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Head-to-head · UX Research Software

Lyssna vs Optimal Workshop

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Lyssna #3 in UX Research Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Lyssna
Optimal Workshop #7 in UX Research Software 8.6/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Try Optimal Workshop

Lyssna leads on 2 checks, Optimal Workshop on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLyssna · 9.1/10
  • Lowest starting priceLyssna · $165/mo
  • Free planonly Lyssna
  • Free trialonly Optimal Workshop
  • Most featuresOptimal Workshop · 5 of 5

Lyssna scores higher on our rubric for ux research software: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Lyssna offers free plan; Optimal Workshop doesn't. Lyssna is cheaper to start at $165/mo against $199/mo.

Lyssna is the better fit for web-focused teams wanting free usability research. Optimal Workshop is the better fit for teams focused on information architecture research.

  • Lyssna fits best

    Web-focused teams wanting free usability research

  • Optimal Workshop fits best

    Teams focused on information architecture research

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Lyssna 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Optimal Workshop 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #3 in UX Research Software #7 in UX Research Software
Best for Web-focused teams wanting free usability research Teams focused on information architecture research
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $165/mo (best) $199/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, SSO/SAML SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations 6 integrations 20 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Lyssna 1/5 · Optimal Workshop 5/5
Participant recruitment ✓ ✓
Moderated research Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Unmoderated research Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Transcription Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Research repository Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Study types Not checked yet Mixed-methods
Participant limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes unlimited quick studies and three seats
  • Covers interviews, prototypes, websites, card sorting, and tree testing
  • Recruit participants through panels or self-recruitment with targeting and screeners
  • Card sorting and tree testing support content and navigation research
  • Combines moderated, unmoderated, survey, and first-click studies
  • Includes participant recruitment, repository workflows, and AI analysis
Cons
  • Web-only platform with no mobile app support
  • Growth costs $166 USD per month with annual billing
  • Some advanced capabilities are limited to paid or eligible plans
  • Starter limits teams to 5 studies launched per year
  • Starter costs $199 per month with annual billing
  • The platform is available only on the web
Our verdict

Lyssna is a web-based UX research platform for designers, marketers, product teams, and UX researchers. It brings moderated interviews, unmoderated usability studies, surveys, Figma prototype testing, card sorting, tree testing, preference…

Read the review →

Optimal Workshop is a cloud-based UX research platform for product, design, content, marketing, and research teams. It brings moderated interviews, usability and prototype testing, live-site testing, surveys, card sorting, tree testing,…

Read the review →
  1. LyssnaUX Research Software 9.1Free plan
  2. Optimal WorkshopUX Research Software 8.67-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Lyssna — where it wins

    • Free plan includes unlimited quick studies and three seats
    • Covers interviews, prototypes, websites, card sorting, and tree testing
    • Recruit participants through panels or self-recruitment with targeting and screeners

    Where it doesn't

    • Web-only platform with no mobile app support
    • Growth costs $166 USD per month with annual billing
    • Some advanced capabilities are limited to paid or eligible plans

  • Optimal Workshop — where it wins

    • Card sorting and tree testing support content and navigation research
    • Combines moderated, unmoderated, survey, and first-click studies
    • Includes participant recruitment, repository workflows, and AI analysis

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter limits teams to 5 studies launched per year
    • Starter costs $199 per month with annual billing
    • The platform is available only on the web
  • Lyssna9.1/10 · Free plan

    A broad web-based UX research toolkit with a useful free plan and costly paid growth tier.

    Visit LyssnaFull verdict →
  • Optimal Workshop8.6/10 · 7-day trial

    A broad UX research platform with strong information architecture tools and a high annual commitment.

    Try Optimal WorkshopFull verdict →

More comparisons

All UX research software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update