Smoke Testing vs UAT

Smoke testing and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) are two important phases in the software testing process, but they serve different purposes and occur at different stages of development.

Smoke testing

Smoke testing is performed early in the testing process and focuses on verifying the basic functionality and stability of a software build. It’s a quick and simple set of tests designed to check if the core features of an application are working as expected. The main goal of smoke testing is to ensure that the critical functionalities of the build are intact and that the application is stable enough for further testing.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

On the other hand, User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is conducted later in the development cycle, typically after other forms of testing have been completed. UAT is performed to ensure that the software meets the user’s requirements and is ready for real-world use. It involves end-users or clients testing the software to verify that it can handle required tasks in real-world scenarios.

Key differences between smoke testing and UAT

Timing: Smoke tests are executed early, while UAT is performed near the end of the development cycle.

Scope: Smoke tests focus on basic functionality, whereas UAT covers the entire system from a user’s perspective.

Testers: Smoke tests are usually conducted by developers or QA teams, while UAT involves end-users or clients.

Depth: Smoke tests are quick and surface-level, whereas UAT is more comprehensive and thorough.

Objective: Smoke tests aim to verify build stability, while UAT ensures the software meets user requirements and is fit for purpose.

Here’s a tabular comparison of smoke testing vs User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Aspect	Smoke Testing	User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
Purpose	To determine if the deployed build is stable and suitable for further testing	To verify if the software meets user requirements and is ready for production
Scope	Surface-level covers core functionalities	Comprehensive, focuses on real-world scenarios
Timing	Performed early in the testing cycle	Performed near the end of the development cycle
Performed by	QA team or developers	End-users or client representatives
Depth	Basic, not extensive	In-depth, thorough testing
Automation	Usually automated	It can be both automated and manual
Focus	Critical functionalities	Business requirements and user workflows
Duration	Short, quick tests	Longer, more time-consuming
Outcome	Pass/Fail decision for further testing	Approval for production deployment

You may also like following the articles below

• Smoke Testing vs Integration Testing
• Smoke Testing vs Unit Testing

In summary, smoke testing and UAT serve different purposes in the software testing lifecycle, with smoke testing ensuring basic stability and UAT confirming that the software meets user needs and expectations.