Which of the following statements BEST describes the relationship between beta testing and acceptance testing?

Beta testing is a type of acceptance testing performed by end users in a real-world or production-like environment. It is especially relevant for cloud-based and SaaS platforms where widespread feedback is required before release.

Option B is correct because SaaS platforms often release features to a subset of users (beta users) to test the software under actual operating conditions, get feedback, and fix any defects that were not found during internal testing. This allows vendors to validate functionality, performance, and usability in diverse environments.

Other options:

A: Beta testing is not limited to Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) software.

C: Incorrect — beta testing is a form of acceptance testing, not a separate unrelated technique.

D: Incorrect — beta testing and acceptance testing overlap, but they are not synonyms; the terminology does not change based on the development approach (Agile or not).

Answer: B. Beta testing is often used for acceptance testing of Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms