A/B testing and Canary deployments are both strategies used in software development and product management, but they serve different purposes.

A/B testing is a method for comparing two versions of a product or feature to determine which one performs better. In this approach, users are divided into groups, with each group exposed to a different version (A or B). This allows companies to gather data on user behavior and preferences, ultimately guiding decisions on which version to implement. A/B testing is crucial for data-driven decision-making, as it helps to minimize risks associated with new features by providing empirical evidence of their effectiveness ².

On the other hand, Canary deployments involve rolling out a new version of software to a small subset of users before a full-scale release. This strategy allows developers to monitor the new version’s performance and identify any issues in a controlled environment. If the new version performs well, it can be gradually rolled out to a larger audience. This approach minimizes the risk of widespread failures and allows for quick rollbacks if necessary ¹.

Both strategies can be complementary, as A/B testing can be conducted during a Canary deployment to assess user reactions to the new version.