Appcues vs Shepherd.js
A side-by-side comparison of two product onboarding tools, based on details checked against each vendor's website in October 2026.
At a glance
| Appcues | Shepherd.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | In-app and mobile onboarding experiences for product-led teams. | Open-source JavaScript library for product tours. |
| Best for | Product-led SaaS companies with web and mobile apps | Engineering teams that want full control in code |
| Free plan | Not listed | Yes |
| Pricing | Plans: Start, Grow and Enterprise, priced on monthly active users. A free trial is available; no free plan. | Free under the AGPL-3.0 licence. Commercial licences are available for closed-source products. |
| Website | appcues.com | shepherdjs.dev |
What stands out
- No-code flows and checklists
- Targeting and segmentation
- Experience analytics
- AI-assisted building
- Open-source tour library
- React, Vue, Angular and Ember wrappers
- Accessible with keyboard navigation
- Fully customisable styling
Integrations
Apps and tools each vendor names on its website. Not a complete list.
Only Appcues
Both
Only Shepherd.js
Which should you choose?
Your team matches its sweet spot: product-led SaaS companies with web and mobile apps.
Visit AppcuesYour team matches its sweet spot: engineering teams that want full control in code.
You want to start on a free plan.
Visit Shepherd.jsWhat to check in a trial or demo of either
- A visual builder that works with your front-end framework
- Flexible targeting by user properties, events and plan
- Built-in analytics or strong integrations with your analytics stack
- Styling controls so experiences match your design system
- A/B testing to measure the impact of flows
- Mobile support if you have a native app
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Appcues and Shepherd.js?
Both are product onboarding tools. Appcues is best suited to product-led SaaS companies with web and mobile apps, while Shepherd.js is best suited to engineering teams that want full control in code.
Do Appcues or Shepherd.js have a free plan?
Appcues: no free plan is listed. Shepherd.js: yes, a free plan is available. Checked October 2026.
How should I choose between Appcues and Shepherd.js?
Shortlist both, run a trial or proof of concept on a real use case, and compare total cost, ease of building content and how well each fits your existing tools.
Download the vendor scoring sheet and demo script to run consistent demos and score every vendor the same way.
Comparison generated from our directory data, checked against vendor websites in October 2026. Products and prices change; confirm details with each vendor. Compare other tools.
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