Quick Overview
- 1#1: Appcues - Appcues is a no-code platform for building personalized onboarding flows, interactive tours, and announcements to accelerate user adoption.
- 2#2: Userpilot - Userpilot enables SaaS teams to create in-app onboarding experiences, checklists, and tooltips with analytics for product adoption.
- 3#3: Chameleon - Chameleon provides a no-code builder for in-app tours, tooltips, and modals to guide users through onboarding without engineering help.
- 4#4: Pendo - Pendo combines product analytics with in-app guides and onboarding flows to improve user engagement and retention.
- 5#5: WalkMe - WalkMe is a digital adoption platform delivering interactive walkthroughs, launchers, and support for seamless user onboarding.
- 6#6: UserGuiding - UserGuiding offers no-code tools to create interactive product tours, checklists, and onboarding experiences with segmentation.
- 7#7: CommandBar - CommandBar provides AI-powered in-app search, help, and contextual onboarding guidance to boost user productivity.
- 8#8: Whatfix - Whatfix is an enterprise digital adoption platform with self-service guidance, simulations, and analytics for onboarding at scale.
- 9#9: Userlane - Userlane delivers no-code digital adoption solutions with step-by-step overlays and automation for effective user onboarding.
- 10#10: Spekit - Spekit streamlines onboarding and training with searchable in-app knowledge overlays, playbooks, and AI-assisted guidance.
We ranked these tools based on feature robustness (including personalization, automation, and analytics), user-friendly design, implementation ease, and overall value, prioritizing those that deliver measurable results for teams of all sizes.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores leading user onboarding software, featuring tools like Appcues, Userpilot, Chameleon, Pendo, WalkMe, and more, to guide businesses in selecting the right fit. Readers will gain insights into key capabilities, ideal use cases, and standout strengths of each platform, helping them streamline user adoption and enhance engagement.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appcues Appcues is a no-code platform for building personalized onboarding flows, interactive tours, and announcements to accelerate user adoption. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Userpilot Userpilot enables SaaS teams to create in-app onboarding experiences, checklists, and tooltips with analytics for product adoption. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Chameleon Chameleon provides a no-code builder for in-app tours, tooltips, and modals to guide users through onboarding without engineering help. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Pendo Pendo combines product analytics with in-app guides and onboarding flows to improve user engagement and retention. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | WalkMe WalkMe is a digital adoption platform delivering interactive walkthroughs, launchers, and support for seamless user onboarding. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | UserGuiding UserGuiding offers no-code tools to create interactive product tours, checklists, and onboarding experiences with segmentation. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | CommandBar CommandBar provides AI-powered in-app search, help, and contextual onboarding guidance to boost user productivity. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Whatfix Whatfix is an enterprise digital adoption platform with self-service guidance, simulations, and analytics for onboarding at scale. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Userlane Userlane delivers no-code digital adoption solutions with step-by-step overlays and automation for effective user onboarding. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Spekit Spekit streamlines onboarding and training with searchable in-app knowledge overlays, playbooks, and AI-assisted guidance. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
Appcues is a no-code platform for building personalized onboarding flows, interactive tours, and announcements to accelerate user adoption.
Userpilot enables SaaS teams to create in-app onboarding experiences, checklists, and tooltips with analytics for product adoption.
Chameleon provides a no-code builder for in-app tours, tooltips, and modals to guide users through onboarding without engineering help.
Pendo combines product analytics with in-app guides and onboarding flows to improve user engagement and retention.
WalkMe is a digital adoption platform delivering interactive walkthroughs, launchers, and support for seamless user onboarding.
UserGuiding offers no-code tools to create interactive product tours, checklists, and onboarding experiences with segmentation.
CommandBar provides AI-powered in-app search, help, and contextual onboarding guidance to boost user productivity.
Whatfix is an enterprise digital adoption platform with self-service guidance, simulations, and analytics for onboarding at scale.
Userlane delivers no-code digital adoption solutions with step-by-step overlays and automation for effective user onboarding.
Spekit streamlines onboarding and training with searchable in-app knowledge overlays, playbooks, and AI-assisted guidance.
Appcues
specializedAppcues is a no-code platform for building personalized onboarding flows, interactive tours, and announcements to accelerate user adoption.
AI-powered Flow Builder that auto-generates and optimizes multi-step onboarding sequences
Appcues is a no-code platform designed for creating personalized in-app experiences to enhance user onboarding, adoption, and retention. It enables product teams to build interactive tours, tooltips, modals, checklists, and surveys without developer involvement. With robust segmentation, A/B testing, and analytics, it optimizes user journeys based on real-time data and behavior.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for rapid experience creation
- Advanced personalization and segmentation for targeted onboarding
- Comprehensive analytics with A/B testing and NPS integration
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit bootstrapped startups
- Steeper learning curve for complex multi-step flows
- Limited customization for highly branded experiences
Best For
SaaS companies and product teams scaling user onboarding and adoption without heavy engineering dependency.
Pricing
Starts at $249/month (Build plan) for up to 5,000 MAU, with Accelerate ($999+/month) and custom Enterprise tiers; demo required for exact quotes.
Userpilot
specializedUserpilot enables SaaS teams to create in-app onboarding experiences, checklists, and tooltips with analytics for product adoption.
AI-powered Experience Generator that auto-creates personalized onboarding flows from simple prompts
Userpilot is a no-code product adoption platform that enables SaaS teams to create personalized user onboarding experiences, including interactive tours, checklists, tooltips, and resource centers. It focuses on driving user activation, engagement, and retention through advanced segmentation, A/B testing, and in-depth analytics. The platform integrates seamlessly with tools like Intercom and Segment, making it ideal for optimizing product-led growth.
Pros
- Intuitive no-code builder with drag-and-drop interface for rapid deployment
- Advanced personalization via user segmentation and dynamic content
- Robust analytics and A/B testing for data-driven onboarding optimization
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit very small startups
- Primarily focused on web apps, with limited native mobile support
- Advanced features require some initial setup time
Best For
Mid-sized SaaS companies seeking scalable, personalized onboarding to boost user retention without heavy engineering involvement.
Pricing
Starts at $249/month (billed annually) for Growth plan (up to 5k MAU); scales to $833/month for Business and custom Enterprise pricing.
Chameleon
specializedChameleon provides a no-code builder for in-app tours, tooltips, and modals to guide users through onboarding without engineering help.
Sticky elements like persistent tooltips that follow users across pages for seamless guidance
Chameleon is a no-code platform designed for creating in-app user onboarding experiences, including interactive tours, tooltips, modals, checklists, and announcements. It enables product teams to guide users through web applications without requiring engineering resources, using a visual builder and pre-built templates. The tool emphasizes personalization through segmentation, A/B testing, and integrations with analytics platforms like Mixpanel and Segment.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for rapid deployment
- Advanced segmentation and targeting capabilities
- Comprehensive analytics and A/B testing built-in
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for larger teams
- Primarily optimized for web apps, less ideal for mobile
- Some advanced customizations still require CSS tweaks
Best For
SaaS product teams at growth-stage companies aiming to enhance web app onboarding without dev dependency.
Pricing
Starts at $299/month (Launch plan for small teams), $999/month (Scale), custom Enterprise pricing.
Pendo
enterprisePendo combines product analytics with in-app guides and onboarding flows to improve user engagement and retention.
Seamless fusion of product analytics with no-code in-app guides for real-time, behavior-based onboarding personalization
Pendo is a leading product experience platform focused on user onboarding, adoption, and retention through in-app guides, interactive walkthroughs, and personalized user journeys. It combines no-code tools for creating tooltips, surveys, and multi-step flows with deep product analytics to track user behavior and optimize experiences. Ideal for driving feature discovery and reducing churn, Pendo enables teams to segment users and A/B test onboarding strategies without heavy development involvement.
Pros
- Integrated analytics and onboarding tools for data-driven insights
- No-code builder for customizable in-app guides and walkthroughs
- Advanced segmentation and personalization for targeted user experiences
Cons
- High enterprise pricing with opaque quote-based model
- Steep learning curve for complex configurations
- Some advanced integrations require developer resources
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprise product teams needing scalable, analytics-powered onboarding to boost user adoption and retention.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $10,000-$50,000 annually, based on monthly tracked users, events, and features.
WalkMe
enterpriseWalkMe is a digital adoption platform delivering interactive walkthroughs, launchers, and support for seamless user onboarding.
Frictionless, code-free overlays that provide real-time, contextual guidance on any web application
WalkMe is a Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) that delivers interactive in-app guidance, walkthroughs, and tooltips to streamline user onboarding and boost software adoption. It overlays contextual help directly on existing applications without requiring code changes, supporting complex enterprise environments. The platform includes analytics to track user behavior, identify drop-offs, and measure ROI on digital experiences.
Pros
- Powerful no-code visual editor for creating personalized walkthroughs
- Advanced segmentation and analytics for user behavior insights
- Seamless integration with enterprise SaaS apps like Salesforce and SAP
Cons
- High cost prohibitive for SMBs
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
- Occasional performance lags on heavily dynamic sites
Best For
Enterprises with complex multi-app ecosystems needing scalable onboarding for large user bases.
Pricing
Custom quote-based enterprise pricing, typically starting at $50,000+ annually based on users and features.
UserGuiding
specializedUserGuiding offers no-code tools to create interactive product tours, checklists, and onboarding experiences with segmentation.
Interactive checklists that gamify onboarding by breaking down key tasks into achievable steps with progress tracking.
UserGuiding is a no-code user onboarding platform that enables SaaS teams to create interactive product tours, checklists, tooltips, popups, and video widgets to guide users through their applications. It focuses on improving user activation, engagement, and retention by providing step-by-step guidance without requiring developer involvement. The tool includes robust analytics to measure guide performance and user behavior, helping optimize onboarding flows over time.
Pros
- Intuitive no-code builder for quick setup of interactive guides
- Comprehensive analytics dashboard for tracking engagement metrics
- Affordable pricing with a generous free tier for small teams
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply with monthly active users (MAU)
- Limited advanced user segmentation and personalization options
- Fewer native integrations compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Growing SaaS startups and SMBs needing simple, cost-effective onboarding tools without technical resources.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 500 MAU; Basic starts at $89/mo (5K MAU), Professional at $389/mo (25K MAU), Enterprise custom—all billed annually.
CommandBar
specializedCommandBar provides AI-powered in-app search, help, and contextual onboarding guidance to boost user productivity.
Spotlight AI search bar that delivers instant, personalized answers from help docs, commands, and product features
CommandBar is an AI-powered product adoption platform that delivers contextual in-app guidance, including interactive tours, checklists, tooltips, and announcements to streamline user onboarding and boost retention. Its standout Spotlight search bar provides universal access to help content, commands, and AI-assisted answers, reducing support needs. The no-code builder enables quick deployment of personalized experiences without heavy engineering involvement.
Pros
- Powerful AI Copilot for real-time contextual assistance
- Universal Spotlight search unifying product and help content
- Robust personalization and segmentation options
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly and can be expensive for smaller teams
- Advanced integrations may require developer support
- Analytics and reporting lack depth compared to dedicated onboarding tools
Best For
Mid-sized SaaS companies focused on accelerating user activation and adoption through intelligent in-app search and guidance.
Pricing
Custom pricing; starts at ~$1,000/month for Growth tier, scales with MAU and features, free trial available.
Whatfix
enterpriseWhatfix is an enterprise digital adoption platform with self-service guidance, simulations, and analytics for onboarding at scale.
Self-healing walkthroughs that automatically adapt to UI changes in applications without manual updates
Whatfix is a digital adoption platform (DAP) designed to enhance user onboarding and software adoption through in-app interactive guidance, walkthroughs, tooltips, and self-help features. It overlays contextual help directly within applications without requiring users to leave their workflow, supporting both desktop and mobile experiences. The platform includes robust analytics to measure engagement, identify drop-offs, and optimize onboarding flows for better retention.
Pros
- Rich suite of in-app guidance tools including AI-powered walkthroughs and self-healing experiences
- Advanced analytics for user behavior and adoption insights
- Seamless integrations with 100+ enterprise apps and no-code editor
Cons
- Steep initial setup and learning curve for complex configurations
- Enterprise-focused pricing that may be prohibitive for SMBs
- Limited customization options for highly niche use cases
Best For
Large enterprises managing complex SaaS ecosystems that require scalable, data-driven user onboarding and adoption programs.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; starts around $20,000/year for mid-tier plans, scaling with users, apps, and features (Growth, Pro, Enterprise tiers).
Userlane
enterpriseUserlane delivers no-code digital adoption solutions with step-by-step overlays and automation for effective user onboarding.
AI-driven smart walkthroughs that adapt in real-time to user actions and behavior
Userlane is a no-code digital adoption platform that delivers interactive in-app walkthroughs, tooltips, and contextual guidance to accelerate user onboarding and software adoption. It overlays step-by-step instructions directly within any web-based application, reducing the need for training sessions or support tickets. With built-in analytics, it tracks user interactions to identify friction points and optimize guidance flows dynamically.
Pros
- No-code builder for quick walkthrough creation
- Robust analytics for user behavior insights
- Supports multiple apps and integrations seamlessly
Cons
- Enterprise-level pricing can be steep
- Advanced customization requires some expertise
- Limited support for non-web native apps
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises seeking to enhance SaaS adoption and reduce support costs across complex software ecosystems.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $5,000–$10,000/month based on active users, apps, and features.
Spekit
specializedSpekit streamlines onboarding and training with searchable in-app knowledge overlays, playbooks, and AI-assisted guidance.
Spekit AI, which auto-generates personalized training content and guides from app interfaces
Spekit is an in-app onboarding and training platform that delivers interactive tooltips, walkthroughs, and microlearning content directly within SaaS applications to accelerate user adoption. It enables teams to create contextual guidance that appears just-in-time, reducing ramp-up time and boosting productivity for tools like Salesforce and Slack. With analytics to track engagement, Spekit helps organizations personalize onboarding experiences at scale.
Pros
- Seamless in-app delivery of contextual training and tooltips
- Robust integrations with major SaaS tools like Salesforce and HubSpot
- Detailed analytics for measuring onboarding effectiveness
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Steep initial setup for custom integrations
- Limited no-code options for non-technical users
Best For
Mid-to-large SaaS companies seeking embedded, just-in-time onboarding to improve user retention and adoption.
Pricing
Starts at $20/user/month for Pro plan; custom Enterprise pricing available.
Conclusion
The top user onboarding tools reviewed excel at simplifying the transition from new user to power user, with Appcues leading as the standout choice for its versatile no-code platform that crafts personalized, high-impact onboarding flows. Userpilot follows closely, combining in-app experiences with analytics to refine adoption strategies, while Chameleon distinguishes itself with its easy-to-use no-code builder, requiring minimal engineering effort. Whether prioritizing personalization, analytics, or ease of setup, the top three tools set the standard for effective user onboarding.
Don’t let onboarding slow down your growth—start with Appcues today. Its intuitive design and proven ability to boost adoption make it the ideal partner for turning new users into advocates, ensuring your product delivers value from day one.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
