Intercom Product Tours 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
| Intercom Product Tours | Shepherd.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Code-free product tours inside the Intercom platform. | Open-source JavaScript library for product tours. |
| Best for | Teams already using Intercom for support or messaging | Engineering teams that want full control in code |
| Free plan | Not listed | Yes |
| Pricing | Product Tours is sold as part of Intercom plans; see Intercom for current pricing. Free trial available. | Free under the AGPL-3.0 licence. Commercial licences are available for closed-source products. |
| Website | intercom.com | shepherdjs.dev |
What stands out
- Code-free product tours
- Targeted in-app messages
- Help centre
- Fin AI agent
- 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 Intercom Product Tours
Both
Only Shepherd.js
Which should you choose?
Your team matches its sweet spot: teams already using Intercom for support or messaging.
Visit Intercom Product ToursYour 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 Intercom Product Tours and Shepherd.js?
Both are product onboarding tools. Intercom Product Tours is best suited to teams already using Intercom for support or messaging, while Shepherd.js is best suited to engineering teams that want full control in code.
Do Intercom Product Tours or Shepherd.js have a free plan?
Intercom Product Tours: no free plan is listed. Shepherd.js: yes, a free plan is available. Checked October 2026.
How should I choose between Intercom Product Tours 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.