Pilot Testing:
Pilot testing is the type of software testing where a group of users uses the software in totality before the final launch or deployment of the software. This testing verifies a component of the system or the entire system under a real time operating condition. The purpose of the pilot Testing is to evaluate the feasibility, time, cost, risk and performance of a research project.
Beta Testing:
Beta Testing is performed by real users of the software application in a real environment. Beta testing is one of the type of User Acceptance Testing. Beta version of the software, whose feedback is needed, is released to a limited number of end-users of the product to obtain feedback on the product quality. Beta testing helps in minimization of product failure risks and it provides increased quality of the product through customer validation.
The Difference between Pilot Testing and Beta Testing:
| Pilot Testing | Beta Testing |
|---|---|
| It is performed to verify the entire system and its components. | It is performed to minimize the failure risks. |
| It is performed by selected users. | It is performed end users. |
| It is performed in the user (real) environment. | It is performed in development environment. |
| Pilot testing is performed before the launch of product in the market. | Beta testing is performed after the launch of the product. |
| In this testing, feedback comes from some selected users. | In beta testing, feedback comes from customer directly. |
| It is done before beta testing. | It is done after pilot testing. |
| It requires an environment or lab. | It doesn’t require an environment or lab. |
| This testing is done exactly between the UAT and production. | This testing is done exactly after production. |
