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When people ask what is UAT testing, one of the most common follow-up questions is: who actually performs it? Unlike other testing phases that are handled mainly by QA engineers or developers, User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is driven by the people who understand the business needs best.

The primary participants in UAT testing are end users or business users. These are the individuals who will use the software in their day-to-day work. Their role is to verify that the system behaves as expected in real-world scenarios. They don’t focus on technical details like code quality or performance metrics—instead, they check whether the application supports their workflows, business rules, and overall objectives.

Product owners and business analysts also play a key role in UAT. They help define acceptance criteria, prepare UAT test cases, and guide users through the testing process. Since they have a clear understanding of requirements and expected outcomes, they act as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders.

While developers and QA engineers typically do not “own” UAT, they are still involved in a support capacity. Developers fix defects reported during UAT, and QA teams help coordinate test execution, track issues, and ensure proper documentation. Their responsibility is to make the UAT process smooth and efficient, not to influence user feedback.

In modern development environments, tools can further support UAT efforts. For example, Keploy can help generate realistic test scenarios based on actual application behavior, which can be useful when preparing systems before handing them over to users for acceptance testing.

Ultimately, UAT is a collaborative effort. Its success depends on clear communication, well-defined responsibilities, and active participation from business users. Understanding who performs UAT testing—and why—helps ensure that the final product truly meets user expectations before going live.