Creating a user-friendly website isn’t just a good-to-have—it’s a must. If visitors can’t navigate your site easily, they’ll leave, fast. But how do you find out what’s wrong? That’s where usability testing comes in. The best part? You don’t need to spend a dime. There are free tools that can help you figure out what works and what doesn’t. Here’s a simple guide to five of the best free website usability testing tools you should know.
Are you currently aspiring to become a UX designer or preparing for a career change?
Are you already working as a designer but lacking in research experience and therefore missing out on more successful project outcomes?
Perhaps you are a product manager who is keen to solve your users’ pressing problems… or a startup founder wishing to ensure the success of your product.
Regardless of what stage you are at in your career in UX design, to achieve any of these aims, it is vital to tap into the knowledge provided by user research.
What is Website Usability Testing?
Website usability testing is how you figure out if your site is easy to use. It answers questions like:
- Can visitors find what they’re looking for?
- Are your navigation menus clear?
- Is the overall experience smooth?
These tools help you gather feedback, observe user behavior, and make data-backed improvements.
Best Free Website Usability Testing Tools
1. Hotjar (Free Plan Available)
Hotjar is a top pick for usability testing. Its free plan offers key tools that help you understand what’s happening on your site.
What You Can Do for Free:
- Use heatmaps to see where users click, scroll, and tap.
- Watch session recordings to observe how users interact with your site.
- Collect feedback with simple surveys and polls.
Why Designers Love It:
- Easy setup with no coding needed.
- Great for spotting drop-off points in your design.
Limitations: The free version only stores limited session recordings and doesn’t include advanced features.
2. Maze (Free Plan Available)
Maze simplifies prototype testing for designers. If you use Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, this is a tool you’ll love.
Free Features to Explore:
- Prototype testing: Upload your design and test it before launching.
- Collect user feedback through surveys.
- View basic analytics to measure user behavior.
Why It Stands Out:
- Works directly with popular design tools.
- Ideal for testing early-stage designs.
Drawback: The free plan works best for small projects.
Lyssna (Free Credits Available)
Lyssna, formerly known as UsabilityHub, lets you run targeted usability tests with its free plan, which includes credits to get started.
Free Tools You Get:
- Five-second tests: Check what users remember about your site after a quick look.
- Navigation tests: See if users understand your menu or structure.
- Preference tests: Compare design options to see which works better.
- Surveys and tests with a maximum duration of 2 minutes, keeping user attention focused.
Why It’s Useful:
- Perfect for quick tests.
- Great for validating design decisions.
Catch: Free credits are limited, so you might need to upgrade for larger-scale testing.
4. Crazy Egg (Free Plan Available)
Crazy Egg is a reliable tool for tracking user behavior, offering a free plan to help you improve website usability.
Free Features to Explore:
- Heatmaps: Visualize where users click, scroll, or hover.
- Session recordings: Watch real user interactions on your site.
- Basic A/B testing: Experiment with different versions of your page to find what works best.
Why Designers Love It:
- Easy-to-use interface for beginners.
- Offers actionable insights to improve your site quickly.
Catch: The free plan is basic and might not include all premium features, but it’s enough for small projects.
5. Microsoft Clarity (Free Plan Available)
Microsoft Clarity is gaining attention as a free usability tool. It’s simple but offers valuable insights.
What It Includes:
- Session recordings: Watch user interactions to spot problems.
- Heatmaps: Understand where users focus the most.
- Insights dashboard: Get reports on areas needing improvement.
What Makes It Special:
- No cost at all, no upgrades required.
- Offers unlimited heatmaps and recordings.
Downside: It doesn’t offer direct feedback collection like surveys.
Why Free Tools Are Enough for Many Designers
Not every project needs expensive usability testing tools. These free options cover the basics—identifying issues, testing designs, and gathering user feedback. If you’re working on small to medium projects or just starting out, they’re more than enough.
FAQs About Free Usability Testing Tools
1. What’s the best free tool for heatmaps?
Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity are great options for visualizing user behavior with heatmaps.
2. Can I do A/B testing for free?
Yes! Google Optimize is perfect for A/B testing and is completely free to use.
3. How do I choose the right usability tool?
Look at your goals. If you need quick design feedback, go with Lyssna, formerly known as UsabilityHub. For behavioral insights, try Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity.
4. Are free plans really useful for professional work?
Absolutely. These tools offer enough features to improve your site’s usability without costing a dime.
Final Thoughts
Good usability is key to keeping users on your site. The tools we’ve shared here make it easier to spot issues and improve your designs.
Start with these free tools today. You’ll be surprised how much value they bring, even without a budget.
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