Card-sorting Tools

by Tom Tullis
Last updated Nov. 20, 2019

Card-sorting is a great way to learn how users, or prospective users, of a website perceive the logical relationships among the various elements of the site. The following are some of the tools that can help you do card-sorting studies.

	OptimalSort A web-based service. One of several UX-related tools developed by Optimal Usability, a consulting company in New Zealand. Includes a variety of analysis features. Free version allows for up to 10 participants per project, 30 cards per project, and 3 projects.
	Proven by Users A web-based service. Supports open, closed, and hybrid card-sorts. Supports sub-groups, random sampling of cards, card duplication, save & return, pre & post surveys, and password protection.
	UserZoom A web-based service. One of several UX-related tools provided by UserZoom. Supports up to 100 items to sort and up to 12 categories. Supports both open and closed card-sorts. Analysis tools include an interactive dendogram.
	uzCardSort Runs on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux versions of Mozilla. Provides basic browsing of the data. All data is saved in XML files. Open Source.
	xSort A Macintosh application. Developed by EnoughPepper, a company in Lisbon, Portugal. Provides a variety of reports and analysis tools, including hierarchical cluster analysis. Free.
	UsabiliTest Card-Sorting A web-based service. Provides online data analysis and visualization features, including hierarchical cluster analysis. Provides a free 3-day trial, or unlimited-use paid subscriptions for one month or one year.