Navigating Beta Testing: Testflight for Android and Its Alternatives

Quynh Pham | 30/07/2024

Navigating Beta Testing: Testflight for Android and Its Alternatives

Every successful app has gone through extensive software testing processes. While Apple developers often rely on Testflight, Android developers also utilize Testflight equivalents in their development processes. This article will discuss everything you need to know regarding Testflight alternatives for Android developers. Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways:

Testflight is a beta testing software exclusively for Apple developers.
There are other beta testing tools available for Android developers, including Google Play Console, TestFairy, and Applivery. Every software has its pros and cons.
Beta testing is crucial for creating the most high-quality apps and best user experiences.

What Is Testflight, and Why Do Mobile App Developers Need It?

Definition

TestFlight is a platform developed by Apple for beta testing iOS applications. It enables developers to distribute pre-release versions of their apps to selected external testers. Testers are invited to join specific TestFlight beta programs to download, install, evaluate, and provide feedback for these applications. Unlike the Apple Store, TestFlight does not allow users to search for apps; apps are available only through direct invitations from developers.

Why Does Beta Testing Matter?

Testflight is just one tool among many other beta testing tools. The beta test is often used in software and app development and even in marketing. Beta tests are crucial for a myriad of reasons:

Identify and eliminate bugs to ensure an app’s stability
Make sure there is a market for the product
Validate post-launch features
Improve product awareness
Increase platform coverage

Does Testflight Support Android?

No, Testflight doesn’t support Android apps. Testflight exclusively supports iOS applications, as it is owned by Apple and solely designed for the apps in its ecosystem. For beta tests on Android, developers can opt for several Testflight alternatives like Google Play Console, which we will discuss further in the following section.

Testflight Alternatives for Android Beta Testing

While Testflight is a popular tool for iOS beta testers, the fact that it doesn’t support Android apps has led developers to search for alternatives. There are, as a matter of fact, multiple alternatives that developers can use for their Android apps.

Google Play Console

Widely regarded as the best alternative, Google Play Console offers a robust suite of tools for launching and managing successful mobile apps, including those monetizing with in-app subscriptions.

Why Choose Google Play Console?

Play Console serves as a platform where you can access and manage essential data for your app, from performance data to in-app purchases, including subscriptions.

With this beta tester, you can gain valuable insight regarding first-party data, the app’s growth and technical performance, e.g. crash reporting, Data regarding conversion rate and other user insights.

Beta Testing in Google Play Console

Play Console offers developers an extensive testing environment with robust features.

The app offers developers two app testing phases: Alpha and Beta releases.
The Alpha program refers to internal testing conducted by your team members. You are able to invite up to 100 internal testers and gain quick feedback in the early development stage.
The beta program refers to external testing for outside users. This program is divided into two types of releases:
Closed beta version: This version consists of participants’ email addresses (up to 2000 lists with 2,000 users on each list). Only those on the lists are involved in the testing process.
Open beta version: Developer teams can set a limit for this version (minimum 1,000 testers), and users can easily find the app in Google Play under the “Apps in development” tab.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Unlimited number of beta testers	Considerable revenue split
Temporarily publish the beta version to the Google Play Console	Competition from big players
Ability to test multiple versions	App discovery can be challenging
Receive reports and analytics post-testing	Cannot see attribution at the campaign ad level

Pricing

Google Play Console costs 25$ per app.

Test Fairy

While Google Play Console is often referred to as the best overall Testflight alternative for Android developers, it isn’t the only tool. TestFairy is another robust Testflight for developers to consider.

TestFairy was created to assist mobile app developers in doing more intelligent app testing.

Why Choose TestFairy?

No SDK (software development kit) or code needs to be added to the tested app, and all updates are done in real time on the TestFairy platform, making TestFairy’s service incredibly user-friendly.

Beta Testing in TestFairy

TestFairy allows users to gather crucial feedback regarding the user’s session.

Developers upload the APK app directly to TestFairy.
The app is distributed to certain beta testers via invite links or based on demographics or type of devices.
Once the app is installed, TestFairy records user sessions and captures videos and screenshots, as well as log files. Log files include relevant information like device information to help developers understand the context.
To streamline the process between testers and developer teams, TestFariy integrates with other tools, like JIRA or HipCHat.
The tool then offers crash reports and real-time analytics.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Simple setup as there is no need to integrate SDKs.	Lack of SDK integration limits customization and control
Detailed testing information with footage, helping with bug identification	Limited features in the free app as recording are only available in advanced versions
Integrates with popular bug-tracking tools	Possible user privacy issues
Real-time insights

Pricing

Free plan available
Four pricing editions, ranging from 39$ to 199$.

Applivery

Applivery is a platform for enterprise-level businesses. It helps developers distribute and manage their mobile app beta testing on both Android and iOS devices. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for tester management.

Why Choose Applivery Family?

Applivery offers developers a versatile and cost-effective solution, consisting of customizable distribution channels, real-time analytics, and integration with third-party tools, etc.

Beta Testing in Apllivery

Beta testing in Applivery happens as follows:

Developers upload their beta apps to the Applivery platform.
Testers access the link via the Applivery platform to install the app.
Testers are organized into groups with varied permission and access levels and specific app versions.
The tool collects feedback in the form of screenshots, logs, and comments. Testers can report bugs during usage.
Developers can manage several app versions and can roll back to the previous version when needed.
Testers can report bugs and issues they encounter while using the app.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Create your own customized App store	Lack of proper analytical reporting data
Strong support team	Limited tools and compatibility issues
Smooth and fast in-organization app deployment	Limited customization capabilities
Real-time updates	Costly compared to other solutions

Pricing

From €490 per year to €2,990 per year.

Best Beta Testing Practices

You might have the best beta testing tools in hand, but without the best beta testing practices, those tools won’t help you build the best-quality apps. Hence, make sure you keep in mind the following beta testing practices.

Have a clear idea of what the testing objectives are. Make sure all the stakeholders are on board. Draft a detailed plan with a target audience, timeline, and expected outcomes to move toward the goal.
After you’ve identified who the target audiences are, look for diverse testers that represent the said target audience. Optimize your engagement strategies and maintain regular communication.
Run through everything regarding the app and make sure it is ready for the beta testing processes.
Make good use of feedback. Whether it is internal feedback or feedback from external testers, organize them logically to quickly identify and fix issues.
Think of engaging activities that mirror the real-world product environments, encourage your users to keep exploring the app, and provide feedback.
Maintain a clear communication policy and comprehensive documentation system regarding all aspects of the beta test. This prevents any delays or misunderstandings.
Don’t rely only on quantitative or qualitative data. Combine both these types of data to gain a full picture of user experience.
Set realistic timelines and expectations. Make sure that relevant stakeholders understand the final goal of beta tests to refine and improve the app.
Regularly review the process and data and adapt accordingly.

Conclusion

All in all, the best Testflight alternative for Android developers is Google Play Console; however, depending on the team’s requirements and budgets, there are other tools like TestFairly or Applivery available to support fast and smooth beta testing and app deployment.

With Orient Software, you won’t have to spend too much time and energy choosing the best beta testing tool, as our seasoned mobile development team has got you covered. All you’ll need to do is let us know what the next thing you are looking for in your mobile application! Contact Orient Software today to find out more!

Topics: Mobile App Development