# AdoptionLayer vs Appcues

> AI guidance that goes beyond onboarding flows

## Overview

Appcues is a user onboarding platform focused on creating product tours, tooltips, and checklists. It's more accessible than enterprise DAPs but still relies on manually scripted flows.

## Why teams choose AdoptionLayer

- AI handles any question, not just pre-scripted flows
- Zero maintenance — AI adapts to UI changes automatically
- Screen awareness means guidance is always accurate and contextual

## What Appcues does well

- User-friendly visual builder for creating flows
- Good template library for common onboarding patterns
- Easier to set up than enterprise DAPs

## Where Appcues is limited

- Limited to pre-built flows — can't answer arbitrary user questions
- Flows break when UI changes — ongoing maintenance required
- No public self-serve pricing — budgeting requires a sales conversation

## Pricing notes

- AdoptionLayer: From €39/month (Transparent pricing, cancel anytime)
- Appcues: No public dollar pricing. Appcues sells Start, Grow, and Enterprise plans, and pricing scales with MAUs and number of installations.

## Verdict

Appcues is great for basic onboarding tours, but real user support goes far beyond scripted flows. Users don't struggle in predictable ways. AdoptionLayer's AI understands the page and responds to whatever the user actually needs — no scripting required.