In 1999, businesses were slowly turning towards the internet. One of these businesses was Alibaba. An online e-commerce store that has a net worth of billions today. But what does that have to do with outsource software testing? Alibaba earned its initial success by choosing outsourcing. Alibaba was based in China. Jack Ma, the founder, outsourced the software testing to a partner in America.
After choosing a US-based partner, Alibaba’s international reach began, and the rest became history. Alibaba remains the most popular online store in China even after decades. Your business can get global recognition if you outsource your software testing, too.
This guide will show you the types and benefits of outsource software testing. More than the pros and cons, we’ve also explored the challenges of choosing an outsourcing partner and how to choose one.
What is outsourced software testing?
How do you know software is qualified and doing what it was intended for? Through software testing. Software testing checks for performance and bug issues. It helps to improve upon them before launching the software.
Outsource software testing is testing your software through another technical firm. Companies choose to outsource their software testing for many reasons. This includes global reach, lack of resources, or short time periods. Companies that provide software quality assurance services make sure your software is tested and of the best quality.
How are in-house software testing and outsource software testing different?
In-house testing is when the company that builds software tests it itself. In-house testing is often more costly and time-consuming.
Outsourcing is when they give the testing to another independent firm. Outsourcing is often quicker and cheaper.
In 2025, around 60% of organizations are expected to invest in outsource software testing.
What are the types of outsource software testing?
Whatever your model of software development, any software can be tested. Outsource Software testing has three main types, namely:
Onshore testing
Onshore software testing involves hiring an outsourcing partner in your city or country. This testing is better for complex software apps or apps with high privacy risks. This includes apps that require extensive data management. It also involves HIPAA in healthcare apps or other applications that require high privacy. This is because onshore testing allows close coordination. Regular interaction could also be beneficial for software that requires extra communication.
Nearshore testing
Nearshore software testing is when you hire an outsourcing partner in nearby countries. This helps with similar time zones. Nearshore testing allows access to special skills and resources. These resources are often unavailable when testing in-house. This includes basic functional and automated tests. They also involve performance assessments and more. Nearshore testing helps with close coordination in matching time zones.
Offshore testing
Offshore software testing is when you hire a partner in countries far away. This could be across the border or even across the globe. This often includes places like the Caribbean, the Philippines, and Pakistan. This is so because the costs are significantly lower here. Communication and time zone issues are usually present. However, many companies in these countries have worked to bridge these communication and time zone gaps.
Benefits of Outsource software testing
Outsource software testing comes with various benefits. Let’s explore the top benefits of outsourcing software and mobile app testing:
Save costs
Outsourcing may initially sound expensive but it isn’t. Software testing in countries across the border could actually be cheap. It can save money and time. Think of how industry experts will test your software. During this time, you can focus on your business.
Advanced technology access
The biggest advantage you’ll have is access to specialized technology. This will also benefit you with experts who know how to use it. You won’t have to go through the lengthy process of hiring a skilled team.
Mitigate risks
Outsourcing partners are equipped with diverse testing methods and tools. They also have a lot of experience with spotting and fixing any issues. This easily reduces risks. They provide software quality assurance services and ensure your software is of high quality.
Faster time to market
Outsourcing partners actively work on your model of software development. This allows them to complete your software’s testing much quicker. In-house testing, on the other hand, could be more time-consuming. By saving time, your business can launch its software early.
Flexibility in scalability
Outsourcing companies are equipped with all the tools and frameworks needed to test your business. This allows them the flexibility to scale up or down according to your project’s needs. The best part is that this process won’t take time.
Challenges of outsource software testing
Outsourcing allows you to conduct automated tests for mobile app testing. This can be done for complex applications like HIPAA in healthcare apps. However, here are some challenges you may face:
Communication barrier
When you go across the border, you may face communication issues. This is due to cultural and time zone differences. However, many outsourcing companies have worked to improve this issue. The key is to choose a company with which you don’t face a communication barrier.
Hidden costs
A few times, hidden and unexpected costs show up with outsource software testing. Communication challenges may cause misunderstandings. Moreover, coordination and management could make outsourcing expensive.
Lack of control
When you give the responsibility of your software’s testing to an outsourcing partner, you tend to lose some control over the testing process. It’s vital to trust the company you hand over your software to.
Time zone differences
Time zone issues could potentially make coordination difficult. If they are not managed on time, they can result in problems. This could include delayed responses and phone calls. This could make the project testing time longer.
Concerns about privacy and security
Outsourcing your software’s testing to another partner means trusting them with your company’s data. This means giving them some access to potential customer data and business information. This may raise security concerns.
Why should you outsource your software testing?
We’ve already mentioned the benefits of outsource software testing. Here is why you should choose it:
You’ll get expert access
Of course, outsourcing companies are experts in their fields. Partnering with them will give you expert access. Here are some of the tests they will conduct for your software:
- functional testing: Automated tests check if the software functions work smoothly. This means testing if they deliver a good user experience and match standards.
- regression testing: This type of testing is run after every small changes in code. This helps confirm there are no issues with the changes.
- performance testing: This test pushes the app to its breaking points to check how much it can handle.
- security testing: Tests the security to fix any bugs. This ensures the software has high protection.
- usability testing: It determines how easily users can navigate and use the app.
These tests will ensure that your software works perfectly.
You’re short on time
Are you short on time and want to launch your software quicker? This is where outsourcing its testing can help. Skipping the testing phase is never a good option. If you have less time or resources, involving a third party is easier.
Professional perspective
By involving a partner, you’ll get a professional perspective. Outsourced software testers are experienced with software testing. This helps them identify issues or bugs in your software. Internal teams can easily miss these problems. So, think about it: you’ll get a fresh perspective, and your issues will be fixed, too!
Global reach
Much like Alibaba, your business can also gain global reach by outsourcing. Your business can expand its recognition once countries across the border work on your project.
How should you choose a partner for outsourced software testing?
It may be confusing to choose the right outsourcing partner. There are a few challenges with choosing. This is especially true when selecting across the globe. However, it’s not too hard. There are three things you need to look through before choosing:
Conduct research and check credibility
The first step is always to do research. Skim through companies and check their track records. You need to ensure that the company you’re choosing is credible. Review their testimonials and case studies. This will help you decide if the company is reliable.
Check the communication aspects
Once you’ve chosen your outsourcing partner, it’s time to check the communication aspects. Companies that have a strong communicator are an excellent choice. Outsourcing generally involves a lot of conversation. This includes emails, calls, and more. If there’s a communication gap, this could be hard.
Clarify the costs
To avoid unexpected costs, it’s best to discuss them in the beginning. Talk about your project requirements and testing procedure. Then, clear out any privacy or cost concerns you have. This will help you avoid any issues in the future.
Conclusion
Outsourcing your software’s testing will give you many benefits. Experts will test your software and ensure it matches quality assurance standards. In the end, you’ll have global recognition and save time. The outsourced testing market was valued at $26.7 billion in 2024. These numbers hint at how many companies are opting to outsource.
At Linkitsoft, our outsourcing experts conduct several tests to ensure the quality of your software. From developing to testing, our experts prioritize trust and proficiency. Hand over your software’s outsourced testing to a trusted partner. Let Linkitsoft be the key to your software’s success, contact us today!
