When to use Internal app sharing vs. Internal testing (google play)?

Question

The descriptions for the two seem incredibly similar:

• Internal app sharing: Quickly share app bundles and APKs with your internal team using a link
• Internal testing: Quickly distribute your builds to a small set of trusted testers without the need to wait for app reviews. Integrate with build qualification processes before promoting to more users.

It seems like they both:

• Support up to 100 internal testers
• Don't require review

When should someone opt for one or the other?

Thanks in advance! - An android dev noob

Answer 1

There are some differences although the documentation isn't very clear. In my experience some features like In-App Review can NOT be tested using Internal testing, only through Internal app sharing.

Also the distribution process is different, for Internal app sharing I had to activate the developer settings in Google Play on my device (tapping the Play Store version 7 times) in order to be able to download the application, this wasn't necessary when using Internal testing.

See for more info Internal testing and Internal app sharing.