What’s the difference and which is better for your software testing needs?

In the software development lifecycle, testing with reliable and secure data is essential for ensuring quality and compliance. While production data may seem like the most realistic choice, using it directly when testing comes with significant risks. Production data often contains sensitive information—such as customer details or transaction records—which could lead to privacy breaches and regulatory violations if exposed. Furthermore, using real production data can introduce inconsistencies or conflicts when applied across different testing scenarios, potentially impacting test results and reducing repeatability.