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Maze Software Review: Features, Details, And Pricing

Creating a solid process for user experience (UX) research is the best way for startups and product development teams to objectively analyze user feedback. There are a handful of great tools that provide outstanding solutions and products for user research. One of the most popular and widely used tools is Maze user research software, a comprehensive platform for collecting, organizing, and analyzing data about user experience (UX).

Maze provides users with several features that make it easy to gather user research efficiently. It has an intuitive interface that allows users to quickly get started. Its software solutions also provide users with an all-in-one platform for quantitative and qualitative research on the web, mobile, and desktop applications.

So, if you're in the market for reliable and feature-rich user research collection software, Maze has plenty to offer. Let's look at the features, details and pricing of the Maze User Research Software. After reading through, you'll better understand whether Maze is the right choice for your user research needs.

What is Maze?

Maze is a user research software that helps teams collect, organize, and analyze user research data. It's an all-in-one platform for conducting quantitative and qualitative research on web, mobile, and desktop applications. 

With Maze, you can quickly create surveys, conduct interviews, test experiments, and measure usability with metrics like NPS ( Net Promoter Score ), CSAT (Customer Satisfaction Score) and CES (Customer Effort Score). The software also allows users to integrate with existing tools such as Figma, InVision, Jira, Slack, and Zapier.

As one of the more highly rated user research tools, Maze enables startups, innovators, and product developers to turn prototypes into actionable measures with the help of accurate world testing. Product prototypes that use Maze to collect user research achieve two primary objectives:

• Maze aids product development teams and starts to gain more accurate data and create a better user experience.
• Maze aids users in developing comprehensive and detailed analytics and reports based on user feedback.

Testers are various real-world users that provide instant feedback on your prototypes. Reports are then generated based on that feedback to gather data. Both steps are essential in getting validation on the design in question. 

Most designers rely on intuition to drive their decisions. Still, with Maze, they can make informed decisions backed by accurate data. Creating these user tests is extremely simple and can be automatically customized for each user's experience.

Maze's solutions and products for user research collection and prototype testing span industries. Product developers can use a suite of options to conduct in-depth user research or customize their own. Some of the most common use cases for Maze are:

• User Journey Mapping
• A/B testing
• Feature and usability testing
• Accessibility testing
• Pre-release product testing
• Usability benchmarking

These use cases let user research teams create and streamline their process and create better products faster. The comprehensive surveys and user feedback also enable teams to gather qualitative data through interviews with real-world users. With that, testing out experiment hypotheses regarding prototypes becomes a breeze. What's more, Maze integrates with other popular product development tools like Figma,

Maze User Research Features

Maze comes packed with a handful of solutions and products directly supporting product development, prototype testing and user research data collection. These features help researchers to test various ideas quickly and easily without worrying about the technicalities involved in each process. 

Maze is a great UX research tool because it is fairly easy to use and set up. Users can use the streamlined set-up process to quickly and easily create surveys, interviews, experiments, and tests. Custom metrics can be used to measure the results of these activities for a more comprehensive view of the data.

The platform also has an intuitive dashboard allowing users to track their research progress in real-time. This gives teams visibility into the user feedback loop from start to finish. Here are the main proponents that user research teams can use during product development:

Wireframe and Usability Testing

Wireframes and usability testing are important parts of the development process. Maze enables teams to quickly test prototypes with real-world users to validate ideas and recognize issues before they become a problem.

With Maze, user research teams back up their design decisions with evidence-based feedback from real-time user interactions with their prototype. The data gathered can then be easily condensed and reviewed for enhanced product development decisions. Maze's solution for wireframe and usability testing also works well with products such as:

• Video recordings
• Participant management
• In-product prompts 

These products enable teams to understand user behavior and preferences. This helps product developers gain insights into how users interact with their prototype product and make improvements quickly.

Maze also offers detailed templates and custom surveys for conducting usability tests. The user research data gathered from these surveys can then be further analyzed to understand what works and what does not in the prototype.

Concept and Idea Validation

Ideas and concepts are the backbones of product development. With Maze, teams can validate their ideas quickly by validating them with actual users. Through surveys, interviews, and user-testing experiments, they can get real-time feedback on how their concept works and where it needs improvement.

In addition to this idea validation process, Maze also provides a detailed set of analytics and metrics to measure the success of their experiments. This data can then be used to make informed decisions about product development and fine-tune prototypes. UX research teams can also use a product such as:

• Tree testing: to identify user flows and optimize navigation
• A/B testing: to compare different versions of a prototype
• Heat mapping: to understand user behavior
• 5-second tests: quickly get feedback on product design and usability

Done right, Maze's solutions for concept and idea validation can help teams create a product that addresses user pain points and ensure a smooth user experience.

Content and Copy Testing

Aside from product prototype testing, Maze also includes solutions and products that target the marketability of a product. Content and copy testing helps teams to ensure that their messaging is clear and effective for users.

Maze's content and copy-testing feature provides qualitative data on how users interact with a product's written materials. This includes evaluating user responses to the content's look, feel, wording, clarity, tone, and value. It aids in mapping user journeys, identifying potential design issues, and finding areas of improvement about the user experience.

Product design teams and startups can use the following products to streamline their content and copy-testing process:

• Card sorting: to optimize the information architecture of a website or product
• Survey Creation: to quickly create surveys to understand user needs
• Text Analysis: to analyze existing content and copy for improvements

Aggregating the data from content and copy testing, user research teams can ensure their product's success by providing users with a streamlined journey in discovering, learning, and using their products.

Maze Pros And Cons

From gathering quantitative data on product performance to providing detailed metrics and reports, Maze gives teams the tools to stay ahead of their competition. However, teams need to be aware of some potential drawbacks to this software.

Aggregating the pros and cons, Maze is a more than comprehensive solution for most user research teams looking to gain deep insight into their user's interactions with a product. However, it's best for teams to thoroughly outline their needs before using solutions like Maze to ensure they are getting the most value out of the product. 

Maze Price Plans 2023

Maze offers 3 pricing tiers, all of which offer annual or monthly subscription options. Ideally, individuals, freelancers, small research teams, and startups can benefit from starting with the free plan. 

Exploring Maze's capabilities and usability in terms of specific user research teams' needs can help them decide if they should upgrade to a tiered plan. Here is a quick breakdown of each plan:

• Free: Ideal for individuals and research teams looking for light research to support product development. 
• Professional ($99 month or $75/month billed annually): Ideal for startup product development teams who want to increase their user research capabilities.
• Organization (Custom pricing): Best for enterprise-level teams who require a large amount of user research data on multiple projects.

Reviews and Recommendations

Breaking down the core solutions and product offerings Maze has, it's easy to see why so many user research teams have praised it. From its intuitive interface and comprehensive analytics suite to its flexible pricing model and detailed reports, Maze is a great option for any team looking to stay ahead of its competition in the ever-evolving digital landscape. 

Overall Rating

As a user testing platform, Maze offers tools that help prototype development teams test and improve their products. It helps prototype development teams test and improve their products by running user tests on prototype versions. The testing can help identify usability issues and make the product easier for real users. Here are a few aggregated rates of Maze across 3 software review sites:

The main proponent that makes Maze such a highly rated UX research tool is its comprehensive analytics suite and flexible pricing model. The ease of use and set-up makes it an ideal choice for smaller research teams and businesses that do not want to invest too much in an external team of user researchers. With its range of features and pricing options, Maze is a great choice for any product design team looking to stay at the forefront of the user experience industry.

Maze Alternatives

Maze is not the only user research software tool on the market. Some popular alternatives include Optimal Workshop and Userlytics. Both of these platforms offer similar features, but differences should be considered before making a decision. 

Optimal Workshop

Optimal Workshop carries a suite of products and solutions for startups and innovators looking to expand their user research capabilities and bring them into the modern-day market. Optimal Workshop was built with digital product designers and developers in mind, giving them the power to analyze data from user research across multiple stages of development.

As a user research collection tool, it stands out as being able to provide users with add-on products to their solutions. Users can easily choose which products to apply to their research without being bogged down by unnecessary features. While the base solution gives users enough tools, the additional products supplement specified research for collecting a certain data set. 

Optimal Workshop Score Card:

Optimal Workshop Pricing Plans:

Optimal Workshop offers up four pricing tiers based on the scale and potential scope of your user research requirements:

• Free: Ideal for individuals and solo entrepreneurs looking to jumpstart their user research process.
• Pro ($249/month): Best for freelance and small development teams looking for a more comprehensive user research tool set.
• Team ($249/month): Ideal for small research teams handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Enterprise (Custom pricing): Best for scaling teams looking to quickly grow their capabilities in releasing new products. 

Userlytics is a user research platform designed for startups and innovators who must collect qualitative and quantitative data on their products. As one of the most comprehensive solutions available, it provides users with everything they need to understand customer needs and behaviors. 

It's safe to say that Userlytics offers another comprehensive solution for startups and product developers looking to diversify or build their processes in collecting user research. With an all-around tool like Userlytics, developers can focus on applying their research results more quickly rather than spending valuable time on analysis and organization. 

Userlytics Score Card:

Userlytics Price Plans: 

Compared to Maze and Optimal Workshop, Userlyrics does come at a hefty price point; their starting price is $499/month, billed annually for 2 account seats and unlimited participants. Though a high price point, it serves as an all-encompassing user research collection platform that medium to large startups or businesses can use. Here is a quick breakdown of the price options: 

• Premium ($499/month billed annually): Ideal for small research teams with around 5-10 people.
• Advanced ($999/month billed annually): Ideal for research teams of 10-15 people seeking in-depth user research for multiple product development projects.
• Enterprise (starts at $3,450/year): Best for large product development teams who require user research often and consistently.
• Custom: Ideal for user research teams with varying needs.

Maze user research software is a boon for product teams looking to do user research on the go. It's easy to use, doesn't require advanced computer skills, and enables you to conduct user research in minutes. It's also affordable and customizable, allowing you to design your user research process accordingly. 

If you want to know more about the best tools to collect user research, read more on our blog and access our free startup resource list for a full suite of options that can help you make the right decision.

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The Future Of User Research: Expert Insights And Key Trends

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This article has been kindly supported by our dear friends at Maze , the user research platform that empowers any company to build the right products faster by making user insights available at the speed of product development. Thank you!

How do product teams conduct user research today? How do they leverage user insights to make confident decisions and drive business growth? And what role does AI play? To learn more about the current state of user research and uncover the trends that will shape the user research landscape in 2024 and beyond , Maze surveyed over 1,200 product professionals between December 2023 and January 2024.

The Future of User Research Report summarized the data into three key trends that provide precious insights into an industry undergoing significant changes . Let’s take a closer look at the main findings from the report.

Trend 1: The Demand For User Research Is Growing

62% of respondents who took the Future of User Research survey said the demand for user research has increased in the past 12 months. Industry trends like continuous product discovery and research democratization could be contributing to this growth, along with recent layoffs and reorganizations in the tech industry.

Emma Craig, Head of UX Research at Miro, sees one reason for this increase in the uncertain times we’re living in. Under pressure to beat the competition, she sensed a “shift towards more risk-averse attitudes, where organizations feel they need to ‘get it right’ the first time.” By conducting user research, organizations can mitigate risk and clarify the strategy of their business or product.

Research Is About Learning

As the Future of User Research report found out, organizations are leveraging research to make decisions across the entire product development lifecycle . The main consumers of research are design (86%) and product (83%) teams, but it’s also marketing, executive teams, engineering, data, customer support, and sales who rely on the results from user research to inform their decision-making.

As Roberta Dombrowski, Research Partner at Maze, points out:

“At its core, research is about learning. We learn to ensure that we’re building products and services that meet the needs of our customers. The more we invest in growing our research practices and team, the higher our likelihood of meeting these needs.”

Benefits And Challenges Of Conducting User Research

As it turns out, the effort of conducting user research on a regular basis pays off. 85% of respondents said that user research improved their product’s usability , 58% saw an increase in customer satisfaction , and 44% in customer engagement .

Connecting research insights to business outcomes remains a key challenge, though. While awareness for measuring research impact is growing (73% of respondents track the impact of their research), 41% reported they find it challenging to translate research insights into measurable business outcomes . Other significant challenges teams face are time and bandwidth constraints (62%) and recruiting the right participants (60%).

Growing A Research Mindset

With the demand for user research growing, product teams need to find ways to expand their research initiatives. 75% of the respondents in the Maze survey are planning to scale research in the next year by increasing the number of research studies, leveraging AI tools, and providing training to promote research democratization.

Janelle Ward, Founder of Janelle Ward Insights, sees great potential in growing research practices, as an organization will grow a research mindset in tandem. She shares:

“Not only will external benefits like competitive advantage come into play, but employees inside the organization will also better understand how and why important business decisions are made, resulting in more transparency from leadership and a happier and more thriving work culture for everyone.”

Trend 2: Research Democratization Empowers Stronger Decision-Making

Research democratization involves empowering different teams to run research and get access to the insights they need to make confident decisions. The Future of User Research Report shows that in addition to researchers, product designers (61%), product managers (38%), and marketers (17%) conduct user research at their companies to inform their decision-making.

Teams with a democratized research culture reported a greater impact on decision-making. They are 2× more likely to report that user research influences strategic decisions , 1.8× more likely to state that it impacts product decisions, and 1.5× more likely to express that it inspires new product opportunities.

The User Researcher’s New Role

Now, if more people are conducting user research in an organization, does this mark the end of the user researcher role? Not at all. Scaling research through democratization doesn’t mean anyone can do any type of research. You’ll need the proper checks and balances to allow everyone to participate in research responsibly and effectively. The role is shifting from a purely technical to an educational role where user researchers become responsible for guiding the organization in its learning and curiosity.

To guarantee data quality and accuracy, user researchers can train partners on research methods and best practices and give them hands-on experience before they start their own research projects. This can involve having them shadow a researcher during a project, holding mock interviews, or leading collaborative analysis workshops.

Democratizing user research also means that UX researchers can open up time to focus on more complex research initiatives . While tactical research, such as usability testing, can be delegated to designers and product managers, UX researchers can conduct foundational studies to inform the product and business strategy.

User Research Tools And Techniques

It’s also interesting to see which tools and techniques product teams use to gather user insights. Maze (46%), Hotjar (26%), and UserTesting (24%) are the most widely used user research tools. When it comes to user research methods, product teams mostly turn to user interviews (89%), usability testing (85%), surveys (82%), and concept testing (56%).

According to Morgan Mullen, Lead UX Researcher at User Interviews, a factor to consider is the type of projects teams conduct. Most teams don’t change their information architecture regularly, which requires tree testing or card sorting. But they’re likely launching new features often, making usability testing a more popular research method.

Trend 3: New Technology Allows Product Teams To Significantly Scale Research

AI is reshaping how we work in countless ways, and user research is no exception. According to the Future of User Research Report, 44% of product teams are already using AI tools to run research and an additional 41% say they would like to adopt AI tools in the future.

ChatGPT is the most widely-used AI tool for conducting research (82%), followed by Miro AI (20%), Notion AI (18%), and Gemini (15%). The most commonly used research tools with AI features are Maze AI (15%), UserTesting AI (9%), and Hotjar AI (5%).

The Strengths Of AI

The tactical aspect of research is where AI truly shines. More than 60% of respondents use AI to analyze user research data , 54% for transcription , 48% for generating research questions, and 45% for synthesis and reporting . By outsourcing these tasks to artificial intelligence, respondents reported that their team efficiency improved (56%) and turnaround time for research projects decreased (50%) — freeing up more time to focus on the human and strategic side of research (35%).

The Irreplaceable Value Of Research

While AI is great at tackling time-consuming, tactical tasks, it is not a replacement for a skilled researcher. As Kate Pazoles, Head of Flex User Research at Twilio, points out, we can think of AI as an assistant. The value lies in connecting the dots and uncovering insights with a level of nuance that only UX researchers possess.

Jonathan Widawski, co-founder and CEO at Maze, sums up the growing role that AI plays in user research as follows:

“AI will be able to support the entire research process, from data collection to analysis. With automation powering most of the tactical aspects, a company’s ability to build products fast is no longer a differentiating factor. The key now lies in a company’s ability to build the right product — and research is the power behind all of this.”

Looking Ahead

With teams adopting a democratized user research culture and AI tools on the rise, the user researcher’s role is shifting towards that of a strategic partner for the organization .

Instead of gatekeeping their knowledge, user researchers can become facilitators and educate different teams on how to engage with customers and use those insights to make better decisions. By doing so, they help ensure research quality and accuracy conducted by non-researchers, while opening up time to focus on more complex, strategic research . Adopting a research mindset also helps teams value user research more and foster a happier, thriving work culture . A win-win for the organization, its employees, and customers.

If you’d like more data and insights, read the full Future of User Research Report by Maze here .

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The top 5 AI-powered tools for user research (and how to use them)

Want to supercharge your user research with AI? Discover the 5 best AI tools for user research and learn how to use them for maximum impact.

Free course: Introduction to UX Design

What is UX? Why has it become so important? Could it be a career for you? Learn the answers, and more, with a free 7-lesson video course.

User research is essential for good UX—but it can be time-consuming and resource-heavy. AI-powered tools help to make the process more efficient, getting you to those all-important insights a little faster. 

So what are the best AI tools for user research and how can you use them for maximum impact?

Let’s take a look.

1. Miro Assist

Miro Assist at a glance: 

• Price: You can access Miro Assist with all Miro plans: Free, Starter ($8/member per month), Business ($16/member per month), and Enterprise (custom pricing). 
• Used for: Quickly making sense of your research and ideas in Miro. 
• Learn more: Miro Assist . 

You’re no doubt familiar with Miro, one of the most popular UX design tools on the market. Now you can supercharge your user research efforts in Miro with the help of Miro Assist. 

Miro Assist is a chat-like feature integrated directly into the Miro board itself. It uses machine learning to understand the content on your board, as well as any questions or prompts you enter.

Why is this useful? Well, you can use it to quickly pull out key insights from your board, to condense and summarise information, and to generate new content such as presentations, action lists, and visualisations. Getting to the bottom of your research just got a whole lot easier!

How to use Miro Assist for user research

Here are just a few of the ways Miro Assist can help with user research:

• Summarise ideas: Miro Assist can condense many sticky notes into a single, concise sticky note. This helps to quickly get teams aligned and to define actionable next steps during ideation and prioritisation workshops.
• Generate AI-powered mind-maps and diagrams: Turn unorganised content into meaningful visuals, helping to present ideas and data points in a digestible, easy-to-understand format.
• Cluster sticky notes: When you’ve got lots of qualitative data, analysing it and identifying patterns can be extremely time-consuming. Miro Assist can quickly group sticky notes by sentiment or keywords, helping you to find meaningful trends and create relevant themes.
• Create presentations: You can automatically generate presentations to communicate your research findings and turn them into action items.

[GET CERTIFIED IN USER RESEARCH]

2. Dovetail

Dovetail at a glance: 

• Price: $30 per month for the Starter plan; $375 per month for the Team plan; $1,800 per month for the Business plan. Dovetail also offers a free trial. 
• Used for: Streamlining analysis of qualitative research data. 
• Learn more: Dovetail AI

Dovetail is a user research and customer feedback analysis platform. You can use it to organise and analyse research data, and to foster a more collaborative research process among stakeholders.

Now, like many user research tools, Dovetail incorporates several AI features to streamline the task of analysing qualitative data.

How to use Dovetail AI for user research

Here are some of the most useful AI features available in Dovetail: 

• Sentiment analysis: Speed up the process of analysing quantitative data with Dovetail’s AI-powered sentiment analysis feature. You can use it to automatically identify positive and negative sentiment in your transcripts and notes, to track patterns and trends over time, and to identify recurring pain-points and gains. This gives you rich and ongoing insights into your users’ attitudes and emotions.
• Thematic clustering: Make sense of large volumes of qualitative data by automatically clustering your data highlights into themes. The themes are derived from the content of your highlights, not from tags or titles. Additionally, this feature generates titles for each clustered group—helping to organise interview transcripts and user feedback into coherent themes. This is crucial for understanding what the data is telling you and identifying important action points.
• Auto-summarisation: This feature summarises key points in various types of content, including PDFs and interview transcripts. It automatically generates summaries, allowing you to extract essential insights and takeaways from lengthy interviews, documents, or customer feedback.

Maze at a glance: 

• Price: Free for individuals; $99 per month for the Starter plan; custom pricing for Team and Organization plans. 
• Used for: Generating effective research questions and analysing qualitative data.
• Learn more: Maze AI .

Maze is a firm favourite when it comes to user research tools , and it now comes equipped with a host of AI solutions to speed up your work. With Maze AI, you can enhance various aspects of the research process—from crafting questions to transcribing interviews and analysing data.

How to use Maze AI for user research 

Here’s how you can incorporate Maze AI into your user research process:

• Fine-tune and edit questions: If you want to conduct effective user interviews and surveys, it’s important to ask the right questions. With Maze’s Perfect Question feature, you can leverage the power of AI to identify bias, grammatical errors, and readability issues in your research questions. The tool also offers suggestions for rephrasing your questions. This helps to ensure clarity and neutrality—which is essential if you want to gather reliable data.
• Auto-generate follow-up questions: Leverage AI to trigger contextual follow-up questions based on each participant’s unique responses. This enables researchers to delve deeper into user feedback and gain more nuanced insights.
• Generate themes: Maze’s AI can automatically identify and generate common themes in your open-ended question responses. No need to manually sift through the data to find meaningful patterns—let AI speed up your analysis.
• Transcribe interviews and recordings: Transcribing audio recordings into text is, without doubt, one of the most time-consuming aspects of conducting user research. Fortunately, Maze enables you to automate the process with AI, saving you considerable time (and energy).
• Conduct sentiment analysis: Speed up the process of analysing participant responses with AI-driven sentiment analysis. Maze AI can assign positive, negative, and neutral tags, enabling you to quickly understand your users’ sentiments—and, as a result, the quality of their user experience and overall satisfaction with your product.

Notably at a glance: 

• Price: $25 per month for the Pro plan (includes 30 AI credits); $250 per month for the Teams plan (includes 100 AI credits); custom pricing for the Enterprise plan (includes 250 AI credits). 
• Used for: Summarising research data, conducting sentiment analysis, and data visualisation. 
• Learn more: Notably AI .

Notably is an all-in-one user research platform powered by AI. It offers a range of handy features for making sense of your qualitative research—including video transcription, cluster analysis, and digital sticky notes. With Notably, you can eliminate much of the manual labour associated with user research and focus on the more creative and strategic aspects of your work. 

How to use Notably AI for user research 

Here’s how Notably can assist with user research:

• Generate concise debriefs from interviews: With Notably AI, you can instantly turn hours of interviews into digestible summaries. This enables you to quickly extract participant information, identify emerging patterns, and pull out interesting takeaways—streamlining the oft-messy process of analysing qualitative data. 
• Conduct sentiment analysis: Get to the heart of how your research participants really feel with AI-powered sentiment analysis. Notably can instantly reveal positive and negative sentiments across your entire study, giving you a clear read on your users’ attitudes and emotions.
• Auto-highlight and tag qualitative data: Notably learns how you tag data and makes suggestions for you, improving over time for increasingly faster and more accurate analysis.
• Generate images: Create unique and meaningful visuals to represent your data with the help of Notably AI. Notably can generate images based on the content of your insights. Alternatively, you can describe your vision and let the AI create images based on your input. This is a great antidote to old-fashioned reports and overused stock images.

5. QoQo (Figma plugin)

QoQo at a glance: 

• Price: $7 per month for 1 user and unlimited access. 
• Used for: Enhancing your user research in Figma. 
• Learn more: QoQo .

QoQo is a Figma plugin powered by OpenAI’s GPT (the same technology behind ChatGPT). As such, the tool acts on what it’s learnt from the internet—which means it’s inherently biased. OpenAI has integrated de-biasing models to mitigate this, but it’s important to be conscious when using it (as with any form of AI).

How to use QoQo for user research

Combined with Figma, QoQo is a powerful addition to your tool stack. You can use it to:

• Create user journey maps: User journey maps are a great tool for visualising how users interact with your product. With QoQo, you can speed up the process of creating journey maps, allowing you to quickly step into your users’ shoes and see things from their perspective.
• Create affinity diagrams: Affinity diagramming is a popular method for sorting through dense research data, but it can be time-consuming. QoQo accelerates the process, enabling you to organise your data in seconds.
• Write interview scripts: If you want a faster approach to crafting interview questions, use QoQo to automatically generate scripts. Be sure to tweak them so they sound suitably human, though! 
• Generate user personas: Based on your input, QoQo generates cards that you can use to create effective user personas . Bear in mind that all user personas should be based on user research—not on fictional qualities or assumptions.

Special mention: Looppanel

Looppanel at a glance

• Price: $30 per month for the Solo plan; $350 per month for the Team plan; $1000 per month for the Business plan. Looppanel also offers a 15-day free trial. 
• Used for: Speeding up research analysis, and a research repository tool
• Learn more: Looppanel

Looppanel is an AI analysis and repository tool that supports live user research by helping to synthesize data faster, with efficiency.

Looppanel uses AI to generate call transcripts with over 95% accuracy, create notes on user interviews, do sentiment analysis, and organize bookmarks and themes automatically.

How to use Looppanel for user research

Here are some of the most useful AI-powered features available with Looppanel: 

• Automatic note-taking: Looppanel can join you on user interviews and take accurate notes like a human assistant, leaving you to focus on the conversation. It automatically highlights where questions were answered, and summarizes notes in a Q&A or theme based format. Instead of reading everything from scratch by yourself, you just need to review the AI notes, and add additional context or tags if needed. It can immensely speed up the research process, make sure you don’t miss anything, and reduce your dependence on other team members.
• Repository search: Looppanel’s AI-powered search can look through all your notes and transcripts in the repository to find relevant data, in seconds. You don’t have to spend too much time on repository maintenance thanks to this feature, it works even if you don’t tag the data. With simple Google-like search for any term, concept, user quote, data point, or feature name, you can easily find all the notes and transcript text associated with it.
• AI-powered transcription: Looppanel can provide transcripts of call recordings in mere minutes, with over 95% accuracy. These AI-generated transcripts also highlight important sections and provide auto-generated summaries of each section, to make it easier to analyse. Currently the tool supports transcription in English and 8 other languages.
• Sentiment analysis: Looppanel’s transcription also features sentiment analysis, and identifies questions, positive and negative sentiments in transcripts. This makes it much easier to review data, and save recurring user issues, patterns and themes.

In summary: the role of AI in user research

With the help of the tools we’ve listed, you can automate, streamline, and enhance various aspects of the research process—but nothing can replace your role in conducting and making sense of effective UX research.

Consider AI your helpful research assistant; a powerful tool you can combine with your uniquely human skills, intelligence, and creativity to better understand your target users and deliver outstanding products and services.

Learn more about how to leverage AI for effective user research

If you’re looking for a practical education in leveraging AI for research, check out The UX Design Institute’s Professional Certificate in User Research . You’ll not only master essential skills for planning, conducting, analysing, and communicating effective user research; you’ll also complete an entire module dedicated to using AI throughout the research process. 

Want to learn more about the role of AI in UX? We think you’ll enjoy these posts:

AI for UX: 5 ways you can use AI to be a better UX designer

• Will AI replace UX designers? An honest answer
• How AI will impact UX design: An interview with Nick Babich, Principal UX Designer at Brain Technologies
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Useberry vs Maze: A Detailed Tool Comparison

TABLE OF CONTENTS

In this article, we compare Useberry and Maze, examining their features, recruitment capabilities, pricing, customer reviews, and support options. The aim is to help you identify which tool aligns best with your project requirements.

Key insights

👉 There is a notable gap between Useberry’s Growth and Enterprise offerings , which may not suit companies that have outgrown the Growth plan but are not yet large enough to justify the Enterprise plan’s expense.

👉 The range of functions offered by UXtweak is broader compared to Maze . Unlike Maze, which reserves key features for its top-tier Organization plan , UXtweak provides a more extensive set of features and capabilities across all its plans.

👉 UXtweak plans provide more features at a lower price compared to two other tools, offering better value for money.

👉 On Capterra, UXtweak stands out with a review score of 4.8 out of 5, closely followed by Maze with a 4.5 rating. Useberry matches Maze’s score of 4.5 , but this rating is found on the G2 site.

🐝 Register for a free account now and see for yourself!

The alternative – UXtweak

UXtweak stands out as an alternative to Useberry and Maze, particularly as an all-in-one user research platform. It’s packed with tools that enhance the usability of websites and apps at every stage, from prototypes to fully developed products.

UXtweak’s features include tree testing, first-click testing, five-second test, and mobile app testing – a combination rarely offered by a single platform. Alongside these specialized tools, UXtweak offers a comprehensive suite of research and recruiting instruments, coupled with a participant management solution. These unique aspects, paired with flexible and cost-effective pricing options, make UXtweak a comprehensive and user-friendly option for user experience professionals.

🐝 Check out UXtweak’s demos to see user interactions and analytics in action. ⬇

Try Tree Testing✔️

Try Website Usability Testing🔥

Useberry vs Maze: Features and Capabilities

The table presents a comparison of features across three research platforms: Maze, Useberry, and UXtweak.

*UXtweak offers built in features to recruit, schedule, conduct, and analyze user interviews or any other moderated studies.

The table shows that all three platforms offer a wide range of features. Notably, UXtweak includes every feature listed, often in a more advanced form (like its targeting criteria) or at a more affordable price (such as its password-protected studies) compared to the other two platforms.

Need to conduct moderated research?

With UXtweak you can recruit, schedule, conduct, and analyze user interviews or any other moderated studies directly in one platform.

Try our Freefrom Interview tool for user interviews or use Study Interviews to run any UXtweak studies moderated (eg. moderated card sorting, moderated website testing…).

Moderated testing supports multiple recruitment methods:

• Bring your own participants
• Access prequalified participants from a global User Panel in 130+ countries
• Turn site visitors into participants with Onsite Recruiting
• Use your custom panel with Own Database

Useberry vs Maze: Participant Recruitment and Management Capabilities

The table provided offers a comparison of how Maze, Useberry, and UXtweak handle participant recruitment and management.

Useberry vs Maze: Pricing and Plans Comparison

When choosing a platform, it’s essential to think about how cost-effective it is. Look for a platform that meets all your research requirements without overstretching your budget. Let’s take a look at the affordability of the research platforms we’ve reviewed.

Useberrys’ pricing and plans

• Includes 10 responses per month, 1 seat (with the option to add up to 20), 1 project, and up to 3 versions per project.
• Offers 300 responses per month (with the option to buy up to 2,000), 1 seat (with the option to buy up to 20), unlimited projects and versions, plus features like Logic Jumps, Custom Templates, Comments, Screening Questions, Legal Screen, and SAML-based SSO.
• Includes all features of the Growth plan, with up to unlimited responses per month and seats, custom solutions, and priority support.

Mazes’ pricing and plans

• For individuals new to usability testing. Includes 1 study per month, 5 seats, and basic features.
• For small teams starting with product research. Adds unlimited blocks, advanced features, and 5 seats.
• For larger teams expanding research. Offers over 20 studies/year, enhanced features, and 5+ seats.
• For large organizations needing extensive research support. Provides custom studies and seats, comprehensive features, and full security.

UXtweaks’ pricing and plans

UXtweak offers various pricing plans to suit different user testing needs, with even a free Starter plan for small projects. Here’s a quick outline:

• It’s perfect for limited testing with access to all tools, one active study, and up to 30 responses per month.
• This plan suits individual researchers, offering 200 responses per month, unlimited studies, and a year of data retention.
• It’s aimed at small to mid-sized businesses with unlimited studies, 1,000 responses per month, and enhanced support.
• This plan is customizable for demanding clients, with unlimited responses and real users, and personalized support.

All these plans are based on annual billing. Monthly plan is also available for those who prefer flexibility, and you can switch plans or cancel anytime. For a detailed comparison of all the features included in each plan, you can visit the UXtweak pricing page.

👀 Looking to Switch to UXtweak but Locked into Maze subscription?

If you’re currently subscribed to Maze but want to explore what UXtweak has to offer, we have a special deal for you!  We will provide free access to UXtweak for the remaining duration of your Maze subscription .

No need to worry about extra costs or initiating a new procurement process. Simply reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll set you up.

Example of a solution for a UX research team:

Maze vs. UXtweak

• When comparing the Maze Team plan and the UXtweak Business plan (the closest equivalent), here’s what stands out:
• Maze’s Team plan offers 5 seats/licenses and costs $15,000 per year. On the other hand, the UXtweak Business plan provides 4 seats plus 2 additional free seats/licenses. This plan is more budget-friendly at $605 per month or $7,260 annually. By choosing UXtweak, you’ll enjoy over 51% in savings!

But it’s not just about the cost. The UXtweak Business plan also packs in several extra perks:

• Unlimited studies and tasks
• Advanced criteria for panel targeting
• Automated response quality assurance and expert study audits with each User Panel recruitment
• Mobile app usability testing
• Website session recordings and heatmaps
• A tool for preference testing
• Hybrid card sorting feature
• Expert technical support from UX researchers
• Password-protected study access
• Detailed PDF reports
• An additional seat/license for your team

Conclusion : By choosing UXtweak, you get more features and tools for a lower price, making your UX research work both better and more affordable.

Useberry vs. UXtweak

• If you’re just starting out in research or working solo, Useberry’s Growth Plan might be a good fit. It includes 300 responses per month (expandable to 2,000), one seat (expandable to 20), and features like unlimited projects and custom templates. However, if your research needs start to grow, this plan can become costly, especially considering each additional seat costs $30 per month.
• On the other hand, if your business is expanding and you’re looking for more comprehensive support, UXtweak might be the better option. With its Business plan, you get additional benefits like 1000+ own-sourced responses per month, 50+ recordings, expert support, and invoicing options. Plus, you get an extra user license compared to Useberry’s offering.
• In contrast, Useberry’s next level, the Enterprise plan, can be quite expensive and may not offer the right balance between cost and features for growing businesses. There’s a significant gap between their Growth and Enterprise plans, leaving a void for companies that are no longer small yet not large enough for the Enterprise plan.

Note : Despite the name “Growth” , the plan meets the requirements specified by UXtweak for solo researchers rather than growing companies.

Conclusion : For those needing greater flexibility and support as they grow, UXtweak seems to be the more advantageous choice, offering more resources and tools to accommodate expanding research needs.

🐝 Check out our pricing page now to find out more.

Try UXtweak for free!

Test your assumptions quickly, access qualified audiences worldwide, and receive clear reports - all with competitive pricing.

Useberry vs Maze : Customer Reviews

The ratings for Maze and UXtweak are from Capterra , a popular software review site where users can vote in specific categories like ‘Ease of Use’ and ‘Value for Money’. Since Useberry doesn’t have ratings on Capterra, its rating comes from G2, another respected review site. G2 doesn’t offer detailed category ratings like Capterra. The table shows that each platform has earned loyalty by providing excellent customer experiences. Among them, UXtweak has the highest score.

Source: G2.com (Useberry), Capterra.com  (Maze and UXtweak)

• Ease of Use: Useberry features a user-friendly interface, simplifying the process of creating tests and gathering feedback.
• Tool Integrations: Useberry integrates with popular design and development tools, making it a flexible platform for integrating user feedback into the design process.
• Variety of Testing Methods: Includes tools like preference testing, card sorting, or session recording.
• Limited Integrations: Useberry currently offers few integrations with other software and tools, potentially reducing the efficiency of the user testing process.
• Learning Curve : While the basic interface is user-friendly, mastering some features requires additional time and effort.
• Pricing : Despite its appealing financial plans, Userberry may not be cost-effective for startups and small businesses, as detailed in the Pricing and Plans section .
• Lack of Moderated Tests: Userberry does not provide the option for moderated tests.

Source:  G2.com

• User-Friendly Interface: Easy to build tests and review findings.
• Ease of Implementation: The process for setting up prototype testing is straightforward, involving simple steps and the ability to upload a prototype link from Figma.
• Useful Templates: Quick test creation with helpful recommendations and templates.
• Prototype Stability Issues: Prototypes, especially on mobile, often crash, affecting user experience.
• Quality of Test Participants: Issues with participants not fully engaging in tests, with many dropping out or closing the test despite being paid.
• Limited Conditional Logic: Lack of features for creating question blocks based on conditions, restricting the ability to develop more detailed and nuanced tests.
• Limited Report Customization: Reports are difficult to edit and reorganize.
• Wide Range of Tools: Offers a comprehensive set of top-tier features, reducing the need for multiple separate tools.
• Advanced Features: Includes tools like heatmap analysis and video recordings of user sessions, providing in-depth user interaction data.
• Affordable Pricing
• Quality of Respondents: Provides access to high-quality respondents, ensuring valuable and reliable feedback.
• Learning Curve: Becoming comfortable with the dashboard can take some time, indicating a potentially complex user interface.
• UXtweak note: To address this, new tutorial videos are being produced.

Useberry vs Maze: Support options

• Maze provides a range of helpful articles covering topics like security, privacy, integrations, and how to set up tests. For any specific issues, you can easily get support by clicking the ‘Submit a request’ button. The company aims to respond promptly, with the response time varying based on the complexity of your question.
• Useberry offers a similar support option as Maze, including a variety of helpful articles for guidance. Additionally, they promise an email response within 24 hours for any queries submitted through their website.
• UXtweak not only covers all the previously mentioned support options but also provides consulting services and audits conducted by their in-house team of expert UX researchers. For more details, you can look into UXtweak’s  UX research consulting.

Conclusion: Maze or Useberry?

• Maze is a solid choice for basic UX research needs, particularly suited for teams that need a user-friendly interface and a quick setup, making it ideal when time is tight. For more complex studies, Maze can still be a suitable option, but this necessitates upgrading to the Team or Organization plan, which comes at a higher price.
• Useberry shines for those who value ease of use and a variety of testing methods, though it may fall short for more complex integrations. For growing companies, there may be a struggle to find a plan that perfectly matches the changing requirements of their increasingly complex research projects.
• UXtweak   offers a broader range of advanced features and better respondent quality. Its pricing and comprehensive toolset provide a balanced option for teams needing more in-depth research capabilities without a significant increase in cost.
• Experience the benefits of UXtweak for yourself. 🐝  Register now !

People also ask (FAQ)

Register for a  free account at UXtweak , choose a plan that works for you, subscribe, and start your UX research or  get in touch with our product experts  to discuss your needs.

Useberry is one of many reliable platforms that help surveying, researching, and testing user behavior and can be of great benefit when constructing and maintaining a website.

If you like Useberry’s features, yet you are still not entirely convinced, check out our selection of the best Useberry Alternatives.

Maze is a remote user testing platform with features for  prototype testing, website testing, card sorting and tree testing, and a survey tool . They also provide help with participant recruitment with their user panel and a participant management system called Reach.

If you are not quite sure about Maze being the right choice for you, make sure to have a look at article about the best Maze alternatives!

Jana Filusova, our Marketing Executive at UXtweak, brings a scientific approach, analytical skills, and a business background to her role. She is responsible for producing our UX research podcast called "UX Researcher Geeks" and content creation. Jana's academic background is in Molecular Biology and Genetics, and she spent three years as a researcher at the Czech Academy of Sciences. After completing her Master's studies, she shifted from the world of science to the field of Business Management and began working for UXtweak.

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• Card Sorting
• Tree Testing
• Preference Test
• Five Second Test
• Session Recording
• Freeform Interviews
• Study Interviews
• Mobile Testing
• First Click Test
• Prototype Testing
• Website Testing
• Onsite Recruiting
• Own Database
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• Comparisons

36 Best UX Research Tools in 2024: Pricing, Pros, Cons, Reviews

Navigating the vast sea of UX research tools can be daunting. As 2024 unfolds, the array of tools available to UX professionals is more diverse and sophisticated than ever. From deep analytics to intuitive testing environments, these tools are essential for delving into user behavior and enhancing user experiences. This guide walks you through the 36 best UX research tools and platforms, each a key to unlocking valuable user insights.

36 Best UX Research Tools in 2024

1. userbrain – the best ux research tool in 2024 .

Userbrain stands out from the crowd because of its streamlined approach to user testing. With a focus on simplicity, and rapid results, it’s the go-to UX research tool for teams that need quick insights without any hassle. Userbrain is all about discovering important user insights with minimal fuss, and that’s why Userbrain tops our list of the best UX research tools.

Userbrain Pricing

• Pay-as-you-go at $39 per test.
• Subscription plans start from $79/month for the Starter plan.
• Custom Enterprise options available upon request.

Userbrain Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Affordable and flexible pricing options .
• Large pool of over 125,000 quality-assured testers.
• AI Insights for quick and easy user test analysis.
• Real-time analysis with video feedback.
• Optimized for prototype, mobile app , and website testing.
• Unlimited team members on all plans.
• No live chat support (coming soon).

Userbrain Reviews

Users commend Userbrain for its straightforward user testing process and quick results. The platform’s ease of use and diverse tester pool are frequently highlighted, with many noting the high quality of actionable insights provided. – via G2

Considering Userbrain for user testing?

Well, you’re in luck. You can start testing in minutes and get results in hours, with no credit card required, thanks to Userbrain’s generous free trial. Start testing! ?

2. UX Tweak

UX Tweak delves deep into usability testing, offering an impressive suite of tools for understanding user interactions. With its robust analytics capabilities, UX Tweak is a research tool to consider for those who want to dissect every aspect of user behavior.

UX Tweak Pricing

• Free plan available with limited features.
• Paid plans start from $99/month.
• Custom pricing for enterprise solutions.

UX Tweak Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• A comprehensive suite of user testing tools.
• Detailed website analytics and reporting.
• Supports prototype testing.
• It can be overwhelming for beginners due to extensive features.

UX Tweak Reviews

UX Tweak is appreciated for its detailed analytics and comprehensive testing tools. Users find it valuable for in-depth user behavior analysis, despite a bit of a learning curve due to its extensive features. – via Capterra

Considering UX Tweak alternatives for usability testing?

Did you try UX Tweak, and it wasn’t your cup of tea? We’ve compiled a list of the best UX Tweak alternatives for user testing – have a browse! ?

Hotjar is a quantitative-focused UX research tool, that provides a holistic view of user interactions. It’s a valuable platform for those who seek a comprehensive understanding of the numbers behind how users interact with their websites and apps. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to combine quantitative UX research from Hotjar, with qualitative user insights from Userbrain.

Hotjar Pricing

• Basic plan is free with limited access.
• Plus plan starts at $39/month.
• Business and Scale plans with advanced features and custom pricing.

Hotjar Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Visual heatmaps for user interaction insights.
• User feedback tools like surveys and session recordings.
• Easy to set up and use.
• Limited in-depth analytics compared to more advanced platforms.

Hotjar Reviews

Hotjar earns praise for its blend of analytics and feedback tools, particularly its heatmaps. Users like its intuitive interface, though some wish for deeper analytics. – via TrustRadius

Considering Hotjar alternatives for product testing?

If you’re looking for UX research tools similar to Hotjar, read through our guide on the  best Hotjar alternatives for product testing. ?

Maze is a champion of efficiency in prototype and wireframe testing. It stands out for its ability to deliver quick, actionable insights, particularly useful for prototype testing and short-and-snappy user surveys.

Maze Pricing

• Free trial available.
• Paid plans start from $25/month.
• Custom pricing for larger teams and enterprises.

Maze Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Rapid testing capabilities for quick insights.
• User-friendly interface for surveys and prototype testing.
• Integrates with design tools like Figma and Sketch.
• Limited qualitative data compared to other platforms.

Maze Reviews

Maze is favored for quick testing and actionable insights, with users appreciating its integration with design tools and user-friendly interface. – via GetApp

5. Lookback

Lookback offers a real-time user testing experience, which is great for gathering rich, qualitative insights. Its interactive capabilities make it a favorite for teams seeking a deeper, more conversational approach to understanding user behavior.

Lookback Pricing

• Free trial available for 14 days.
• Paid plans start at $99/month.
• Custom enterprise solutions available.

Lookback Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Real-time, interactive user testing capabilities.
• Live session recording and playback.
• Supports remote and in-person testing.
• Requires stable internet connection for live sessions.

Lookback Reviews

Lookback receives positive feedback for its real-time user testing and depth of qualitative insights. While connectivity issues are noted, its live session capabilities are highly valued. – via Software Advice

Considering Lookback alternatives for user testing?

While there are many fans of Lookback, it’s not for everyone. That’s why we’ve written an article outlining the best Lookback alternatives for user testing. Flick through it and find the best option for your user testing needs. ?

Loop11 is a robust web-based platform for usability testing, known for its generous feature set. As such, it’s mainly suited for broad user analysis, offering a depth of data that is sufficient to inform UX strategies.

Loop11 Pricing

• Rapid Insights plan at $179/month (billed annually).
• Pro plan at $358/month (billed annually).
• Enterprise plan with custom pricing.

Loop11 Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Offers both moderated and unmoderated testing.
• Detailed analytics with heatmaps and clickstreams.
• Supports large-scale testing projects.
• Interface may be less intuitive for new users.

Loop11 Reviews

Loop11 is recognized for its effective usability testing features, with users highlighting its detailed analytics and ease of use. Some users mention a desire for a more modern interface, but overall, it’s valued for its comprehensive testing capabilities. – via G2

Considering Loop11 as a UX Designer?

Not so fast. If you’re a UX Designer looking for a quality UX research tool, Loop11 is a decent place to start. However, there might be better UX research tools on the market for your needs. Therefore, we strongly advise you check out our guide to the  best Loop11 alternatives  before making a commitment either way. ?

7. UserTesting / UserZoom

The merger of UserTesting and UserZoom has created a powerhouse in the UX research world – some might even say it is too powerful! UserTesting is a treasure trove of human insights, with an extensive range of testing options suitable for large-scale, diverse research needs. Undoubtedly, this platform is one of the best UX research tools on the market today for those with the budget to afford it.

UserTesting Pricing

• Custom pricing based on specific needs.
• Contact sales for a tailored quote.
• No standard pricing information available on the website.

UserTesting Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Extensive range of testing options.
• Large global tester community.
• Advanced analytics and reporting features.
• Pricing lacks transparency and is not as affordable as other UX research tools.

UserTesting Reviews

UserTesting is lauded for its extensive tester pool and depth of insights. Users appreciate the platform’s robust testing options, though some note the high cost as a consideration. – via TrustRadius

Looking for more affordable UserTesting alternatives?

Don’t get us wrong: UserTesting is a fantastic tool for UX research. However, that performance comes at a price – a price which might be too ambitious for your UX budget. If you’re looking for UX research tools that pack a similar punch to UserTesting at a fraction of the cost, read through our  best UserTesting alternatives  list. ?

8. Crazy Egg

Crazy Egg excels in visualizing user interactions through heatmap analytics. Similar to Hotjar, Crazy Egg will interest UX researchers who prefer a data-driven approach to understanding user behavior, offering clear, actionable insights for website optimization.

Crazy Egg Pricing

• Basic plan starts at $24/month.
• Plus plan at $49/month.
• Pro and Custom plans with advanced features.

Crazy Egg Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Visual heatmaps for website analysis.
• Easy setup and user-friendly interface.
• A/B testing and conversion optimization tools.
• Limited capabilities for in-depth UX research.

Crazy Egg Reviews

Crazy Egg receives positive feedback for its heatmap analytics and user-friendly interface. Users find it helpful for website optimization, though some wish for more advanced features. – via Capterra

Need an alternative to Crazy Egg for UX research?

Crazy Egg is a great weapon to have in your arsenal for quantitative research. However, there are better UX research tools on the market for qualitative research. If you’re looking for a one-stop solution that can balance quantitative and qualitative user research, dive into our article on the best Crazy Egg alternatives for UX research. ?

9. Userfeel

Userfeel ‘s main strength lies in its multilingual user capabilities, making it a good choice for global research projects. Its ability to cater to a diverse user base makes it a valuable UX research tool for teams looking to understand international audiences.

Userfeel Pricing

• Pay-as-you-go option at $30 per test.
• Subscription plans start from $89/month.
• Custom enterprise solutions are available.

Userfeel Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Multilingual testing capabilities.
• Wide range of demographic filters for testers.
• Supports both moderated and unmoderated tests.
• Limited advanced analytics features.

Userfeel Reviews

Userfeel is praised for its multilingual testing capabilities and ease of use. Reviewers appreciate the platform’s flexibility and range of testing options, making it a versatile choice for UX research. – via GetApp

10. Testbirds

Rounding off our top 10 UX research tools is Testbirds . Testbirds specializes in crowdtesting, providing real user feedback across various devices and platforms. This platform best suits UX researchers who want to test their products in the German market, ensuring good coverage and diverse user feedback.

Testbirds Pricing

• Custom pricing based on project requirements.
• Contact for a tailored quote.

Testbirds Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Extensive crowdtesting network for diverse feedback.
• Covers a wide range of devices and platforms.
• Specializes in real-world testing scenarios.
• Pricing and plan details are not transparent.

Testbirds Reviews

Testbirds is commended for its crowdtesting approach, offering diverse and real-world feedback. Users value the platform for its thorough testing across various devices and scenarios. – via G2

Dscout shines in mobile diary studies and contextual user insights, making it a pretty good tool for UX research. Its focus on capturing user experiences over time offers a different perspective on user behavior and preferences.

Dscout Pricing

• Custom pricing based on research needs.

Dscout Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Specializes in mobile diary studies and contextual insights.
• Longitudinal research capabilities.
• User-friendly platform for qualitative research.
• Pricing lacks transparency and can be higher than competitors.

Dscout Reviews

Dscout is well-regarded for its mobile diary studies and in-depth user insights. Users appreciate its user-friendly nature and the depth of data it provides, though some desire more transparent pricing. – via Product Hunt

12. Lyssna (formerly UsabilityHub)

Lyssna , previously known as UsabilityHub , offers a standard suite of tools for quick and effective user testing. Its straightforward approach will be appreciated by those who need fast insights without the complexity of more elaborate setups.

Lyssna Pricing

• Free plan available with basic features.
• Paid plans start from $79/month.

Lyssna Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Suite of tools for quick usability testing.
• Supports first-click and five-second tests.
• User-friendly interface for surveys and preference tests.
• Limited session recording and advanced analytics.

Lyssna Reviews

Lyssna  is praised for its quick usability testing tools and user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice for fast insights. – via TrustRadius

UXCam offers an insightful peek into mobile app user behavior, making it a reasonable choice for mobile app analytics. Its ability to capture detailed user interactions within apps makes it a useful tool for those focused on optimizing mobile user experiences.

UXCam Pricing

Uxcam pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• In-depth app analytics for detailed user behavior insights.
• Session replay feature to understand user interactions.
• Heatmaps for visualizing user engagement on mobile apps.
• Pricing lacks transparency and can vary based on requirements.

UXCam Reviews

UXCam is favored for its detailed app analytics and user interaction insights. Users value its session replay and heatmap features for mobile app analysis. – via G2

14. PlaybookUX

PlaybookUX is a versatile platform that delivers user interviews, usability testing, and concept testing. Its comprehensive approach makes it a worthy contender for teams with varying UX research needs.

PlaybookUX Pricing

• Pay-as-you-go option starting at $49 per participant.
• Subscription plans available with custom pricing.
• Contact sales for more detailed pricing information.

PlaybookUX Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Versatile platform supporting user interviews, usability testing, and concept testing.
• Intuitive interface for easy test setup and analysis.
• Comprehensive testing capabilities for diverse insights.
• Pay-as-you-go option can be expensive for larger studies.

PlaybookUX Reviews

PlaybookUX receives positive feedback for its comprehensive user testing and research capabilities, with users highlighting its versatility and ease of use. – via Software Advice

15. RapidUsertests

Targeting the German-speaking market, RapidUsertests thorough usability testing tailored to the DACH region. It’s suitable for UX researchers looking to understand and engage with German-speaking audiences.

RapidUsertests Pricing

Rapidusertests pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• Specialized in the German-speaking market, offering localized insights.
• Wide range of usability testing services.
• Ideal for businesses targeting the DACH region.
• Limited appeal for non-German-speaking audiences.

RapidUsertests Reviews

RapidUsertests is appreciated in the German market for its localized usability testing and user feedback, offering valuable insights for the DACH region. – via OMR Reviews

16. Userlytics

Userlytics combines qualitative and quantitative research tools, offering a well-rounded suite for UX research. Its ability to provide a holistic view of user experiences makes it a valuable asset for comprehensive UX research.

Userlytics Pricing

• Pay-as-you-go plans starting at $49 per participant.
• Subscription plans ranging from $399/month to $999/month.
• Custom plans for specific projects and unconventional profiles.

Userlytics Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Suite of user research tools including card sorting and tree testing.
• Automated and multilingual transcriptions available.
• Quantitative metrics like time on task, SUS, NPS, and SUPR-Q.
• The user interface is considered outdated and less intuitive.

Userlytics Reviews

Userlytics is commended for its suite of user research tools and automated transcriptions, offering a well-rounded approach to UX testing. – via G2

17. Optimizely

Optimizely is renowned for its experimentation platform, enabling A/B testing and personalization at scale. It’s a tool that empowers teams to make data-driven design decisions, optimizing user experiences based on robust testing.

Optimizely Pricing

Optimizely pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• Robust A/B testing and personalization features.
• Scalable for large enterprises and complex experiments.
• Data-driven approach for UX optimization.
• Pricing can be expensive for smaller teams.

Optimizely Reviews

Optimizely is recognized for its powerful A/B testing and personalization features, with users valuing its data-driven approach to UX optimization. – via Gartner

18. Useberry

Useberry offers a leftfield approach to prototype analysis and user testing. Its focus on interactive prototypes makes it an interesting option for UX designers looking to test and refine their designs in the early stages of development.

Useberry Pricing

• Free plan with basic features.
• Growth plan at $67/month (billed yearly).

Useberry Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Focus on interactive prototype testing.
• User-friendly platform for quick insights.
• Affordable pricing for small to medium-sized teams.
• Limited features in the free plan.

Useberry Reviews

Useberry earns praise for its focus on interactive prototype testing, with users appreciating its user-friendly platform for quick insights. – via Product Hunt

19. Optimal Workshop

Optimal Workshop is a leader in website optimization tools, including card sorting and tree testing. Its quantitative focus makes it an essential tool for designing intuitive and user-friendly navigation structures.

Optimal Workshop Pricing

Optimal workshop pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• Specializes in information architecture tools like card sorting and tree testing.
• User-friendly platform for designing intuitive navigation structures.
• Suitable for both small-scale and large-scale research projects.
• Limited features in the free plan compared to paid subscriptions.

Optimal Workshop Reviews

Optimal Workshop is highly rated for its specialized information architecture tools, particularly its card sorting and tree testing features. – via Capterra

20. Ballpark

Ballpark is known for its user-friendly approach to user testing, making research fast, easy, and inclusive. It’s a solid choice for teams that value simplicity and efficiency in their UX research platforms.

Ballpark Pricing

• Starter plan at $100/month (billed annually).
• Business plan at $184/month (billed annually).

Ballpark Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• User-friendly platform for small-scale research.
• Includes recruitment minutes and unlimited video recording.
• Figma prototype testing and conditional logic features.
• Limited active projects in the Starter plan.

Ballpark Reviews

Ballpark is favored for its user-friendly approach to user testing, making it an excellent choice for teams that value simplicity and efficiency. – via G2

21. Userpeek

Userpeek offers various user testing services, including remote usability testing and moderated user interviews . Its flexibility makes it a versatile choice for UX teams with diverse research needs.

Userpeek Pricing

• No standard pricing information is available on the website.

Userpeek Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Wide range of user testing services.
• Flexible platform for diverse research needs.
• Supports usability testing and user interviews.

Userpeek Reviews

Userpeek is noted for its range of user testing services and flexibility, with users appreciating its comprehensive approach to UX research. – via G2

22. User Interviews

User Interviews excels in participant recruitment, offering a comprehensive platform for managing UX research participants. It’s best suited for large UX research teams looking to streamline the recruitment process and focus on running many studies simultaneously across various platforms.

User Interviews Pricing

User interviews pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• Comprehensive tester recruitment platform.
• Streamlines UX research logistics.
• Efficient management of research testers.

User Interviews Reviews

User Interviews receives high marks for its efficient participant recruitment and management, making it a go-to for streamlined UX research logistics. – via Capterra

23. Wondering

Wondering provides AI-powered user insights, simplifying the process of conducting and analyzing user research. Its AI-driven approach is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it might work for UX research teams looking to try an alternative approach.

Wondering Pricing

Wondering pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• AI-powered user insights for efficient research.
• Simplifies conducting and analyzing user research.
• Innovative approach with AI-driven feedback.

Wondering Reviews

Wondering is praised for its AI-powered user insights, offering an innovative approach to user research and feedback analysis. – via SaaSworthy

24. Kissmetrics

Kissmetrics focuses on event analytics, offering deep insights into user behavior for web and mobile platforms. Its detailed analytics capabilities make it a powerful UX research tool for understanding and optimizing user journeys.

Kissmetrics Pricing

Kissmetrics pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• In-depth event analytics for web and mobile platforms.
• Detailed insights into user behavior and journeys.
• Powerful tool for optimizing user experiences.

Kissmetrics Reviews

Kissmetrics is recognized for its detailed event analytics and user behavior insights, particularly valuable for web and mobile platform optimization. – via G2

25. Typeform

Typeform makes data collection fun with its interactive forms and surveys. Its engaging and user-friendly approach makes it an excellent tool for UX research teams looking to gather feedback in a more conversational and engaging manner.

Typeform Pricing

• Paid plans start from $35/month.

Typeform Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Engaging and interactive forms and surveys.
• User-friendly interface for data collection.
• Customizable options for unique feedback gathering.
• Limited advanced analytics and reporting features.

Typeform Reviews

Typeform earns acclaim for its engaging and interactive forms, making it a favorite for user-friendly and conversational data collection. – via TechRadar

26. SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is a widely recognized platform for creating surveys, offering a range of tools for data collection and analysis. Although not considered a UX research tool in the traditional sense, SurveyMonkey’s versatility and brand recognition make it a popular choice for UX research teams across various industries.

SurveyMonkey Pricing

• Standard plan starts at $99/year.
• Advantage and Premier plans with advanced features.

SurveyMonkey Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Wide range of survey creation tools.
• Easy to use with a user-friendly interface.
• Suitable for various industries and research needs.
• Limited customization options in the free plan.

SurveyMonkey Reviews

SurveyMonkey is well-regarded for its versatile survey creation tools and ease of use, suitable for a wide range of industries and research needs. – via PCMag

Ethnio specializes in participant management, providing software that is designed to streamline the process of recruiting and scheduling testers. It’s a decent tool for UX research teams looking to manage their UX research logistics more efficiently.

Ethnio Pricing

Ethnio pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• Specializes in participant management for UX research.
• Streamlines recruiting and scheduling processes.
• Efficient tool for managing research logistics.

Ethnio Reviews

Ethnio is appreciated for its specialized focus on participant management, streamlining the UX research process for teams. – via G2

UXArmy offers remote user testing and a variety of UX research tools, including card sorting and tree testing. Its generous suite of tools makes it a useful solution for Asian companies with diverse UX research needs, from unmoderated usability testing to card sorting.

UXArmy Pricing

Uxarmy pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• Offers remote user testing and diverse UX tools.
• Focused on Asian markets.
• Supports card sorting and tree testing.
• There are better-suited UX research tools for non-Asian markets.

UXArmy Reviews

UXArmy is commended for its remote user testing capabilities and comprehensive suite of UX tools, offering a one-stop solution for research needs. – via G2

29. kardSort

kardSort is an online tool dedicated to conducting card sorting studies, which are useful for designing information architecture. Its niche focus makes it a valuable tool for UX research teams working on structuring and categorizing content.

kardSort Pricing

Kardsort pros & cons vs. other ux research tools.

• Specialized in card sorting studies for information architecture.
• Valuable tool for content structuring and categorization.
• Ideal for teams focusing on user-friendly navigation.
• Pricing lacks transparency.

kardSort Reviews

No legitimate published reviews could be found for kardSort.

Zoom , the popular video conferencing platform, is also effectively used for remote moderated UX research. Its widespread adoption and ease of use make it a convenient choice for conducting remote interviews and moderated usability tests.

Zoom Pricing

• Free plan with a 40-minute limit on group meetings.
• Pro plan at $14.99/month per user.
• Business and Enterprise plans with additional features.

Zoom Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Widely used for video conferencing and remote UX research.
• Easy to use with a broad adoption rate.
• Supports screen sharing and session recording.
• Limited UX research-specific features.

Zoom Reviews

Zoom is highly popular for its video conferencing capabilities, also effectively used for remote UX research due to its widespread adoption and ease of use. – via Forbes

31. Google Meet

Google Meet offers a straightforward and reliable platform for remote moderated UX research. Its integration with Google Workspace and features like live closed captions make it a practical choice for teams looking for a simple yet effective moderated research tool.

Google Meet Pricing

• Workspace plans with advanced features starting at $6/month per user.
• Enterprise solutions with custom pricing.

Google Meet Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Simple and reliable platform for remote UX research.
• Integrated with Google Workspace for seamless collaboration.
• Live closed captions feature for accessibility.
• Mobile users need to download an app for access.

Google Meet Reviews

Google Meet is noted for its straightforward and reliable platform, ideal for remote UX research with features like live closed captions. – via The Ascent by The Motley Fool

32. Jotform

Jotform is an online form builder, great for creating surveys and forms for UX research. Its user-friendly interface and customization options make it a solid tool for gathering user feedback in a structured and engaging way.

Jotform Pricing

• Bronze plan at $29/month.
• Silver and Gold plans with advanced features and higher limits.

Jotform Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• User-friendly online form builder for surveys and feedback.
• Customizable forms with various templates.
• Suitable for diverse data collection needs.
• Limited advanced analytics in the free plan.

Jotform Reviews

Jotform is favored for its user-friendly form builder, offering customizable options for surveys and feedback collection. – via G2

33. Qualaroo

Qualaroo offers user feedback software with innovative technology, which is famed for collecting non-intrusive, real-time feedback. While not a traditional UX research platform, Qualaroo’s ability to gently prompt users for feedback makes it a useful tool for capturing user insights.

Qualaroo Pricing

• Essentials plan starts at $80/month.
• Premium plan with advanced features at $160/month.

Qualaroo Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Innovative Nudge™ technology for non-intrusive feedback.
• Real-time user feedback collection.
• Suitable for gathering genuine user insights.
• Can be expensive for smaller teams or individual researchers.

Qualaroo Reviews

Qualaroo is recognized for its innovative Nudge™ technology, providing non-intrusive, real-time user feedback collection. – via TrustRadius

34. SurveySparrow

SurveySparrow isn’t just another survey tool; it turns surveys into conversations, offering an engaging platform for collecting user feedback. Its fun, conversational interface is designed to increase response rates and gather more insightful feedback, and that’s why we’ve included it in our list of the best UX research tools.

SurveySparrow Pricing

• Paid plans start from $19/month.

SurveySparrow Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Conversational interface for engaging surveys.
• High response rates due to user-friendly design.
• Versatile platform for diverse feedback collection.

SurveySparrow Reviews

SurveySparrow receives praise for its conversational interface, enhancing response rates and gathering more insightful user feedback. – via Capterra

35. Dovetail

Dovetail is a customer insights hub, centralizing customer data for in-depth analysis and insight management. Its comprehensive approach to managing customer insights makes it a valuable CX and UX research tool for teams focused on data-driven decision-making.

Dovetail Pricing

• Starter plan at $100/month.
• Team and Business plans with advanced features.

Dovetail Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Centralized hub for customer insights and data analysis.
• Comprehensive approach to managing customer insights.
• Ideal for data-driven decision-making.

Dovetail Reviews

Dovetail is lauded for its comprehensive approach to managing customer insights, making it a valuable tool for data-driven decision-making. – via G2

36. FullStory

FullStory provides a window into the digital experiences of users, making it a useful tool for UX professionals. Rounding off our list of the best UX research tools, FullStory is praised for its session replay and heatmap features, offering detailed insights into user interactions, and helping teams uncover issues and opportunities for improvement.

FullStory Pricing

• Free plan available with essential analytics features.
• Advanced, Business, and Enterprise plans with custom pricing.

FullStory Pros & Cons vs. other UX Research Tools

• Detailed session replay and heatmap features for UX insights.
• Comprehensive data capture for in-depth analysis.
• Privacy-by-default settings for user data protection.
• Advanced features are limited to higher-tier plans.

FullStory Reviews

FullStory is appreciated for its session replay and heatmap features, offering detailed insights into digital user experiences. – via G2

Wrapping Up: 36 Best UX Research Tools & Platforms

As we wrap up our journey through the diverse landscape of the best UX research tools, it’s clear that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Each tool we’ve explored brings its unique flavor to the table, much like the varied tastes of a well-curated UX palette. Whether you’re a seasoned UX Researcher or just starting to dip your toes into the deep user experience waters, the right tool can make all the difference in crafting digital experiences that resonate with your users.

Why is Userbrain the Best UX Research Tool?

At Userbrain, we believe in keeping things simple yet effective. Our focus is on providing you with straightforward, actionable insights that help you connect deeper with your users. Remember, the best UX research tool is the one that aligns seamlessly with your project goals, team dynamics, and, most importantly, the needs of your users.

Next Steps with Userbrain: Start your Free Trial ?

It’s time to make your first steps and  start your free trial  at Userbrain. Let’s create digital experiences that aren’t just functional but truly delightful, together.

Next Steps with Userbrain: Schedule a Call ?

Your Userbrain free trial is just a click away, but if you need some hands-on advice, or if you have any questions, the Userbrain Team is always available to help you out. Schedule a call with us today!

New Service and Development Fund for Research Faculty

Georgia Tech’s Office of the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR) has announced a new Faculty Service and Development Fund (SD Fund) designed to cover up to 5% of salaries for research faculty who are funded 95% or more on sponsored support. The new SD Fund will take effect in August and is designed to cover individuals' time as they participate in service to the Institute and their research communities, develop new research programs, or engage in professional growth activities. 

“Historically, it has been a challenge for research faculty to undertake career development activities because those hours were not billable to their sponsored salary funding,” said Assistant Vice Provost for Research Faculty Maribeth Gandy Colemen . “This new approach to Institute funding will not only benefit individuals’ professional trajectories but will also empower our research faculty to give back to an even greater extent.”  

Individuals whose salaries are 0% funded by Institute general operations or Departmental Sales and Services (DSS) will have 5% of their salary covered by the SD Fund. Individuals whose salaries are between 0.1% and 4.9% general operations or DSS will receive the difference to get them up to 5%.  

The EVPR Finance team has established a report that will identify employees who meet the approved criteria. Each unit will receive an allocation in August from the EVPR’s Office. These funds will be allocated to identified research faculty in the amounts described in the calculations above. Units are not permitted to repurpose these funds in any way. The EVPR Finance team will run a report in April of each fiscal year to ensure that the funds have been allocated appropriately.  

“The creation of this fund has been in the works for some time and speaks to Georgia Tech’s commitment to the professional growth and career longevity of our research faculty,” said Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research Julia Kubanek . “The SD Fund exists due to the contributions of many, including Rusty Edwards , senior director of Financial Administration, and Rob Kadel , senior research scientist and senior director of Research Program Administration. We took a page from GTRI’s successful approach to enabling research faculty to bill a portion of their time to these kinds of essential activities and adapted it for the academic and research units.” 

The SD Fund is designed to support research faculty in resident instruction only. GTRI research faculty will continue to receive this type of funding through GTRI’s existing process. The fund is applicable to full-time, permanent employees. Part-time, limited-term, and employees with retired-but-working status are not eligible. If an employee's allocation of effort must remain at 100% soft money (for example, if they have committed all their efforts to existing projects and are precluded from reducing those efforts per the terms of their sponsored agreement), the funds will be returned to the SD Fund. 

Writer: Brittany Aiello, Faculty Communications Program Manager, Organizational and Academic Communications, Institute Communications  

Maribeth Gandy Coleman

Assistant Vice Provost for Research Faculty

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Everyone Knows Meta Platforms Makes Money From Facebook and Instagram. But 1 Wall Street Research Firm Says 17% of the Company's Value Comes From Something Surprising.

• Roughly 40% of the world's population uses a product from Meta Platforms.
• Facebook and Instagram are the company's two biggest platforms. And when logged on to those platforms, users spend more than half of their time enjoying just one activity.
• Motley Fool Issues Rare “All In” Buy Alert

NASDAQ: META

Meta platforms.

This infrequently mentioned product is also a major driver for growth in Meta's user engagement.

Social media empire Meta Platforms ( META 4.83% ) is valued at nearly $1.2 trillion. And according to a report from investment research firm Needham, about 17% of this value -- or $203 billion -- should be attributed to a part of the business that might surprise you.

Of course, with platforms as big as Facebook, Instagram , and Whatsapp, Meta Platforms' investors can be forgiven for overlooking something somewhere. But it's surprising that Needham believes there's so much value in a part of the business that gets such little attention.

To be clear, Meta Platforms' platforms are truly massive. The company doesn't break down its users per platform anymore. But across its social platforms -- what management calls its "Family of Apps" -- it has 3.24 billion daily active people as of the first quarter of 2024. That's roughly 40% of the planet's population.

Many parts of Meta Platforms are big and important -- this much is true. But this other value driver shouldn't be overlooked.

What else could possibly be worth $200 billion?

Needham's report takes a look at short-form video platforms, such as TikTok . And increasingly popular in the short-form video space is the Reels service from Meta Platforms. Reels provides short-form video options on both Facebook and Instagram and was management's answer to TikTok a few years ago. And it's worth over $200 billion now, according to the aforementioned research firm.

How could this service be so valuable? For context, investors need to remember that almost all of Meta Platforms' revenue comes from advertising. When it comes to growing this revenue source, there are things the company can do to improve the effectiveness, placement, and frequency of ads. But all of this is predicated on user engagement -- if people aren't on the platform in the first place, it's not generating ad revenue.

As it turns out, Reels is driving engagement for Meta Platforms. On the Q1 earnings call , management said that when its users get on the Facebook and Instagram platforms, they're watching video more than 60% of the time. There are multiple ways to watch videos on these platforms -- it's not just Reels. But management is clear that Reels is driving the growth in Meta's video consumption.

The big question for investors is whether Reels can keep driving engagement growth. And there is reason to believe that it can. In April, Meta Platforms updated its video engine so that everything it has is interconnected, providing the ability for more relevant video recommendations, in theory.

Meta Platforms is also working to upgrade its capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI), which management hopes will also improve the recommendation engine. And if users get better video recommendations, perhaps they'll binge-watch content just a little bit longer, giving the company a chance at higher engagement and ad revenue.

It's truly staggering to think that Meta Platforms is approaching trailing-12-month revenue of $150 billion and still growing at more than a 20% annual rate. But that's exactly what's happening, as the chart below shows.

META Revenue (Quarterly YoY Growth) data by YCharts

Considering over half of the company's user engagement is from video, investors should definitely monitor trends with Reels from Meta Platforms. It does seem that people are generally moving toward the consumption of these shorter-form videos, so the demand is there. And if the company can continue to improve its system to provide better recommendations, it could keep driving engagement and consequently continue achieving an above-average growth rate. Together with a robust monetization strategy, that would be good for investors.

Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Jon Quast has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

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Announcing The Forrester Wave™: End-User Experience Management Solutions, Q3 2024

Andrew Hewitt , Principal Analyst

We are thrilled to release our third-ever end-user experience management (EUEM) Forrester Wave™ evaluation: The Forrester Wave™: End-User Experience Management Solutions, Q3 2024 . We looked at the top eight vendors in the market today and evaluated them across 34 criteria.

Why is EUEM so important? The answer lies in a three-letter acronym: DEX, or digital employee experience. As organizations attempt to differentiate themselves in the future of work, DEX has taken center stage as a key priority among IT buyers.  Forrester defines DEX  as:

The sum of all the perceptions that employees have about working with the technology they use to complete their daily work and manage their relationship with their employer across the lifecycle of their employment.

EUEM is the system of record that enterprises increasingly rely upon to monitor and benchmark DEX at their organizations. Customers today use EUEM solutions to:

• Understand daily technology experience from the perspective of the end user.
• Track experience with digital experience scores.
• Collect qualitative feedback on technology experience.
• Reduce time spent on root-cause analysis.
• Improve remediation through self-healing.

Our evaluation identified two Leaders in today’s market: Lakeside Software and Nexthink. We found that the Leaders differentiate themselves in three fundamental ways. They:

• Enable holistic and deep visibility over the entire digital employee experience. Data remains a key differentiator for vendors today, especially as they increasingly seek to use AI to sift through large quantities of it.
• Translate data into actionable insights. Time-to-value is so important in the EUEM space — top vendors differentiate themselves with out-of-the-box templates, AI-based root-cause analysis, and superb customer enablement programs.
• Drive remediation at scale across thousands of endpoints. In addition to more traditional self-healing mechanisms such as state management, low-code orchestration took center stage this year as a key capability, enabling customers to deliver sustained business value through automation.

Another three vendors — 1E, ControlUp, and Riverbed Technology — are Strong Performers, and Broadcom (now Omnissa), Ivanti, and Tanium are Contenders.

With the importance of DEX rising, now is the time to consider investing in EUEM. If you want to benchmark your current experience management against the providers in our Wave or are looking for a new provider, this Forrester Wave is the best starting point for you. New this year, clients can view the detailed scorecard and compare vendors against each other directly from the Forrester website.

If you’d like to learn more about this space, I recommend the following resources:

• Read my report, The End-User Experience Management Solutions Landscape, Q1 2024 , which includes many other vendors not in the official Wave evaluation.
• Register to attend  my upcoming webinar on August 20 , where I’ll be diving deeper into the Wave findings and answering your questions.
• Schedule an inquiry with me to discuss by emailing  [email protected] . Note: This service is reserved for clients only.

Related Forrester Content

• The Forrester Wave™: End-User Experience Management Solutions, Q3 2024
• Digital Employee Experience Is Not A Tool — It’s A Perception
• CIO insights
• employee experience
• user experience (UX)

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Stay tuned for updates from the Forrester blogs.

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An official website of the United States government

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Guidance on building better digital services in government

Supporting innovation through the American Rescue Plan

In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) was passed to provide direct relief to the public, rescue the American economy, and beat the COVID-19 virus.

GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS) includes a portfolio of over 40 initiatives that are using ARP funding to improve the public’s experience and access to government services. While these investments initially focused on immediate needs to recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic, the TTS ARP team and our partner agencies saw an emerging long-term need to support services in an increasingly digital world.

The ARP initiatives empower agencies to reimagine how the government delivers services to the public. We are using technology as a catalyst to build communities, simplify and improve the public’s experience with government, serve the underserved, and share expertise across agencies along the way.

Effecting change in digital space isn’t just about what we do; it’s also about sharing how we do it. The ARP initiatives are pairing technical expertise with federal program know-how, and fostering technical solutions that empower users and reduce barriers.

We’re excited to share four success stories of how ARP has supported innovation in TTS so far.

Success story 1. Improving collaboration for veteran research

Supporting those who serve our nation is a priority.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needed a secure platform to connect with veterans and inform the work of its Veteran Research Studies. It identified Box , a Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP®)-approved cloud service, that is more interactive than traditional email or physical mail to support better collaboration between veterans and the VA research community.

Thanks in part to ARP funding, the VA embraced FedRAMP.gov to streamline the review process and increase access to trusted cloud services more quickly. As a FedRAMP-authorized service, Box has been used across 146 different VA offices with approximately 1,400 users.

Success story 2. Simplifying the public’s experience with search

Often the best user experience is built on thoughtful backend design.

Search.gov is a search engine by and for the federal government—supporting one third of domains. It simplifies search processes by scanning acrossing agencies and websites summarizing results in one, simple view. Using ARP funding, Search.gov improved its public search results, increased support for more types of websites, and gathered insightful data to improve the public’s ability to find the resources they need.

Search.gov worked with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to improve the search results on SSA.gov to make it easier for eligible users to access their benefits using the website. SSA prioritized user needs and compiled feedback over nine months in 75 sessions and 100 interviews.

With the support of Search.gov, the navigation experience is not only quicker and more direct on SSA.gov, the search experience is more effective, too. People clicked on search results more often, indicating it’s easier for people to identify what resources are most useful after they have run a search.

Success story 3. Understanding equity in identity verification

From government agencies to financial institutions, the public often needs to prove their identity, with documents like a driver’s license, or passport, before accessing information on their websites. Traditionally, these documents are examined physically by a human — in person — to confirm their authenticity. However, it’s not always feasible or practical to require everyone to appear in person.

As agencies continue to transition to newer technologies and enhance experience for users, they must develop strategies to combat inequities that harm disadvantaged populations .

With ARP funding, GSA created the equity study on remote identity proofing to identify and address potential biases in facial matching and other methods used to verify identities remotely. In 2024, the ARP team welcomed participation from thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Using the results of this study and findings from other federal agency efforts, GSA will establish recommendations and inform future product iterations. The results from this study will pave the way for a more inclusive future, and help ensure fair and equal access to government services for every community.

Success story 4. Investing in innovative ideas

Continuing to foster change and cross-agency support, TTS invested ARP funds in 10x to fund, support, and develop ideas from federal employees on how to use technology to improve the public’s experience with government.

10x performs this research to understand which ideas have the greatest impact, and a few of these included TTS programs. By sharing 10x data resources and expertise, TTS supported:

• FedRAMP in streamlining security assessments,
• The Federal Audit Clearinghouse in simplifying audit processes, and
• The launch of beta.Notify.gov as a pilot for government agencies to reach people where they are with government-powered text messages.

10x also partnered with technical experts from the Presidential Innovation Fellows and U.S. Digital Corps to work with agencies across government.

By building this collaborative environment, TTS maximized ARP funding, providing more value to the government and ultimately to the public.

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Research on the Construction of Information Association Networks Based on Electricity user Data

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Research and improvement on association rule algorithm based on fp-growth.

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Eating processed meats like bacon may age your brain — but you can avoid it with simple food swaps, research suggests

• Eating processed meat regularly is linked to a higher risk of dementia, new research suggests.
• Cutting back on hot dogs and ham in favor of eating beans, nuts, and tofu may protect brain health.
• Processed meat has been linked to a higher risk of cancer and heart disease due to preservatives.

Eating beans instead of bacon could help stave off cognitive decline , new research suggests.

Switching out one daily serving of processed meat for tofu, nuts, or beans could cut the risk of dementia by 20%, according to preliminary research presented at the 2024 Alzheimer's Association International Conference .

Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health looked at data from more than 130,000 American nurses over nearly four decades of follow-up.

They found that people who ate about a quarter of a serving of processed meat daily (about two servings a week) on average had a 14% higher risk of developing dementia compared to people who ate about three servings a month on average.

A serving of processed meat is about two slices of bacon, one hot dog, two small sausage links, or two ounces of deli meat (the amount in a typical sandwich).

The risk could be reduced by swapping out a daily serving of processed meat with legumes, the findings suggest.

The researchers also assessed overall cognitive function and found that, based on measures of function like processing and memory, each serving of processed meat participants ate in a typical day added about 1.61 to 1.69 years to their brain age.

In contrast, a serving of legumes instead of processed meat was linked to a brain age about 1.37 years younger, based on cognitive function.

The study is observational, meaning it doesn't directly show that processed meat increases the risk of cognitive decline.

But combined with previous evidence, the findings offer a compelling reason to consider cutting back in favor of nutrient-dense alternatives.

The potential negative effects of processed meat on the brain may be because of preservatives such as nitrites and sodium, according to Yuhan Li, lead of the study who conducted the research as a graduate student at Harvard T.H. Chan.

"By studying people over a long period of time, we found that eating processed red meat could be a significant risk factor for dementia. Dietary guidelines could include recommendations limiting it to promote brain health," Li said in a press release.

Processed meat is also linked to cancer risk

The latest research isn't the only evidence suggesting processed meat harms our health.

Related stories

A July study found that cutting back on processed meat could reduce the risk of multiple diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Previous evidence also suggests eating more processed meat is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer and colon cancer .

Nitrites used as preservatives in foods like processed meats have been classified as carcinogenic (cancer-causing) by the World Health Organization.

Processed red meats like sausage are also high in saturated fats and cholesterol, too much of which is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

Protein sources like beans and nuts are longevity superfoods

Legumes are a healthier alternative to processed meat not only because they're lower in preservatives, but also because they're packed with nutrients linked to major benefits for a long, healthy life.

Nuts are rich in healthy fats as well as fiber, a crucial nutrient for healthy digestion and a healthy gut.

Beans are also full of fiber and have been called a longevity superfood because they're a cheap, nutritious staple in the world's Blue Zones, where people are more likely to live to 100 or older.

A growing body of evidence suggests eating enough fiber to support your gut and the friendly microbes that live there play a crucial role in protecting brain health as you age.

Watch: How to spot ultra-processed foods we mistake for healthy

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