UAT Testing vs Usability Testing – What’s the Difference?

UAT testing and usability testing are two types of testing that are commonly used in software development to ensure that products are user-friendly, high-quality, and meet user expectations. While they share some similarities, there are important differences between UAT testing and usability testing. In this blog post, we will explore those differences.

UAT Testing

UAT (User Acceptance Testing) testing is a type of testing that focuses on verifying that the software product meets the business requirements and goals of the stakeholders. The testing is typically conducted by end-users or product owners in a real environment, where they are asked to perform specific tasks to evaluate the product’s functionality and usability. The goal of UAT testing is to determine if the product meets the criteria for acceptance or rejection, based on the specific requirements set by the stakeholders. UAT testing is done towards the end of the development cycle when the product is close to being ready for release.

Usability Testing

Usability testing, on the other hand, is a type of testing that evaluates the ease of use and effectiveness of the product from the user’s perspective. It is often conducted by a third-party or a UX specialist to gather insights on how users interact with the product. The goal of usability testing is to identify usability issues and improve the user experience. Usability testing is typically done in the early stages of development to identify potential issues and ensure that the product is designed to meet user needs.

Differences between UAT and Usability Testing

The main difference between UAT testing and usability testing is their focus. UAT testing is focused on verifying that the product meets the requirements and goals of the stakeholders, while usability testing is focused on evaluating the product’s usability and user experience.

Another key difference is the timing of the testing. UAT testing is conducted towards the end of the development cycle, when the product is almost complete and ready for release. On the other hand, usability testing is conducted in the early stages of development, before the product is fully developed, to identify potential usability issues and improve the user experience.

Additionally, the participants in the testing are different. UAT testing is typically done by end-users or product owners, while UX specialists or third-party testers often conduct usability testing.