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WalkMe is a popular digital adoption platform (DAP) that helps businesses guide users through software to improve their experience. In September 2024, SAP acquired WalkMe, emphasizing the increasing value of these platforms.
As enterprises wrestle with software adoption complexities and performance optimization issues, WalkMe offers much-needed solutions for user onboarding, software training, cross-application guidance, change management, and process automation.
However, WalkMe has its drawbacks. Users often mention its steep learning curve with a less intuitive user interface and a complicated onboarding process. Additionally, they also talk about its high cost, limited customization options, and unsatisfactory customer support.
According to reviews on G2, TrustRadius, and Capterra, existing customers seem to struggle with WalkMe’s integrations, feeling limited by its one-size-fits-all approach.
As per industry reports, a few other weaknesses of WalkMe are as follows:
- First Mover Disadvantage: With increased competition, maintaining its innovation pace and leadership position has become more challenging—IDC MarketScape Worldwide Digital Adoption Platforms 2024
- Complexity for Small Businesses: WalkMe’s comprehensive feature set, while valuable for large enterprises, overwhelms smaller businesses that require simpler solutions—Everest Group DAP PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024
- Customization Flexibility: WalkMe customers expect further improvements in the ability to customize and connect various applications seamlessly—Everest Group DAP PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024
- Mobile and On-Premises Application Limitations: WalkMe’s support for mobile and on-premises applications is not as strong as it could be, limiting its functionality for customers who require these features—Hype Cycle for Digital Workplace Applications, 2024
Fortunately, the market offers several alternatives to WalkMe for various use cases, industries, organizational sizes, and budgets. Let’s explore five WalkMe competitors in detail.
Top 5 WalkMe Competitors for Effective Software Adoption
Let’s explore five WalkMe alternatives that drive smooth software adoption and find the best fit for your business.
Comparative Analysis of WalkMe Alternatives
| Criteria | Apty | Whatfix | Userlane | Pendo | Appcues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary functionality | Digital adoption and training | Digital adoption and analytics | Digital adoption and training | Digital product experience | Onboarding flows for SMBs |
| Integration | Seamless with multiple apps and platforms | Multiple platforms | Basic integrations | Extensive SaaS integrations | Multiple platforms |
| Customization | High customizability | Medium | High | High | Medium |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| User onboarding | Goal-oriented guidance | Interactive walkthroughs | Step-by-step guides | In-app guides | Drag-and-drop templates |
| User guidance | In- and cross-application guidance in real time | In-app guidance | In-app guidance | Personalized in-app guidance | Customizable workflows |
| AI features | Advanced AI-driven insights | AI-driven analytics | No | AI-driven employee experience insights | No |
| Validation | Real-time validations | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Custom quotes | Custom quotes | Custom quotes | Custom quotes | Starts at $250/month |
5 Best Walkme Alternatives & Competitors
Apty: Best for tailored digital adoption solutions for enterprises.
Whatfix: Best for employee onboarding with personalized training.
Userlane: Best for simple product walkthroughs for SMBs.
Pendo: Best for product analytics and user feedback insights.
Appcues: Best for user segmentation and no-code onboarding.
1. Apty
Apty is a robust digital adoption platform designed for enterprises that aim to streamline and optimize the use of software. It stands out for its augmented intelligence, deep analytics, and contextual and personalized guidance.
So Why Choose Apty Over WalkMe?
- Results-Oriented Focus: Apty’s documentation capabilities and customizable analytics enable application owners to achieve tangible business outcomes rather than just high-level adoption processes
- Enhanced Employee Productivity: Apty helps organizations accurately measure and improve productivity KPIs, resulting in up to a 300% increase in employee productivity
- Effective On-the-Job Training: The platform’s real-time guidance empowers employees to learn while working on actual projects from day one. This approach saved a major U.S. airline 200 hours in training and change management and reduced support costs by 65% within six months
Its user-friendly interface and adaptable integrations make it among the most preferred WalkMe alternatives, especially for BFSI, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and aviation.
Apty Key Features
- Apty PULSE:
- Identifies underutilized resources and broken processes through real-time analytics
- Delivers actionable insights in a unified dashboard
- Provides end-to-end user journey visualization
- Contextual in-app and cross-application guidance with personalized workflows, tooltips, task lists, and AI recommendations
- Integrations with diverse and/or cross-platform applications
- AI-driven automation of repetitive or mundane tasks
- Goal-focused prescriptive workflows to accelerate user proficiency
Apty Pros
- Intuitive interface and easy to learn and use with no dependency on developers
- Streamlines employee and customer onboarding by standardizing business processes
- Provides flexibility and enhances user adoption, reducing time to market
- Excellent support teams—helpful, proactive, and responsive
Apty Cons
- Deployment and integration take some time in the beginning
Apty Ratings & Reviews
Apty Pricing
Contact the sales team for a quote.
2. Whatfix
Whatfix has simplified usability and integrates with your software applications to provide training material and self-help walkthroughs. Organizations prioritizing seamless user training and process automation find Whatfix a viable option for their digital adoption needs.
Whatfix Key Features
- Automated in-app guidance, assistance, and resources for end-users
- No-code editor to create training content
- Auto translation of your content for a global user base
- Integration with CRMs and HR platforms
Whatfix Pros
- Seamless usability and quick implementation with minimal technical expertise
- Great customer support and responsive live chat for quick query resolution
Whatfix Cons
- Workflow creation is too technical and sometimes flows don’t respond properly
- Limited customization options
Whatfix Ratings & Reviews
Whatfix Pricing
Whatfix digital adoption platform offers three plans:
- Standard—For employee or customer-facing applications
- Premium—For employee or customer-facing applications
- Enterprise—For multi-app plans or unlimited DAP implementations.
3. Userlane
Userlane allows you to create guided walkthroughs and training content for employee onboarding as well as customer onboarding. The target focus being the IT, finance, and education sectors, this DAP is useful for businesses that intend to enhance employee productivity and software training.
Userlane Key Features
- Interactive guides and customizable communication workflows
- Step-by-step guidance within your software application interfaces
- Insights into user engagement and utilization of your software via its HEART Analytics framework
Userlane Pros
- Eliminates digital friction and reduces software inefficiencies, boosting employee productivity (Source)
- Easy integration and implementation backed up by satisfactory customer support, unlike WalkMe (Source)
Userlane Cons
- Limited scalability and adaptability for organizations with complex needs (Source)
- Higher pricing compared to similar platforms (Source)
Userlane Ratings & Reviews
Userlane Pricing
Custom pricing; reach out to the sales team for a quote
4. Pendo
Another one on the list of WalkMe Alternatives is Pendo. It improves product experience with deep analytics and user feedback. The platform offers you a competitive edge with a data-driven approach to digital adoption.
Pendo Key Features
- Advanced analytics to track user behavior with ease
- Simplified deployment of personalized in-app guides
- Centralized feedback collection and in-app messaging for seamless communication
Pendo Pros
- As one of the robust WalkMe alternatives, Pendo beats the former in user-centricity and customer-focused use cases (Source)
- Highly responsive and attentive customer support (Source)
Pendo Cons
- Steeper learning curve and requires significant setup time compared to other WalkMe alternatives (Source)
- Challenging to update training content (Source)
Pendo Ratings & Reviews
Pendo Pricing
Pendo offers the following pricing plans:
- Base—For the company just beginning its product experience journey
- Core—The essential solution you need to drive business outcomes
- Pulse—Everything you need to optimize your R&D investments
- Ultimate—Everything the most advanced organizations need
A free trial is available for up to 500 monthly active users.
5. Appcues
Appcues is a WalkMe alternative used by startups and small businesses due to its user-friendly interface and cost-effectiveness.
Appcues Key Features
- Simplified user onboarding flows with drag-and-drop templates
- In-app messaging in the form of tours, walkthroughs, step-by-step lists, and pop-up notifications
- Featured integrations with tools like HubSpot, Segment, and Heap
Appcues Pros
- Easy to implement and use with minimal resources (Source)
- User-friendly tool offering targeted guidance to end-users (Source)
Appcues Cons
- Limited capabilities and customization, especially on the analytics front (Source)
- Lack of advanced features and modification options compared to other WalkMe alternatives (Source)
Appcues Ratings & Reviews
Appcues Pricing
Appcues offers three pricing plans suitable for startups, SMBs, and large enterprises.
- Start—Starting at $250 per month for one app, paid annually
- Grow—Starting at $1,000 per month for one App, paid annually
- Scale—Custom pricing
It also offers a 14-day free trial, which can be extended for another 14 days if you install the SDK in your application.
Key Features to Consider in a WalkMe Alternative
Choosing the right DAP is critical for ensuring successful software implementation and user engagement. The following are the essential features to look for in WalkMe alternatives:
Pricing Flexibility
Does the platform offer affordable, scalable pricing plans?
Affordability is a key aspect for businesses evaluating WalkMe alternatives. Look for platforms with transparent pricing models or tiered plans that let you scale up as your business grows. Evaluate what’s included in the pricing—some tools may rack up your costs for advanced features, while others bundle them into their standard plans.
Scalability
Can the solution/platform adapt to your organization and its scaling needs?
A scalable DAP ensures you won’t outgrow the platform as your business evolves.
Look for features such as multi-language support, cross-application and cross-department usage, and advanced analytics to accommodate future expansion.
While assessing scalability, evaluate the platform for its ability to support large-scale deployments, add more users, integrate new software, and handle increasingly complicated workflows.
Complexity
How complicated is it to use? Does it require advanced technical training to get hands-on?
The platform should be user-friendly and not overly complex to use. Complexity can hamper implementation, frustrate users, and increase training time, which is the very challenge a DAP is meant to solve.
When evaluating WalkMe alternatives, you need to consider the following aspects:
- Ease of Deployment: The platform should be easy to implement without extensive technical expertise.
- User-Friendly Interface: Look for a clean, intuitive interface that is not overwhelming for end-users.
- Balancing Features and Usability: While advanced capabilities such as AI-driven recommendations or multi-application integration are attractive, ensure that they do not harm usability.
- Training Requirements: Estimate the training required for admins and end-users to understand and operate the platform.
Customization
Can workflows and onboarding processes be tailored to your needs?
No two organizations are alike, and your DAP should adapt to your unique workflows and needs.
Before choosing an alternative to WalkMe, ensure that the platform allows easy customization of content flows, training modules, and step-by-step guides to align with your company’s goals and terminology.
For example, Apty offers customizable and personalized workflows, tooltips, and guidance based on your organizational goals.
In-app Guidance
How easy and intuitive are the in-app onboarding and training features?
The core function of any DAP is to provide real-time guidance to users and help them navigate your software smoothly. The best alternative to WalkMe should be able to provide in-app guidance, including walkthroughs, tooltips, pop-ups, and contextual recommendations to support users at every step of their journey.
Platforms like Apty and Userlane enable you with personalized step-by-step in-app guidance, reducing the number of training sessions and adoption time.
Feedback Collection
Does it provide feedback collection as its core capability? Is it user-centric?
A good DAP should have built-in mechanisms for collecting feedback and providing real-time validations. Features like post-task surveys, feedback forms, and usage reports enable you to gather user insights without a hitch.
When considering WalkMe alternatives with better validation capabilities, look for a platform that directly integrates feedback tools, assesses user satisfaction levels, and pinpoints areas of improvement.
DAPs like Apty also streamline user interactions by providing instant feedback and corrections as users input data, maintaining data accuracy and quality.
Why Apty is the Best WalkMe Alternative
Apty emerges as the best, most effective choice for SMBs and large-scale enterprises, helping them solve their digital challenges and accelerating transformation processes. Apty’s recent implementation empowered a leading global bank by streamlining and simplifying employee onboarding for its complex PPM software. The banking institution, as a result, saved up $1 million and improved overall performance.
Its emphasis on affordable pricing, customization, personalized and contextual guidance, robust integrations, and actionable insights makes it stand out. In contrast to WalkMe, Apty prioritizes ease of use and scalability, making it ideal for companies across various industry verticals and sectors. Book a demo with Apty today and revolutionize your software adoption journey!
