6 top UX testing tools to try

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When it comes to evaluating the success of your user experience strategies, it's essential not to let personal bias and assumptions cloud your view. For more advice on crafting a successful strategy, take a look at our article revealing 10 steps to great UX testing.  

However, in this post, we're going to focus on the web design tools dedicated to testing your UX efforts. We'll start with some data testing tools and services, and end with a few super-helpful resources to help further your understanding.

01. UsabilityHub 

UsabilityHub promises to settle your design debates using data

UsabilityHub’s key value proposition is 'Settle design debates with data'. You can’t beat that! This tool is a great alternative to more expensive remote user testing solutions on the market. It offers solutions for five-second tests, click tests, surveys, navigation tests and A/B preference tests. 

02. Userbrain

Userbrain is great if you're just getting started with UX testing

Userbrain attempts to streamline the user testing process for smaller teams or professionals that are just getting started with UX testing. You can input a web URL and write a simple task. Userbrain takes care of the rest by recruiting for you and sending you recordings, five to 15-minutes long, that you can watch any time. A great way to get your feet wet with UX testing.

03. UserZoom

UserZoom offers a number of different UX testing solutions 

This is a more robust option for testers that have a firm grasp on what data they need and how to capture it. If you use multiple solutions (for example, User Testing, Hotjar and a survey tool), it would definitely be worthwhile to look into consolidating everything into a tool like UserZoom. It also has the ability to test grouping expectations for navigation or categories (card sorting) among others.

04. Hotjar

Hotjar offers raw, anonymous data

Sometimes you don’t need task-based remote screen recordings and you just want raw, anonymous data. If that sounds exciting, this tool is for you. Capture feedback from standards like heatmaps and conversion funnels to feedback polls, surveys and anonymous screen recordings on your site. You can set up a chat-like widget for quick surveys, recruitment or general support. You owe it to yourself to at least try this out.

05. UX Booth

A one-stop shop for information about interaction design

Time for something a bit different. This UX blog is a one-stop resource for interaction design. Learn about design systems, best practices, user testing, philosophy and even the business side of UX. The ongoing content is easy to read like a blog post, while managing to be informative like an educational resource. 

06. Nielsen Norman Group

This site offers a deep dive into UX methodology

It was actually Donald Norman, a co-founder of NN/g, that coined the term ‘user experience’ in the 1990s. The group has standardised much of the industry by opening up its findings to the public while giving guidance to others in the same profession. This UX blog offers a deep dive on methodology and understanding while also providing plenty of compiled reports and webinars.

This article was originally published in net, the world's best-selling magazine for web designers and developers. Buy issue 310 or subscribe.

Read more:

• The 6 pillars of great UX
• The theory of UX
• 9 ways to smash UX on a small budget

View the full article