Alpha and Beta testing are forms of Acceptance Testing.
- Alpha Testing is a type of acceptance testing performed mainly by the in-house software QA and testing teams. It is the last testing done by the test teams at the development site after the acceptance testing and before releasing the software for beta test.
- Beta Testing is performed by real users of the software application in a real environment. This is the final testing phase where companies release the software to a few external user groups outside the company’s test teams or employees.
These testing methodologies help in building confidence to launch the product, and thereby result in the success of the product in the market. They also help in gaining experience with the product before its launch and valuable feedback is effectively implemented to increase the usability of the product.
