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Head-to-head · UX Research Software

Maze vs Optimal Workshop

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Maze #1 in UX Research Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Maze
Optimal Workshop #7 in UX Research Software 8.6/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Try Optimal Workshop

Maze leads on 1 check, Optimal Workshop on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMaze · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Maze
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresOptimal Workshop · 5 of 5

Maze scores higher on our rubric for ux research software: 9.4 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

Maze offers free plan; Optimal Workshop doesn't.

Maze is the better fit for broad UX research with a free starting point. Optimal Workshop is the better fit for teams focused on information architecture research.

  • Maze fits best

    Broad UX research with a free starting point

  • 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 Maze 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Optimal Workshop 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.6
Ranking #1 in UX Research Software #7 in UX Research Software
Best for Broad UX research with a free starting point Teams focused on information architecture research
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Free plan · 30-day trial $199/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 30 days 7 days
Free trial length 30 days · no card needed 7 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Tickets, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, SSO/SAML SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations 12 integrations 20 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Maze 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
  • Supports moderated, unmoderated, prototype, website, and mobile studies
  • Free plan includes five seats and basic prototype tests and surveys
  • Connects with Figma, Slack, Amplitude, Atlassian, and research tools
  • 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
  • Free plan is limited to one study per month
  • Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrow research teams
  • 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

Maze is a web-based product research platform for researchers, designers, product managers, and marketing teams. It covers prototype testing, live website testing, mobile app and mobile website testing, surveys, card sorting, tree testing,…

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. MazeUX Research Software 9.4Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. Optimal WorkshopUX Research Software 8.67-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Maze — where it wins

    • Supports moderated, unmoderated, prototype, website, and mobile studies
    • Free plan includes five seats and basic prototype tests and surveys
    • Connects with Figma, Slack, Amplitude, Atlassian, and research tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to one study per month
    • Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales
    • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrow research teams

  • 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
  • Maze9.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    Broad UX research coverage with a free starting point and enterprise expansion.

    Visit MazeFull 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