Summary
Research has to come together somewhere, happen somewhere, live somewhere, and—in order for it to have an impact on product—it has to be effectively shared somewhere. There are more user research tools than ever, and choosing among them can be overwhelming. That’s why the team at User Interviews created the UXR Tools Map, along with a searchable database of over 200 user research tools. We’ll talk about the process behind creating the map, plus share insights and examples of how to create the best stack for your team, regardless of budget.
Key Insights
-
•
The UX Research Tools Map categorizes over 100 curated tools into five main research functions: research ops, passive insights, active research, insight management, and design tools.
-
•
A significant portion of UX researchers (44%) are uncertain about their research budgets, and only 8% report stakeholders frequently access research results.
-
•
Many UX research tools have expanded their scope, becoming multifunctional, complicating how they fit into research workflows.
-
•
The visual subway map metaphor helps users understand tools as single-function 'stations' or multifunctional 'interchanges' connecting multiple research tasks.
-
•
The tools map intentionally balances well-known products, enterprise-grade options, and innovative or lesser-known tools to avoid overwhelming users.
-
•
Design and curation are critical as new tools appear or existing ones evolve, requiring continuous updates and balancing complexity with usability.
-
•
There’s value in assembling tool stacks tailored to needs ranging from fully free DIY solutions to large enterprise setups integrating multiple platforms.
-
•
Qualitative data management remains a persistent challenge in UX research, requiring effective insight storage, organization, and analysis tools.
-
•
Some tools offer recruiting, scheduling, and incentives only through proprietary panels, leading to potential limitations in participant diversity and flexibility.
-
•
Collaborative tools like Figma, Miro, and Whimsical play key roles in prototyping and brainstorming during UX research to generate early feedback efficiently.
Notable Quotes
"User research is interdisciplinary; only two thirds of people who do research describe their job as primarily research."
"Only 8% of people we talk to said their stakeholders know how to access results and do so often."
"Choosing among all these research tools can be really overwhelming and intimidating."
"We took a little bit more of an editorial approach and kind of trimmed down the tools to keep it legible and usable."
"Our subway lines are tool functions, and stations are where single-function tools live."
"Multifunctional tools are interchange stations connecting several research activities."
"Sometimes we had to add bus lines simply because some tools couldn’t fit into the existing grid."
"Tools are getting much more complex and have more crossover, which made redesigning the map a challenge."
"Simple, low-fi prototyping tools can get you tons of feedback without much upfront design work."
"We’re always taking suggestions for new apps to add to the tools map for later iterations."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Artifacts capture our decisions and give us a place to point back when misalignment happens."
Scher Foord Corey Greenltch Sarah RoweTurn the Ship Around: How to Apply Design Thinking Across Your Organization
June 10, 2021
"Physical public spaces themselves become a design material to work with."
Sarah BrooksTheme Three Intro
November 18, 2022
"Psychological warmth and physical warmth activate the same part of the brain, the insula."
Daniel GloydWarming the User Experience: Lessons from America's first and most radical human-centered designers
May 9, 2024
"Product managers learn to attach at the end of every sentence something about money — no money, no attention."
Rich MironovHow Can Product Managers and UXers Help Each Other (and Why are Product Folks so Annoying Sometimes)?
December 6, 2022
"The words we use should enable clear paths of understanding so recipients know their role, what to do next, and why both easily and quickly."
Laura Gatewood Laine ProkayBeyond Buzzwords: Adding Heart to Effective Slack Communication
September 23, 2024
"Your priorities don’t tell you what to do — your judgment makes the decisions."
Harry Max Jim MeyerPrioritization for Leaders (2nd of 3 seminars)
June 27, 2024
"Our strong UX process keeps product focused and bias-free as we design together."
Louis RosenfeldFounder’s Welcome
December 6, 2022
"If you’re not embarrassed by what you share, you’ll share too late."
Iain McMaster IHan ChengDesign and Product: from Frenemy to Harmony
November 29, 2023
"If you don’t have any conflict, that means you have no trust."
Louis RosenfeldDiscussion: What Operations can teach DesignOps
November 6, 2017
