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12 Best Usability Testing Tools and User Testing Software
12 Best Usability Testing Tools and User Testing Software
These leading user testing tools help UX researchers and designers collect valuable user feedback. This article explores key features, pricing comparisons, and integration capabilities to choose the right testing tool for your projects.
By
Aradhana Oberoi
October 19, 2024
Today's most successful digital products aren't just built on good design intuition—they're refined through powerful usability testing tools that reveal exactly how users interact with every feature and flow.
The challenge isn't just about spotting problems. It's also about having the right tools to uncover, analyze, and fix them efficiently. Even the biggest tech companies have moved beyond basic feedback forms to sophisticated user testing tools that capture and analyze user behavior in detail.
In this article, we'll cut through the noise and examine 5 best user testing tools (free and paid) that can transform how you understand and improve your user experience. From session recording powerhouses to AI-driven platforms, we'll help you choose the right tool for your specific needs and budget.
Benefits of remote user testing tools
Usability testing tools help build products that truly resonate with users. It goes beyond assumptions, does efficient user analysis and guides your design decisions. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Reduce research costs without sacrificing insights
Your team can transform traditional research spending with modern testing tools. Instead of investing in lab equipment or coordinating multiple in-person sessions, you'll collect data continuously through remote user testing tools. For example, a single heat mapping tool can track thousands of user interactions across your site for the cost of a few traditional usability sessions.
2. Detect issues in real-time
When a critical user flow breaks, you can't afford to wait weeks for customer feedback. Modern usability testing platforms alert you to problems as they happen by flagging unusual patterns automatically. If users suddenly start abandoning your checkout page, you'll know immediately - not after your conversion rate drops.
3. Understand true user behavior
AI user testing tools reveal what analytics alone can't show you. Beyond basic metrics, you'll see exactly how users navigate your product through session recordings, interaction maps, and user flows. Imagine watching a user try three times to find your contact form - that's the kind of insight that transforms your design decisions.
4. Make data-driven design choices
Your design decisions become stronger when backed by concrete data. Rather than relying on assumptions, you can use A/B testing and conversion funnels to measure the impact of each change. When stakeholders question a design choice, you'll have clear evidence to support your decisions.
5. Streamline team collaboration
Usability testing software brings everyone onto the same page. Your design team can annotate user sessions, developers can replicate bugs from exact recordings, and stakeholders can view organized insight dashboards. This shared view ensures everyone works from the same user evidence, not just individual interpretations.
Types of usability testing tools
Usability testing can take many forms, depending on the goals of your research. The specific type of test you choose will guide you in selecting the most suitable usability testing method for your needs.
Type of usability testing
Description
Example Tools
Qualitative
Captures rich, contextual data (session recordings, transcriptions, user observations).
Looppanel
Quantitative
Measures metrics like task completion rates, heatmaps, and error rates.
Optimal Workshop, Crazy Egg
Moderated
Researchers interact with users in real time, guiding them and asking follow-up questions.
Looppanel
Unmoderated
Users complete tasks independently with automated test scenarios.
UserTesting
Remote
Conducted online using screen recording, video conferencing, and automated data col
1. Qualitative vs. quantitative usability testing
Qualitative usability testing tools
These platforms specialize in capturing rich, contextual data about user behavior and experiences. Qualitative testing tools typically include features for video recording, transcription, and detailed note-taking capabilities. Tools like Looppanel excel in this category, offering features that help researchers understand the 'why' behind user actions through session recordings, AI-powered transcriptions, and observation tools that capture both verbal and non-verbal feedback.
Quantitative usability testing tools
These tools focus on measuring specific metrics and generating numerical data about user interactions. Platforms like Optimal Workshop and Crazy Egg provide detailed analytics, heatmaps, and statistical reports that help teams track metrics such as task completion rates, time-on-task, and error rates.
Platforms designed for moderated usability testing provide researchers with direct control over the testing session. These tools typically include features for live interaction, real-time note-taking, and simultaneous observation by multiple team members. Tools like Looppanel offer robust moderated testing capabilities, allowing researchers to guide participants, ask follow-up questions, and adapt their approach based on real-time observations.
Unmoderated testing platforms automate the testing process, allowing participants to complete tasks independently. Tools like UserTesting provide features for creating self-guided test scenarios, automated task flows, and standardized question sets.
While these tools sacrifice the flexibility of live moderation, they excel at collecting large amounts of structured data efficiently and cost-effectively.
Online usability testing tools enable teams to conduct research with participants regardless of location. These tools combine screen recording, video conferencing, and data collection features to create a comprehensive remote testing environment. Whether moderated or unmoderated, remote usability testing software helps teams gather insights from diverse user groups while maintaining research quality and data integrity.
In-person usability testing tools
These tools support traditional lab-based or on-site usability testing sessions. While many modern platforms focus on remote capabilities, specialized in-person testing tools provide features specifically designed for controlled environment testing. These include advanced eye-tracking software, dedicated lab recording equipment, and tools that capture micro-expressions and physical interactions.
12 best usability testing tools and user testing software
Selecting the right usability testing tools is essential for gaining valuable insights into user experiences.
Online user testing tools comparision
Here's a table summarizing the 12 online usability testing tools with their key features, best use cases, and pricing:
Tool
Features
Best For
Pricing
Looppanel
AI-powered transcription, automated summaries, smart search, test scenario analysis
UX research teams, companies scaling research, multilingual studies
Starts at $30/user/month, 15-day free trial
UserTesting
Large participant panel, moderated & unmoderated testing, diverse methodologies
Looppanel is one of the best remote usability testing tools purpose-built for UX researchers. It specializes in recording, analyzing, and organizing user research data, making it an ideal tool for remote usability studies. It helps teams connect with real users and transform their feedback into actionable insights to enhance user experience and design decisions.
Features:
Capture every detail without the manual work: With Looppanel, your usability sessions are automatically transcribed with 90%+ accuracy. Instead of splitting attention between note-taking and moderating, you can focus entirely on your participants' experience. Plus, you'll get clear, organized transcripts that outperform standard tools like Zoom or Teams.
Get AI-powered notes organized by test scenarios: Traditional usability testing often means spending an hour reviewing each hour-long session. Looppanel's AI transcript analysis automatically generates concise notes organized by each test scenario or question. This reduces your review time by 80% - turning that one-hour review into a 10-15 minute scan for key insights.
Uncover patterns across all your sessions: Rather than manually tagging and categorizing user behaviors, Looppanel identifies common themes and patterns across your usability sessions. The platform automatically tags similar findings while letting you adjust or refine these categorizations as needed.
Generate instant executive summaries: When stakeholders ask "What did we learn?" immediately after testing, you're ready. This remote usability testing platform creates shareable executive summaries featuring key findings backed by actual user quotes. No more rushing to compile preliminary insights - you'll have a professional report ready to go.
Find specific insights with smart search: Need to find every instance where users struggled with a specific feature? Looppanel's smart search understands your questions and pulls up relevant clips and quotes from across your usability sessions. Each insight comes with source citations, so you can always verify the context.
Looppanel review on G2
Best for:
Research teams needing advanced analysis capabilities
Organizations conducting regular user interviews
Teams requiring multilingual research support
Projects needing quick insight generation
Researchers building knowledge repositories
Companies scaling their research operations
Pricing: Free usability testing tool with plans starting at $30 per user per month.
2. UserTesting
Following their recent merger with UserZoom, UserTesting has cemented its position as one of the leading unmoderated testing platforms. While they support both moderated and unmoderated testing, their strength lies in their comprehensive testing infrastructure and extensive participant panel.
While this website usability testing software might feel less modern compared to newer alternatives, it provides a reliable end-to-end solution for teams needing both testing capabilities and participant recruitment in one place.
Features
Robust participant panel with diverse demographics, particularly strong in the US market
Multiple testing methods including unmoderated card sorting, tree testing, and first-click tests
Custom screening capabilities to target specific user segments
Both desktop and mobile testing support
Basic video recording and session playback tools
Integration with major design and product tools
Best for
Enterprise teams needing access to a large participant panel
Organizations running multiple research methodologies at scale
Teams requiring comprehensive security and compliance features
Projects with diverse testing needs (moderated, unmoderated, and hybrid)
Research programs needing established, reliable infrastructure
Pricing: Custom pricing. UserTesting operates on an enterprise pricing model, typically starting in the tens of thousands per year.
3. Lookback
Lookback is a mobile usability testing tool that specializes in usability testing with a particularly strong focus on mobile testing capabilities. The platform stands out for teams needing robust mobile usability testing solutions without the enterprise-level investment required by larger platforms.
Features:
Advanced mobile usability testing capabilities that surpass standard video conferencing tools
Support for both moderated and unmoderated usability sessions
Teams looking for a dedicated usability platform without enterprise pricing
Pricing: Starts at $25 per month.
4. Optimal Workshop
Optimal Workshop specializes in information architecture and navigation testing, offering a suite of tools specifically designed for IA research. The platform is known for its robust quantitative data collection capabilities across various IA testing methodologies.
Features
Comprehensive card sorting tools with both open and closed sorting options
Tree testing for validating site navigation and hierarchies
Crazy Egg specializes in visual analytics, helping businesses understand user interactions through heatmaps and A/B testing. It helps product researchers understand how users interact with their websites.
Features
Detailed heatmaps showing click patterns and scroll depth
Session recordings with user interaction tracking
A/B testing capabilities for comparing design variants
Conversion funnel analysis
Customizable snapshot reports
Code-free implementation with popular website platforms
Best for
Marketing teams needing quick user behavior insights
Organizations wanting to optimize conversion paths
Teams requiring ongoing website interaction analysis
Projects focused on quantitative behavioral data
Small to medium businesses needing simple implementation
Pricing: Free usability testing tool with plans start at $29 per month.
6. Lyssna
Previously known as UsabilityHub, Lyssna is an unmoderated usability testing tool that specializes in rapid, unmoderated testing across multiple research methodologies. The platform is popular among design teams for its straightforward approach to quick design validation and feedback collection.
Trymata is a website usability testing platform that offers a balanced mix of usability testing features with a focus on simplifying the testing process. The platform positions itself as a middle-ground solution between enterprise platforms and basic testing tools. It offers both moderated and unmoderated usability testing.
Features
Automated task-based user testing
Website and prototype testing capabilities
Built-in screen and audio recording
Basic heat mapping functionality
Automated test metrics and analytics
Custom participant screening options
Simple test creation interface
Best for
Mid-sized teams starting with usability testing
Organizations needing straightforward test setup
Projects requiring basic quantitative metrics
Teams wanting automated testing workflows
Researchers seeking cost-effective solutions
Pricing: Starts with a "Team Plan" offering 10 credits per month at $399 per month.
8. Userlytics
Userlytics offers a comprehensive usability testing platform that specializes in both moderated and unmoderated testing scenarios. The platform stands out for its competitive pricing compared to enterprise solutions while maintaining professional-grade features.
Features
Access to 2 million+ participants across 150 countries
Moderated and unmoderated testing capabilities
AI-powered sentiment analysis and session summaries
Think-aloud feature for capturing user thoughts
First-click testing and heatmap generation
Customizable study builder for various UX tasks
Multi-language testing support
Best for
Teams needing quick access to global participants
Organizations requiring diverse testing methodologies
Projects with international testing requirements
Researchers wanting AI-assisted analysis
Pricing: Starts with Project Based plans at $99/session
9. Maze
Maze is another one of the best usability testing platform, focusing exclusively on unmoderated testing with modern, automated workflows. The platform has gained popularity for its intuitive interface and comprehensive reporting capabilities.
Features
Multiple unmoderated testing methodologies
Automated test flow creation
Built-in participant recruitment
AI-powered follow-up questions
Automated report generation
Custom testing templates
Design tool integrations
Best for
Teams needing quick, unmoderated feedback
Organizations running frequent design tests
Projects requiring automated reporting
Design teams iterating rapidly
Researchers focusing on async testing
Pricing: Starts at $99 per month
10. Useberry
Useberry offers a streamlined approach to unmoderated testing with an emphasis on user-friendly interface and accessibility. The platform stands out for its straightforward testing setup and competitive pricing in the unmoderated testing space.
Features
Multiple unmoderated testing options
Built-in participant recruitment
Prototype testing capabilities
Automated results collection
Basic reporting features
Design tool integrations
Simple test creation interface
Best for
Teams new to usability testing
Organizations with budget constraints
Projects needing quick feedback loops
Design teams seeking simple solutions
Researchers running basic unmoderated tests
Pricing: Starts at $67 per month
11. Hotjar
Hotjar specializes in quantitative behavior analytics, offering visual insights into how users interact with websites. The platform combines heatmapping with session recording to provide data-driven understanding of user behavior patterns.
Features
Detailed heatmap visualization
Session recording capabilities
Scroll depth analysis
Click tracking metrics
Form interaction analytics
Basic survey tools
Conversion funnel tracking
Real-time user feedback widgets
Best for
Teams needing visual behavior data
Organizations tracking conversion paths
Projects requiring quantitative insights
Marketing teams optimizing websites
UX designers validating layouts
Pricing: Starts at $40 per month
12. Fullstory
FullStory focuses on digital experience intelligence through sophisticated session replay and analytics. The platform stands out for its comprehensive technical capabilities in capturing and analyzing digital interactions across websites and applications.
Features
Advanced session replay technology
Frustration detection algorithms
Developer console access
Error tracking and monitoring
Custom event tracking
Machine learning insights
Cross-platform analytics
Real-time monitoring capabilities
Best for
Technical teams needing detailed interaction data
Organizations requiring robust error tracking
Projects focusing on performance optimization
Teams needing cross-platform insights
Developers tracking technical issues
Pricing: Custom pricing, not publicly available
Tips for choosing the right tool
Selecting the right usability testing tool can significantly impact your research outcomes.
Choose a tool that supports continuous testing, allowing for ongoing feedback throughout the design process.
Ensure the tool is user-friendly and quick to set up, making it easy for your team to adopt.
Look for scalability so the tool can grow with your project's evolving needs.
Make sure the tool integrates well with your existing software to streamline workflows.
Opt for a tool that offers customization options to tailor tests specifically to your needs.
Consider the cost-effectiveness, balancing the price with the tool's features and value.
Check for reliable customer support and resources to assist you when needed.
Pro tip: Consider combining different tools for usability testing for comprehensive insights. For example, while unmoderated testing tools like UserTesting can help you gather quick quantitative feedback, complementing them with moderated testing platforms like Looppanel can provide deeper qualitative insights.
Conclusion
The right usability testing tool can transform how teams understand and improve their products. While different tools serve different purposes - from heatmaps to session recordings - the key is choosing solutions that help you not just collect data, but generate actionable insights efficiently. Modern AI-powered platforms have revolutionized how teams analyze and share user insights, making it easier to build truly user-centered products that succeed in the market.
Ready to streamline your user research analysis? See how Looppanel's AI-powered platform can help you uncover deeper insights from your usability testing sessions. Book a demo today and discover how leading teams are using Looppanel to transform their research workflows.
Different tools serve different testing needs – from automated testing platforms for quick feedback to more comprehensive solutions like Looppanel for in-depth user research. The best choice depends on whether you need moderated sessions, automated testing, or a combination of both.
2. What kind of testing is best for usability?
A combination of moderated and unmoderated testing typically yields the best results. Moderated sessions in tools like Looppanel provide deep insights with AI-powered analysis, while unmoderated tests help validate findings across larger user groups.
3. What is the most used testing tool?
Popular usability testing tools include:
Looppanel for AI-powered user research and analysis
Optimal Workshop for information architecture testing
Lyssna for quick design validation
Crazy Egg for heatmaps and behavior tracking
Trymata for automated usability testing
4. How usability testing improves CRO
Usability testing can significantly enhance conversion rate optimization (CRO) by identifying barriers that prevent users from completing desired actions, such as purchases or sign-ups. By understanding how users navigate your site and where they encounter obstacles, you can make targeted adjustments that streamline their journey.
5. How usability testing improves UX
Usability testing plays a vital role in enhancing user experience (UX) by uncovering real user behaviors and preferences. By observing users as they interact with your product, you can identify usability issues and gather valuable feedback. This data-driven approach allows designers to make informed decisions, resulting in more intuitive interfaces and satisfying user journeys.
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