Elliot RylandsLab / Compare
Free card sorting tool for UX research
Card sorting is one of the fastest ways to learn how people group concepts. It is also one of the first methods gated behind SaaS pricing if you only need eight participants and a CSV.
This tool implements open and closed sorts with tap-to-place on mobile and drag on desktop. The entire study lives in the link you share.
| Feature | OptimalSort, UserZoom, Maze, and similar | This site |
|---|---|---|
| Open sort | Yes | Yes |
| Closed sort | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile participants | Varies | Yes (tap-to-place) |
| Cluster analysis | Yes | No |
| Cost | Paid plans | Free |
Where Commercial card sort tools wins
- Automated similarity matrices and cluster visualisations
- Integrated recruitment and longitudinal study tracking
- Team workspaces and template libraries
Where this free tool wins
- Instant start, no login wall
- Open sort (participants name groups) and closed sort (fixed categories)
- Touch-friendly for mobile participants
- Results export as CSV or JSON locally
What this tool does not do
- No similarity matrix or dendrogram generation
- No built-in participant reminders or scheduling
- You aggregate multiple CSVs manually
Choose Commercial card sort tools if
Researchers who need defensible quantitative cluster analysis or run card sorts monthly at scale.
Choose this free tool if
Anyone running a quick sort this week to settle a nav argument before design starts.