More than 66 free or paid tools to leverage in your next.
This is the last article of this series.
In this UX series, I write about trusty UX tools I have used, or I’ve heard good things about or you folks have suggested.
In my previous articles, I focused on the categories: automated UX analysis, analytics, accessibility, diagramming, card sorting, data visualization, evaluating design, interaction and Interface design, intercept surveys, live chat with users, mobile testing, mockups, mouse/eye tracking, online whiteboards, participant recruiting, scheduling and screening, presentation, process aids, project management, recruiting users, remote research, session replay, sitemap builder, user flows, user feedback, wireframing, etc.
In this article, I will focus on: Prototyping, Remote testing, Research notetaking, Research repositories, Screen recording, Survey, and Usability tools.
This time as you'll see we have more categories and fewer tools. If you are reading this series, a lot of the tools should be familiar to you, but of course, we have some new and free ones too!
Let's start 😎.
Prototyping
We have discussed many tools in the past that can be used for prototyping, and as I don't want to repeat myself, I'm just going to mention them very briefly.
1. figma
2. Framer
3. HotGloo
4. inVision
5. Koncept
6. Lucidchart
7. Mockplus
8. sketch
9. UXPin
Remote testing tool
10. MUIQ
I only found one tool in this category, but it's a good one😊
It can also be used for: Remote Testing
Cost: No info
What does it do best: An advanced remote testing platform for measuring the user experience on desktop and mobile devices.
MeasuringU Intelligent Questioning Platform (MUIQ) is an advanced remote testing platform for measuring the user experience on desktop and mobile devices. As a thought-leader in the field of UX Research, MeasuringU is known for its mixed-methods research and ability to deliver high-quality qualitative and quantitative research for customer and user research. We developed MUIQ as a one-stop, secure tool for researchers to collect and analyze user data based on the best practices honed over years of conducting user research. - By measuringu.com
Research Notetaking
We have 3 new tools and a few known ones 😊
11. BugHerd
It can also be used for: Research Notetaking
Cost: $29+
What does it do best: A javascript app that sits on top of your website and lets you click on the page to log a comment or bug. Feedback will be pinned like a sticky-note, and can be collated and managed on the admin side.
The best bug tracking tool & visual feedback software. BugHerd is the best tool to collect, organise and act on website feedback. It's bug tracking software that's like sticky-notes on a webpage. - By bugherd.com
12. Pear Note
It can also be used for: Research Notetaking
Cost: $5+
What does it do best: Note-taking and recording that integrates traditional text notes with audio, video, and slides, Jump to the point in the recording where you typed that note, so you can listen to what was going on at the time.
Record everything. By integrating traditional text notes with audio, video, and slides, Pear Note ensures that you never miss a thing. - By usefulfruit.com
Note: It's only for Mac.
13. Livescribe
It can also be used for: Sketching & Visual Thinking, Research Notetaking
Cost: $99.95+
What does it do best: Make notes that sync with audio recordings. Smart pens and digitised handwriting.
We found that in this ever changing technological landscape, constantly switching between written and typed notes can be frustrating. We created a pen that brings these two worlds together. - By us.livescribe.com
And here are the tools we've seen in previous articles but can also be used in Research notetaking:
14. Aurelius
15. capian
16. Dovetail
17. mural
18. Reframer
Research repositories
You can probably find more tools for this category but I'm just going to write about the most common one! Yes, we are talking about Notion. If you haven't used it yet, give it a shot. It's easy to use it either alone or in a team.
19. Notion
It can also be used for: Research, Research repositories
Cost: Free+
What does it do best: All-in-one workspace for your notes, tasks, wikis, and databases.
Screen Recording
20. Camtasia
It can also be used for: Screen Recording
Cost: Free+
What does it do best: Record and create professional-looking videos on Windows and Mac.
The Best All-In-One Screen Recorder and Video Editor. Camtasia makes it simple to record and create professional-looking videos on Windows and Mac.- By techsmith.com
21. Lookback
It can also be used for: Usability Testing, Surveying Users, Screen Recording
Cost: $99+, but there is a free trial.
What does it do best: Send a test link to participants. It records the screen and the participants facial expressions. Videos are uploaded to cloud and you get a notification in your inbox. Can also be set to record from any connected phone or tablet, which makes it handy for setting up your own guerrila usability lab.
Interview users from anywhere in the world. Your team can watch and take timestamped notes to help surface valuable insights. Or, ask users to complete tasks on their own time. Send a test link to users and get a variety of recordings in your inbox. - By lookback.io
22. Loom
It can also be used for: Screen Recording
Cost: Free+
What does it do best: A single app to capture your screen, record your front-facing camera, and narrate it all at once, then share with a link. No manual uploads needed.
Show it, say it, send it. Record quick videos of your screen and cam. An essential tool for hybrid workplaces. - By loom.com
23. Morae
It can also be used for: Usability Testing, Screen Recording
Cost: $25+
What does it do best: Enterprise grade software for capturing, sharing and recording audio, on-screen activity, keyboard and mouse inputs during usability studies, focus groups, field research, and product testing.
Watch the study or interaction remotely, take notes, and analyze results to instantly share your insights with others. - By techsmith.com
24. Snagit
It can also be used for: Screen Recording, Annotation
Cost: €48.90, but there is money guarantee
What does it do best: Create custom screenshots and recordings. Capture your screen, edit images, and share.
Simple and Powerful. Screen Capture and Recording Software. Snagit lets you quickly capture your screen, add additional context, and easily share with coworkers. - By techsmith.com/screen-capture.html
Note: Personally, I didn't find this tool very useful but I know many people are using it.
25. Telestream
It can also be used for: Screen Recording
Cost: $10+
What does it do best: Create, ingest, transcode, caption, inspect, deliver, play & stream any type of video.
Surveys
26. Clicktools
It can also be used for: Surveying Users
Cost: No Info
What does it do best: Allow customers to choose how they want to provide feedback via mobile, web, email, SMS, IVR, social, and even offline. Make it easy and interesting for customers to share their input by leveraging super flexible question types and page formatting.
From CallidusCloud Clicktools to SAP SuccessFactors. CallidusCloud Clicktools, an enterprise survey software for businesses, is now part of the SAP SuccessFactors portfolio. The acquisition of CallidusCloud Clicktools is helping SAP transform the customer experience and provide customer insights that can improve the buying journey. CallidusCloud Clicktools is part of the SAP SuccessFactors portfolio. - By sap.com
27. Leadquizzes
It can also be used for: Survey Tool
Cost: $37/month+
What does it do best: A survey and quiz making tool that can be used for a variety of research methods.
Online Quiz Maker Built for Marketers. The best way to increase your leads and learn about your audience. - By leadquizzes.com
28. Qualaroo.com
It can also be used for: Surveying Users
Cost: $199+
What does it do best: Target mobile users to collect relevant feedback and improve your users’ cross-channel experience. Collect insights from your users in a seamless way thanks to our native in-product nudge.
Customer & User Feedback Software. Survey visitors on your website or app with Qualaroo Nudges™. 10x more valuable than email surveys. Ask the right question at the right time. Ask delightfully & politely. AI-powered analytics & reports. Install once, never slows your page - By qualaroo.com
29. alchemer
It can also be used for: Surveying Users, Automation
Cost: Free+
What does it do best: Online survey platform targetting startups and enterprise. Question types that suit market research (conjoint/max dif /Likert/NPS, etc). Data visualisations. Automations, integrations and scripting tools.
The root and backbone of any survey software is allowing you to collect customer data (survey). Nobody has the expertise within this foundational function like we do at Alchemer. But only Alchemer allows you to do it your way. Within the systems you already use. From the simple to the ambitious. With flexibility and security. - By alchemer.com
30. Surveymonkey
It can also be used for: Surveying Users
Cost: Free+
What does it do best: For online surveys or capturing feedback after usability sessions. Lots of templates and questions approved by survey scientists. Built-in ability to send via email, mobile, chat, web, social etc. Free version allows up to 10 questions and 100 responses.
Go beyond collecting feedback. Explore other SurveyMonkey products that can help drive change in your organization. Conduct market research quickly. Expand your market research capabilities to keep track of your brand, test your ideas, or get a gut check with your target audience. Deliver a seamless customer experience. Connect with customers where they are, discover insights, and share learnings across your organization to drive meaningful, swift actions.- By surveymonkey.com
31. Survicate
It can also be used for: Surveying Users
Cost: Free+
What does it do best: Survey and feedback software focussed on customer feedback. For marketing, conversion, product and support teams.
The Customer Experience platform without 'enterprise-y' hassles. Customer experience tools are either basic survey tools or complex enterprise platforms. Survicate combines the best of both worlds: ease of use with powerful functionality. - By survicate.com
32. wufoo
It can also be used for: Surveying Users
Cost: Free+
What does it do best: Online form design tool. Useful for contact forms, online surveys and invitations for collecting data, registrations and payments. customisable, templates and reporting.
Easy-to-Use Online Form Builder For Every Organization. Cloud-based form builder that makes it easy to create registration forms, application forms, surveys, contact forms, payment forms and more. - By wufoo.com
33. YesInsights
It can also be used for: Surveying Users
Cost: $20+
What does it do best: Send customers or subscribers a one-click survey they can answer directly from their inbox. Survey visitors and users while they're actively using your website.
Simple one question and NPS surveys to improve your business. Discover what matters most to your customers, clients and prospects. One-click install. No coding needed. - By yesinsights.com
34. Typeform
It can also be used for: Surveying Users
Cost: Free+
What does it do best: No more boring surveys. A smooth interface that keeps people engaged. Include images, GIFS, and video
There’s a better way to ask. Create frictionless forms and surveys that people want to answer. Get more responses, clearer insights—and smiles, too. - By typeform.com
35. User Voice
It can also be used for: Surveying Users
Cost: No Info
What does it do best: User feedback software for listening to customers and focussing product development efforts. Avoids the need for surveys, email logs or combing through message boards. Includes segmenting, insight visualisations, roadmapping, and integrations with key product tools.
Product feedback management software for growing SaaS companies. A single, centralized product feedback solution that gives you everything you need to gather, aggregate, analyze, and follow through on feedback from customers and internal teams. - By uservoice.com
And a few tools you already must know:
36. 4Q Astute
37. Chalkmark
38. lookback
39. Optimal Sort
40. PickFu
41. Matomo
42. Refiner
43. Usability Hub
44. User Zoom
45. xSort
Usability
This is the last category and probably one of the most useful ones for UX researchers. Take advantage of these tools!
46. Optimize, WebTrends
It can also be used for: Usability Testing, Conversion
Cost: No Info
What does it do best: Testing and personalisation platform using Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) tools. Useful for complex optimisation projects.
Meaningful, Customizable, Digital Analytics. Webtrends provides the data you need to measure adoption, user engagement, and usage of Microsoft 365 and custom apps.- By webtrends.com
47. Ovo Logger
It can also be used for: Usability Testing
Cost: No Info
What does it do best: Hardware and software provider and consultancy for setting up audio-visual equipment and labs on your premises for mobile testing, software testing, medical testing, play testing and portable labs.
Ovo develops and implements UXLab solutions for UX/Usability researchers. Ovo's UXLabs and UXSoftware can make UX research easier and result in faster delivery of information to stakeholders. - By ovostudios.com
48. Userbrain
It can also be used for: Evaluating Design, Usability Testing
Cost: $14+, but there is a free trial.
What does it do best: Watch videos of real people interacting with your website. Hear what users think, see what they do.
Your go-to user testing tool. Set up in minutes. Get first results in hours. Set up tasks, test anything with a link, make use of templates, and get set up in minutes. Select testers, tap into a pool of quality assured testers — target their demographics and devices. Watch video and get videos of real people interacting with your product in just a few hours.- By userbrain.com
49. userfeel
It can also be used for: Evaluating Design, Usability Testing
Cost: $59, but there is a free trial.
What does it do best: Userfeel is a usability testing tool that gives you videos of real users speaking their thoughts as they use your website or app.
Quick and Easy User Testing. Userfeel is the user testing tool that gives you videos of real users speaking their thoughts as they use your website or app. - By userfeel.com
And a few tools you already must know:
50. ForeSee
51. Helio
52. Koncept
53. lookback
54. Loop11
55. Morae
56. Mr Tappy
57. Naview
58. TryMyUI
59. UsabilityHub
60. UserBob
61. UserInsights
62. Userlytics
63. UserTesting
64. UserZoom
65. UXCloud
66. UXTesting
Conclusion - 7 Categories - 66 Tools
In this article, we checked different tools you can use for: Prototyping, Remote testing, Research notetaking, Research repositories, Screen recording, Survey, and Usability. Usually, the tools can be used for more than 1 thing (for example convention, heat maps, user testing, etc.). Some tools are free and others are paid. The paid tools, most often, will provide a free trial or a demo!
That was the last article of this UX tool series 🤩! Make sure to sign in to my newsletter so you won't miss any updates on this or upcoming articles.
I’d love to hear from you. Which one are you most looking forward to using?
👋Hello, I'm Eleftheria, Community Manager at Hashnode, developer, public speaker, and chocolate lover.
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