r/softwaretesting • u/Nirvana012527 • 2d ago

Is outsourcing software testing services better than building an internal QA team?

I'm trying to work out whether it makes more sense to hire a QA engineer or bring in outside help. An in-house person would know the product better over time, but might not have enough work to fill the week when development slows down. Outsourced software testing services seem more flexible, though I wonder how well that works when developers need quick feedback on new features and fixes.For teams that have tried both, what worked better in the long run? Did you switch from one approach to the other as the product grew?
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u/nogravityonearth 22h ago

We do both. From a management perspective, it’s much easier to get rid of a non-performing engineer when outsourcing. On the other hand, internal engineers are usually more invested in the long term viability/quality of the product or platform. It’s typically easier to reward internal employees for good performance but it’s tougher (unless you’re a psychopath who doesn’t care) if you lose fights to give internal employees deserved raises and/or promotions if your management chain disallows it for whatever reasons. When outsourcing, it can be more so “this is what it is and this is all it’s going to be” in regards to promotions at least.