What is the difference between Alpha Testing and Beta Testing ?

Typically a software product passes through two stages of testing before it is considered to
be Final. The first stage is known as “Alpha Testing”. It is often performed by potential users
/ customers or an independent test team at the developers’ site. It is usually done when the
development of the software product is nearing completion; minor design changes may still
be made as a result of Alpha testing.

The second stage coming after alpha testing is known as “Beta Testing”. Versions of the
software, known as beta versions, are released to a limited audience outside of the
programming team so that further evaluation by the users can reveal more faults or bugs in

the product. Sometimes, beta versions are made available to the open public to increase the
feedback field to a maximum number of future users.