The fully-featured NextStep alternative
Flows is the NextStep alternative for teams who have outgrown hard-coded product tours and want flexible, scalable workflows inside their product.
No credit card required. No commitment. Quick setup.
TL;DR comparison summary
NextStep is a lightweight, developer-focused library for building guided tours and onboarding steps in React applications. It is simple to integrate but limited to linear tours, with state, targeting, and analytics handled entirely by your application code.
Flows is a product adoption platform designed for teams who need more than tours. You build UI components using your own design system, while Flows handles workflows, targeting, state, and lifecycle management.
Flows vs NextStep: Key differences
Key features | NextStep | Flows |
|---|---|---|
Product toursBoth NextStep and Flows can guide users through step-by-step onboarding experiences. | ||
Framework supportNextStep is focused on React. Flows supports multiple frameworks and stacks. | React only | |
Modern developer experienceNextStep focuses on APIs for developers. Flows provides SDKs plus higher-level abstractions. | ||
Floating componentsNextStep focuses on overlays and tooltips. Flows supports tooltips, modals, banners, and checklists. | ||
Embeddable componentsFlows supports inline components rendered directly inside your app layout, not just overlays. | ||
CustomizationNextStep customization happens entirely in code. Flows lets you reuse your design system components while centralizing logic. | ||
Workflow logicFlows supports branching workflows and conditional logic. NextStep tours are linear unless you build custom logic. | ||
State managementFlows manages user progress, persistence, and completion automatically. NextStep requires manual state handling. | ||
LocalizationFlows supports localization out of the box. NextStep requires custom translation handling. | ||
AnalyticsFlows provides built-in analytics and tracking. NextStep requires custom analytics integration. | ||
TargetingFlows offers advanced user targeting and segmentation features. NextStep requires custom implementation for targeting specific user groups. | ||
Free planNextStep is free and open source. Flows offers a free plan with 250 monthly active users. |
Other differences
Library vs platform
NextStep is a lightweight library you embed and manage inside your codebase.
Flows is a platform that orchestrates workflows while staying deeply integrated with your product.
Beyond onboarding
NextStep focuses primarily on onboarding use cases.
Flows supports onboarding, feature discovery, education, re-engagement, and upsell workflows.
Part of your product
NextStep overlays tooltips on top of your UI, which can feel bolted on as your product evolves.
Flows workflows live inside your product and can be built using your own components and design system.
Maintenance burden
All logic, state, and evolution of tours must be maintained in your codebase.
Flows reduces long-term maintenance by separating UI from workflow logic.
Team collaboration
NextStep changes require developer involvement for every update.
Flows enables collaboration between developers, product managers, and designers.
Time to value
NextStep is fast to start but becomes harder to extend over time.
Flows is designed for fast iteration without accumulating onboarding debt.
Switch from NextStep to Flows today
Stop hard-coding product tours. Build flexible, product-native workflows with Flows.
No credit card required. Free forever.