Sunboard vs Pendo: The Affordable Alternative for Solo Founders & SMBs

Sunboard is 95%+ cheaper than Pendo with transparent pricing and 15-minute setup

Quick Answer Summary

Choose Sunboard If:

  • You want onboarding tools, not analytics
  • You need transparent pricing upfront
  • You prefer simple implementation
  • You don't need deep product analytics
$29-149
per month
Setup time: 15 minutes
Free tier: All Features up to 50 MAU

Choose Pendo If:

  • You need deep product analytics
  • You require advanced segmentation
  • You have dedicated product teams
  • You need comprehensive user tracking
$47K+ average
per year
Pricing model: Custom with free tier
Target audience: mid-market to enterprise, 500-10K employees

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureSunboardPendo
Pricing
$29-149
per month
$47K+ average
per year
Setup Time15 minutesWeeks to months
Free Tier
All Features up to 50 MAU
No
Sales Calls Required
No
Yes
Target AudienceSolo founders & SMBsmid-market to enterprise, 500-10K employees

Detailed Feature Comparison

Both Platforms Offer

  • Product tours

Sunboard Advantages

  • Simple setup
  • Transparent pricing

Pendo Advantages

  • Product analytics
  • Advanced targeting

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunboard cheaper than Pendo?+

Yes, Sunboard costs $29-149 per month ($228-1,788 annually) compared to Pendo's $47K+ average annual cost, making it over 95% cheaper. Pendo requires custom pricing with lengthy sales processes, while Sunboard offers transparent, upfront pricing.

What's the main difference between Sunboard and Pendo?+

Pendo is primarily a product analytics platform with onboarding features, while Sunboard is focused specifically on user onboarding and digital adoption. If you need deep product analytics, choose Pendo. If you want simple, effective onboarding tools, choose Sunboard.

How long does setup take for Sunboard vs Pendo?+

Sunboard takes 15 minutes to implement with a simple script embed. Pendo typically requires weeks of implementation including analytics setup, tracking code integration, and team training on their complex analytics dashboard.

Can I migrate from Pendo to Sunboard?+

Yes, migrating is straightforward since you're primarily moving onboarding content. Export your guides and tours from Pendo and rebuild them in Sunboard's simpler interface. You'll lose the analytics features but gain much simpler management.

Which is better for small businesses: Sunboard or Pendo?+

For small businesses focused on improving user onboarding, Sunboard is the better choice. Pendo is designed for product teams who need extensive analytics capabilities. If you just want to help users learn your product quickly, Sunboard provides what you need without the analytics complexity.

Do both platforms have free tiers?+

Sunboard offers a free tier for businesses with less than 50 monthly active users. Pendo offers a free plan, but with limitations that most growing businesses quickly outgrow, requiring upgrades to their paid enterprise plans.