User Onboarding in the AI Era: A Vision Yet to be Realized
In 2020, I questioned why user onboarding still struggled despite the rise in coverage. As we enter late 2025, the expectations set by AI advancements remain largely unfulfilled. Here’s what I’ve observed:
- Current Landscape: User onboarding is largely still reliant on outdated methods like product tours and step-by-step tutorials.
- AI’s Role: While AI can enable ultra-personalized experiences tailored to user needs, the reality hasn’t met our high hopes.
- New Players: Companies like Candu and Arcade are attempting to innovate onboarding by offering no-code solutions and interactive demos.
Promising Tools:
- Candu: Customizes UI for streamlined user experiences.
- Arcade: Delivers interactive demos, albeit resource-intensive.
- Frigate AI: Attempts to integrate AI for support, but still lacks true innovation.
The dawn of a seamless onboarding experience is on the horizon, but it’s not here yet.
What are your thoughts? Share your experiences and let’s discuss!
