9 usability testing tools

In a world of constantly evolving technologies and unprecedented high competition between network businesses, success often depends on the intuitiveness of web interfaces. Simple and clear websites have a higher conversion rate, therefore, it brings more revenue.

Usability is the ease of use of software products. The concept includes the following non-functional aspects of software use:
')

• Efficiency (user tasks).
• Efficiency (in terms of execution time).
• Satisfaction (user experience) in the specified context of use (users, tasks, equipment and environments).

Consider usability measurement tools. We used three main evaluation criteria:

• The ability to record audio and video during testing.
• Quality tools for post editing test sessions.
• The ability to use mobile devices for testing.
  

After completing the study and comparing nine popular tools, we concluded that we still do not have a comprehensive, fully integrated usability testing tool for mobile devices that meets the following criteria:

• The ability to interact with the screen of a mobile device.
• The possibility of audio and video recording of all actions of research participants during the work on the task.
• Ability to conduct testing anywhere and at any time.
• The ability to test any smartphone or tablet (if they have a camera).
• Streaming screen and audio-video research participants in real time.

Tool / Function	Audio video recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
Ovo logger	v	v	v	x	x	from $ 3 000
Ovo solo	v (PC only)	v	x	x	x	$ 99
Morae	v	v	x	x	x	$ 1 995
UserTesting	v	v	v	v	v	$ 49 for one test with the possibility of wholesale discounts
Userlytics	v	v	v	v	v	$ 39 per month and above with the possibility of wholesale discounts
Userfeel	v	x	x	v	v	$ 49 for one test with the possibility of wholesale discounts
Openhallway	v	v	x	v	x	$ 49 per month and up depending on plan
UsabilityTools	x	x	x	x	Yes, but paid	From $ 300 per month. The first 14 days are free.
TryMyUI	v	x	x	v	x	$ 35 for one test with the possibility of wholesale discounts

Ovo logger

Ovo Logger from Ovo Studios is created mainly for usability testing studios that work with large volumes of distributed teams of researchers. The tool is designed mainly for them, because they need a reliable means for capturing, editing and sharing the results.

Ovo Studio is also creating custom usability testing labs, and Ovo Logger is partly designed to work with them. The tool as a whole is better than the others, but rather expensive.
Pros:

• Focused on the enterprise.
• Records multiple entries and sends streams to multiple users at once.
• Editing tools provide real-time test analysis.
• Allows you to save important points when viewing a record.
• Allows you to capture a picture from the unlocked iPad, iPhone and devices on Android using the Logger application.

Minuses:

• Designed specifically for large firms with multiple offices and / or usability teams.
• Requires a separate computer to run the software.
• The price is higher than the competition.
• The tool is based on a number of sources, associated requirements for laboratories, etc.

Audio video recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
v	v	v	x	x	From $ 3,000

Ovo solo

Ovo Solo is an Ovo Studios product designed for small companies. You can even say that this is the light version of the Ovo Logger, which allows you to capture video interactions with the screen simultaneously with the faces and voices of the study participants. Simple logging management allows you to analyze the resulting video. However, the tool only supports Windows, iOS support is not provided. On the other hand, its affordable price makes the tool a smart choice with a low budget.

Pros:

• Relatively low price for capturing, editing and showing usability testing sessions.

Minuses:

• No option for Mac.
• You can not directly record the interaction with the screen of the mobile device.
• A basic set of editing tools, not for advanced researchers.

Tester Audio Video Recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
v	v	x	x	x	$ 99

Morae

Techsmith's Morae is the first tool specifically designed for usability testing, and despite its age, it is still one of the best options. Allows you to record, analyze, edit and share sessions.
Morae is installed on a computer (there is no option for iOS) as an application and records all interactions with the screen, including the voice and face of the researcher, via a webcam. Included are all documentation, editing and distribution tools.

Pros:

• Impressive capture and editing tools, suitable for large projects.
• Includes additional tools that can track various screen interactions.
• Allows you to include in the analysis data based on those. control and opinions.
• A simple and quick opportunity to share test sessions with colleagues and test results with teams.

Minuses:

• There is no possibility to record the interaction with the screen from mobile devices directly.
• Enough expensive option.
• No option for Mac.

Tester Audio Video Recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
v	v	x	x	x	$ 1 995

UserTesting

UserTesting provides a network of researchers, but if necessary, allows the tester to recruit researchers on their own. The research participant creates a list of tasks for testers. The tester’s screen interaction and voice are recorded.

UserTesting includes powerful and easy-to-use video editing tools for creating threading.
UserTesting also provides mobile usability testing, a very significant feature with a constant increase in the number of users of such devices, and includes the possibility of written answers to questions.

UserTesting is one of the most powerful tools for remote unmoderated usability testing.

Pros:

• An affordable way to conduct remote unmoderated usability testing.
  Audio and video recording.
• Easy and quick thread creation with built-in functions.
• Test results are available an hour or two depending on the number of researchers. Tools for selecting demographics are provided.

Minuses:

• Since UserTesting provides a small fee for each test, the test results may not be of high quality due to unscrupulous testers.
• It is necessary to monitor the results of all tests and require re-testing if there are doubts about the quality of the work done by testers (using your testers can solve this problem).
• There is no possibility of recording interaction with the screens of mobile devices directly.

Tester Audio Video Recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
v	v	v	v	v	$ 49 for the test with the possibility of wholesale discounts.

Userlytics

Userlytics provides remote usability testing based on Windows and mobile devices. Unfortunately, it can not be moderated. If you need the functions of mobile testing, there is the possibility of upgrading the tool to the level of Gold or Enterprise. Testers can be recruited using Userlytics and from their own sources. It is possible to record screen interactions, voice tester, webcam video and written answers to questions after passing the test.

Pros:

• Relatively low price.
• Easy to install and handle.
• It is possible to download records for editing and sharing (when upgrading).

Minuses:

• Quite an intricate system of feature set tests based on paid upgrades, it will take some time to figure everything out.
• There are restrictions (based on upgrades) the number of questions after the study.

Tester Audio Video Recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
v	v	v	v	v	$ 39 per month and above with the possibility of wholesale discounts.

Userfeel

The most significant advantage of the tool is the possibility of providing researchers who speak not only in English. This is very important for websites that provide services in different countries.

There is also the possibility of written answers to post-test questions. Video tests are available on the website, but you cannot download and edit them. But there is a free opportunity for “white label” video playback, an extremely useful feature when testing in languages ​​other than English.

Pros:

• Qualitative tool for remote unmoderated usability testing in different languages.
• There is filtering by demography and language.
• Relatively low cost.
• The possibility of post-test questions.
• Free “white label” reproduction of tests.

Minuses:

• Researchers may try to quickly complete the test.
• No advanced video editing features.
• There is no possibility to download and edit video.
• No mobile testing capability.

Tester Audio Video Recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
v	x	x	v	v	$ 39 for the test with the possibility of wholesale discounts.

Openhallway

OpenHallway is a Windows and Mac based research tool. The researcher is typing testers himself, but there is no user control panel in the tool. OpenHallway itself generates links to test sessions when everything is ready.

Its use does not require changing the codes inside the site, which makes the tool extremely useful for testing applications, websites and even competitors' sites. It is possible to record the voice and face of the tester, its interaction with the screen using the camera.

The amount of video storage depends on the version you use: Basic, Plus or Premium. There is no limit on the number of sessions, but at some point the storage space for the video may end.

Pros:

• Easy to use.
• Easy to install.
• A handy tool to record unmoderated remote usability testing.
• Windows and Mac support.

Minuses:

• Does not support mobile devices.
• Without Java, the tool will not work.
• Video only in MP4 format, downloading and editing is possible only in paid versions.

Tester Audio Video Recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
v	v	x	v	x	$ 49 per month and above with the possibility of wholesale discounts.

UsabilityTools

UsabilityTools - a set of tools for usability, feedback and tracking clicks combined into one interface. This makes it easier to work with tests that require the use of various tools.

There are two versions: UX Suite and Conversion Suite. These include click-testing, web-testing, questionnaire, card-sorting and Persona Creator. You can create web tests based on different scenarios for site visitors. They will choose the option “success” and “abandonment” depending on whether they were able to complete the task.

Pros:

• To fully understand the user experience, you need a few additional tools.
• The process of creating and running several tool tests is easier and more economical due to a single client interface.

Minuses:

• There is no recording audio and video testing.
• Mobile interactions using audio and video recordings are not available.
• All testers control panels are paid
  

Tester Audio Video Recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
x	x	x	x	Yes, but in paid versions	From $ 300 per month. The first 14 days are free.

TryMyUI

TrymMyUI.com is a SaaS-based remote unmoderated tool. Testers have the ability to create tasks themselves. Videos are provided, including screen capture and voice testers.

Pros:

• Somewhat cheaper than many other unmoderated tools.
• Audio and video recording testing is provided.

Minuses:

• There is no video editing function.
• There is no possibility of mobile testing.

Audio video recording	Ability to edit records	Mobile testing is possible	Remote unmoderated testing	Available testers	Price
v	x	x	v	x	$ 35 for the test with the possibility of wholesale discounts