5 Free Usability Testing Tools for UX Professionals

Usability testing is such an important part of UX design — it helps you see how real people use your product and find any issues before launch. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get useful feedback! 

While there are many paid options out there, several tools offer free plans or generous free trials so you can dive into testing without worrying about your budget.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the top 5 free usability testing tools for 2024 that can help you get the insights you need. We’ll walk you through what makes each tool stand out, plus link you to their pricing pages so you can easily find what fits your project.

Note: This page is updated on a quarterly basis to ensure all information is up-to-date.

1. UXtweak

Overview

UXtweak is an intuitive platform designed for UX researchers and designers that offers a full suite of tools to enhance user experience through both qualitative and quantitative testing. 

Users can conduct moderated and unmoderated usability tests so you can do an in-depth analysis of user interactions with designs. Also, UXtweak integrates seamlessly with design tools like Figma so you can import prototypes directly for testing.

Overall, our team would say UXTweak is a versatile tool for small- to large-scale projects.

Key features

• Task-based sesting: Set up and conduct various tests to observe user behavior.

• Heatmaps and session recordings: Visualize where users click and how they navigate through your site or application.

• Surveys and feedback forms: Collect direct user feedback to improve designs based on real user input.

Pricing structure

While UXtweak’s Starter plan provides free access to all tools without a time limit, it does come with some limitations. You’ll get one user license, up to 30 own-sourced responses per month, and one active study with results available for one month. This plan makes it great for small-scale projects or users who are just starting.

However, for more advanced needs — like additional responses, more active studies, and live interviews — paid plans are available. The pricing can vary based on your specific requirements, with detailed information available on request from UXtweak’s support team.

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2. Hotjar

Overview

Hotjar is a usability tool that combines heatmaps, session recordings, and feedback functionalities to provide a holistic view of user behavior on websites. Its straightforward interface allows teams to quickly visualize how users interact with their sites, identify usability issues, and prioritize improvements based on user data.

Key features

• Heatmaps: Visualize where users click, scroll, and interact with your website to understand which elements are performing well or being ignored.

• Session recordings: Replay user sessions to watch how visitors navigate your site and uncover potential usability issues.

• Surveys and polls: Collect direct feedback from users through customizable surveys, so you can gather insights that go beyond analytics.

Pricing structure

Hotjar’s free (basic) plan is a good starting point for small teams or individual users who are testing the waters. The basic plan tracks up to 35 daily sessions and includes unlimited heatmaps, session recordings, HubSpot integration, and dashboards. We’d say Hotjar provides a great entry point for those looking to dip their toes into usability testing without a financial commitment.

For businesses with more extensive needs, Hotjar’s paid plans offer increased session tracking limits, advanced filters, and access to more powerful tools like AI-driven feedback analysis. The tiered pricing structure allows you to scale the platform as your business and testing requirements grow.

3. Userberry

Overview

Userberry is a user research platform that focuses on providing quick and efficient usability testing tools. It’s designed for teams that need to gather insights from users through surveys, click testing, and prototype testing. 

With a simple interface, Userberry is especially suited for teams looking for rapid feedback without the need for complicated setups. However, for larger teams or more complex testing requirements, Userberry may lack some of the advanced functionalities offered by more feature-rich platforms.

Key features

• Surveys and usability testing: Create quick surveys and tests to gather insights into user behavior and design performance.

• Click testing: Measure where users click on prototypes or live designs to evaluate ease of navigation.

• Prototype testing: Test product prototypes with real users to gather feedback and improve designs before launch.

• Custom templates and logic jumps: Build custom test templates and include logic jumps to create a more personalized user flow.

Pricing structure

Userberry offers a free plan that provides access to core testing tools, allowing up to 10 responses per month with one active project. This plan can be an effective way to start for individuals or small teams looking to explore usability testing without an upfront cost. However, the free plan’s limitations may prompt growing teams to consider upgrading to their Growth or custom Enterprise plans.

The Growth Plan is designed for teams looking to scale, offering a higher response limit and a suite of flexible features to manage projects efficiently. With this plan, users enjoy two months free, gaining access to unlimited projects, custom templates, advanced logic tools, and additional collaboration options — all for a monthly fee, billed monthly at $79 or annually at $67.

4. Lookback

Overview

Lookback is a user research platform that supports both live and recorded sessions, so teams can engage directly with users or review interactions for deeper insights. Its collaborative features include moderated usability testing, session replays, and highlight creation, which facilitate thorough analysis of user behaviors and experiences.

Key features

• Live testing: Engage with users in real time during moderated sessions.

• Video replay: Record and replay sessions for in-depth analysis and team discussions.

• Unlimited collaborators: Collaborate with stakeholders across your organization with no seat limitations.

• Transcriptions & highlight reels: Easily create and share session highlights with the team.

Pricing structure

Out of all the platforms, we liked the flexibility and versatility of Lookback’s pricing options. Lookback’s pricing structure offers a 60-day free trial on all plans, letting users explore its features risk-free. After the trial, there are various paid options, including freelance, team, and enterprise plans, each designed to suit different needs based on the size of your team and research requirements.

5. UXArmy

Overview

UXArmy is a cloud-based user research platform offering a comprehensive set of tools for remote usability testing, card sorting, and tree testing. It's designed to help UX professionals gather actionable insights quickly and accurately to improve user experience design.

Key features

• Remote usability testing: Easily conduct usability tests with users worldwide, providing real-time insights.

• Card sorting and tree testing: Evaluate how users organize information and navigate through your site’s menu structure.

• AI-powered video analysis: Features like auto-transcription and AI summaries for in-depth analysis of user interactions.

• Task logic: Direct users to different tasks based on their responses for more focused feedback.

Pricing structure

To be honest, the pricing details for UXArmy aren’t as clear as we'd prefer. However, UXArmy offers a free trial, so you can test out the platform (such as prototypes or websites) without any upfront commitment, like a credit card.

Conclusion

Usability testing doesn’t have to be expensive, and these 5 tools can empower you or your team to gather valuable insights without overspending. While some options offer entirely free plans or trials, it's still essential to explore the features that best fit your needs as you consider any potential costs.

Good luck exploring the options and we hope you find the right tool for your next project today!