Shepherd.js alternative

Produktly is a complete no-code alternative to Shepherd.js. Save development time and improve user onboarding with an all-in-one solution.

Shepherd.js Rating

4/5

Produktly Rating

4.7/5

Price Comparison

Pricing Overview

Compare the pricing structures of both platforms to make an informed decision.

Shepherd.js

Free/month

Starting price, typically requires annual commitment

Produktly

$19/month

Flexible plans, monthly or annual billing

Value Comparison

While Shepherd.js is free and open-source, it requires significant developer time and resources to implement and maintain. Produktly at $19/month provides a complete no-code solution that saves valuable development time and includes additional features beyond just product tours.

Save up to NaN% by choosing Produktly

Feature Comparison

Key Features

A detailed breakdown of what each platform offers.

S

Shepherd.js

Shepherd.js is a popular open-source JavaScript library for creating guided tours. It requires developer resources to implement, customize, and maintain.

Exclusive Features

Shepherd.js offers flexibility for developers who want to customize tours through code. It's free and open source under the MIT license, can be integrated into any framework, and has a smaller footprint on your site. It also features good positioning options and animation capabilities.

P

Produktly

Produktly provides a comprehensive digital adoption suite including product tours, checklists, roadmaps, changelogs, and feedback widgets - all through a no-code interface that can be managed by non-technical team members.

Exclusive Features

Produktly offers a complete no-code solution that can be managed without developer resources. Beyond tours, it includes checklists, roadmaps, changelogs, and feedback collection - creating a comprehensive digital adoption platform rather than just a tour library.

Common Features

Both Shepherd.js and Produktly allow you to create guided product tours. The primary difference is in implementation approach - Shepherd.js requires developer resources and custom coding, while Produktly offers a no-code visual editor.

Shepherd.js Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Free and open-source (MIT license)
  • Complete code-level customization
  • Smooth animations and transitions
  • Advanced positioning options
  • Lightweight implementation
  • Works with any JavaScript framework

Cons

  • Requires developer resources
  • Limited to basic tour functionality
  • No analytics or tracking built-in
  • Maintenance requires developer time
  • No targeting or user segmentation
  • No integration with other onboarding tools

Produktly Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Complete no-code visual editor
  • Comprehensive suite beyond just tours
  • Built-in analytics and targeting
  • Can be managed by non-technical teams
  • Includes roadmaps and changelogs
  • Regular updates and new features

Cons

  • Monthly subscription vs free library
  • Less code-level customization
  • Slightly larger script footprint

Feature Comparison Table

FeatureShepherd.jsProduktly
Product Tours
No-Code Editor
Developer Resources RequiredYesNo
Analytics & Tracking
User Segmentation
Custom Styling
Advanced PositioningBasic
Onboarding Checklists
Roadmaps
Changelogs
Feedback Collection
Custom AnimationsLimited
Framework CompatibilityAny JS FrameworkAny Web App
Implementation TimeDays/WeeksHours
Payment ModelFree/Open SourceSubscription

Use Case Comparison

Implementation & Maintenance

The resources required to implement and maintain the solution.

Shepherd.js

Shepherd.js requires developer resources both for initial implementation and for any future changes or updates to tours.

Performance:
3/5

Produktly

Produktly can be implemented and maintained by non-technical team members through its visual editor, requiring no developer resources.

Performance:
4.9/5

Conclusion

For teams without dedicated developers or those looking to free up developer time, Produktly offers significant advantages.

Tour Customization

The level of customization available for tour appearance and behavior.

Shepherd.js

Shepherd.js excels in this area with advanced positioning options, custom animations, and complete styling control through code.

Performance:
4.8/5

Produktly

Produktly offers good customization through its visual editor but with fewer advanced positioning and animation options.

Performance:
4/5

Conclusion

For highly custom or unique tour experiences, Shepherd.js offers more flexibility but requires development skills.

Feature Adoption & Communication

How effectively each solution promotes new feature discovery and adoption.

Shepherd.js

Shepherd.js can highlight new features but lacks dedicated tools for announcing roadmaps or changes.

Performance:
2.8/5

Produktly

Produktly combines tours with roadmaps and changelogs, creating a complete cycle for announcing, teaching, and gathering feedback on features.

Performance:
4.7/5

Conclusion

Produktly clearly outperforms for feature adoption with its integrated approach to the entire feature lifecycle.

Total Cost of Ownership

The complete cost including license fees and resources.

Shepherd.js

While Shepherd.js is free, the developer time required for implementation and maintenance significantly increases total cost.

Performance:
3.4/5

Produktly

Produktly has a direct monthly cost but eliminates developer dependency, potentially saving thousands in engineering resources.

Performance:
4.5/5

Conclusion

When considering the total cost including developer time, Produktly often provides better value for most organizations.

Overall

Summary

Shepherd.js and Produktly represent different approaches to product tours. Shepherd.js is a free, open-source developer tool requiring technical resources to implement and maintain, while Produktly is a comprehensive no-code platform that can be managed by product and customer success teams without technical assistance.

Decision Factors

  • What's your budget?

    While Shepherd.js is free, the total cost of ownership includes significant developer time for implementation and ongoing maintenance. For many teams, Produktly's $19/month subscription offers better overall value by eliminating developer dependency, even though it has a direct monthly cost.

  • Do you need exclusive features from Shepherd.js?

    If your team has dedicated frontend developers who prefer complete code control and customization, and you only need basic tour functionality, the free and open-source Shepherd.js might be suitable for your needs.

  • Do you want to more holistically support your users?

    If you want to eliminate developer dependency, need a complete solution beyond just tours, or want to empower your non-technical teams to create and update onboarding experiences, Produktly provides a more comprehensive and accessible approach.

Final Recommendation

Choose Shepherd.js if:

  • Budget is not a concern
  • You need specific features only they offer

Choose Produktly if:

  • You want more value for your money
  • You need a comprehensive digital adoption solution
  • You value simplicity and ease of use

Ready for a no-code onboarding solution?Start your free Produktly trial today.