21 Best Free User Onboarding Software Reviewed in 2025
10 Best Free User Onboarding Software Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best free user onboarding software:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
User onboarding can be tough, especially when budgets are tight. As a product manager, you face the challenge of ensuring new users understand and engage with your product quickly. Free user onboarding software offers a solution without adding financial strain.
In my experience, these tools can simplify the onboarding process, helping your team focus on other priorities. They provide essential features to guide users and improve their experience from the start.
In this article, I'll share my unbiased reviews of top free onboarding tools. You'll find insights on what each offers and how they can address your specific needs. Let's explore solutions that can make a difference in your onboarding process without breaking the bank.
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Best Free User Onboarding Software Summary
While all of the user onboarding software in my list has free offerings, many also have paid plans should you wish to upgrade. Here are the base costs for each of the tools that made it onto my shortlist:
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for real-time guidance | 14-day free trial + Demo available | Pricing available upon request | Website | |
| 2 | Best for open-source lovers | Free plan available | Free | Website | |
| 3 | Best for highlighting elements | Free demo available | Website | ||
| 4 | Best for guided tours | Free plan available | From $50 | Website | |
| 5 | Best for fast, no-code user onboarding | 14 Days Free Trial | From $20/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 6 | Best for Bootstrap users | Free demo available | Website | ||
| 7 | Best for easy integration with existing tech stack | Free plan available | From $9.99 (lifetime purchase) | Website | |
| 8 | Best for interactive product tours | Free plan available | From $120/month | Website | |
| 9 | Best for user feedback | Free download available | Website | ||
| 10 | Best for in-app messaging | 14-day free trial | From $89/month | Website |
Best Free User Onboarding Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best free user onboarding software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you. While some of these tools offer a completely free version, others offer a free trial period. I’ve added a note about what’s free in each of my reviews
Whatfix is a digital adoption platform designed to provide real-time guidance and improve user onboarding experiences. It's aimed at businesses that want to enhance user engagement and productivity by offering in-app support and walkthroughs.
Why I picked Whatfix: Whatfix provides a free offering that excels in delivering real-time guidance, which is helpfull for businesses looking to improve user adoption. The platform offers features like step-by-step walkthroughs and contextual help, ensuring users can easily navigate your application. Its free version allows you to create interactive guides that are customizable to fit your brand's needs. This makes it a valuable tool for teams looking to provide immediate support and enhance the user experience.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to create interactive walkthroughs that guide users through complex processes. You can use contextual pop-ups to provide additional information when needed. The platform also supports performance analytics, helping you track user engagement and optimize onboarding strategies.
Integrations include Salesforce, Workday, SuccessFactors, ServiceNow, SharePoint, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, SAP, and Zendesk.
What's free? While Whatfix does not have a free plan, it does offer users a limited-time free trial, allowing you to explore its features with no initial commitment.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Enhances user adoption
- Supports performance analytics
- Customizable interactive guides
Cons:
- No free-forever plan
- Slight learning curve for new users
Joyride is a jQuery plugin designed to create guided feature tours on websites. It's primarily used by developers who want to enhance the user experience through interactive tours without incurring costs.
Why I picked Joyride: Joyride is open-source and free to use, which appeals to developers looking for cost-effective solutions. It integrates easily with Zurb Foundation, a popular front-end framework used to build responsive websites. and can be installed via NPM or direct download. The free version offers customizable tours that guide users through your site effectively. You can utilize its straightforward setup to easily boost your application's user experience.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable tour steps that allow you to tailor each guide to your needs. The plugin supports easy integration with existing sites. It also provides a demo page for testing and refining your tours.
Integrations include Foundation for Sites and jQuery.
What's free? Joyride offers a free-forever plan as it's open-source, with no restrictions on usage or the number of tours you can create.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy integration with sites
- Customizable tour steps
- Open-source and free
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
- Requires jQuery knowledge
Driver.js is a user onboarding framework that allows developers to create interactive tours for applications. It's aimed at teams who want to highlight specific elements on a page to enhance user understanding.
Why I picked Driver.js: Driver.js offers a free version that excels in highlighting elements, which can be helpful for guiding users through complex interfaces. The tool provides features like step highlighting and pop-up explanations, ensuring users know exactly where to focus. You can easily customize the appearance of these highlights to match your brand's design. Its straightforward setup makes it even easier to quickly implement an intuitive user onboarding experience.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to highlight elements on your page, drawing user attention to specific areas. You can customize the pop-up messages that accompany these highlights, providing context and information. The tool also supports keyboard navigation, making it accessible for all users.
Integrations include React, Angular, Vue.js, Ember.js, and plain JavaScript.
What's free? Driver.js offers a free-forever plan with no restrictions on usage or the number of tours you can create.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports keyboard navigation
- Customizable pop-up messages
- Highlights specific elements
Cons:
- Requires some coding knowledge
- Supports keyboard navigation
Shepherd.js is a user onboarding tool designed to guide users through app tours. It's ideal for developers who want to enhance user experience with interactive tutorials. The tool supports various frameworks, making it versatile for different technical environments.
Why I picked Shepherd.js: Shepherd.js offers a free version that emphasizes guided tours, setting it apart from other tools. It includes features like full keyboard navigation and accessibility compliance, which are crucial for creating user-friendly experiences. The free version allows you to customize the look and feel of your tours, ensuring they align with your brand. It's ready to integrate with popular frameworks like React and Angular, providing flexibility for your team.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include full keyboard navigation, making it accessible for all users. The tool is highly customizable, allowing you to match your brand's aesthetics. It also provides easy integration with various frameworks, enhancing its adaptability.
Integrations include React, Ember, Angular, Vue.js, ES Modules, and plain JavaScript.
What's free? Shepherd.js offers a free-forever plan with no restrictions on the number of users or tours you can create.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Full keyboard navigation
- Supports multiple frameworks
- Easy to customize tours
Cons:
- Basic out-of-the-box design
- Requires technical knowledge
Userflow is a no-code platform that lets teams create in-app product tours, checklists, and surveys without involving developers. It’s designed for SaaS companies aiming to improve user engagement and retention by effectively guiding users through their applications.
Why I picked Userflow: Userflow allows you to design flows using drag-and-drop blocks and preview them instantly without coding. The interface is built for speed—steps connect visually and updates are autosaved as you work. It’s a quick way to build and test guided experiences directly inside your app.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a resource center for users to access help content, banners for announcements, and an AI assistant to guide users through the application. You can also utilize in-app surveys to collect user feedback directly within your product. These features help you create a more interactive and supportive onboarding experience
Integrations include HubSpot, Segment, Salesforce, Intercom, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Rudderstack, LogRocket, Zendesk, and Zapier.
What's free?
Userflow offers a 14-day free trial, providing full access to its features without requiring a credit card. While it does not offer a free plan, the two-week trial allows you to test the platform's capabilities and determine if it meets your onboarding needs.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- AI assistant provides in-app guidance
- Customizable checklists and surveys enhance user engagement
- No-code flow builder simplifies onboarding creation
Cons:
- Some advanced features only available on higher-tier plans
- Customization options may require CSS knowledge
Bootstrap Tour is a user onboarding tool that helps developers create interactive tours for web applications. It's designed primarily for those using the Bootstrap framework to enhance user experience through guided tours.
Why I picked Bootstrap Tour: Bootstrap Tour offers a free version that's perfect for Bootstrap framework users. It includes features like step-by-step guides and tooltips, which are useful for guiding users through your app. The free version allows you to easily integrate with Bootstrap, making it a great choice for developers familiar with this framework. You can also customize the tour steps to match your app's design.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include easy-to-create tours that guide users through your app. You can customize each step to fit your design needs. It also supports multi-page tours, providing a comprehensive onboarding experience.
Integrations include Bootstrap, jQuery, and other JavaScript libraries.
What's free? Bootstrap Tour offers a free-forever plan with no restrictions on the number of tours or steps you can create.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports multi-page tours
- Customizable tour steps
- Easy to implement tours
Cons:
- Lacks detailed documentation
- Requires Bootstrap knowledge
Intro.js is a user onboarding tool that helps developers create simple and effective product tours. It's ideal for teams looking to guide users through their applications without complex setup.
Why I picked Intro.js: Intro.js offers a free version that's known for its easy integration. It supports a variety of platforms, making it versatile for different environments. The tool provides features like customizable tooltips and step-by-step guides, which are essential for creating intuitive user experiences. You can quickly set it up, ensuring your team can focus on refining user engagement.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include step-by-step guides that walk users through your app. You can customize tooltips to match your brand's style. It also offers keyboard navigation, enhancing accessibility for all users.
Integrations include WordPress, Shopify, Adobe Commerce, Angular, React, Vue.js, Meteor, and plain JavaScript.
What's free? Intro.js offers a free-forever plan with no restrictions on the number of tours or steps you can create.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports various platforms
- Customizable tooltips
- Easy to integrate
Cons:
- Requires some coding knowledge
- Limited advanced features
Usertour is an open-source user onboarding platform designed to create interactive product tours and checklists. It's ideal for developers and product teams looking to improve user engagement with minimal setup.
Why I picked Usertour: Usertour offers a free version that excels in creating simple tutorials, making it accessible for teams without extensive resources. It allows you to build unlimited flows and segments, providing flexibility in how you guide users. The tool includes flow analytics and custom theming, giving you insights and control over the user experience. Its community support ensures you can get help when needed, making it a reliable choice for straightforward onboarding.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to create in-app surveys to gather user feedback. You can also use launchers to trigger tours based on specific user actions. The tool's simple integration process means you can start building tours quickly.
Integrations include Shopify, WordPress, Adobe Commerce, Squarespace, Wix, and custom HTML.
What's free? Usertour offers a free-forever plan with unlimited flows, segments, and environments.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Custom theming available
- Includes flow analytics
- Unlimited flows and segments
Cons:
- Basic design customization
- Requires developer setup
Guidefox is an open-source user onboarding tool designed to provide complete control over user experiences. It's targeted at developers and product teams who seek to enhance product adoption through customizable onboarding features.
Why I picked Guidefox: Guidefox offers a free version that emphasizes user feedback, which is vital for improving user engagement. The tool provides features like smart hints and helper links, allowing you to guide users with contextual help exactly when they need it. You can create interactive tours and popups to introduce features and gather feedback efficiently. The open-source nature ensures you have full customization options to tailor the experience to your brand.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include smart hints that provide contextual guidance to users. You can use helper links to embed resources and documentation throughout your app. The tool also supports banners for important announcements and updates.
Integrations include GitHub, as Guidefox is open-source and can be customized for various platforms.
What's free? Guidefox offers a free-forever plan with no restrictions, allowing complete access to its features.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Privacy-focused design
- Smart hints for contextual help
- Full customization options
Cons:
- No vendor support
- Requires technical setup
Product Fruits is a user onboarding tool designed for product teams looking to enhance user engagement with in-app messaging and guides. It serves businesses that want to communicate effectively with users directly within their applications.
Why I picked Product Fruits: Product Fruits offers a free version that emphasizes in-app messaging, making it ideal for teams that prioritize direct communication with users. It provides features like tooltips and pop-ups to guide users through your product. The free version also supports walkthroughs that help users understand complex features. You can easily customize these elements to fit your brand, ensuring a consistent user experience.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to create in-app surveys to collect user feedback. You can use checklists to ensure users complete important tasks within your app. The tool also supports announcements, allowing you to update users on new features or changes.
Integrations include Zapier, Slack, HubSpot, Intercom, Segment, Google Analytics, and WordPress.
What's free? Product Fruits offers a free-forever plan with access to its core features, but there may be limitations on the number of active users or features.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports user feedback collection
- Customizable tooltips and pop-ups
- Emphasizes in-app messaging
Cons:
- Requires some customization
- Limited active user support
Other User Onboarding Software
Here are some additional user onboarding software options that also offer free plans or trials. While these tools didn’t make it onto my shortlist, they’re still worth checking out:
- Chameleon
For customization options
- WalkMe
For digital adoption
- Spekit
For contextual knowledge
- Motion.io
For visual workflows
- Intellum
For employee training
- Airdeck
For interactive presentations
- Stonly
For step-by-step guides
- Lemon Learning
For enterprise solutions
- Walnut
For sales demos
- ChiefOnboarding
For open-source flexibility
- Baton
For team collaboration
Free User Onboarding Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best free user onboarding software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like budget constraints and ease of implementation. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Create interactive product tours
- Provide onboarding checklists
- Support tooltips and pop-ups
- Enable user segmentation
- Track user engagement metrics
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Multi-language support
- Advanced analytics dashboard
- Customizable design themes
- Integration with CRM systems
- In-app surveys and feedback
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Easy setup process
- Clear navigation paths
- Minimal learning curve
- Responsive design
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Access to interactive product tours
- Presence of chatbots for guidance
- Comprehensive templates library
- Live webinars for training
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Multiple support channels
- Access to a knowledge base
- Response time for inquiries
- Personalized support options
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Feature set versus cost
- Scalability of the free plan
- Availability of discounts
- Cost of additional features
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction rating
- Commonly reported issues
- Frequency of software updates
- Testimonials on ease of use
- Feedback on customer support
How to Choose Free User Onboarding Software
Complex feature lists and pricing structures can make it hard to figure out what you’re really getting from a free user onboarding software. To help you stay focused as you work through your software selection process, here are some factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
| Free Offer Scope | Check what's included in the free plan. Ensure essential features like tours and tooltips are available without hidden costs or severe limitations. |
| Scalability | Consider if the software can grow with your team. Look for options that allow you to upgrade as your needs expand without disrupting current workflows. |
| Integrations | Make sure the tool integrates with your existing systems, like CRM or analytics platforms. This ensures a smooth workflow and data consistency. |
| Ease of Use | Evaluate the user interface and setup process. A user-friendly design saves you time and reduces the learning curve for your team. |
| Customization | Determine how much you can tailor the software to fit your brand's look and feel. Customization options can enhance user engagement and satisfaction. |
| Support | Assess the level and availability of customer support. Quick and accessible support can be crucial when facing onboarding challenges. |
| Feature Set | Compare the features offered across different tools. Ensure they align with your specific needs, like segmentation or analytics, to maximize effectiveness. |
| User Feedback | Look at user reviews to gauge satisfaction and common issues. Real-world insights can help you avoid potential pitfalls and choose wisely. |
What Is Free User Onboarding Software?
User onboarding software is a tool that helps guide new users through a product, offering features like interactive tours and tooltips. Typically, these tools offer free trials or limited feature access to get you started. Product managers, UX designers, and customer success teams often use these tools to enhance user engagement and retention. Checklists, in-app messaging, and user segmentation support effective onboarding by ensuring users understand and utilize the product efficiently.
Features of Free User Onboarding Software
Let’s go over the features commonly found in user onboarding software, and which ones are usually included in free vs. paid plans.
Typically Included in Free Plans
- Interactive tours: Guide users through your interface step-by-step to accelerate feature adoption and ease product learning.
- Tooltips: Deliver helpful, in-app guidance exactly when users need it—without overwhelming them.
- Checklists: Ensure a smoother customer onboarding flow by prompting users to complete key actions in sequence.
- Pop-ups and notifications: Highlight product updates or prompt engagement at critical moments.
- Basic analytics: Monitor how users interact with onboarding elements to spot drop-offs and optimize flows.
- Customization options: Add your logo, colors, and messaging to align onboarding with your brand identity.
- Unlimited tours: Support diverse user paths with multiple walkthroughs, even on a free plan.
Typically Paid User Onboarding Software Features
- Advanced analytics: Gain deeper insights into user behavior and onboarding effectiveness with detailed reports.
- A/B testing: Experiment with different onboarding flows to determine what works best for user engagement.
- Multi-language support: Cater to a global audience by providing onboarding materials in multiple languages.
- In-app surveys: Collect user feedback directly within the app to refine onboarding strategies.
- CRM integrations: Sync onboarding data with customer relationship management systems for a seamless experience.
- Advanced customization: Access more detailed design options to fully match your brand’s aesthetics.
- Performance tracking: Monitor user success rates and identify areas for improvement in the onboarding process.
- Priority support: Receive faster and more personalized assistance to resolve any issues quickly.
Benefits of Free User Onboarding Software
Free onboarding software helps teams deliver a polished, self-service onboarding experience with minimal investment. Whether you’re a startup or an established product team, here are the key benefits:
- Cost-efficiency for small businesses: Get essential onboarding functionality without committing to a paid plan.
- Faster time-to-value: Help users reach key product milestones faster through guided tours and contextual tooltips.
- Improved customer experience: Keep users engaged and informed during their first product experience with your product.
- Flexible setup: Most tools are easy to install and allow for rapid deployment—perfect for teams without dedicated dev resources.
- Personalized onboarding: Even in free tiers, many platforms support basic tailoring to create a more relevant user journey.
- Feedback and iteration: Use notifications or lightweight pop-ups to gather input and continually refine the onboarding experience.
- Scalable onboarding: Start free and grow into advanced features like automated onboarding flows or A/B testing as your product matures.
Costs and Pricing of Free User Onboarding Software
I realize you came to this article looking for the best user onboarding software options that are available for free. However, since free plans only offer limited features, there's a good chance you'll need to scale your plan up in the future.
The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in user onboarding software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for User Onboarding Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
| Free Plan | $0 | Interactive tours, tooltips, basic analytics, and limited customization. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Advanced customization, user segmentation, in-app messaging, and basic support. |
| Business Plan | $30-$90/ user/month | A/B testing, multi-language support, CRM integrations, and advanced analytics. |
| Enterprise Plan | $100+/user/month | Dedicated account manager, priority support, full customization, and scalability. |
Free User Onboarding Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about free user onboarding software:
How can I ensure my data is secure with free onboarding software?
When using free onboarding software, check the provider’s data security policies. Ensure they comply with relevant regulations like GDPR. Look for features like data encryption and access controls. It’s important that your team understands how data is managed and stored.
Are there limits on the number of users in free plans?
Yes, many free plans limit the number of active users or seats. It’s crucial to review these limitations to ensure the plan meets your team’s current needs. If you expect growth, consider how easily you can upgrade to accommodate more users.
Can I integrate free onboarding software with other tools?
Free versions often have limited integration capabilities. However, many still allow basic integrations with popular tools like Google Analytics or Slack. Check the specific integrations available to ensure they align with your existing workflows.
What kind of support can I expect with free plans?
Support for free plans is typically limited to community forums or basic email support. Live chat and phone support are often reserved for paid plans. Make sure your team is comfortable with the level of support offered before committing.
How do I evaluate the effectiveness of my onboarding process with free tools?
Use the basic analytics provided in free plans to track user engagement and completion rates. Look for insights on how users interact with your onboarding process. Regularly review this data to make necessary adjustments.
Can I customize the onboarding experience with free software?
Free plans usually offer limited customization options. You can often change basic elements like colors and logos. For more advanced customization, you might need to upgrade to a paid plan. Consider how much customization is essential for your brand.
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