As a SaaS company, one of your biggest challenges is determining which features to build next. With countless customer requests and competing priorities, it's easy to get lost in the product development maze. That's where feature voting tools come in handy. These powerful solutions help you collect, organize, and prioritize customer feedback, ensuring your product roadmap aligns with your users' needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore 14 feature voting tools that can revolutionize your product development process. We'll also dive into why you should consider implementing a feature voting tool and how to avoid common pitfalls. Let's get started!
What is Feature Voting?
Feature voting, also known as roadmap voting, is a process where customers vote for the features they want to see on a product roadmap. The features that receive the most votes are prioritized and showcased at the top of the feature list, akin to how content is ranked on platforms like Reddit.
This process is generally managed through a designated page where customers can propose new feature requests. Should a customer favor a feature that's already suggested, they can cast their vote for it, thereby enhancing its visibility and elevating its priority status.
This democratic system allows the product team to effectively prioritize upcoming developments based on direct feedback and the expressed needs of their user base.
To assist in this process, there are specific tools known as feature voting tools. These software solutions enable users often customers or team members to propose, discuss, and vote on potential features or enhancements for a product or service. These tools streamline the feedback collection and prioritization process, aiding product managers and developers in aligning product development more closely with user needs and expectations. By adopting a user-centric approach, feature voting tools help ensure more democratic and responsive product development.
How does feature voting work?
Feature voting typically involves a simple, user-friendly interface where customers can easily submit their ideas and vote on existing proposals.
These feature voting tools typically offer the following functionalities:
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Idea submission: Users can submit feature ideas or requests through a dedicated portal.
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Voting mechanism: Stakeholders can vote on proposed features, often using methods like upvoting or assigning points.
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Discussion forums: Users can comment on and discuss proposed features.
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Analytics and reporting: Tools provide insights on voting patterns and popular features.
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Integration capabilities: Many tools integrate with project management or customer support software.
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Customization options: Organizations can tailor the tool's appearance and functionality to match their brand and needs.
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User management: Administrators can control access levels and manage user roles.
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Roadmap visualization: Some tools offer the ability to create and share product roadmaps based on voting results.
Why Use a Feature Voting Tool?
Feature voting tools offer numerous benefits for SaaS companies, helping them make data-driven decisions and improve customer satisfaction. Here are some key reasons why incorporating a feature voting tool into your product development process can be advantageous:
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Objective prioritization: Feature voting tools provide data-driven insights directly from your customers, taking the guesswork out of roadmap prioritization.
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Customer understanding: These tools help you gain a deeper understanding of your customers' needs and pain points.
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Closing the feedback loop: Feature voting makes it easier to keep customers informed about the status of their requests.
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Bridging the customer-team divide: These tools create a transparent communication channel between your customers and your product team.
Best Feature Voting Tools For Product Managers in 2024
Now that we understand the benefits, let's explore the top feature voting tools available for SaaS companies.
1. Supahub
Supahub is an end-to-end customer feedback solution that stands out as a powerful feature voting tool. It helps product teams collect, analyze, prioritize, and act on user insights effectively. Supahub's strength lies in its ability to organize feedback based on key metrics like monthly revenue (MRR) and encourage collaboration across teams. The platform keeps customers engaged by informing them when their feedback has been implemented and offers a fair public voting system for unbiased feedback collection.
Key Features:
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Centralized feedback collection via Chrome extension and integrations
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Powerful filters for segmenting feedback by customer attributes
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Value vs effort scoring system for feature prioritization
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Team collaboration tools for aligning efforts across departments
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Tools for updating customers on suggestion status
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Unbiased public voting board
Pricing:
Supahub offers a free plan, with paid plans starting at $19 per month for 3 boards, making it an affordable option for teams of all sizes.
2. Nolt.io
Nolt.io is a user-friendly feature request tool that combines simplicity with powerful functionality. It allows users to submit and vote on ideas, fostering a collaborative environment for product development. Nolt's intuitive interface makes it easy for both product managers and customers to interact with the platform, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to streamline their feedback collection process.
Key Features:
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Social voting system to gauge community interest
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Customizable suggestion boards
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Integrated moderation tools for managing submissions
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Simple and intuitive user interface
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Roadmap integration capabilities
Pricing:
Nolt's pricing starts at $39 per month, offering an affordable solution for startups and small to medium-sized businesses.
3. Canny
Canny is a robust feature voting tool that allows product managers to collect, prioritize, and manage feedback from multiple channels. It offers features like custom feedback boards, voting and prioritization, and analytics to help make data-driven decisions. Canny's strength lies in its ability to integrate with popular project management tools, making it easier for teams to incorporate user feedback into their development process.
Key Features:
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Customizable feedback portal for collecting user input
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Voting features for request prioritization
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Roadmap creation based on user feedback
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Direct integration with popular project management tools
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Real-time feedback updates
Pricing:
Canny's pricing starts at $99 per month, offering a range of features suitable for growing businesses.
4. Upvoty
Upvoty is a user-friendly idea voting tool designed to help businesses track, manage, and act on user suggestions efficiently. It's particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a straightforward solution to improve their product development through direct user engagement. Upvoty's simplicity and ease of use make it an attractive option for teams new to feature voting tools.
Key Features:
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User feedback boards for idea submission and voting
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Roadmap and changelog integration
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Analytics to track feedback trends
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Simple setup and intuitive interface
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Affordable pricing structure
Pricing:
Upvoty's pricing starts at $15 per month, making it one of the more budget-friendly options on this list.
5. UserVoice
UserVoice is a well-established feature request tool that has been a go-to solution for many product managers. It offers a comprehensive set of features for collecting, prioritizing, and responding to customer feedback. UserVoice's strength lies in its robust analytics and reporting capabilities, allowing product teams to make informed decisions based on user input.
Key Features:
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Feedback forums for idea submission
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SmartVote feature for prioritization
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In-app messaging and notifications
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Customizable widgets and branding options
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Advanced analytics and reporting tools
Pricing:
UserVoice's pricing starts at $699 per month, making it a more premium option suited for larger organizations with complex needs.
6. Productboard
Productboard is an all-in-one product management solution that includes powerful feature voting capabilities. It's designed to help product managers understand user needs, prioritize features, and build consensus around their product roadmap. Productboard excels in turning user feedback into actionable product priorities, making it an excellent choice for teams looking to align their development efforts with customer needs.
Key Features:
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Consolidation of feedback from multiple sources
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Feature idea linking and prioritization
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User impact scoring for feature ranking
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Interactive and shareable roadmaps
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Integration with popular tools like Intercom and Zendesk
Pricing:
Productboard's pricing starts at $19 per month per maker for basic features, with more comprehensive plans available for larger teams.
7. Trello
While not specifically designed as a feature voting tool, Trello's versatility allows it to be adapted for collecting and managing feature requests and bug reports. Its visual, board-based interface makes it easy to organize and prioritize feedback. For teams already using Trello for project management, it can be a cost-effective solution for incorporating feature voting into their workflow.
Key Features:
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Customizable boards for feedback collection
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Integration with various communication and development tools
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Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface
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Voting power-ups available for prioritization
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Highly adaptable to different workflows
Pricing:
Trello offers a free plan, with paid plans starting at $5 per user per month, making it an economical choice for teams on a budget.
8. Sleekplan
Sleekplan is a comprehensive feature voting tool that combines feedback collection, roadmap creation, and changelog publishing in one platform. It caters to diverse business needs with features like advanced analytics, custom branding, and integrations with popular development tools. Sleekplan's all-in-one approach makes it an attractive option for product managers looking to streamline their feedback and development processes.
Key Features:
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Customizable feedback widget for easy user input
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In-app notifications for updates
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Advanced user segmentation capabilities
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Powerful analytics and reporting tools
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Integrations with Jira and GitHub
Pricing:
Sleekplan offers a free plan, with paid plans starting at $15 per month, providing flexibility for businesses of various sizes.
9. ProdPad
ProdPad is a product management software that includes robust feature voting capabilities. It helps product managers capture ideas, prioritize features, and create product roadmaps based on user feedback. ProdPad's strength lies in its ability to connect customer feedback directly to product strategy, making it easier for teams to align their development efforts with market needs.
Key Features:
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Idea management and prioritization tools
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Customer feedback portal with voting system
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Customizable product roadmaps
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Integration with development and customer support tools
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Lean canvas and persona creation features
Pricing:
ProdPad's pricing starts at $79 per month for small teams, with custom pricing available for larger organizations.
10. FeatureOS
FeatureOS is a dynamic feature request tool designed to integrate deeply with product development processes. It offers advanced analytics for feedback evaluation and customizable feedback channels, making it a powerful choice for product managers who need detailed insights into customer needs. FeatureOS's comprehensive integration capabilities with other business tools make it particularly suitable for larger organizations with complex workflows.
Key Features:
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Advanced analytics for in-depth feedback evaluation
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Customizable feedback channels for diverse input
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Integration with development and marketing tools
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Highly customizable to suit specific business requirements
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Detailed insights into customer needs and preferences
Pricing:
FeatureOS's pricing starts at $29 per month, offering a range of features suitable for growing and established businesses.
11. Savio
Savio acts as a central repository for all your feature requests, allowing you to gather feedback from multiple channels such as customer support tools, sales conversations, and user surveys. It helps product managers track feature requests, prioritize them based on user votes and business impact, and close the feedback loop by keeping customers informed about the status of their requests.
Key Features:
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Centralized feature request tracking
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Integration with popular customer support and communication tools
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Customizable tags and fields for better organization
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Voting system to gauge user interest
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Prioritization tools based on customer data
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Reporting and analytics to inform product decisions
Pricing:
Savio offers a 14-day free trial. Paid plans start at $49 per month for small teams, with custom pricing available for larger organizations.
12. Rapidr
Rapidr is a versatile feature voting tool that goes beyond simple idea collection, offering a complete suite for feedback management, roadmapping, and customer communication. It allows product managers to collect feedback through various channels, prioritize features based on user votes and business metrics, and communicate product updates back to users. The tool's strength lies in its ability to create a seamless feedback loop between the product team and customers.
Key Features:
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Customizable feedback boards
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In-app widgets for collecting feedback
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User segmentation for targeted feature prioritization
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Public and private roadmaps
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Changelog for communicating updates
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Integration with popular project management tools
Pricing:
Rapidr offers a 14-day free trial. Paid plans start at $49 per month, with additional features available in higher-tier plans.
13. FeedBear
FeedBear simplifies the process of gathering and managing user feedback. It provides a platform where users can submit ideas, vote on existing suggestions, and stay updated on the product's development. Product managers can easily transform popular ideas into roadmap items, keeping the entire team and user base aligned on the product's direction.
Key Features:
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Easy-to-use feedback boards
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Voting system for feature prioritization
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Roadmap creation and management
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Changelog for update announcements
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User notifications for feedback status changes
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Customizable branding options
Pricing:
FeedBear offers a 14-day free trial. Their paid plan starts at $59 per month, which includes all features for unlimited users.
14. Feature Upvote
Feature Upvote provides a clean and simple platform for collecting and prioritizing user feedback. Its strength lies in its simplicity, allowing product managers to quickly set up feedback boards and start gathering user input. The tool's straightforward voting system makes it easy for users to express their preferences, helping product teams identify the most desired features.
Key Features:
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Quick setup process
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Simple voting mechanism
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Customizable feedback boards
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Moderation tools for managing submissions
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Basic analytics to track popular ideas
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API access for integrations
Pricing:
Feature Upvote offers a 30-day free trial. Their paid plans start at $49 per month for a single board, with options for multiple boards available at higher price points.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Feature Voting Tool
Implementing a feature voting tool can significantly improve your product development process, helping you build features that truly resonate with your customers. When selecting a feature voting tool, consider factors such as:
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Your team size and budget
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Integration capabilities with your existing tools
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The level of customization and flexibility you need
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Additional features like roadmapping and changelog functionality
Remember, while feature voting is valuable, it shouldn't be your only source of customer feedback. Combine it with other methods like user interviews, surveys, and usage data to get a comprehensive understanding of your customers' needs.
By choosing the right feature voting tool and using it effectively, you can create a more customer-centric product, improve user satisfaction, and ultimately drive the growth of your SaaS business. So why wait? Start exploring these feature voting tools today and take your product development to the next level!