There are multiple stages in the entire software development process, and the two most significant ones are built and release.  The build is about getting a software product ready for the testing stage. Developers send the product to the testers when they think it is ready according to the client's requirements. The testing team then checks it and decides if there are any flaws or if it is apt for delivery. It is not only when new software or a product gets developed. The build stage also comes through even when the developers have only added some feature to an existing product (a version upgrade) and want to send it for testing. The release is the stage after testing when the team has approved the product for final delivery. The testing team use all sorts of processes and tools to ensure that the product meets the requirements set in the SRS and approves if they find no flaws. Interestingly, a product may go through multiple build phases before it goes for release, but there is only one release step. The table indicates fundamental differences between the build and release phases. You can mention them while answering quality assurance interview questions related to these two phases. Build Release The build is the phase that is related to product development before it goes into the testing phase. Release is the phase when the product is ready for launch or to hand over to the client. There can be multiple build processes before the product, or the software goes for the final release. There is only one release that the team approves, and that is after verifying that there are no flaws in it. A product can get reiterated during the build phase if the testing team finds any bug in the code or a mismatch in the requirement sheet. Release is the final outcome, and there is no further step or reiteration from it.