Trends & Takeaways from the 2024 UX Tools Map

Trends & Takeaways from the 2024 UX Tools Map

The 2024 UX Tools Map is bigger and broader than ever before, encompassing twice as many tools as last year to offer a sweeping look at the design, research, and project management tools shaping today’s UX workflows. 

The work of categorizing these products—all 828 of them—once again fell to a single human (hi, that’s me).

I actually did try to leverage AI for help here, but I disagreed with my own model as often as not, so I ended up defaulting to manual evaluation and categorization. That meant scouring a lot of websites, reading a lot of high-minded marketing copy about supposed benefits, and trying to suss out where the core value of each product lay in order to locate it visually on a 2-dimensional plane.

If that sounds like a lot of work, you’re right—it was! A lot of work and a lot of hours. So, what did I learn?

📜 Read A History of the UX Research Tools Map for a rundown on past maps and a look at our process (which was largely unchanged since 2023)

Tech has a communication problem

I’ll start with what I didn’t learn, and that’s how many of these tools actually work. 

That’s because way too many companies rely on aspirational marketing speak—endless promises of “empowering innovation” or “transforming user experiences”—without clarifying how their features solve real problems. 

UXers are busy people and they need to know, at a glance, how your product fits into their workflow. So for their sakes (okay, and mine) I am begging product marketers to explain what your product does in plain, practical terms. 

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Is AI just another feature?

AI is already table stakes for most UX tools, and it's hard to imagine that "AI-powered" will be much of a selling point in a couple years’ time. Right now, AI does everything from analyzing user feedback to auto-generating designs to helping teams categorize mountains of data to improving participant recruitment.

But here’s the thing: when everything has AI baked in, does it even matter anymore? The line between “AI tools” and “regular tools with AI functionality” is already blurring.

• Last year, we separated AI Text & Sentiment Analysis into its own category.
• This year, nearly every qualitative analysis tool incorporates some AI functionality, making that distinction feel redundant.

Looking ahead, it’s worth asking: will AI as a standalone selling point even be relevant next year? My hunch is that as AI becomes ubiquitous, the focus will likely shift back to outcomes: what problems does this tool solve? How does it improve my workflow?

🤓 Check out the 2024 AI in UX Research Report for insights into how UXers are using AI today

One tool to rule them all

Another big trend is the convergence of design, research, and ops tools. The categories are blending together:

• Tools like Figma started as design platforms but are now critical to research and collaboration workflows.
• Research tools like Dovetail are becoming knowledge hubs, overlapping with repository and project management software.
• PM tools like Linear are stepping into design-adjacent territory with features aimed at better supporting product teams.

This convergence is great if you want fewer logins and tighter workflows, but it’s also creating overlap that can make choosing the “right” tool even harder. 

What’s next?

The 2024 UX Tools Map offers a snapshot of a rapidly evolving landscape. I don’t have a crystal ball (it’s on my Christmas list, though) so I can’t predict with certainty what this terrain will look like in the future—but I can make some educated guesses.

Here are some trends I think we can expect to see over the next year or so:

• Innovation in emerging categories: Keep an eye on areas like Automated Moderation and AI Meeting Assistants—these AI-driven categories still in their early phases, but they’re growing fast. 
• Converging categories: With so many tools on the market, there’s a growing appetite for platforms that simplify workflows and reduce tool overload. Look for more unified platforms that bring research, design, and ops under one roof.

• No more AI for AI’s sake: AI features will continue to be a differentiator—but not AI itself. In other words, the focus will shift from whether a tool has AI to whether it can deliver on its promised value. 
• Specialized tools will feel refreshingly simple: As more platforms head toward “all-in-one” territory, buyers will be left with fewer focused yet robust tools—yet these specialized solutions will remain crucial for solving specific problems (like participant recruitment, for example).

🤖 What is AI’s Impact on UX Research? UI CEO Basel Fakhoury shares his observations. 

Too many tools, not enough time

Here’s the reality: there are way too many UX tools out there. It’s overwhelming—and at first glance, the 2024 UX Tools Map may seem so, too. Here’s how to use this resource effectively to navigate your options:

1. Zoom in on the categories that matter to you

The map is organized by use case, so start by identifying the areas where you need the most help. Are you trying to streamline participant recruitment, manage research insights, or speed up your qualitative analysis? Narrow your focus to one or two categories at a time.

2. Compare tools using specific criteria

Once you’ve honed in on a category, use these criteria to evaluate tools and find the best fit for your team:

• Ease of use: Will your team actually adopt this tool, or will it sit unused because it’s too complicated? Look for intuitive interfaces and minimal onboarding time.
• Integrations: Does it work with the tools you already use, like Figma, Jira, or Slack? Seamless integration can save you time and headaches.
• Customization: Can the tool adapt to your workflows, or are you forced to work the way it wants you to? Flexible tagging, custom fields, or adjustable templates are good signs.
• Scalability: Will this tool still work when your team doubles in size, or will you outgrow it in a year? Check for features that support long-term growth.

3. Use the tool list for deeper exploration

The map gives you a bird’s-eye view of the landscape, but the downloadable list of tools is where you can dig into specifics. If you’re looking for a tool with certain features—like a repository that also handles tagging and AI-powered search—the tools database can help you pinpoint the best options.

4. Consider lesser-known alternatives

While the map highlights category leaders, it also includes smaller players and emerging tools. If the big names don’t fit your needs, explore the alternatives or newer tools—they often solve niche problems with fresh approaches.

5. Trial tools with a real project

Once you’ve shortlisted a few tools, take them for a spin. Use a real project during the trial period to see how the tool performs in your actual workflow. Gather feedback from your team and test edge cases to make sure it’s the right fit.

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Explore the 2024 UX Tools Map and download the full list of tools now. To see previous iterations of this resource to visualize how the landscape has evolved, check out the Archives (2019-2023).