Quick Overview
- 1#1: Appcues - Appcues is a no-code platform for creating personalized in-app onboarding experiences, product tours, and user engagement flows to accelerate customer adoption.
- 2#2: Userpilot - Userpilot enables SaaS teams to build targeted onboarding flows, checklists, and analytics-driven experiences to boost product adoption and reduce churn.
- 3#3: Pendo - Pendo combines product analytics with in-app guides and onboarding tools to help users achieve value faster and improve retention.
- 4#4: ChurnZero - ChurnZero is a customer success platform with automated onboarding playbooks, real-time alerts, and engagement tools to streamline new customer activation.
- 5#5: Gainsight - Gainsight provides enterprise-grade customer success management with configurable onboarding journeys, health scores, and success plans for large-scale deployments.
- 6#6: Userflow - Userflow offers a no-code builder for interactive onboarding flows, personalized tours, and resource centers to drive user activation and feature adoption.
- 7#7: Intercom - Intercom delivers AI-powered messaging, automated onboarding series, and product tours to engage new customers and guide them to success.
- 8#8: WalkMe - WalkMe is a digital adoption platform that automates onboarding with dynamic walkthroughs, self-service support, and performance analytics.
- 9#9: Whatfix - Whatfix provides in-app guidance, AI-powered assistance, and onboarding automation to accelerate user productivity and time-to-value.
- 10#10: GuideCX - GuideCX is a customer onboarding platform that manages implementation projects, tasks, and milestones to ensure smooth new customer launches.
These tools were selected based on a blend of feature depth, usability, reliability, and overall value, prioritizing those that deliver robust personalization, automation, and actionable insights to optimize onboarding success across user scales.
Comparison Table
This comparison table highlights leading new customer onboarding software tools, such as Appcues, Userpilot, Pendo, ChurnZero, Gainsight, and more, to assist businesses in selecting the right solution. Readers will discover key features, implementation efficiency, and how each tool enhances user activation and retention, enabling data-driven decisions for better onboarding outcomes.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appcues Appcues is a no-code platform for creating personalized in-app onboarding experiences, product tours, and user engagement flows to accelerate customer adoption. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Userpilot Userpilot enables SaaS teams to build targeted onboarding flows, checklists, and analytics-driven experiences to boost product adoption and reduce churn. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Pendo Pendo combines product analytics with in-app guides and onboarding tools to help users achieve value faster and improve retention. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | ChurnZero ChurnZero is a customer success platform with automated onboarding playbooks, real-time alerts, and engagement tools to streamline new customer activation. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Gainsight Gainsight provides enterprise-grade customer success management with configurable onboarding journeys, health scores, and success plans for large-scale deployments. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Userflow Userflow offers a no-code builder for interactive onboarding flows, personalized tours, and resource centers to drive user activation and feature adoption. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 7 | Intercom Intercom delivers AI-powered messaging, automated onboarding series, and product tours to engage new customers and guide them to success. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | WalkMe WalkMe is a digital adoption platform that automates onboarding with dynamic walkthroughs, self-service support, and performance analytics. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Whatfix Whatfix provides in-app guidance, AI-powered assistance, and onboarding automation to accelerate user productivity and time-to-value. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | GuideCX GuideCX is a customer onboarding platform that manages implementation projects, tasks, and milestones to ensure smooth new customer launches. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
Appcues is a no-code platform for creating personalized in-app onboarding experiences, product tours, and user engagement flows to accelerate customer adoption.
Userpilot enables SaaS teams to build targeted onboarding flows, checklists, and analytics-driven experiences to boost product adoption and reduce churn.
Pendo combines product analytics with in-app guides and onboarding tools to help users achieve value faster and improve retention.
ChurnZero is a customer success platform with automated onboarding playbooks, real-time alerts, and engagement tools to streamline new customer activation.
Gainsight provides enterprise-grade customer success management with configurable onboarding journeys, health scores, and success plans for large-scale deployments.
Userflow offers a no-code builder for interactive onboarding flows, personalized tours, and resource centers to drive user activation and feature adoption.
Intercom delivers AI-powered messaging, automated onboarding series, and product tours to engage new customers and guide them to success.
WalkMe is a digital adoption platform that automates onboarding with dynamic walkthroughs, self-service support, and performance analytics.
Whatfix provides in-app guidance, AI-powered assistance, and onboarding automation to accelerate user productivity and time-to-value.
GuideCX is a customer onboarding platform that manages implementation projects, tasks, and milestones to ensure smooth new customer launches.
Appcues
specializedAppcues is a no-code platform for creating personalized in-app onboarding experiences, product tours, and user engagement flows to accelerate customer adoption.
Visual Flow Builder that auto-captures UI elements for pixel-perfect, multi-step onboarding sequences across any web app.
Appcues is a no-code platform that empowers product teams to create personalized in-app experiences like guided tours, tooltips, modals, and surveys to streamline new customer onboarding and drive product adoption. It excels in segmenting users based on behavior, tech stack, and custom data for hyper-targeted guidance without requiring engineering resources. With robust analytics and A/B testing, Appcues helps measure onboarding effectiveness and iterate quickly to reduce churn and increase feature usage.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for rapid experience creation
- Advanced segmentation and personalization capabilities
- Built-in analytics, A/B testing, and NPS surveys for optimization
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with user volume for small teams
- Advanced automations and AI features locked behind higher tiers
- Initial integration setup may require some technical familiarity
Best For
Growing SaaS and B2B companies prioritizing scalable, developer-free onboarding to accelerate customer time-to-value.
Pricing
Starts at $300/month for Essentials (billed annually, based on MAUs), with Pro at $780/month and custom Enterprise plans.
Userpilot
specializedUserpilot enables SaaS teams to build targeted onboarding flows, checklists, and analytics-driven experiences to boost product adoption and reduce churn.
Hyper-personalization engine that dynamically tailors in-app experiences to individual user segments and behaviors in real-time
Userpilot is a no-code product adoption platform that specializes in creating interactive in-app experiences to streamline new customer onboarding, boost engagement, and drive retention for SaaS products. It enables teams to build personalized flows, checklists, tooltips, modals, and surveys without coding, using advanced segmentation based on user behavior and data. With built-in analytics and A/B testing, Userpilot helps optimize onboarding to reduce churn and increase feature adoption effectively.
Pros
- Powerful no-code builder for hyper-personalized onboarding flows and experiences
- Comprehensive analytics, A/B testing, and user segmentation capabilities
- Seamless integrations with tools like Intercom, Segment, and Amplitude
Cons
- Pricing starts relatively high for small teams or startups
- Steeper learning curve for advanced personalization features
- Limited free tier; primarily trial-based access
Best For
Mid-sized SaaS companies with 1,000+ MAUs seeking scalable, data-driven onboarding personalization.
Pricing
Growth plan at $249/mo (annual billing), Business at $749/mo, Enterprise custom; 14-day free trial.
Pendo
specializedPendo combines product analytics with in-app guides and onboarding tools to help users achieve value faster and improve retention.
Seamless integration of product analytics with in-app guidance, enabling real-time, behavior-based onboarding personalization
Pendo is a powerful product experience platform designed to enhance new customer onboarding with interactive in-app guides, walkthroughs, and tooltips that require no coding. It combines user behavior analytics with personalized experiences to drive adoption, reduce churn, and accelerate time-to-value for SaaS products. The platform also includes feedback surveys, segmentation, and NPS tools to continuously refine onboarding processes based on real user data.
Pros
- Deep product analytics integrated directly with onboarding guides for data-driven optimizations
- Advanced segmentation and personalization for tailored user experiences
- No-code builder for quick creation of interactive tours and NPS surveys
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization and analytics
- High cost unsuitable for small teams or startups
- Limited free tier and complex setup for non-enterprise users
Best For
Mid-to-large SaaS companies with complex products seeking analytics-powered onboarding at scale.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $20,000 annually, based on monthly tracked users and features.
ChurnZero
enterpriseChurnZero is a customer success platform with automated onboarding playbooks, real-time alerts, and engagement tools to streamline new customer activation.
Success Plays: Automated, multi-channel customer journey orchestration tailored to individual onboarding needs
ChurnZero is a customer success platform designed to reduce churn and accelerate onboarding for SaaS companies by providing personalized customer journeys and real-time insights. It offers configurable playbooks, health scoring, and automated workflows to guide new customers from signup to activation and expansion. With strong integrations and a unified customer view, it empowers CSMs to proactively address risks during onboarding.
Pros
- Highly customizable onboarding playbooks and success paths
- Real-time customer data unification and health scoring
- Extensive integrations with CRM, billing, and analytics tools
Cons
- Enterprise-level pricing may be prohibitive for SMBs
- Initial setup requires significant configuration time
- Advanced analytics can feel overwhelming for new users
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise SaaS companies seeking robust customer success tools to streamline onboarding and boost retention.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting around $10,000 annually, based on customer volume and features; contact sales for quote.
Gainsight
enterpriseGainsight provides enterprise-grade customer success management with configurable onboarding journeys, health scores, and success plans for large-scale deployments.
Customizable Success Plans that blueprint personalized onboarding journeys with automated CTAs and milestones
Gainsight is a leading customer success management platform that supports new customer onboarding through customizable success plans, automated timelines, and milestone tracking. It unifies customer data from multiple sources to provide a 360-degree view, enabling teams to monitor adoption, engagement, and health scores in real-time. The tool automates workflows like task assignments and notifications to accelerate time-to-value and reduce churn during the critical onboarding phase.
Pros
- Deep Salesforce integration for seamless data sync
- AI-powered health scoring and risk predictions
- Scalable automation for onboarding workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- High pricing limits accessibility for SMBs
- Overkill for teams needing only basic onboarding tools
Best For
Enterprise SaaS companies with complex customer success needs and dedicated CS teams.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; typically starts at $1,000+ per month based on customer volume and modules.
Userflow
specializedUserflow offers a no-code builder for interactive onboarding flows, personalized tours, and resource centers to drive user activation and feature adoption.
AI-powered Flow Builder that auto-generates personalized onboarding sequences from simple prompts
Userflow is a no-code platform that enables teams to build interactive product tours, onboarding checklists, tooltips, and personalized user flows to accelerate customer activation and retention. It supports segmentation, A/B testing, and analytics to optimize onboarding experiences across web apps. Ideal for SaaS products, it integrates with tools like Intercom, Segment, and HubSpot for seamless deployment.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop visual editor for quick flow creation
- Strong personalization with user segmentation and conditional logic
- Built-in analytics and A/B testing for data-driven improvements
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options compared to enterprise tools
- Pricing can become expensive for high-volume usage
- Fewer native integrations than top competitors like Appcues
Best For
Mid-stage SaaS companies seeking an easy-to-use, no-code solution to enhance new user onboarding without heavy developer involvement.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Starter at $99/month (500 monthly active users), Growth at $325/month (5,000 MAUs), Enterprise custom.
Intercom
enterpriseIntercom delivers AI-powered messaging, automated onboarding series, and product tours to engage new customers and guide them to success.
Behaviorally triggered message sequences that adapt in real-time to user actions
Intercom is a customer communication platform that supports new customer onboarding through targeted in-app messages, automated email series, product tours, and behavioral segmentation. It enables businesses to guide users with personalized sequences based on actions and data, reducing time-to-value. The tool integrates live chat and AI assistance to handle queries during onboarding, blending support with education.
Pros
- Advanced behavioral segmentation for hyper-personalized onboarding
- Multi-channel support including in-app, email, and chat
- Robust analytics to track onboarding completion and drop-offs
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply with active users
- Steep learning curve for complex automations
- Less specialized in no-code tour builders than dedicated onboarding tools
Best For
Growing SaaS companies needing integrated messaging, support, and onboarding in one platform.
Pricing
Starts at $74/month (Starter); Pro from $139/month; scales by active users (custom enterprise plans available).
WalkMe
enterpriseWalkMe is a digital adoption platform that automates onboarding with dynamic walkthroughs, self-service support, and performance analytics.
The visual Rule Engine for creating dynamic, context-aware guidance that adapts in real-time to user behavior
WalkMe is a digital adoption platform that delivers interactive in-app guidance, walkthroughs, and automation to accelerate user onboarding and proficiency in complex software environments. It helps new customers quickly achieve value by providing contextual tooltips, step-by-step tours, and AI-driven personalization without requiring code changes. The platform also includes robust analytics to track engagement and identify friction points in the onboarding process.
Pros
- Comprehensive suite of interactive guidance tools including walkthroughs, shuttles, and AI-powered personalization
- Deep analytics for measuring onboarding success and user adoption metrics
- Extensive integrations with enterprise apps like Salesforce, SAP, and ServiceNow
Cons
- High cost with custom enterprise pricing that may not suit SMBs
- Steep learning curve for building advanced experiences
- Implementation can be time-intensive for complex deployments
Best For
Large enterprises with intricate SaaS ecosystems seeking scalable, guided onboarding for new customers.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $20,000+ annually, based on users, apps, and features—contact sales for quote.
Whatfix
enterpriseWhatfix provides in-app guidance, AI-powered assistance, and onboarding automation to accelerate user productivity and time-to-value.
Self-healing AI walkthroughs that automatically adapt to UI changes without manual updates
Whatfix is a digital adoption platform (DAP) designed for new customer onboarding, offering interactive in-app walkthroughs, tooltips, pop-ups, and AI-driven guidance to accelerate user proficiency. It contextualizes help within any web, desktop, or mobile application, reducing support tickets and time-to-value. The platform provides analytics to track adoption metrics and personalize experiences for scalable onboarding at enterprise levels.
Pros
- No-code editor for rapid creation of interactive flows and self-help content
- Advanced AI analytics and adoption scoring for data-driven optimizations
- Broad compatibility across web, desktop, mobile, and 100+ integrations
Cons
- Enterprise pricing lacks transparency and can be costly for smaller teams
- Initial setup requires technical expertise for complex deployments
- Customization options for reporting are somewhat limited
Best For
Enterprise SaaS companies with complex applications needing scalable, in-app onboarding for large customer bases.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing for enterprises, typically starting at $20,000+ annually depending on users and features; free trial available.
GuideCX
specializedGuideCX is a customer onboarding platform that manages implementation projects, tasks, and milestones to ensure smooth new customer launches.
Dynamic Success Playbooks that automate personalized onboarding paths based on customer segments and progress
GuideCX is a dedicated customer onboarding platform designed for B2B companies to automate and manage complex new customer onboarding processes. It offers customizable workflows, client self-service portals, task automation, and progress tracking to ensure smooth handoffs from sales to success teams. The software emphasizes collaboration between internal teams and customers, reducing time-to-value and churn through structured playbooks and analytics.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows and playbooks for complex B2B onboarding
- Intuitive client portal for self-service and real-time visibility
- Strong integrations with CRMs like Salesforce and analytics for performance insights
Cons
- Pricing is quote-based and can be expensive for smaller teams
- Initial setup requires configuration expertise for advanced use cases
- Mobile experience is limited compared to desktop
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise B2B SaaS companies handling intricate, multi-stage customer onboarding.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing (quote-based); typically starts at $5,000-$10,000/month depending on users, workflows, and support level.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools demonstrate exceptional strength in enhancing customer onboarding, with Appcues leading as the top choice due to its no-code personalization and ability to accelerate adoption. Userpilot stands out with targeted, analytics-driven flows, while Pendo excels by merging product insights with in-app guides to boost retention—each offering unique value to suit diverse needs. Together, they set a new standard for effective onboarding success.
Begin optimizing your new customer journeys by trying Appcues first; its personalized approach promises to transform user experiences and drive long-term satisfaction.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison