8 Best user onboarding software for SaaS startups
Ever wondered why some users instantly “get” your app while others struggle to figure it out? The answer often lies in user onboarding software. A smooth, engaging introduction to your product can make all the difference between a new user sticking around or abandoning the ship.
A few years ago, the term "user onboarding software" was utterly alien to most customers. Furthermore, about 50% of them now have incredibly high standards. 63% of customers now look into a company's onboarding process before buying a product.
But with so many onboarding tools in the market, how do you choose the right one for your SaaS business? Don’t worry; we’ve done the legwork for you! Let’s explore the eight best user onboarding software that will turn your trial users into long-term loyal customers.
What does user onboarding software do?
User onboarding software involves various applications to educate consumers about your product's features. Its goal is to get new users up and running with your product quickly so they can start reaping the benefits.
You could be confused by the last part. Why fast? Because customer retention is directly proportional to how quickly they get the value they hoped for.
Incidentally, the overarching goal of user onboarding software is to assist clients in beginning to derive value from a product by utilising various tools that navigate the complexities of your SaaS offering.
Implementing and delivering resources to help consumers reach their goals is made easier with user onboarding software solutions .
8 Best user onboarding software softwares for SaaS
1. Userpilot
Userpilot is a full user training tool that lets you show people how to use your product quickly and easily. With segmentation, A/B testing, and engagement data, the platform gives you the tools you need to make personalized onboarding experiences.
If you want to learn more about how your users behave during the customer journey, this tool has product data built in. You can make micro surveys with Userpilot's user feedback tool to find out how people feel and analyze that information.
Best Features:
- With in-app training
- Self-service support
- Product analytics
- Feedback collection
- UI patterns and no-code builder
2. PLG OS
The PLG Operating System, or PLG OS, is made to help SaaS companies make their onboarding, interaction, and retention processes more efficient. It gives you a full set of tools for making personalized, easy-to-use product experiences that get people to use your products and keep them as customers. With PLG OS, you can centralize your user onboarding software processes, monitor key product usage numbers, and equip your team with the necessary tools to enhance the customer journey through data analysis.
Best Features:
- Automation and messages inside the app
- Tracking of product engagement
- Advanced user segmentation
- No-code onboarding builder
- User feedback collection
3. Appcues
Appcues is a tool for scaling teams that helps them accept new products. This onboarding tools saas is great for getting new users started. It has customizable in-app messages, walkthroughs, and analytics to see how users are behaving.
With customized training, Appcues lets you get more people to use your app. This tool can also help you get more conversions by cutting down on the time it takes to get a sale.
Best Features:
- No-code builder
- Flow targeting
- Pre-designed templates
- Event tracking
- A/B testing
4. Pendo
Pendo is a product experience and digital adoption tool that does everything in one package. This platform has in-app messaging, guides, and data to make getting new users easier and keeping old ones. Pendo lets you make the process of onboarding and teaching your customers unique.
Pendo lets you make powerful in-app tips that will keep customers interested during onboarding, which will help them adopt your product more quickly. Pendo also lets you customize training and give more difficult jobs to users who are already good at them.
Best Features:
- Custom Themes
- No-code builder
- Flexible Dashboards
- Multi-Platform Analytics
5. Hotjar
Hotjar is mostly known as an analytics tool, but it also gives you special information about how users behave that can help you make better onboarding plans. If you know how people use your site, you can find places to improve it and change how people sign up to meet their wants and expectations better.
Best Features:
- Visitor records
- Heatmaps
- Lead generation funnels
- Polls and surveys for feedback
6. Customer.io
Customer.io is a powerful platform for engaging with customers. It lets you send personalized, automated messages to improve the onboarding process and keep users interested throughout their trip. Its advanced segmentation and behavioral triggers let you send the right message at the right time, whether it's a push reminder, an in-app message, or a welcome email.
Not only does Customer.io help with onboarding, but it also lets you make custom workflows that keep users engaged with relevant information based on what they do. The tool works perfectly with your product and lets you make real-time, automated ads that get people to engage, stay with you, and buy.
Best Features:
- Automated marketing for emails and texts
- Advanced grouping of users
- Behavioral triggers and messaging
- Reporting and data in real time
- A/B testing to make ads better
7. Helppier
Helppier is a strong saas onboarding tools for self-service onboarding, making it easy for users to figure out how to use your product independently. Businesses can use it to make step-by-step guides, lessons, and helpful messages inside apps that users can use to get on their way. Focusing on do-it-yourself education, Helppier's solutions let you train and help people without being involved, but they still offer a fun and engaging experience. It's a great choice for SaaS companies that want to give users the tools to find things on their own, so they don't have to rely on help teams as much.
Best Features:
- Videos and step-by-step guides
- Self-service sign-up
- Help in multiple languages
- Making a training video
8. Rocketlane
Rocketlane is an all-in-one client onboarding tool for SaaS businesses that is meant to make hiring easier and better. It helps your users get value faster by letting you make personalized processes and automating the client journey. Rocketlane lets teams work together and walk clients through every step of the process. It does this by allowing seamless project teamwork and real-time visibility. Sharing documents, managing tasks, and automatic communication are also built into the app to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Best Features:
- Customizable onboarding workflows
- Project collaboration and task management
- Sharing documents and other resources
- Automated contact with clients
- Analytics and tracking of progress in real time
How do user onboarding software help?
1. Friction Reduction: By automating common operations like account creation, data entry, and basic setups, they streamline the first user experience. This means that first-time buyers will have an easier time reaching the "aha moment" - the moment when they realize how great your product is—because of this.
2. Scalability: Automation enables you to onboard many people at once without increasing the support or personnel resources proportionally, which is a key aspect of scalability. This becomes even more crucial when onboarding whole teams or departments at once in a business-to-business setting.
3. Uniformity: They ensure that no matter when a person signs up or their use case, they all receive the same high-quality introduction to your product. Consistent messages, resources, and direction are all part of this.
4. Customization: With the analytics and customization capabilities provided by many onboarding platforms, you can design a unique onboarding process for each user according to their role, industry, past actions, and other criteria. This can greatly enhance engagement and retention rates.
5. Gathering Feedback: By incorporating surveys and feedback prompts, you may quickly learn about user experiences and make modifications based on that information.
Conclusion
In the world of SaaS, SaaS onboarding software can make or break your success. Whether you're a startup looking to keep things simple, a growing company in need of advanced features, or an enterprise looking for seamless scalability, the right onboarding tool can set you up for long-term growth. It’s about more than just guiding users, it’s about creating lasting, valuable relationships with them.
If you’re ready to take your onboarding to the next level and streamline your entire product-led growth (PLG) strategy, PLG OS has got you covered. With its powerful suite of tools designed to enhance product adoption and engagement, PLG OS is the perfect partner in your journey to success. Schedule a call today to know more about our user onboarding software software to streamline your customer engagement.
FAQs
1. What is a user onboarding software?
A user onboarding software helps guide new users through your product, making it easier for them to understand and adopt the features, ultimately leading to faster value realization and higher retention.
2. Why is user onboarding software important for SaaS?
User onboarding software is crucial because it helps new users quickly understand your product, reduces churn, and improves customer satisfaction, leading to better long-term engagement and retention.
3. Can I create onboarding flows without coding?
Yes, many onboarding tools, like UserGuiding and Appcues, offer no-code options, allowing you to design and implement customized onboarding flows without the need for technical expertise.
4. How do onboarding tools help with user retention?
Onboarding tools create engaging, personalized experiences that help users quickly understand the value of your product, leading to higher satisfaction, engagement, and ultimately, improved retention rates.
5. What is PLG OS, and how can it help with onboarding?
PLG OS is a comprehensive platform designed to enhance product-led growth strategies. It provides tools to optimize user onboarding software, automate engagement, and track product adoption, ensuring a smoother, more effective onboarding process.