Optimizely has carved out a niche for itself as a powerful experimentation platform for conversion rate optimization (CRO). It’s a popular choice for businesses that want to make data-driven decisions to optimize their digital experiences. However, Optimizely might not be the perfect fit for everyone. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the 6 best Optimizely alternatives.
What makes Optimizely stand out?
Optimizely is lauded for its robust experimentation capabilities. It enables businesses to conduct A/B testing, multivariate testing, and multi-page experimentation with ease. Its feature management and progressive delivery tools allow for safe feature rollouts. However, Optimizely’s pricing is custom-based, which might not be ideal for everyone.
But Optimizely isn’t everyone’s cup of tea
While Optimizely is a powerful tool that offers a wide range of features for A/B testing and personalization, it may not be the perfect fit for everyone. Some user reviews have expressed a desire for more comprehensive documentation, a more opinionated API, and more examples for common patterns. Additionally, the lack of transparent pricing information can be a deterrent for some businesses, particularly smaller ones or those with tight budgets.
If you’re looking for a different approach to CRO, or a tool with a more transparent pricing model, you’re in the right place. We’ve compiled a list of fantastic Optimizely alternatives for you.
The 6 best Optimizely alternatives for CRO
Here’s a quick overview of our top 6:
- Userbrain
- Hotjar
- CrazyEgg
- GetFeedback
- UserTesting
- Lyssna
Each of these Optimizely competitors offers unique features and benefits. Whether you’re looking for a more affordable solution, a platform with more advanced features, or a tool that takes a fresh approach to CRO, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s delve deeper into the six top alternatives to Optimizely’s CRO platform:
1. Userbrain – the best Optimizely alternative for CRO ?
Userbrain is a UX testing platform that specializes in easy, fast, and affordable user testing. It’s a fantastic alternative to Optimizely for product teams that want to make user testing a regular part of their development process.
Userbrain Features
Userbrain keeps things simple and straightforward. You can set up a test in minutes, and Userbrain’s global pool of over 100k testers will provide you with user test videos within hours. Userbrain also offers a flexible pricing model that caters to businesses of all sizes, with both Pay As You Go and Subscription options.
Userbrain Pros vs. Optimizely
- Free trial – Get started with Userbrain and enjoy your first 2 user tests absolutely free. Start free trial! ?
- AI Insights – Userbrain’s AI assistant analyses your user test videos to discover UX insights and write time-stamped notes.
- Flexible pricing – Userbrain offers affordable plans, from the Starter plan at $99/month to the unlimited Enterprise option, or Pay As You Go.
- Large tester pool – Userbrain gives you access to a global community of over 100k quality-controlled user test participants.
- Quick turnaround – Get actionable insights fast with completed test videos delivered within hours.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee – If a user test doesn’t meet your expectations, Userbrain will arrange a new tester and refund your test credit.
Userbrain Cons vs. Optimizely
- No A/B testing – Userbrain focuses on qualitative user testing, and does not offer A/B testing capabilities.
Userbrain Pricing
- Pay As You Go – $39 per test.
- Starter – $79 /month for 3 user tests, plus 100 sessions with your own testers.
- Pro – $239 /month for 10 user tests, plus 100 sessions with your own testers.
- Agency – $659 /month for 30 user tests, plus 100 sessions with your own testers.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing based on your needs. Contact sales! ?
Userbrain Reviews – via Capterra
Userbrain’s users have been vocal about their satisfaction with the platform. They’ve praised its simplicity and the value it offers, especially for continuous testing. The platform’s ease of use and straightforward pricing have been highlighted as major advantages.
2. Hotjar
Hotjar is a behavior analytics and user feedback service that helps you understand the behavior of your website users and get their feedback through tools such as heatmaps, session recordings, and surveys.
Hotjar Features
Hotjar offers a range of features for understanding user behavior, including heatmaps, session recordings, and conversion funnels. It also provides tools for gathering user feedback, such as surveys and incoming feedback.
Hotjar Pros vs. Optimizely
- Behavior analytics – Hotjar offers a range of features for understanding user behavior, including heatmaps, session recordings, and conversion funnels.
- User feedback – Hotjar provides tools for gathering user feedback, such as surveys and incoming feedback.
Hotjar Cons vs. Optimizely
- No A/B testing – Hotjar does not offer A/B testing capabilities.
Hotjar Pricing
- Basic – Free for personal projects.
- Plus – $39 /month for early-stage startups.
- Business – Starts at $99 /month for growing businesses.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing for large organizations.
Hotjar Reviews – via G2
Hotjar has been praised for its variety of features, including heatmaps, session recordings, and conversion funnels. Users have also appreciated the user feedback tools, such as surveys and incoming feedback. However, some users have noted that Hotjar does not offer A/B testing capabilities.
? Further reading: Looking to make the switch from Hotjar? Browse through our Hotjar alternatives blog post.
3. Crazy Egg
Crazy Egg is a website optimization tool that provides visual insights into your users’ on-site interactions. It’s a great Optimizely alternative for businesses that want to understand user behavior on their website.
Crazy Egg Features
Crazy Egg offers a range of features for understanding user behavior, including heatmaps, scroll maps, and A/B testing. It also provides a snapshot feature that gives you a visual representation of how users are interacting with your website.
Crazy Egg Pros vs. Optimizely
- Visual insights – Crazy Egg provides visual insights into your users’ on-site interactions through features like heatmaps and scroll maps.
- A/B testing – Crazy Egg offers A/B testing capabilities, allowing you to test different versions of your website to see which one performs better.
Crazy Egg Cons vs. Optimizely
- Limited user feedback tools – CrazyEgg does not offer as many user feedback tools as Optimizely.
Crazy Egg Pricing
- Basic – $24 /month for 30,000 pageviews and 100 recordings.
- Standard – $49 /month for 75,000 pageviews and 500 recordings.
- Plus – $99 /month for 150,000 pageviews and 1,000 recordings.
- Pro – $249 /month for 500,000 pageviews and 5,000 recordings.
Crazy Egg Reviews – via G2
Crazy Egg has been praised for its visual insights into user behavior, including heatmaps and scroll maps. Users have also appreciated the A/B testing capabilities. However, some users have noted that Crazy Egg does not offer as many user feedback tools as Optimizely.
? Further reading: Is Crazy Egg not cutting the mustard? Find the perfect Crazy Egg alternatives for UX research with our blog post.
4. GetFeedback
GetFeedback is a user feedback platform that helps you understand your customers’ experiences and expectations. It’s a good Optimizely alternative for businesses that want to gather and analyze user feedback.
GetFeedback Features
GetFeedback offers a range of features for gathering and analyzing user feedback, including surveys, polls, and customer satisfaction (CSAT) scores. It also provides tools for integrating feedback into your CRM and other business systems.
GetFeedback Pros vs. Optimizely
- User feedback – GetFeedback offers a range of features for gathering and analyzing user feedback, including surveys, polls, and CSAT scores.
- Integration – GetFeedback provides tools for integrating feedback into your CRM and other business systems.
GetFeedback Cons vs. Optimizely
- No A/B testing – GetFeedback does not offer A/B testing capabilities.
GetFeedback Pricing
Pricing information is not directly available on their website. Custom pricing, based on user needs.
GetFeedback Reviews – via G2
GetFeedback has been praised for its user feedback features, including surveys, polls, and CSAT scores. Users have also appreciated the integration capabilities. However, some users have noted that GetFeedback does not offer A/B testing capabilities.
5. UserTesting
UserTesting is a user testing platform that provides real-time feedback from your target audience. It’s one of the standout Optimizely alternatives for businesses that want to gather qualitative user insights.
UserTesting Features
UserTesting offers a range of features for gathering user insights, including live video feedback, note-taking, and highlight reels. It also provides tools for recruiting your target audience for user tests.
UserTesting Pros vs. Optimizely
- Real-time feedback – UserTesting provides real-time feedback from your target audience through live video feedback.
- Target audience recruitment – UserTesting provides tools for recruiting your target audience for user tests.
UserTesting Cons vs. Optimizely
- Higher pricing – UserTesting’s pricing is significantly higher than Optimizely’s, making it less accessible for smaller businesses.
UserTesting Pricing
Pricing information is not directly available on their website.
UserTesting Reviews – via Capterra
UserTesting has been praised for its real-time feedback and target audience recruitment capabilities. However, some users have noted that UserTesting’s pricing is significantly higher than Optimizely’s, making it less accessible for smaller businesses.
Further reading: Discover the best UserTesting alternatives on the market.
? Further reading: Looking for a more affordable alternative to UserTesting? Then our UserTesting alternatives blog post has your name written all over it.
6. Lyssna (formerly UsabilityHub)
Lyssna, previously branded as UsabilityHub until October 2023, is a user testing platform that focuses on quick and simple tests. It’s one of the better Optimizely alternatives for product teams that want to gather user feedback quickly.
Lyssna / UsabilityHub Features
UsabilityHub offers a range of quick tests, including five-second tests, click tests, and preference tests. These tests are designed to be quick and easy to set up, allowing you to gather user feedback in minutes.
Lyssna / UsabilityHub Pros vs. Optimizely
- Quick tests – UsabilityHub offers a range of quick tests, including five-second, click, and preference tests, allowing for rapid user feedback.
Lyssna / UsabilityHub Cons vs. Optimizely
- Limited depth of insight – UsabilityHub’s tests focus on quick, impression-based feedback, which might not provide the depth of insight that Optimizely’s tests offer.
Lyssna / UsabilityHub Pricing
- Basic – $89 /month for unlimited responses and additional features.
- Pro – $199 /month for advanced features and unlimited test lengths.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing.
Lyssna / UsabilityHub Reviews – via G2
UsabilityHub has been praised for its variety of test types, including first click, five-second test, and preference test. Users have also appreciated the speed at which results are delivered, often within hours. However, some users have pointed out that UsabilityHub’s tests are more focused on quick, impression-based feedback, which might not provide the depth of insight that Optimizely’s tests offer.
? Further reading: Discover our top-rated Lyssna alternatives for user testing.
Wrapping up the best Optimizely alternatives for CRO in 2024
We’ve reached the end of our detailed exploration of Optimizely and its top competitors for the year 2024. If you’re on the hunt for a tool that delivers maximum return on your investment, Userbrain stands out as the prime choice. It’s not only affordable but also user-friendly, making user testing a regular part of your development cycle.
The rest are all worthy contenders, each bringing their unique spin to the world of CRO solutions. If you’re craving a fresh perspective or a different methodology, these Optimizely alternatives offer a diverse range of options.
Choosing the best Optimizely alternative isn’t just about cost-effectiveness; it’s about finding a tool that fits seamlessly into your workflow and aligns with your budget. Just like finding the perfect pair of shoes, the best pair is always the one that offers the most comfort and suits your style.
We hope this guide has shed light on the cost structure of Optimizely and assisted you in narrowing down your search for a cost-effective alternative. Remember, your ideal CRO tool is out there, ready for you to put it to the test!
What’s next with Userbrain?
Kickstart your journey with Userbrain and start your free trial, which includes two free user tests. Set up your tests in minutes and receive results within hours! ?
Want to learn more? Schedule a call with us. Book a demo with the Userbrain team today! ?
