5 Great Beta Tester Jobs For Making Extra Money
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Beta testing is an essential part of the software development process. Beta tester jobs involve running a version of the software in a real-world environment to identify any potential flaws or bugs that weren’t found during the initial development stages.
You are given specific tasks and use cases to test and then provide feedback on how well the software performed.
Beta testing is a great way to make money as a freelance tester and can be done from the comfort of your own home. All you need is an internet connection, a computer, and some basic knowledge of software testing techniques. Plenty of easy online jobs in this field will provide you with additional training.
With a bit of practice, anyone can become a successful beta tester.
This article lists five top beta tester jobs and shares some guidelines to get you started.
Contents
What Is the Job of a Beta Tester?
Beta testing is a type of user acceptance testing carried out to find any issues in the product or software before it is officially released.
Beta testers are a sample of the "real users" that test products in the production environment - a controlled setting where end users will experience and engage with the product. They conduct testing to find as many lapses or errors in the design, usability, and appeal of the product and provide a detailed report on the defects.
The testing is confidential and carried out for a specified period. The testers, in return, are compensated for their time and service in the form of cash, gift cards, or products for a free or reduced price.
5 Companies Offering Beta Tester Jobs
1. Tester Work
Founded in 2013, Tester Work is a community of more than 70,000 worldwide testers. It provides members the opportunity to earn money by testing websites and apps in their free time.
After registering on the website, you need to pass an assessment. This assessment accesses your skills as a tester and helps Tester Work assign you to the relevant tests.
Every test invitation includes the relevant job details and payment summary. You will get paid on approval of the bug reports in USD via PayPal or Upwork.
2. Beta Family
With more than 35,200 tests created worldwide, Beta Family is a crowd-testing platform helping developers receive feedback on their newly created apps.
The testers can browse through tests to see whether they fit the specific criteria before applying to a test. The requirements are listed as sexual orientation, age, the devices required, the country of residence, and the test duration.
Once a test finishes, the test owner assigns a rating to every tester. A higher rating will help to get more invitations in the future.
There are rewarded and non-rewarded tests, with the former paying around $5-$20 per test. The test amount is added to the Beta Family account, and you can request a payout when the total reaches $50. Beta Family uses PayPal to transfer money to your bank account.
3. Test IO
Test IO is a freelance testing community created to help startups and leading companies produce high-performance apps.
The platform provides resources to guide testers on how to undergo tests and produce detailed bug reports. You will receive test invitations based on your skill sets and interests, with an average tester receiving up to 5 tests a day.
The amount you generate from tests depends on the type of tests you undertake along with the quality of bugs you report, with high-priority bugs rewarding around $50. The payments are billed monthly to the tester.
4. Betabound
Formerly known as OnlineBeta, Betabound is a free online platform that combines testers and developers from all over the world to create efficient technological products. It's one of the best work-from-home jobs for those who love all things technology.
You can register as a member and give details regarding your basic profile and the technology you use. This will help Betabound to match you with the right beta testing opportunities. There are two categories of tests available to Betabound members:
- Private Betabound exclusive: You will receive an email to apply for these tests, or you can find them on your Betabound homepage
- Public Betabound exclusive: Members can join these tests right away. There are no specific requirements that need to be met
To provide beta testing opportunities easily navigatable for its members, Betabound uses designated icons to help filter through tests. Then you can choose from video game testing, mobile testing, software testing, web testing, and many others. And, if you want to test physical products, they will send those your way too.
All testers on the platform are volunteers and do not provide feedback in exchange for monetary benefit. However, some companies do offer rewards for high-quality feedback in the form of amazon gift cards, free products, etc.
5. Totem Arts
Totem Arts is the team behind the creation of the popular video game Renegade X. This is the perfect job for game testers who love to provide input and feedback towards the development of new games.
So if you love playing video games, this can be the perfect place for you to start making money playing video games, as it also provides major training sessions to help enhance your skills.
Currently, Totem Arts are looking for beta testers for the game "Firestorm." Any prior experience in game testing or bug reports is considered valuable to be a part of this testing community.
How Do You Become a Beta Tester?
1. Research Developers
Look for developers of games, mobile apps, and software that interest you. Many developers have open beta testing positions, while others look for specific skills.
Once you have found the right match, fill in the online application or send an email to advertise your services.
2. Offer Your Services For Free At First
You can choose to offer voluntary testing services to test games and software. This will help to polish your skills and diversify your knowledge base as a game and QA tester. It can also assist in building contacts with companies.
These companies can then communicate with you directly for a paid position when they search for beta testers.
3. Set Job Alerts for Beta Tester Jobs
Companies in the video game industry generally release teasers or news before launching new games in the market. You can look for any opportunities by signing up for their newsletters.
Another way to receive the latest job alert is by creating an account on different job boards. You can set your criteria for beta testing jobs and receive email notifications whenever a new opening arises.
4. Join Beta Testing Groups
You can also join beta testing groups on social media platforms and other community networks to increase your learning opportunities.
Many company representatives post details regarding product and service releases on these groups, and you can also take guidance from reviews and experiences shared by other testers.
5. Test the Software and Refine Your Process
This is the chance to get yourself recognized as a successful beta tester. You need to test the software or video games based on the provided parameters for functionality and usability.
Provide honest feedback and keep a keen eye on any other issues that can improve the product.
Where Can I Find Beta Tester Jobs?
Apart from freelancing positions, many companies offer full-time jobs to test new products. It can be exciting to make a living through a job where your opinion is valued. An average beta tester in the US earns a median salary of around $79,212.
You can search for different positions through:
1. Job Boards
You can find the job title "Beta Tester" as a Games tester, Actuarial Tester, Application Tester, and Business Operations Analyst on many different job boards.
Recruitment sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn (and other company review websites we've covered) all post several available jobs on their platforms. You can refer to the job description to see whether the position matches your expertise before applying for the job.
2. Social Media
Groups on social media sites like Facebook are a useful way to interact with fellow testers. Many company representatives are part of such platforms where they advertise and share information about their upcoming products.
Individuals who love playing video games and testing different software can seek help from such forums and build contacts with developers.
3. Directly Reaching out to Companies
Companies release pre-launch teasers to create a sensation for their products. If you love playing games or trying new apps and software, this is a perfect opportunity to contact the developers directly and book a place as a beta tester.
Depending on the quality of your feedback and your eye for detail, the development team can contact you for more testing opportunities in the future.
The Bottom Line: Beta Tester Jobs
If you already enjoy testing and evaluating new products, beta tester jobs will be right up your alley.
And the more experience you have, the more likely you'll qualify for future opportunities. Just make sure to be honest, detailed, and timely in providing your feedback. This way, companies will see you as the go-to person when they need their new products and services tested.
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