Imagine a job where you get paid to test websites, beta test apps, software, video games, and other products that most people don’t even have access to yet.
That’s what being a beta tester is all about—testing products and providing feedback so developers can improve them.
Sounds like a dream job, right?
To top it off, the beta tester salary isn’t too bad either (ranging from $19,786 to $64,063 according to PayScale).
To pursue a career as a beta tester, you primarily need to look into the gaming industry, where you can work as a video game tester for companies that design and develop games. But that’s not for everyone. You need to actually understand gaming and have some insider knowledge of how it works.
The good news is that there are beta testing opportunities that almost anyone can participate in.
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These opportunities allow you to beta test a variety of digital products—apps, games, software, and more.
Unfortunately, finding them isn’t easy.
What makes it even more challenging is that the testing periods are usually short—ranging from a few days to a few months at most.
So, it can be difficult to keep up.
You have to constantly find new programs.
Thankfully, there are sites that do the hard work for you.
Some of them act as a sort of directory, finding beta testing opportunities and listing them on their site.
There are also sites run by companies that help brands conduct tests.
Either way, these sites make it easy to find testing opportunities that might interest you.
So how do you find these sites?
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It’s simple—just read the rest of this post!
We’ve already done the work for you.
Before we get to the list, let me explain what beta testing is and how it works for those unfamiliar with it.
Table of Contents
What is a Beta Test?
No matter how much developers try, certain issues and bugs only appear when the product is out in the real world, in real customers’ hands.
It’s similar to product testing!
A beta test is typically the last test companies conduct before releasing the product to the market.
It’s the final line of defense.
Its purpose is to catch any issues or bugs that slipped through previous inspections and tests.
As a developer, you don’t want to release a product full of bugs.
You don’t want your first impression to be a negative one.
Beta testing gives companies an opportunity to have their product tested by real people in real-world conditions.
Beta testing has a significant impact on the success or failure of a product.
As a beta tester, you often get the chance to experience a new product firsthand.
The best part is that your feedback helps shape the final product. That alone is enough of an incentive for many of us.
What’s in it for the Beta Tester?
Companies and developers benefit immensely from beta testing.
But what’s in it for the beta tester?
Rewards!
Obviously, you can’t expect people to give their time and feedback without offering them something in return.
However, companies want honest feedback, so they prefer not to compensate in ways that might influence the direction and tone of participants’ feedback.
When it comes to rewarding participants, each company has its own policies.
That said, you can generally expect rewards in the following forms:
- Cash
- Gift Cards
- Free Stuff (usually the finished version of the product you beta tested)
- Other prizes (T-shirts, exclusive discounts for their products, etc.)
Beta Testing Opportunities
Now that you know what beta testing is, how it works, and what you can expect for your participation, it’s time to find legitimate companies looking for beta testers.
Join any of the sites listed below, browse the available beta testing jobs, and apply for the ones that interest you.
1. BetaTesting (formerly ErliBird)
I’ve mentioned BetaTesting.com before.
It’s an excellent company that collaborates with some of the top brands worldwide, helping them conduct beta tests.
They pay around $10 per test.
They also offer paid focus groups.
For focus groups, you can earn between $5 and $15.
Payments are made via PayPal.
- Where to apply: https://betatesting.com/beta-testers
2. VMC’s Global Beta Test Network
If you enjoy AAA multiplayer console and PC games, this opportunity is for you.
VMC partners with some of the world’s top video game developers to help run beta tests.
You’ll have the chance to play brand-new games that haven’t been released yet.
Here’s what the company says about the pay:
These paid jobs run weekly across all continents, allowing players to work from home during the sessions.
- Where to apply: https://www.playgbtn.com
3. BetaFamily
This is a platform where app developers pay to have their apps tested.
On the other side, they have a panel where you can sign up as a beta tester to get paid for testing apps.
They feature apps from various categories—games, business, productivity, books, weather, navigation, lifestyle, and more.
The pay varies based on the app and the duration of the test.
Payments are made via PayPal once you have $50 in your account.
- Where to apply: https://betafamily.com/tests
4. Betabound! (Centercode)
They collaborate with some of the top companies in the tech industry—companies like Yahoo, PayPal, Honeywell, Epson, Google, GE, Amazon, and Comcast, to name a few.
You don’t need to be a “techie” to apply. They welcome people from all backgrounds—whether you’re 14, 16, 20, or 80 years old, male or female, gamer or not.
Their beta test management company, Centercode, is one of the best-known platforms where tech companies conduct beta tests.
Although they don’t offer cash payments, you can earn rewards like free products and gift cards.
- Where to apply: https://my.betabound.com
Other Places You Can Find Paid Beta Testing Opportunities
In addition to using the sites mentioned, there are other ways to find beta testing opportunities.
Social Media Sites
One option is through social media sites. Companies often announce their upcoming beta testing programs on their social media pages.
Following a few of your favorite companies could be an effective way to stay informed.
Online Forums
Another way to find opportunities is through community forums, typically official ones.
For instance, when Spotify needed testers for their Android app, they posted this on the Spotify Community forum.
Final Thoughts
During my research for this post, I came across many forum posts where people were asking questions like, “Where can I find a part-time job as a beta tester?”
Beta testing is not something you can rely on to earn enough to cover your bills.
It’s just not realistic.
In most cases, you won’t be paid in cash. Instead, you might receive free gift cards and products.
Additionally, the availability of work is inconsistent at best. You won’t have a steady stream of jobs, so it’s not something you can depend on financially.
That said, becoming a beta tester is a fantastic way to experience new apps, software, games, and other products firsthand before they are released.
Plus, you can earn cash, gift cards, and other prizes.
If you know of any other beta testing jobs or opportunities, please let us know by leaving a comment below.
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