Question Interactive walkthroughs vs Screen recordings for user onboarding?

[lordam]

I want a faster way to build guides for new users without a week in a video editor. A full Loom or OBS session works for a quick check-in, but the edit phase for a professional tutorial takes way too much time. I decided to try Supademo for my current projects, it's a product demo software. It captures each click as a separate step. This is more practical than a static PDF or a long video because users can interact with the demo at their own pace. In your experience, do users prefer a traditional voiceover video, or is this automated approach better for engagement?

 

[USAFRet]

Speaking only for myself, I do not like video tutorials.
I much prefer reading and pics. I can trivially go back and forth as needed.

What type of software are you building these videos for?

 

[Jane Markoz]

I think interactive demos like supademo can be really effective, especially for those who want to learn at their own pace. Traditional voice over vedios are great for storytelling or showing context, bt they can be slow to comsume. In my experience, combining short voice overs with interactive steps gives you the best engagement.

 

[lordam]

Speaking only for myself, I do not like video tutorials.
I much prefer reading and pics. I can trivially go back and forth as needed.

What type of software are you building these videos for?

That's exactly why I'm looking at interactive guides. Static pics and text are great for speed, but they take forever to update manually when the UI changes. These walkthroughs let you click through at your own pace like a slideshow, so it's more like reading a doc than watching a video. I’m mostly building these for B2B SaaS tools where the workflow has 10+ steps and users usually get lost in a standard long-form video.

 

[lordam]

I think interactive demos like supademo can be really effective, especially for those who want to learn at their own pace. Traditional voice over vedios are great for storytelling or showing context, bt they can be slow to comsume. In my experience, combining short voice overs with interactive steps gives you the best engagement.

The mix of voiceover and interactive steps is a solid point. Pure video can definitely feel slow to consume if you just want to find one specific answer. Using short audio clips for context while the user actually performs the clicks seems like the best middle ground for engagement. It keeps the storytelling aspect but doesn't force people to sit through a 5-minute presentation just to see how one button works.