Shepherd.js vs UserGuiding
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
| Shepherd.js | UserGuiding | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Open-source JavaScript library for product tours. | Affordable no-code onboarding for smaller SaaS teams. |
| Best for | Engineering teams that want full control in code | Startups and SMB SaaS teams on a budget |
| Free plan | Yes | Not listed |
| Pricing | Free under the AGPL-3.0 licence. Commercial licences are available for closed-source products. | Starter from $249/month; Growth from $499/month; Enterprise custom. 14-day free trial, no free plan. |
| Website | shepherdjs.dev | userguiding.com |
What stands out
- Open-source tour library
- React, Vue, Angular and Ember wrappers
- Accessible with keyboard navigation
- Fully customisable styling
- Product tours and hotspots
- Checklists
- In-app surveys and NPS
- Knowledge base and product updates
- Session replay
- Lighthouse AI assistant
Integrations
Apps and tools each vendor names on its website. Not a complete list.
Only Shepherd.js
Both
Only UserGuiding
Which should you choose?
Your team matches its sweet spot: engineering teams that want full control in code.
You want to start on a free plan.
Visit Shepherd.jsYour team matches its sweet spot: startups and SMB SaaS teams on a budget.
Visit UserGuidingWhat 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 Shepherd.js and UserGuiding?
Both are product onboarding tools. Shepherd.js is best suited to engineering teams that want full control in code, while UserGuiding is best suited to startups and SMB SaaS teams on a budget.
Do Shepherd.js or UserGuiding have a free plan?
Shepherd.js: yes, a free plan is available. UserGuiding: no free plan is listed. Checked October 2026.
How should I choose between Shepherd.js and UserGuiding?
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.
Related guides
Pendo alternatives: 6 product adoption tools compared
Compare six Pendo alternatives (Userpilot, Appcues, Chameleon, UserGuiding, Userflow and Product Fruits) on features, integrations, published pricing and user reviews.
Arjun Mehta · 5 min read 
The best user onboarding tools for startups
Affordable onboarding tools for early-stage SaaS: Pendo Free, Product Fruits, UserGuiding, Userflow and Userpilot, with pricing, features, reviews and how to choose.
Arjun Mehta · 6 min read 
Pendo pricing explained: plans, free tier and what affects cost
A clear guide to Pendo pricing: what Pendo Free includes, how Base, Core and Ultimate differ, add-ons, how MAUs drive cost, total cost and how to negotiate.
Arjun Mehta · 5 min read