UserGuiding: plan for identity and guide delivery

Plan capacity around delivery

A usage limit matters most when it can interrupt a journey. Forecast demand around launches rather than relying only on today’s customer count.

UserGuiding’s pricing FAQ says guides stop displaying when the MAU quota is exceeded. They resume when quota increases or usage falls. Arrange a written recovery procedure and identify who can authorize more capacity.

For example, a launch could bring more active users than the quoted allowance. Reserve capacity before the launch if the guide is essential to the first session. Track the meter during the release and give an owner responsibility for responding.

The vendor’s pages do not provide comparable staff seat prices. Include authors and administrators in the quote so that audience capacity does not hide the cost of maintaining guides.

Choose an identity model before rollout

The identity choice affects both the audience estimate and what a returning user sees. Agree on the identifier with the developer before enabling it in production.

UserGuiding’s identification guide says default identifiers and history live in browser storage. A different browser or cleared storage can create another identifier for the same person. With identification enabled, supplied IDs determine MAU counting and history persists in cloud storage.

UserGuiding’s setup guide warns that active guides stop appearing after identification is enabled until a correct user ID is supplied. Test the handoff with a synthetic user before changing the live setting.

Open the same account in another browser and record the IDs and visible history. Compare the resulting usage meter with your forecast. A stable identifier still needs to match the identity lifecycle your app actually uses.

Inspect the data you can take with you

An audience export helps with reporting, but it does not by itself recreate a guide in another tool. Decide which fields and history your team needs before leaving.

UserGuiding’s users page displays up to 10,000 users while its CSV can include all user data. The display ceiling therefore is not the same as the export ceiling. Open a sample CSV and inspect the identifiers and fields needed for your reporting.

Keep an inventory of guide content and targeting rules separately. The documentation does not demonstrate that another vendor can import a complete guide definition. Ask about retention after cancellation before scheduling a switch.

Run a delivery trial

Use a representative onboarding task with the people who will own the guide. Record the expected audience and the product action the guide should help users complete.

Test a user before and after identification, then repeat in a second browser. Record interruptions and the history shown to the user. Compare the experience with the usage meter and the plan terms.

Have an author update a test guide and check the result with a synthetic user. A completed tour measures exposure; the product action is a separate outcome. The software trial guide helps keep the same task across candidates.

How to compare the alternatives

Choose an alternative when it better fits the delivery or runtime constraint behind your purchase.

Appcues may fit a team that wants segment edits to affect connected experiences immediately. Its segment guidance says those changes apply without republishing, so give targeting changes a clear owner.

Userpilot may fit a team prioritizing native mobile engagement. Its mobile guidance requires an installed SDK and an annual add-on on Growth or Enterprise.

The Appcues alternatives comparison compares the delivery decisions. Use the product onboarding guide to run the same identity and exit worksheet across candidates.

Common questions

What does UserGuiding count as an MAU?

UserGuiding pricing defines it as a unique user active in the previous 30 days.

What happens above the UserGuiding quota?

UserGuiding pricing says guides stop displaying until quota increases or usage falls.

Does enabling identification affect live guides?

UserGuiding’s setup guide says guides stop appearing until the user ID is correctly set.

Can we export more users than the list displays?

UserGuiding’s users page displays up to 10,000 users and offers a CSV containing all user data.

Sources and scope

We read the linked vendor documentation on October 29, 2026. We have not run these products or tested their support.

Plan entitlements and implementation behavior need confirmation for your account.