Free Card Sorting Tool - Start Testing in 5 Minutes

Looking for a free card sorting tool that doesn't require a credit card? You're in the right place.

Why Card Sort?

Card Sort is the only completely free card sorting tool that gives you everything you need to run professional UX research:

✅ Free Forever Plan

• 3 active studies
• Up to 30 cards per study
• 50 participant responses per study
• Real-time results analysis
• No credit card required

✅ 5-Minute Setup

• Create a study in minutes
• Beautiful, intuitive participant experience
• Share via link - no accounts needed for participants
• Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile

✅ Professional Analysis

• Similarity matrix visualization
• Popular groupings insights
• Suggested category names
• Export results to CSV
• AI-powered recommendations (Pro)

What Makes Us Different

1. Actually Free

Most "free" card sorting tools are just free trials. Card Sort is free forever for up to 3 active studies.

What you get free:

• Open, closed, and hybrid card sorting
• Unlimited study creation (3 active at a time)
• 50 responses per study
• Basic analytics and insights
• Beautiful participant interface

2. Built for Speed

Other tools require training. With Card Sort, you'll create your first study in under 5 minutes:

1. Add your cards - Type them in or paste from a spreadsheet
2. Choose study type - Open, closed, or hybrid
3. Share the link - Send to participants instantly
4. Watch results - Real-time updates as responses come in

3. Better Participant Experience

Your participants will actually complete the study:

• Clean, intuitive drag-and-drop interface
• Works perfectly on mobile devices
• No account creation required
• Average completion time: 8-12 minutes

Free vs Paid Tools Comparison

Common Use Cases

1. Website Navigation

Test how users would organize your website menu. Find out which pages belong together.

Example: An e-commerce site used Card Sort to redesign their main navigation. Result: 40% increase in product discoverability.

2. App Information Architecture

Organize app features into logical menus before development starts.

Example: A finance app tested 25 features. Users created 5 natural categories that became the app's navigation.

3. Content Organization

Figure out how to structure blog content, documentation, or knowledge bases.

Example: A SaaS company reorganized their help docs based on card sort results. Support tickets decreased by 30%.

4. Product Categorization

Test category names and groupings for online stores.

Example: An online retailer tested product categories with 30 participants. Discovered customers wanted categories by use case, not product type.

How to Run Your First Study

Step 1: Create Your Cards (2 minutes)

Add 15-30 items you want to test. These could be:

• Website pages
• App features
• Products
• Documentation topics
• Menu items

Pro tip: Keep card names short and descriptive. "Returns & Exchanges" is better than "Click here to learn about our return policy".

Step 2: Choose Study Type (30 seconds)

Open Card Sort: Let users create their own categories

• Best for: New projects, exploratory research
• Results: Natural groupings, category name ideas

Closed Card Sort: Users sort into your categories

• Best for: Validating existing structures
• Results: Which items fit which categories

Hybrid: Provide categories but allow custom ones

• Best for: Testing ideas while staying open to better options
• Results: Validation + discovery

Step 3: Share & Collect (Instant)

Get a shareable link immediately. Share it via:

• Email
• Slack
• Social media
• QR code (for in-person studies)

No participant accounts needed - they just click and sort.

Step 4: Analyze Results (As responses come in)

Watch real-time results:

• Similarity Matrix: Which cards are grouped together most often
• Popular Groupings: Most common category structures
• Agreement Analysis: How consistent participants were
• Category Suggestions: AI-recommended category names (Pro)

Free Plan Limitations

Let's be transparent about what you don't get on the free plan:

❌ Only 3 active studies (unlimited archived) ❌ 50 responses per study (vs unlimited on Pro) ❌ Basic analytics only (no AI insights) ❌ Standard support (vs priority support)

But you DO get: ✅ All study types (open, closed, hybrid) ✅ Beautiful participant experience ✅ Real-time results ✅ Similarity matrix ✅ CSV export ✅ Mobile-friendly ✅ No time limit ✅ No credit card required

Upgrade When You Need More

When you outgrow the free plan:

Pro - $19/month

• Unlimited active studies
• Unlimited responses
• AI-powered insights
• Priority support
• Advanced analytics
• White labeling
• Team collaboration

Most users find the free plan is plenty for:

• Freelance UX designers
• Startups doing initial research
• Academic research projects
• Small agency projects

Getting Started Checklist

Ready to run your first card sort? Here's your checklist:

• Define your goal: What question are you trying to answer?
• Create cards: 15-30 items to test
• Choose study type: Open, closed, or hybrid
• Recruit participants: Aim for 15-30 users
• Share the link: Email, Slack, or social media
• Analyze results: Look for patterns and surprises
• Implement findings: Use insights to improve your design

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it really free? A: Yes! Free forever for 3 active studies with 50 responses each. No credit card required, no trial period.

Q: Can participants use it on mobile? A: Yes! The interface works beautifully on phones, tablets, and desktops.

Q: How many participants do I need? A: We recommend 15-30 participants for reliable results. The free plan gives you 50 responses per study.

Q: Can I export results? A: Yes! Export to CSV on any plan, including free.

Q: What if I need more than 3 studies? A: Archive completed studies to make room for new ones, or upgrade to Pro for unlimited active studies.

Q: Do participants need accounts? A: Nope! They just click your link and start sorting. No signup required.

What Users Say

"Easiest card sorting tool I've used. Set up a study in literally 5 minutes." - Sarah M., UX Researcher

"The free plan is perfect for freelancers. I've run 10+ studies without paying a dime." - James T., Freelance Designer

"Participants loved it. Way better than the clunky tool we used before." - Maria G., Product Manager

Start Your Free Study Now

No credit card. No trial period. Just sign up and start testing.

Create your first card sort study →

Related Resources

• Open vs Closed Card Sorting Guide
• Card Sorting Sample Size Guide
• How to Run Your First Card Sort Study
• Optimal Workshop Alternative