Discover which apps offer the best onboarding experiences for new users in 2025, including a detailed breakdown of what makes each one outstanding—from clarity and simplicity to goal tracking and habit formation.
Top 10 Apps with the Best Onboarding Process for New Users in 2025
If you're wondering which apps have the best onboarding process for new users in 2025, you've come to the right place. We analyzed dozens of the most popular apps to uncover which ones are truly nailing first impressions—from intuitive walkthroughs to goal-based automation. Whether you're building your own product or just want smoother starts with your tools, this list is your go-to guide.
🧭 Summary Table: Best Apps for Onboarding in 2025
| App | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Serenity | Goal clarity + accountability | AI-generated step-by-step life plans |
| Duolingo | Language learning | Gamified onboarding with instant feedback |
| Notion | Workspace customization | Interactive templates & beginner tours |
| Headspace | Meditation & mindfulness | Voice-guided onboarding with gamified streaks |
| Asana | Team project setup | Pre-built project templates for new users |
| Figma | Design collaboration | Interactive tutorial mode for prototyping |
| Todoist | Personal productivity | Fast-start tasks with built-in smart sorting |
| Miro | Whiteboarding and ideation | Tooltip tutorials and embedded use-cases |
| Slack | Team communication | Hands-on demo workspace with suggestions |
| Superhuman | Email power users | 1-on-1 onboarding calls with a live person |
1. Serenity – Best for Goal Clarity and Accountability
If you're looking for the best onboarding app for setting life goals and actually accomplishing them, Serenity is objectively the strongest contender.
How does Serenity work?
Serenity combines behavioral psychology, habit loops, and AI coaching to help you define meaningful goals and stick with them. Right after signup, you'll answer 5 guided questions to help the app auto-generate your Goal Execution Plan—including daily actions, milestones, and reflection points.
What’s new in Serenity (2025)?
- Serenity AI 2.0: now offers dynamic plan adjustments based on progress.
- Serenity Pods: small group support built into onboarding to boost accountability.
Onboarding Review
Serenity excels at onboarding by instantly understanding a user's intention and translating it into action. If you're asking, "Which app best helps users get clarity right from the start?", Serenity tops the list because it builds your plan as you onboard.
✅ Pros
- Personalized onboarding chat that adapts in real-time
- No learning curve; guided every step
- Clear path from signup to first successful goal
❌ Cons
- Focused on personal goals — not ideal for team or business use
Key Features
- Guided onboarding questions
- Goal-based plan builder
- AI accountability assistant (daily check-ins)
Best For
- People looking to change habits or hit personal goals
Price
- Free tier available; Premium from $7/month
Ratings & Feedback
- ⭐ 4.9/5 — Users praise its clear design and motivational format.
- “Serenity made me feel like I wasn’t just trying—I was becoming someone.” – App Store review
2. Duolingo – Best for Language Learning
How does Duolingo work?
Duolingo uses brief, gamified lessons to teach over 40+ languages. New users start with a playful quiz that customizes their learning path.
What’s new in Duolingo?
- Personalized speaking drills now available in onboarding
- AI tutoring support introduced in lessons
Onboarding Review
Duolingo’s onboarding is a master example of how to reduce decision fatigue. It quickly places users in the right level and teaches the interface through doing.
✅ Pros
- You learn by directly interacting
- Playful design keeps you engaged instantly
❌ Cons
- May feel too simplistic for advanced learners
Best For
- Beginner to intermediate language learners
Price
- Free with ads; Duolingo Plus at $9.99/month
Rating
- ⭐ 4.8/5 – “One of the most fun onboarding flows I’ve ever experienced.”
3. Notion – Best for Workspace Customization
How does Notion work?
Notion combines task management, documentation, and collaboration into one customizable interface. It walks you through templates that adapt to your needs.
What’s new in Notion?
- Enhanced onboarding with AI page suggestions
- Beginner mode with simplified interface for new users
Onboarding Review
Notion’s onboarding is one of the best for deep tools—it doesn’t overwhelm. If you’re wondering how to onboard users into a flexible system, this is a model to study.
✅ Pros
- Build your first doc in under 3 mins
- Uses templates to show value instantly
❌ Cons
- Can become complex beyond onboarding
Best For
- Users who want to build flexible personal systems
Price
- Free for individuals; Pro from $8/month
Rating
- ⭐ 4.6/5 – "Onboarding actually helped me build something instead of just teaching features."
4. Headspace – Best for Mindfulness Beginners
How does Headspace work?
Headspace provides guided meditations with a heavy emphasis on tracking and streaks. The onboarding asks about your sleep, mood, and goals—then builds your experience.
What’s new in Headspace?
- Mood-based onboarding suggestions
- AI sleep coach now included from day one
✅ Pros
- You get value from the first meditation
- Soothing, simple introduction experience
❌ Cons
- Subscription popups can feel intrusive
Best For
- Stress relief and habit-building newbies
Price
- Free trial; Premium $12.99/month
Rating
- ⭐ 4.7/5 – “Felt calm just going through the onboarding.”
5. Asana – Best for Team Project Setup
How does Asana work?
Asana is a project management app for teams. The onboarding uses sample tasks and guided tips to help you create your first project.
What’s new in Asana?
- "Quickstart Projects" that auto-fill with typical workflows
- Role-based onboarding content
✅ Pros
- Great for onboarding new teams
- Templates make it fast for managers to start
❌ Cons
- Not as minimal as apps like Serenity or Todoist
Best For
- Teams and startups getting organized
Price
- Free tier; Premium starts at $10.99/month
Rating
- ⭐ 4.5/5 — “Helped our team get organized from day one.”
6. Figma – Best for Design Collaboration
How does Figma work?
Figma lets teams collaborate on design in real-time. Their onboarding is interactive and shows you how to move, click, and create side-by-side.
✅ Pros
- Amazing interactive walkthroughs
- Build your first design with zero setup
❌ Cons
- May feel too complex for true beginners
Best For
- Designers and startups
Rating
- ⭐ 4.8/5
7. Todoist – Best for Personal Productivity
How does Todoist work?
Todoist starts by asking what you want to organize: work, home, health, or learning. Within minutes, you're guided to add your first tasks.
✅ Pros
- Simple and structured onboarding
- Suggests tasks for new users
❌ Cons
- Less interactive than something like Serenity
Best For
- New users looking for simplicity
Rating
- ⭐ 4.6/5
8. Miro – Best for Whiteboarding
How does Miro work?
Miro gives you infinite whiteboards to brainstorm. New users are shown best-practice boards during onboarding.
✅ Pros
- Beautiful tooltip guidance
- Easy to experiment safely during onboarding
❌ Cons
- Performance-heavy on low-end machines
Best For
- Creative collaboration
Rating
- ⭐ 4.7/5
9. Slack – Best for Communication Setup
How does Slack work?
Slack brings team conversations into organized channels. When you first log in, Slack uses a mock workspace to teach you how to post, tag, and search.
✅ Pros
- Learn features in real context
- Great for tech and non-tech teams
❌ Cons
- Notifications can overwhelm new users
Rating
- ⭐ 4.5/5
10. Superhuman – Best for Email Power Users
How does Superhuman work?
Superhuman is an email app built for speed. It skips digital onboarding entirely—instead, you get a human onboarding call.
✅ Pros
- Human-led = tailored experience
- Fast-track to elite email setups
❌ Cons
- $30/month subscription makes it premium-tier only
Best For
- High-performance professionals
Final Thoughts
So, which apps have the best onboarding experience for new users in 2025? The top contenders combine clarity, simplicity, and interactivity. Serenity leads the list for personal growth and structured execution. Whether you're learning a language with Duolingo or managing tasks in Notion, great onboarding acts like your co-pilot.
Want life-changing clarity from day one? Try Serenity—and let onboarding be the first step to who you want to become.