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TestFairy App Distribution

TestFairy is a mobile app testing platform that allows developers to distribute pre-release app versions to testers. It provides session recordings, crash reports, in-app feedback, and supports integrations with tools like JIRA and Slack, as well as Single Sign-On (SAML/SSO) for secure access.

What is TestFairy App Distribution?

TestFairy App Distribution is a platform that allows developers to distribute their mobile applications to testers and stakeholders for testing and feedback. It provides a streamlined process for sharing app builds, collecting user feedback, and monitoring app performance.

TestFairy vs Appcircle

FAQ

Does TestFairy support UDID management?

TestFairy does not support UDID management. Appcircle, however, provides streamlined UDID registration with configuration profiles and automatic addition to provisioning profiles.

Can I share apps via a public link in TestFairy?

Yes, TestFairy allows sharing apps via public links with user-based link options. In Appcircle, public links are available without the need for account creation.

What are the tester group management capabilities in TestFairy?

TestFairy offers basic tester group management. In contrast, Appcircle provides easy management of testers and groups, including IAM/SSO (OpenID & SAML), and flexible sharing options without email requirements.

Does TestFairy offer a tester portal?

TestFairy provides automatically generated, customizable landing pages with flexible security rules. Appcircle offers a dedicated Testing Distribution portal with public link sharing and no account requirements.

Does TestFairy support custom email templates?

Yes, TestFairy supports custom email templates for communication with testers. Appcircle does not offer this feature.

What crash reporting features are available in TestFairy?

TestFairy provides detailed crash reports with session recordings. Appcircle supports integration with third-party crash reporting tools.

What integrations does TestFairy support?

TestFairy integrates with popular tools like JIRA, Slack, and GitHub. Appcircle, on the other hand, comes with out-of-the-box support for hundreds of integrations, including GitHub, Fastlane, Jenkins, Azure, and many others, enabling seamless CI/CD workflows.

What security permissions are available in TestFairy?

TestFairy includes powerful security rules that can be configured manually or downloaded from OKTA, and supports app access management per team or group with SSO integration. Appcircle offers comprehensive security controls with IAM/SSO integration, including Okta, Azure AD, OpenID and SAML. Appcircle also provides LDAP group/role mapping feature for seamless group creation and role mapping.

Does TestFairy support Single Sign-On?

Yes, TestFairy supports SSO integration for secure authentication. Appcircle also supports SSO, including Okta SAML, Azure AD SAML, and OneLogin SAML.

Can I apply custom branding in TestFairy?

Yes, TestFairy offers custom branding options for enterprises. Appcircle also provides custom branding options to match your organization's identity.

How does app distribution work in TestFairy?

TestFairy allows app distribution via email invitations, links, or directly from the TestFairy dashboard. Appcircle offers a comprehensive app distribution module with auto-distribute settings, CLI support, and integration with testing groups.

Does TestFairy support resigning binaries?

No, TestFairy does not support resigning iOS and Android binaries. Appcircle offers this feature, allowing users to resign binaries with updated certificates or keystores.

Appcircle vs. TestFairy

Compare Appcircle with TestFairy to find the best fit for your mobile app distribution needs and see how Appcircle stands out.

Flexible Deployment Options

Every enterprise is unique and may require different deployment options, such as Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, or on-premise solutions. Appcircle addresses these needs with a portable, container-based architecture that aligns with your specific deployment requirements while also preventing cloud vendor lock-in. Whether you choose to deploy on GCP Public Cloud, on-premise, or privately via the AWS Marketplace, Appcircle meets your requirements.

Distribution Speed & Security

Multi-region secure CDNs ensure your app builds are globally accessible with optimized performance, even in regions with unique internet regulations. With encryption at rest and in transit, your packages are distributed securely.

Built for Purpose

Distribution platforms serve different purposes, such as Testing Distribution or deploying in-house apps to internal users via an Enterprise App Store. Appcircle offers dedicated modules tailored for each of these use cases.

IAM/SSO Integration

Comprehensive security with IAM/SSO integration, including Identity Providers such as Okta, Azure AD, and OneLogin, along with support for authentication protocols like LDAP, OpenID and SAML The platform also supports IAM role mapping (through LDAP and SSO), enabling seamless role and permission assignments based on identity provider groups for enhanced access control.

Apple Ad-Hoc Device Registration

Streamlined UDID registration for Apple devices with configuration profiles. The platform automatically adds device UDIDs to provisioning profiles, simplifying device management for app distribution and testing.

Re-signing Binaries for iOS and Android Apps

Support for re-signing iOS and Android binaries allows developers to re-sign apps with new certificates (iOS) or keystores (Android), ensuring app integrity and security.

CI Integration

Seamless integration with existing CI/CD tools is supported. With ready-to-use plugins for Azure DevOps, GitHub, Fastlane, Jenkins and more, plus API/CLI support, you can easily integrate Appcircle Distribution into your existing CI workflow.

End-to-End Platform

Many distribution tools offer only limited functionality for tasks such as building and publishing to app stores. If you plan to leverage these features, ensure the platform provides robust, comprehensive modules for Build , Signing Identity Management , and Publishing to Stores to fully address your needs.

Scroll for comparison details

FeatureAppcircle Test DistributionTestFairy
Continuous Integration Pipeline
Signing Identities Management
UDID ManagementStreamlined UDID registration with configuration profiles; automatic addition to provisioning profiles.
ResigningSupports resigning iOS and Android binaries with new certificates or keystores, simplifying the process of updating or publishing under a different developer account.
App DistributionComprehensive app distribution module with auto-distribute settings, CLI support, and integration with testing groups.Allows app distribution via email invitations, links, or directly from the TestFairy dashboard.
Public LinkPublic link available with no account required for access.Public link available with support for user-based link.
Tester Group ManagementEasy management of testers and groups, including IAM/SSO (OpenID & SAML) groups; flexible sharing options without email requirements. Group testers based on OS versions, features, devices, or organizational needs.Basic tester group management.
Tester PortalProvides a dedicated Testing Distribution portal for easy access and management by testers, including public link sharing without account requirements.Automatically generated, customizable landing pages with flexible security rules. Supports open beta or closed groups with Single Sign-On credentials.
Crash ReportingSupports integration with third-party crash reporting tools.Detailed crash reports with session recordings.
In-App FeedbackIn-app feedback available with options to attach screenshots.
Publish to Store Automation
Enterprise App Store
Deployment OptionsPublic Cloud, Private Cloud,
On-premise, AWS (Amazon Web Services), GCP (Google Cloud Platform), Azure
Private Cloud (AWS), On-premise. No Public Cloud.
IntegrationsIntegrates with GitHub, Fastlane, Jenkins, Azure, and others for seamless CI/CD integration.Integrates with popular tools like JIRA, Slack, GitHub, and more.
Custom Email TemplatesSupports custom email templates in on-premise deployments; public cloud support is planned (roadmap).Supports custom email templates for communication with testers.
Security PermissionsSupports comprehensive security controls with SAML/SSO integration, including Okta, Azure AD, and OneLogin SAML. Offers on-premise deployment for full control over data and infrastructure.Includes powerful security rules that can be downloaded from OKTA or configured manually. Allows app access management per team or group with SSO integration.
SSO (OpenID & SAML) LoginSAML only
LDAP Group/Role MappingSupports LDAP group/role mapping, enabling seamless integration with your organization's directory services for effective and automated tester group management.
Custom BrandingCustom branding options available to match your organization's identity.Custom branding options available for enterprises.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are those of the authors. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors is of their opinion and are not intended to malign any organization, company, individual or anyone or anything. This comparison is based on their review of the product for market research purposes

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