Alpha testing

Alpha testing is simulated or actual operational testing by potential users/customers or an independent test team at the developers' site. Alpha testing is often employed for off-the-shelf software as a form of internal acceptance testing, before the software goes to beta testing.

 - Conducted at the developer site

 - The testers and real customers jointly test the software.

Beta testing

Beta testing comes after alpha testing. Versions of the software, known as beta versions, are released to a limited audience outside of the programming team. The software is released to groups of people so that further testing can ensure the product has few faults or bugs. Sometimes, beta versions are made available to the open public to increase the feedback field to a maximal number of future users.

Alpha testing : Testing of an application when development is nearing completion,minor design changes may still be made as a result of such testing. Done by end-users or others, not by programmers or testers.

Beta testing: Testing when development and testing are essentially completed and final bugs and problems need to be found before final release. Done by end-users or others, not by programmers or testers