure beta testers have all the necessary information to test the product effectively. This includes clear instructions, documentation, and any required resources.

Create a detailed beta testing guide with step-by-step instructions and include relevant frequently asked questions (FAQs) to assist testers. 

5. Establish Effective Communication Channels

Platforms like Slack, Discord, or private forums are effective tools for facilitating communication between beta testers and your development team. Combined with regular check-ins and updates, you’ll be able to quickly address issues and gather feedback.

6. Manage Bug Reports Effectively

To help track, prioritize and resolve issues promptly, you should implement a structured process for managing bug reports.

To help, you may employ tools such as JIRA and Bugzilla, both of which for organizing reports. When you’re prioritizing, do so on the basis of severity and impact on the user experience.

7. Regularly Review and Analyze Feedback

During testing, you want to identify trends, common issues, and areas for improvement. You may use data analysis tools to track and visualize feedback trends, and also hold regular team meetings to discuss findings and decide on necessary actions.

8. Continuously Iterate and Improve

Beta testing should be an iterative process where you continuously improve based on feedback and retest the product.

Plan for multiple beta testing cycles to refine the product progressively. Implement changes promptly and communicate updates to testers.

9. Consider a Crowdsourced Testing Partner

Leveraging a crowdsourced testing partner can provide access to a more extensive and diverse group of testers, enhancing the quality and breadth of feedback.

Choose a reputable crowdsourced testing partner like Testlio, which features a global network of 10,000 expert testers and over 1200 real OS/device combinations in several countries. 

Additional Tips and Best Practices

  • Conduct surveys and interviews to understand potential beta testers’ motivations and expectations, ensuring you select the most suitable participants.
  • Engage with project managers, developers, and other stakeholders to align beta testing goals with overall project objectives.
  • Make sure your criteria for beta testing fit within your project’s timeline and resource availability to avoid delays and overextended resources.
  • Regularly assess and adjust your criteria based on the feedback and results obtained from the beta testing process.

The Future of Beta Testing

As with all areas of the software world, beta testing is evolving. And staying ahead of trends can help you maintain a competitive edge when releasing a new product. 

Let’s discuss the upcoming trends in beta testing:

1. Automated Testing and AI

Automated testing has already become an integral part of software testing, and beta testing is no exception. AI-powered automation tools can quickly run through numerous test scenarios, significantly reducing the time required for manual testing. AI can analyze patterns and detect bugs more efficiently than human testers by identifying issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

2. Continuous Beta Testing

Continuous beta testing involves running beta tests throughout the development process rather than as a separate phase. This way, developers can get regular updates on user feedback and resolve issues. Early issue resolution and ongoing improvements ensure the products are released faster. This results in shorter development cycles, quicker time-to-market, and customer satisfaction. 

3. Beta Testing as User Experience Research

Beta testing is evolving beyond bug detection to become an important component of UX research. Developers can understand user behavior and preferences by combining data from beta testing with traditional user research techniques. Insights gained from beta testing can guide design changes, which ensures that the final product meets user needs and expectations.

Final Thoughts

Software development processes require beta testing to ensure products are error-free before formal release. Looking forward, beta testing is not just about catching bugs anymore. It is now equally focused on enhancing the user experience. 

From using AI for software testing to digging deeper into how users engage with products, there are some exciting trends for beta testing. 

If you’re in this field, staying in the loop is a must! These new ideas can help ensure products are of high quality when released. Therefore, organizations and testers must embrace new approaches and technologies to stay updated. 

Need help with your software testing endeavors? Testlio offers various QA testing services to ensure you launch high-quality products. Whether you need manual testing, test automation, or fused testing, Testlio has you covered. 

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