Welcome to the 5th annual UX Research Tools Map, the only illustrated guide to the ever-changing world of user research software—proudly brought to you once again by the intrepid team at User Interviews.
Explore this vast and varied landscape to discover nearly 400 tools, organized by their core research use cases. The tools on the map were included for their relevance to UXR and their popularity according to data from the 2023 State of User Research and AI in UX Research reports, which together contain insights from over 2,000 researchers.
You can download the full list of tools and other goodies here.
Start your adventure with a bird’s eye view of the realm to get acquainted with the landscape (it’s experienced some changes over the past year, which you can read all about in The 2023 UXR Software Landscape: A Traveler’s Guide.)
About half of the tools are visible on the bird's eye view, and the rest can be seen by zooming into each region—to explore a region in more detail, simply click on the map to expand your view.
Keep traveling south to consult the map legend and to learn more about each region and category represented.
Finally, to explore the world of UXR tools on your own terms or chart your own path, download a high-res copy of the map, the full list of tools, and a customizable Figma template to build your own UX Research Tools Map!
*For the best viewing experience, we recommend browsing the map on desktop
Click on a section of the map to view in more detail. Download the map pack for a full list of tools and their logos.
The realm of User Research is made up of five regions, within which lie a total of 32 smaller territories that correspond to specific use case categories (A-Z). Many tools are located between two or more categories, representing multiple core use cases—look for labels such as A•E•I (denoting “Repository • Quant Analysis • Qual Analysis”).
When these overlaps occur between categories that are situated in distant regions, the connections are depicted as roads or sea routes.
This is the fifth UX Research Tools Map—it is also the largest, most complex, and the first to feature hand-drawn illustrations and a downloadable Figma template.
In our first map, published in 2019, we set out to chart the growing field of UXR software and the relationships between tools. We quickly realized we had an information architecture problem on our hands. As Erin May wrote at the time:
“Once you’ve done the hard, subjective work of defining categories, many of the tools you use every day fall into at least 2 buckets. We thought a perhaps more useful and representative visual would embrace this overlap.”
The result was a subway-style map, with software plotted at the intersections of various lines, each representing a category. It was hugely popular. So, we did it again the next year. And the year after that.
The thing is, the landscape kept growing, and UXR platforms kept adding new features. This presented a challenge. We wanted to reflect the increasing complexity and interconnectivity of the user research software landscape, but found our old system of mapping things too restrictive.
In 2022, we decided to take a different approach. Katryna was watching a lot of high-budget fantasy TV at the time, so that approach ended up being an expansive historical fantasy style world map, complete with dragons.
The current UX Research Tools Map (above) is an evolution of that theme, with important updates made to reflect the changing landscape (so many new AI tools!) and to improve upon readability.
The creation process—which you can read more about in A History of the UX Research Tools Map—involved defining user research software categories, compiling a massive list of UXR tools, categorizing each tool by its core use case, and figuring out how it would all fit together on a 2-dimensional plane.
To determine which tools belong in which categories—always the most time-consuming and difficult part of this project—we updated our category definitions to leave less room for interpretation (you can find those just below this section) and used decision trees that helped us maintain objectivity and rigor during the process.
The list itself was based on last year’s map. We used Google and ChatGPT to identify additional tools in each category. We also looked at open responses from The 2023 State of User Research, the tools-focused, 2023 UX Research Software Report, and the AI in UX Research reports—which together contain insights from over 2,000 researchers—to flesh out our database.
Once we had our list, we had to puzzle out how it would all fit together. There were 71 category combinations (32 singular categories + 39 groups of tools that fit into more than one category) that needed to be mapped and labeled.
That left the storytelling, illustration, and web design. You can read more about the Realm of User Research and the changes we made in The 2023 UXR Software Landscape: A Traveler’s Guide. For more on the history of the map (2019-2023) and our methodology, check out A History of the UX Research Tools Map. As for the illustration and design, well, we’ll let those speak for themselves.
The cartographers
The 2023 UX Research Tools Map was brought to life in brilliant detail by illustrator 🖌️ Olivia Whitworth . Credit for web design and user experience goes to 💻 Holly Holden, Senior Visual Designer. Storytelling, research, and overall direction were led by 🐈 Katryna Balboni, Head of Creative Content & Special Projects.
Note that some of these categories definitions have changed since the last edition of the map.
Some changes were made for clarity—for instance, we combined the former categories of “session analytics” and “product analytics” into Behavioral Analytics (because frankly, even we weren’t always clear on the distinction).
Others were the result of geopolitical upheaval in the realm—such as the destruction of the Imperial Walled City of End-to-End Platforms (whose citizens were peacefully repatriated to other corners of the world) and some plate tectonics that created the Archipelago of Ongoing Insight Collection.
You can learn more about these changes in The 2023 UXR Software Landscape: A Traveler’s Guide. For a guide to the current landscape, keep on reading!
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Impact and insight management tools are used to store, organize, and analyze data collected through user research, passive insight collection methods, and customer-facing teams.
A research repository tool offers a centralized place for storing, tagging, and keeping track of the user research insights, data, artifacts, and relevant user feedback that you collect—regardless of the tools used to collect this data. Note that data storage does not necessarily = a research repository.
Look for: A hallowed hall of learning, set in a peaceful valley between two woodlands.
An AI meeting assistant is a specific type of note taking tool that uses AI to automatically transcribe, analyze, and synthesize video/audio during a live meeting/session to create meeting summaries, highlight clips, and metatags.
Look for: A small abbey (currently under construction), founded by a group of young upstart monks from the Order of Notetakers.
A combined analytics tool is a platform that unifies behavioral analytics (such as user funnels, clicks, sentiment ratings, etc) from a variety of sources, enabling researchers to analyze the UX across multiple channels and touchpoints.
This category does not include robust CX platforms that, while they could be leveraged by some researchers, are prohibitively complex and not optimized for UXR as a primary use case.
Look for: A pair of friendly witches (Meg and Peg), tirelessly stirring their cauldron. They charge a toll to pass this way—each traveler must provide a fresh insight for their brew.
A note taking tool does what it says on the tin— it helps researchers take efficient (manual) notes during research sessions. Most (if not all) note-taking tools enable users to save and organize their notes.
Look for: A great monastery, home to the Notetakers, an order of monks long famed for their wool production (as well as their excellent penmanship).
A quantitative analysis tool is designed to analyze numerical or structured data using statistical analysis, mathematical modeling, and other quant methods.
Many tools allow you to analyze the data you collect with that tool; this does not automatically make them analysis tools, even if analysis features are extremely robust. We did not include a tool in this category unless researchers can use it to analyze data from multiple sources (and would reasonably purchased it for this purpose).
Look for: A bustling mine that, for centuries, has supplied this region with precious gems and the stones used to construct its monuments.
A transcription tool creates a text transcription of your audio or video interviews and moderated sessions.
We only included tools in this category that are primarily transcription tools and would reasonably be purchased for that purpose alone.
Look for: A peaceful hamlet, bordering fields of fresh-tilled earth and marked by an ancient oak tree.
An AI text analysis tool is specifically designed to analyze text to uncover sentiments, keywords, and themes using automated intelligence (AI). This is a subcategory of Qualitative Analysis.
Look for: A magical portal, which recently appeared in the northern corners of this region.
A conversational AI tool uses artificial intelligence (such as natural language processing) to understand and respond to user queries. This software can be leveraged by researchers to find information, synthesize large amounts of data, and surface relevant search results.
Look for: A cozy roadside inn and tavern, where travelers can rest their feet and converse over homebrewed ale and mutton pies.
A qualitative analysis tool is designed to help researchers examine and make sense of qualitative data (textual, visual, audio, unstructured) using human judgment, interpretation, and synthesis.
Many tools allow you to analyze the data you collect with that tool; this does not automatically make them analysis tools, even if analysis features are extremely robust. We did not include a tool in this category unless researchers can use it to analyze data from multiple sources (and would reasonably purchased it for this purpose).
Look for: A great stone circle, possibly built by the Fairy Folk. Now a center of esoteric learning and satellite campus of Archivale.
Participant recruitment and panel management tools help you find the right participants for your research and streamline the participant management process by automating operational tasks related to recruiting, like incentives distribution and scheduling.
In this context, a CRM is a tool that allows you to build and manage a database of research participants with participant metadata and research history and is agnostic to any single testing/survey platform or method.
Some testing and survey tools have recruiting features and may also allow you to manage the users you recruit for tests/surveys with that same tool. But unless a tool is primarily intended to help you manage participants for use with other platforms as well, it is not considered a CRM.
Look for: The seat of a great oracle, flanked by cypress trees and graced by a gentle breeze.
A document signing tool is made to facilitate the distribution of documents and the secure collection of legally valid signatures.
Look for: A centuries-old olive grove, once belonging to a man named Grafo and so-called ever since.
Scheduling software is designed to help researchers find and schedule mutually convenient slots for moderated sessions/interviews.
Look for: A sandy beach, long associated with the god of Time (the ancient poets sometimes referred to this place as “The Sands of Time”). Warning: Beware of sirens.
A research incentives tool fully or partially automates the task of sending incentives and payments to participants.
Look for: Golden fields of wheat, which—thanks to a goddess’s blessing—have never failed to produce an abundant harvest in 800 years of seeding and sowing.
A participant panel solution is purpose-made for recruiting and screening users from a pool of external participants (i.e. not those from an internal CRM or panel), for the purpose of research with any platform or service.
Many testing and survey tools offer a built-in panel of testers or add-on recruiting services. Recruiting is a secondary/supplementary offering in these cases, and it is not always possible to continue research with participants using other tools. On our map, we only consider recruiting a tool’s core use case if the panel is genuinely agnostic.
Look for: Fabled limestone caverns, with high walls and sparkling waters. Known to the ancients by various names, it is a source of continuous wonder and worship.
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Visual thinking and design tools enable you to brainstorm, explore and display your data, and create visuals that help you get feedback from participants and your team.
A whiteboard and flowchart tool offers a visual workspace that helps researchers map the connections between ideas, steps, and sketch out the user flow, organize information visually, and collaboratively explore ideas with minimal friction.
This category does not include more robust design tools that could be used for visual thinking (there’s an artboard, after all) but which is primarily intended for another use case (e.g. Illustrator).
Look for: Cloud-covered limestone peaks, marked by the omnipresent rumbling thunder and the occasional tiger roar (confusing the two sounds is an easy but fatal mistake).
A prototyping tool is purpose-made for creating wireframes, mockups, or high-fidelity prototypes that approximate a real product or website.
Look for: Villages clinging to misty mountain sides. Small in size but rich in tradition, these villages are famed for their many-lanterned rosewood teahouses.
A data visualization tool is capable of creating charts, graphs, and other types of data visualizations. These tools facilitate data exploration and analysis, and enable researchers to present insights and make complex information more accessible and engaging.
Survey, user testing, analytics, and other tools typically offer users the ability to visualize the data collected with these same tools. But if a solution cannot or would not reasonably be used to visualize data collected from a variety of sources, it is not included in this category.
Look for: An imperial garden with a circular moon gate and a winged pagoda at its center, floating among lily pads and lotus flowers.
Ongoing insight collection tools collect data and insights while users interact with your product, independent of any specific research project. Product analytics, voice of the customer (VoC), and automated in-app surveys fall into this category.
A feedback inbox tool enables customers to leave feedback when they choose (vs. only when they are prompted for it) and/or enables researchers to collect ad hoc feedback in one place. These tools may be more commonly used by PMs and CS teams, but offer a rich repository of qualitative data. This is a subcategory of Automated Feedback tools.
Look for: A thatch-roofed granary, where members of the Ricegrowers Union store their grains. Offers a CSA farmshare.
Automated feedback software is designed to collect user feedback on an ongoing basis through always-on, behaviorally triggered requests like NPS/CSAT, quick surveys, or open-ended customer feedback.
Survey tools that can be launched in-app but which are used for more robust research and not considered automated feedback tools. CRMs, chatbots, and robust CS platforms that may be leveraged by some researchers for feedback but which would not be purchased for a UXR use case do not belong in this category.
Look for: Immaculately terraced (and communally owned) rice paddies. The paddies are flooded several times a year to increase their yields, a practice which lends its name to the area.
An A/B or multivariate testing tool is used for a specific type of (hands-off) ongoing data collection in which researchers show users different variants of a page or feature to see which one performs better.
In this context, “A/B and multivariate testing” does not refer to a usability or thinkaloud study in which recruited participants are shown two versions of a prototype or product as part of a study. Additionally, hands-off A/B and multivariate testing is offered by many behavioral analytics tools as a secondary use case—in most instances, those platforms would be too robust for someone actively seeking a tool for this use case alone.
Look for: Low-lying marshlands peppered with stilt houses. Pro tip: Local lemongrass makes a very effective mosquito repellent—which visitors to the Twin Marshes will need plenty of!
A behavioral analytics tool collects and tracks user interactions with a product or website through heatmaps, mouse tracking, click tracking, etc. Outputs are typically quantitative data.
The existence of analytics does not automatically = a Behavioral Analytics tool. For example, a usability testing tool might provide analytics about test results but that is a feature, not its core use case. If a researcher would not reasonably buy a tool solely for its analytics capabilities, it does not belong in this category.
Look for: A densely populated settlement with multi-storied houses and a busy merchant district. So-called for the bustling pearl trade, which attracts merchants from the far corners of the realm.
A predictive insight tool uses AI to predict how real people would behave and how products will perform, based on automated intelligence—not actual user data. We expect this category to grow in the coming years, though we recommend caution to potential users: AI is powerful, but it’s no substitute for real human experiences, voices, and emotions. We’ll be watching this space with suspicion and interest.
This category does not include tools that use AI to analyze historical data from real users and synthesize it into predictive insights.
Look for: An ornate temple, half hidden by the jungle, where slippery predictions can be purchased through pearls or prayer.
Active research tools are used to conduct studies with participants to answer a specific research question or enable a particular business decision (e.g. surveys, usability studies, interviews). This is different from data collection tools that run continuously and independently of any specific research study—if that’s what you’re looking for, return to the Archipelago of Ongoing Insight Collection.
A specialized study tool is designed for a specific type of research—such as diary studies, card sorts, playtesting, etc. This use case may be supported by video, survey, or analysis capabilities.
Within this category are three subcategories: Biometric Studies (W1), Diary Studies & Mobile Ethnography (W2), and Playtesting (W3). All playtesting tools on the list are specialized study tools, but not all specialized study tools are playtesting tools. Capiche?
Look for: A confederation of cities, settlements, and peoples scattered across sunbaked, red rock steppes. At its heart lies an ancient city—home to renowned scholars, sprawling markets, well-irrigated gardens, and a great domed multi-faith house of worship.
A biometric study tool measures, analyzes, and interprets biometric data such as eye movements to study subconscious processes related to attention, cognition, emotion, and physiological arousal.
Look for: The imposing lighthouse of the Albasar, all-seeing warlocks who use their power of sight to guide ships safely through the narrow, monster-infested straits nearby.
A diary study or mobile ethnography tool is designed to facilitate the collection of longitudinal user data and feedback in order to capture participants’ daily experiences through video, images, audio, and text.
Look for: The Travelers (officially, the Traveling Polity of Ethnographic Insights) are granted free passage through these lands, and do not stay in one place for long. Look for the dust from their caravans or try your luck at an oasis.
Playtesting software is specifically designed for games research. These tools enable researchers to test the usability and overall player experience during the games development process and may include methods like surveys, biometric studies, usability tests, and focus groups adapted to a gaming context.
Look for: A ridge, overlooking a red rock canyon, where the wealthy sons and daughters of these lands bring their prized birds of prey to hunt and soar.
A usability testing tool is designed to enable users to test out a product or prototype and share their feedback, either live (moderated) or asynchronously (unmoderated).
Within this category are two subcategories: Beta Testing and Click-to-Comment Feedback. All beta testing tools are usability testing tools, but not all usability testing tools are beta testing tools. It’s a square-rectangle sitch.
Usability testing ≠ user testing. Methods like card sorts and diary studies are considered “Specialized Studies.”
Look for: A great river, also known as the AUREI, which snakes its way through the southern desert of the Auld Alliance. Rich, loamy farmland on either bank provides wheat and wealth to scores of unnamed settlements.
A beta testing tool is a specific type of usability testing tool intended for use during late stage product development. It is designed to help researchers share a product with users, collect their feedback, and track performance of the product in action.
Look for: A small settlement at the mouth of the AUREI estuary. Known locally for breeding camels with an excellent temperament.
A click-to-comment feedback tool is a specific type of usability testing tool that allows researchers to share a live or staged website or design with participants for feedback in the form of contextual comments.
Look for: A village near the eastern bank of the AUREI, shaded by palm trees. The people here are known for their sharp and highly specific, yet helpful, criticism.
An interview and discussion tool is designed for conducting synchronous meetings/conversations with one or more participant. This category includes video conferencing tools, as well as software designed for live, synchronous communication over voice or messaging.
Look for: Listen, rather than look. This sprawling marketplace full of myriad outdoor cafes and toasty coffeehouses hums with the sound of lively conversations and not-so-idle gossip. Watch your step; folks spill a lot of tea here.
A survey tool is designed for creating and distributing surveys to participants. This category includes research surveys that are distributed in-app, but does not include quick feedback surveys like NPS, CSAT, etc or constantly running requests for product/customer feedback.
This category also includes survey tools that enable researchers to collect video responses—video surveys are not to be confused with mobile ethnography/diary study tools.
Many usability testing tools also offer surveys. Unless a solution would reasonably be purchased for survey capabilities alone, it was not included in this category.
Look for: Miles and miles of shifting sand dunes—some yellow, others gleaming white, still more made of black grains from volcanic rock to the north. A few precious oases offer relief to weary travelers.
To continue your journey through the realm of user research, check out The 2023 UXR Software Landscape: A Traveler’s Guide and A History of the UX Research Tools Map. The complete list of tools, a high-res copy of the map, and a customizable Figma template are all available to download.
You can also the archives to see how the research software landscape has evolved over the years: 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019
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