Ask HN: When to Open a Beta?

#1

Post by growbell_social » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 8:21 PM UTC

Looking for general advice on when to open up a Beta. There's a balance between features/polish and getting early feedback.

We have ~tens of people on our waitlist and are interested in how experienced companies/founders manage their Beta releases.

Re: Ask HN: When to Open a Beta?

#2

Post by PaulHoule » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 8:32 PM UTC

As early as possible.

Re: Ask HN: When to Open a Beta?

#3

Post by growbell_social » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 8:34 PM UTC

PaulHoule wrote: post #2

As early as possible.

No concern with chasing away potential early adopters?

Re: Ask HN: When to Open a Beta?

#4

Post by colesantiago » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 9:22 PM UTC

when the product works

Re: Ask HN: When to Open a Beta?

#5

Post by growbell_social » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 10:38 PM UTC

colesantiago wrote: post #4

when the product works

works !== production quality imo

Re: Ask HN: When to Open a Beta?

#6

Post by mmarian » Mon, Aug 04, 2025, 8:40 PM UTC

growbell_social wrote: post #3

PaulHoule wrote: post #2

As early as possible.

No concern with chasing away potential early adopters?

They aren't your early adopters if they don't like your product when it's got flaws.

Re: Ask HN: When to Open a Beta?

#7

Post by colesantiago » Tue, Aug 05, 2025, 8:50 PM UTC

growbell_social wrote: post #5

colesantiago wrote: post #4

when the product works

works !== production quality imo

> "When to Open a Beta?"

> "Beta"

who said it had to be production quality? just ship something that works and learn from there.

As long as your users know this and that your app is shipped of something that works and demonstrates a solution you have solved, that is all that matters.