Think you need a big budget to run user research? You don’t.
Small teams and startups can gather valuable insights without expensive enterprise tools like UserTesting or Maze.
Here’s how to run effective research without breaking the bank.
Why User Research Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
Enterprise research tools charge hundreds per month. They’re built for large teams with dedicated research budgets.
But the truth is:
- Most insights come from talking to just 5-10 users
- Simple surveys can validate ideas before you build
- Quick design feedback catches problems early
You don’t need fancy tools. You need the right approach.
5 Budget-Friendly Research Methods
1. Quick Surveys
Send short, focused surveys to your existing users or audience. Keep them under 5 minutes.
What to ask:
- What’s your biggest challenge with [problem]?
- How do you currently solve this?
- What would make your life easier?
Tools: Evrybo (from $4/mo), Google Forms (free)
2. Design Feedback Sessions
Share your designs and get direct feedback before building.
How to do it:
- Upload screens to a feedback tool
- Share with users or stakeholders
- Collect pinned comments on specific areas
Tools: Evrybo, Figma comments
3. Guerrilla Testing
Find users where they are. Coffee shops, coworking spaces, or online communities.
Tips:
- Keep sessions under 15 minutes
- Offer a small thank-you (coffee, gift card)
- Ask open-ended questions
Cost: $10-20 per participant
4. Social Media Recruiting
Post in relevant communities to find participants.
Where to look:
- Reddit communities related to your product
- LinkedIn groups
- Twitter/X with relevant hashtags
- Slack communities
Cost: Free (just your time)
5. Customer Conversations
Your existing customers are a goldmine. Schedule quick calls or send async questions.
How to ask:
- “Can I ask you 3 quick questions about your experience?”
- “Would you have 15 minutes for a quick call this week?”
Cost: Free
Affordable Tools for Budget Research
You don’t need to pay $100+/month for research tools. Here are affordable options:
| Tool | What It Does | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Evrybo | Surveys + design feedback + tasks | From $4/mo |
| Tally | Simple forms | Free tier |
| Notion | Organizing research notes | Free tier |
| Loom | Recording user interviews | Free tier |
| Calendly | Scheduling research calls | Free tier |
The Budget Research Stack
Here’s a simple setup for under $20/month:
- Evrybo ($4/mo) — Surveys, design feedback, and task tracking
- Calendly (free) — Schedule user interviews
- Loom (free) — Record sessions for async review
- Notion (free) — Organize insights and findings
Total: $4/month
Compare that to Maze ($99/mo) or UserTesting ($200+/mo).
Start Small, Learn Fast
You don’t need a research team or enterprise tools to understand your users.
Start with simple surveys, quick feedback sessions, and real conversations. The insights you’ll gain are worth far more than any expensive tool.
👉 Try Evrybo free and start gathering insights today.