The Ultimate QA Checklist for Startups: 50 Tests Before You Launch

A practical, no-fluff QA checklist covering functional, performance, security, and UX testing — designed for startups shipping their first or next app.

Why Startups Need a QA Checklist

When you're moving fast, testing often gets compressed to "it worked on my machine." A checklist creates a repeatable, documented standard — so nothing critical slips through.

This checklist covers 50 essential tests across 7 categories. Not every item applies to every app, but use this as a baseline and adapt for your product.

Category 1: Installation and Onboarding

App installs cleanly from the store or test link

First launch completes without crash

Onboarding flow is skippable (if applicable)

Sign-up with email works end-to-end

Sign-up with social login (Google, Apple) works

Welcome/confirmation email is received within 60 seconds

User lands on correct screen after signup

Returning user lands on dashboard, not onboarding

Category 2: Core Functionality

All navigation tabs and menus work

All primary CTAs lead to correct screens

Data entered is saved correctly

Data persists after app backgrounding and return

Search functionality returns accurate results

Filters and sorting work as expected

Upload/download functionality works

Real-time features update without manual refresh

Delete and undo actions work correctly

Category 3: Forms and Validation

Required field validation prevents empty submissions

Email validation catches invalid formats

Password rules are clear and enforced

Error messages are descriptive and helpful

Success states are clear and confirmed

Long text input is handled without overflow

Category 4: Payments (if applicable)

Payment flow completes successfully with valid card

Invalid card shows clear error

Declined card is handled gracefully

Payment confirmation email is sent

Refund flow works correctly

Currency displays correctly for target markets

Category 5: Performance

App launches in under 2 seconds (cold start)

Main screens load in under 1.5 seconds

No visible jank or dropped frames during scroll

App does not crash under 30 minutes of continuous use

Memory usage stays within acceptable limits

Battery drain is not excessive during normal use

App behaves correctly on slow network (2G/3G simulation)

App handles zero-connectivity gracefully (offline mode)

Category 6: Device and Compatibility

Works correctly on latest OS version

Works correctly on OS version -1 and -2

Works on both small (5") and large (6.7"+) screens

Works in both portrait and landscape orientation

Works with system font size at 150% (accessibility)

Text remains legible in dark mode

Images and icons render correctly at all resolutions

Category 7: Security and Data

Sensitive data is not stored in plain text

Session expires after reasonable inactivity

Auth tokens are refreshed correctly

Deep links require authentication where appropriate

No sensitive data appears in screenshots (banking, health apps)

Using This Checklist with HappyTestr

Run this checklist yourself for internal testing, then use HappyTestr's Manual QA service for independent human validation. A fresh set of eyes — especially people who haven't built the product — will consistently find issues that internal teams overlook.

Download and delegate this checklist to professional QA testers →