Beta testing is a pre-release phase where invited (or open) users exercise a product that is almost ready — after internal QA, but before the big public launch.

Testers report crashes, confusing flows, and missing features. Closed beta means a selected group; open beta means anyone can join. It complements A/B tests (which compare versions in production) and usability research. App stores often use tools like TestFlight for this stage before a soft launch or full release.

A real-life example of beta testing

A booking app invites 50 local salons to try scheduling for a month. They find that “Cancel” looks like “Confirm” on small phones. Fixing that before ads run saves refunds and one-star reviews. The beta group feels heard; the product ships cleaner.

Invite people who match your user personas, give a clear feedback channel, and act on patterns — not every single request. See Publishing a React Native App for store beta distribution, and consumer feedback loops.