Imagine walking into a department store where everything looks perfectly organized, but for some reason, you just can't find what you're looking for. Frustrating, right? The enthusiasm you had drains with every wrong turn and dead end.

That's what happens when your website or app has a confusing structure – even if the design itself is beautiful. 

Tree testing can help you solve this problem before your users even know it exists. It lets you see how real people navigate your site’s structure, giving you the feedback you need to build a structure that‌ works for your audience.  

It’s like testing the blueprint before you build the house.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the best tree testing tools available, comparing their features and prices, and helping you make the best choice for your business.

A quick glance at the best tree testing tools

How to choose the best tree testing tool for your needs

Choosing the right tree testing tool can feel like a challenge, but it all comes down to understanding what you need. 

• Are you looking for something that’s quick to set up and simple to use? 

• How important is being able to screen participants and recruit from a research panel? 

• Do you need advanced reporting tools? 

• And the price. Of course, the price … What can you get for your budget?

The right tool should fit seamlessly into your process, align with your team’s workflow, and provide the feedback you need to improve your user experience.

Key criteria to look at when choosing a tree testing tool

There are several important criteria to consider when selecting a tree testing tool. Understanding these can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your team’s needs and objectives.

1. Usability and user experience

You want a tool that’s not only easy for you to navigate but is also easy for your participants to use. A clean, intuitive interface makes a huge difference in minimizing frustration and the time spent getting up to speed. Look for tools that offer straightforward setups and templates that guide you through the test creation process. 

2. Task creation and flexibility

Tree testing revolves around tasks that participants need to complete. A good tree testing tool should allow you to create and customize tasks easily. The flexibility to test various scenarios, tweak task wording, and adjust based on participant feedback ensures that your test aligns with your specific research objectives.

3. Data analysis and reporting

Effective UX research hinges on gathering actionable data. Look for tools that provide usability metrics like success rates, task completion time, and navigation paths to see how easily users find the information they’re looking for. You’ll also want a tool with clear visual reports highlighting where users struggle or take detours. Exporting data into formats like CSV or PDF can help you share these insights with your team and stakeholders.

4. Participant recruitment and panel quality

The success of your tree testing depends heavily on who’s taking the test. Some tools, like Lyssna, offer access to high-quality research panels, allowing you to target specific demographics or psychographics. Making sure you’re recruiting the right participants is crucial, as their ability to navigate your structure mirrors how your real users will experience your website. Tools with advanced screening options or fast recruitment times are a definite plus.

5. Cost-effectiveness

Some tools have subscription models, while others charge per participant or per test. Make sure you’re clear on what’s included in the plan, whether it’s the number of tests, user seats, or extra features. Tools like Lyssna offer transparent and affordable pricing, which can be a big advantage for small teams or startups.

6. Support and resources

Even the best tools come with a learning curve. This is where customer support and educational resources are key. Look for tools that offer multiple channels of support, like live chat, email, or even phone support. A rich library of tutorials, webinars, and documentation can also help you get the most out of your tool and troubleshoot any issues.

These criteria will help you evaluate the right tree testing tool based on your needs. 

Up next: a detailed overview of the best tools on offer…

1. Lyssna

Lyssna is the top choice for teams looking to balance ease of use, rapid participant recruitment, and affordability. It stands out with its comprehensive research features and high-quality panel, making it ideal for UX researchers aiming to gather feedback quickly and efficiently. 

Pros

• Simple UI: Designed with simplicity in mind, Lyssna’s user interface allows even first-time users to quickly set up tree tests (and other studies) with minimal training. You can also get started with a tree testing template or import your tree testing data as a CSV.

• Recordings: Record audio, screen, and video recordings on unmoderated tree tests, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of your users' experiences, thoughts, and emotions.

• Simple reporting: Lyssna automatically provides you with a summary of your tree testing results, including the overall success, time taken, and directness to assess findability.

• Participant recruitment panel: Lyssna’s standout feature is its research panel, with access to over 690,000 high-quality participants. With over 395 demographic and psychographic filters, you can quickly and affordably recruit participants who match your study’s exact specifications. Most orders placed with the panel are completed in under 30 minutes. You can also recruit participants from your own network at no extra cost.

• Affordable plans: Compared to many competitors, Lyssna offers exceptional value. Recruitment costs are only $1 per minute, which is significantly below industry averages, and all plans come with unlimited tree tests (in addition to surveys, card sorting, usability testing, and interviews).

• Support and resources: Lyssna boasts excellent customer support and educational resources, including webinars, guides, and detailed tutorials to ensure users make the most of the platform.

Looking for tree testing resources? Check out our tree testing guide and how-to video.

Cons

• Limitations on the free plan: While you can have unlimited tests, each test on the free plan currently has a two-minute limit. This is fine for short tree tests, but for longer tests you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

Plans and pricing

• Free plan: Generous free plan with up to three collaborators and unlimited tests up to 2 minutes in length. You can test with any method Lyssna offers on the free plan, including tree testing.

• Basic: $75/month. Includes everything on the free plan, with 5-minute length tests and surveys, plus recordings.

• Pro: $175/month. Includes everything in the basic plan, plus two additional collaborators, conditional logic, custom branding, and unlimited test lengths. 

• Enterprise plan: Pricing is tailored to your company and includes unlimited collaborators, security audits, and additional security integration. 

• Panel responses are priced separately for all plans. 

2. Maze 

Maze is a solid option for design-driven teams that need seamless integration with platforms like Figma and Sketch. However, the recruitment costs make it more suitable for mid-sized to large teams with more flexible budgets, and tree testing is only available on the enterprise-level plan.

Pros

• Easy test setup: Maze’s straightforward interface enables hassle-free tree tests, surveys, and usability tests.

• Versatile testing methods: In addition to tree testing, Maze offers card sorting, interviews, and usability testing. 

• Integrations: Its integration with design platforms like Figma and Sketch makes it easier for designers to quickly test ideas and prototypes without exporting files or data manually.

Cons

• Tree testing is only available on the enterprise plan: Tree testing is only available on Maze’s Organization plan, making it out of reach for individuals and smaller teams.

• Limited report customization: Online reviewers have shared that they find it difficult to edit and combine reports, with current options being limiting.

• Participant recruitment costs: While Maze offers recruitment through integrated partners, the cost per participant can be 5x higher than Lyssna’s $1 per minute pricing, which may be a concern for teams working on a tight budget.

Plans and pricing

• Free plan: Includes 1 study per month with five seats, but doesn’t include tree testing.

• Starter plan:$99/month. Includes everything on the free plan plus recordings and CSV exports, but doesn’t include tree testing.

• Organization plan: Custom pricing. Includes everything on the Starter plan, plus methods like tree testing, open card sorting, and interviews.

See our in depth comparison of Maze Vs UserTesting and our top 8 Maze alternatives.

3. Optimal Workshop

Originally developed as a card sorting tool, Optimal Workshop’s strengths lie in its information architecture research. But it can take time to master, which can discourage users who need results fast. The ‘per user’ pricing structure soon adds up with bigger teams, too.

Pros

• Comprehensive toolset: Optimal Workshop provides a suite of research tools, including tree testing, card sorting, and first click testing. 

• Reframer: This tool consolidates note-taking, observations, and interview data into one interface, making it easier to spot patterns and uncover trends.

• Customization: The platform offers various customization options, allowing teams to tailor tasks and tests to their specific needs. Branding can also be applied to testing environments for a more professional presentation, from the Pro Plan upwards.

Cons

• Steep learning curve: While powerful, Optimal Workshop can be overwhelming for new users due to its more complex interface. Teams may need additional time to get familiar with the platform’s full potential.

• Cost: Pricing for Optimal Workshop’s team plan is based on custom pricing, making it less cost-effective than competitors like Lyssna or UXtweak. For small teams or startups, cost may be a barrier.

Plans and pricing

• Individual: $107/month. Aimed at freelancers and solo researchers, this plan includes two live studies, card sorting, and tree testing.

• Teams: Custom pricing. Includes everything on the Individual plan, plus first click testing, prototype testing, and surveys.

• Enterprise: Custom pricing available. Includes everything in the Teams plan, with added features like single sign-on, team accounts, and admin controls.

4. UXtweak

UXtweak is best suited to small teams or those new to UX research, offering a range of testing methods with flexible pricing. However, its smaller participant panel and limited integrations may make it less suitable for larger (or more complex) projects.

Pros

• Easy tree testing setup: Import your tree from a CSV, use the UXtweak tree testing editor, or load your tree from a live website.

• Flexible pricing: UXtweak offers a flexible pricing model, including a free plan with basic features and monthly subscriptions.

• Streamlined recruitment: Recruit participants using UXtweak's built-in panel or by sharing your study link directly. Target specific demographics for more focused and relevant testing.

• User-friendly interface: The platform doesn’t overwhelm users with too many options, making it a solid choice for those who prefer simplicity.

Cons

• Free plan limitations: The free plan is limited to one user and 30 responses per month.

Plans and pricing

• Starter: Free. Access to all tools with some limitations. Allows one active study, up to 30 responses per month, and data storage for 12 months. Study results are available for 30 days and includes UXtweak branding.

• Business: €153/month. Includes one user license, unlimited studies, up to 300 self-recruited responses per month, and one active study.

• Enterprise: Custom pricing. Includes unlimited user licenses, unlimited studies, and responses, custom data retention periods, and premium features such as support, onboarding, and Single Sign-On (SSO).

5. UserTesting

UserTesting’s large participant pool is a key strength, but the pricing and focus on usability testing over tree testing might make it a better fit for larger organizations with bigger budgets.

Pros

• Accessible interface: UserTesting offers a straightforward interface, designed to be easy to use, even for those new to UX research.

• Large participant pool: The platform provides access to a wide range of test participants, allowing for diverse user feedback.

• Real-time feedback: UserTesting allows for quick insights with real-time user feedback and video recordings, supporting faster analysis.

Cons

• Premium pricing: While UserTesting offers robust features, it comes at a high cost,  which can be prohibitive for smaller teams or organizations with limited budgets. The lack of transparency on pricing is a drawback, too. 

• Panel quality concerns: Some reviewers have mentioned the presence of ‘professional testers’ trying to make money rather than provide genuine feedback. 

Pricing and plans

Pricing is only available from the UserTesting sales team.

See our in depth comparisons of Userlytics vs UserTesting, UserTesting vs UserZoom, and our top 8 UserTesting alternatives.

Which tree testing tool is right for you?

Testing the information architecture of your site can help you improve your website’s navigation and make sure it’s easy for users to find what they’re looking for. With so many tree testing tools on the market, it's important to find one that aligns with your team's needs, budget, and research goals. 

We’ve covered some of the top tree testing tools available, highlighting their strengths and potential limitations to help you make an informed decision.

Lyssna stands out as the best overall choice due to its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, high-quality participant panel, affordability, and excellent support. It’s a tool that not only meets the immediate needs of researchers but also grows with your team, providing value at every step of your journey.

Want to see for yourself? Sign up for free today.