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48 Best User Onboarding Experiences

Poor onboarding is the largest contributor to user churn! So what do the best onboarding experiences have in common? Check out these 8 UX patterns with 48 examples of leading SaaS companies. Get started yourself with our free user onboarding checklist!

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48 Best User Onboarding Experiences

This lead image sets the stage for the article's exploration of top-tier user onboarding experiences and resources.

In reality, poor onboarding is the main reason users churn. However, the best user onboarding experiences know how to overcome that challenge! Want to do the same? Get started with our free user onboarding checklist designed to drive product adoption.

In this article, let’s review why onboarding is so important, and detail 8 great onboarding UX patterns with 48 top examples from SaaS apps.

What is user onboarding?

Onboarding is the process of getting users acquainted with your product and leading them to value as fast as possible! Indeed, that first impression is a crucial stage in all the best user onboarding experiences! Essentially, onboarding is where the user learns the ins and outs of your product. This can happen either manually or automated.

👉 Download our Free User Onboarding Checklist here!

Why you should focus on onboarding

The best user onboarding experiences lead to increased retention. For the average SaaS startup, it takes users 11 whole months to return their acquisition cost. That’s nearly a year before you see any profit! Losing a customer due to not conveying value clearly is a big bummer.

In this article, let’s review why onboarding is so important, and detail 8 great onboarding UX patterns with 48 top examples from SaaS apps.

What is user onboarding?

Onboarding is the process of getting users acquainted with your product and leading them to value as fast as possible! Indeed, that first impression is a crucial stage in all the best user onboarding experiences! Essentially, onboarding is where the user learns the ins and outs of your product. This can happen either manually or automated.

👉 Download our Free User Onboarding Checklist here!

Why you should focus on onboarding

The best user onboarding experiences lead to increased retention. For the average SaaS startup, it takes users 11 whole months to return their acquisition cost. That’s nearly a year before you see any profit! Losing a customer due to not conveying value clearly is a big bummer.

Lesson 101: the basics behind the best user onboarding experiences

These 3 things need to be on your user onboarding checklist:

Useful - Do users get value from the experience?
Easy to use - Can users get to value intuitively?
Fun - Do users enjoy engaging in the experience?

But this is merely the background to the ultimate goal of onboarding: to acquaint users with your value! A shorter time to value will also help users reach the AHA moment faster, an important stage in user activation.

How do you design a great onboarding experience? Top tips to learn from.

To discover what constitutes the best user onboarding experiences, learn from the ones already out there! For example, how did French fintech Shine achieve an amazing 80% onboarding conversion rate? These are some tips from growth engineer Arnaud Babol:

Arnaud Babol - "Keep it simple: one screen, one action."

New customers can very easily be overloaded by your user interface. Therefore, it’s wise to segment each action with different screens. This makes it especially clear what you’re asking for!

Shine's onboarding flow exemplifies the 'one screen, one action' principle, breaking down the process into simple, manageable steps.

Arnaud Babol - "Make your onboarding experience unique with motion design."

Arnaud Babol writes that the best user onboarding experiences quickly cement their brand identity in the user’s head. One way to do that is with a unique motion design.

Arnaud Babol - "Never leave your user alone."

If your user is lost, that’s a missed opportunity! Instead, guide them with tooltips and checklists that lead them to their next action so they can still discover your true value.

Here, tooltips in Shine's UI guide the user, ensuring they are never left without direction during the onboarding process.

8 great user onboarding UX and UI patterns from leading SaaS companies (With 48 examples!)

#1 Leverage social proof using data, testimonials, and conversion rates

In times of uncertainty, we always look to take guidance from others. Behavioral scientists call this ‘social proof’ and the best user onboarding experiences leverage it to powerful effect!

Insight Timer creates a global sense of community through social proof

To make users feel a part of a community, the wellness app Insight Timer shows on its dashboard how many users are meditating at that very moment. Not only does this validate the platform’s quality, but it also makes users feel they belong to a community!

Insight Timer's live map demonstrates social proof by showing a global community of users meditating simultaneously, which enhances the sense of belonging.

How Kajabi uses longevity to position as an authority

Touting how long you have been in business hints at a history of success. For example, online course creator Kajabi boasts in a bold blue “10+ years as the industry leader”. It makes them stand out as authority figures in their industry.

Proof leverages expert testimonials to build brand trust

In a way, experts are influencers. Their clout can be used to give your brand credibility, and it is a particularly powerful influence. Personalization tool Proof has perhaps the best example with a quote from Steve Jobs talking about how “personalization works”. Of course from him, that builds trust!

PiggyVest elevates brand champions

Easily accessible on their website, Nigerian fintech PiggyVest shares the story of hundreds of their ‘happy savers’. To be sure, the feature inspires success! In 2021, PiggyVest saved users over $585 million!

PiggyVest showcases success stories from their users, inspiring confidence and demonstrating the tangible benefits of their fintech platform.

Use conversion data to boost your credibility like Proof

Proof found a way to instantly communicate their value offer of boosting your conversions. How did they do it? Easy, with a counter on their landing page that says:

"1594 people requested a demo in the last 30 days."

Boast.io uses testimonials for proof-based marketing

Many users identified in the product adoption curve are risk-averse. But when you post testimonials on your landing page, you help reduce your prospect’s fear of change by making the switch less intimidating. Boast.io is a video testimonial tool practicing what they preach!

Invision builds brand trust through recognizable logos

If a trusted company is your client, then customers will see you as trustworthy too! To benefit from that trust, follow the example of Invision and place the most recognizable logos of your business customers on your website. Research shows it can increase conversions by 400%!

ShipBob uses testimonials, reviews, and data to boost social proof!

This E-commerce platform guarantees success with multiple types of social proof. Besides a testimonial and a few world-class logos, it also features raw data such as:

Trusted by 7000+ brands
99,96% of orders ship on time
99,95% accuracy rate
30+ fulfillment centers
#1 fulfillment technology

👉 Download our Free User Onboarding Checklist here!

#2 Email verification walls are conversion killers

Email verification walls are common - but they’re also a big reason for churn. Make sure to take these insights with you on your user onboarding checklist!

Snappa delays verification requests to turn churn into growth

Graphic design tool Snappa discovered that 27% of all signups never activated their email. But when Snappa removed the request, monthly revenue quickly rose by 20%!

This graph illustrates the significant revenue growth Snappa experienced after removing the email verification wall, a key lesson in reducing user friction.

Ensure email deliverability in-app like Monday.com

Of course, you want the user’s email, but you also want them to stay in-app, or else they might churn. Solve this problem like work management software Monday! Monday lets users experience the value straight away and only alerts users if their email bounces.

Simply don’t ask for registration like Jotform

Incredibly, form builder Jotform doesn’t ask new users to register. In fact, they allow customers to test the app’s full functionality! Actually, users only need to register when they wish to send out forms. This method must work to increase product adoption - in 2022 Jotform achieved 1 billion form submissions!

👉 Download our Free User Onboarding Checklist here!

#3 Unnecessary steps discourage users from completing onboarding

Industry wisdom states that each onboarding step results in a 20% increase in user churn so keep it short and sweet!

Behavioral scientists will tell you that unnecessary steps and choices can accumulate to a dangerous degree. In detail, there are 2 major effects that you want to avoid triggering:

The paradox of Choice. The more choices you give a user, the less likely they are to choose!

Hick's Law. Basically, where decision time increases with every additional choice.

Don’t waste time stating the obvious. In fact, studies show that the optimal onboarding length is 3 screens! With extra steps, conversions can fall from 72% to as low as 45%.

Shopify split onboarding on multiple screens

If you still need more information to make your product valuable, then look at Shopify! The first page focuses on your use case for the platform. Then, you complete your personal details and get started!

WaveHQ does the styling for you

Instead of letting you customize your workspace to your own brand Wave simply asks you to add your logo and does the rest for you. Some might think this is still an extra step, however, it seems to fuel motivation and user engagement.

Zakeke uses hotspots to avoid information overload

First, ask yourself what is necessary for onboarding. Then ask “when is it necessary?” Hotspots like Zakeke guide the user in real-time. As a result, they eliminate the need for extra steps and thus user churn.

Zakeke uses hotspot tooltips to provide contextual information just-in-time, preventing information overload and keeping the onboarding flow clean.

Let users skip profile set-up like Substack

Should new users need to set up their profile photo and bio, before they have even trialed the product? Well, that used to be how it was for Substack. Today, however, Substack lets users “skip for now” - removing a big barrier to initial user engagement.

Avo keeps a quick and clean UI with a singular focus

Analytics tool Avo keeps each onboarding screen as simple as possible, asking questions like “what are the sources of your data?”, alongside clear, clickable options that move users on to the next stage in their journey.

Avo's onboarding screen maintains a singular focus, asking a clear question with simple options to guide the user smoothly through setup.

Speed up time to value with suggestions like Reclaim

Time blocking tool Reclaim for instance asks during onboarding if you want to block out time for lunch. Not only does this immediately display their unique value, but it also introduces users to a new way of planning!

#4 Product tours should be action-focused, not informational

In reality, we as humans are overloaded with information every day. And often, we don’t know what to do with any of it! To avoid this, create an action-focused UX. In essence, if users start with action in their minds, they are more likely to take the next steps!

For example, a gamified user onboarding checklist states the next steps to take along with potential rewards.

Mint has a clear CTA on each screen to prompt user engagement

Mint’s headline is a rousing CTA: “See all your money in one number”.

Mint's onboarding screen features a powerful and direct call-to-action, encouraging users to engage immediately by seeing all their finances in one place.

Gamified checklists motivate users to finish onboarding on Quora

A gamified user onboarding checklist provokes the ‘endowed progress effect’. This principle notes that people are more likely to finish something if they think they are close to completion. To lock in this effect, reward users for completing ‘dummy’ tasks like ‘signed up’. Quora users already have 1-3 out of their items crossed after signing up.

How to increase product adoption with a gamified product? Get your expert-led workshop & learn how to use behavioral psychology to your advantage!

Improve product discovery with interactive paths like Xero

When customers sign up to Xero to improve their accounting, their greatest dread is probably a wall of confusing numbers! But the Xero dashboard is like a simple choose-your-own-adventure game.

Not only is this fun to use, but Xero’s UX empowers users with the choice of product tour, letting them discover what is most valuable to them faster!

Xero's interactive, 'choose-your-own-adventure' product tour empowers users to discover the features most relevant to their needs first.

Why Xero frames tasks as win-based actions

Framing tasks as a win will remind users of why they’re completing the product tour. Take Xero again. For each task on their product tour, win-based copy triggers users to action: “Get paid faster”, “Track your money”, and “Stay on top of your taxes”.

Hypercontext uses modals to highlight the key tasks

Hypercontext is a collaborative meeting SaaS that promises to make meetings more productive. To convey this value quickly, modals highlight the app’s key tasks: “Create your first agenda”.

Hypercontext effectively uses a modal window to highlight the primary action, "Create your first agenda," guiding new users towards their 'Aha!' moment.

How Headspace fuels healthy habits with streaks and badges

Wellness app Headspace has 2,100 corporate customers - and they manage this because their app encourages habit formation. With gamified streaks and badges that celebrate early successes, users are intrinsically motivated to use the platform and earn more.

👉 Download our Free User Onboarding Checklist here!

#5 Segmenting users increases their likelihood to finish onboarding with success

When you segment users, you understand their needs on a deeper level. This knowledge can be used to personalize onboarding and create more value!

Customize product samples like Genially

Genially is an animated content platform to create infographics, presentations, and e-learning materials. During onboarding Genially asks a few questions like what industry you work in. Then, they display a customized design sample based on your preferences.

Lumen5 motivates users with custom goals

Letting users set their own goals should be on your user onboarding checklist. For users, it provides a clear purpose. For you, it allows you to personalize the user experience! Video maker Lumen5 wastes no time in doing this. In fact, they devote their second onboarding screen to asking new users about their goals.

user onboarding checklist personalization

During onboarding, Lumen5 asks users to define their goals, which allows for a personalized experience and provides a clear purpose from the start.

Ticketmaster uses geolocation to customize your feed

For many apps, what you offer varies wildly depending on where the user lives. For Ticketmaster, geolocation data is crucial to personalizing offers like upcoming concerts that might interest the user. Equally, to discover what a user likes, onboarding fields that simply ask users their favorite artists are a great way to personalize offers.

Segment users on NPS score like Qualtrics

Not all users want the same. So why not segment them based on customer satisfaction? One way to do so is through a Net Promoter Survey such as Qualtrics. Besides defining the key drivers for different segments, you’ll also learn where to prioritize support!

Evernote enhances personalization during onboarding

When starting off with Evernote you’ll be asked to order your main use cases for the product. As a result, you’ll get a customized template library and interface to start. This way you get a product experience relevant to you.

Dropbox targets account expansion through segmentation

Dropbox doesn’t try to sell its premium product to barely engaged users. Instead, they segment the most engaged users expected to reach their storage limit. What’s that saying about marketing again? Right place, right time?

👉 Download our Free User Onboarding Checklist here!

#6 Make onboarding motivating by emphasizing “what”, not just “why”

Simplicity is key. That’s why focusing on the concrete ‘what’ instead of a more abstract ‘why’. There is a famous quote that should sum up your attitude towards user experiences:

“A designer knows they have achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

Calendly uses copy that gets straight to the point

Essentially, your copy should stick to the task at hand! Otherwise, you run the risk of being ignored. Calendly avoids this with a simple headline based on ‘what’ they offer.

Calendly's landing page copy is a prime example of simplicity, getting straight to the point to communicate the product's core value instantly.

Sprig emphasizes feature benefits to increase feature adoption

User research tool Sprig is clear on its benefits as users create a survey and that’s good! Alongside a preview of the final result, a text bubble reads “we’ll automatically customize your company name to increase response rates”.

Let users complete micro-commitments like Grammarly

Handing new users small tasks is a fast way to get them invested and learn why your product is great. Moreover, users will feel like they earn their reward! For instance, Grammarly asks demo users to correct problems in a sample document. As a result, it instantly conveys the core value of their product.

Togglr uses gamified rewards to reinforce user action

Gamified rewards provide users with an intrinsic satisfaction that facilitates repeated user engagement. For example, when Togglr users successfully complete a task for the first time, the app celebrates their success with a clapping emoji. This positive reinforcement gives users a reason ‘why’ they should complete the task again!

Toggl demonstrates positive reinforcement by using a simple clapping emoji to celebrate a user's first completed task, encouraging repeat engagement.

Sprout explains what they’ll do with your data (and why they need it!)

For many apps, onboarding means asking users for access to their personal data. That can be a thorny subject - so it pays to tell users exactly why users should accept:

Sprout Social - "It’s okay to click ‘Okay’! We need your permission to deliver and report on the messages you post."

Moosend’s progress bars remind users of their goal (and how far they’ve come)

Aside from showing users their past personal progress, progress bars remind users of their goals. Email marketing software Moosend has a great gamified progress bar that fills after each onboarding step, culminating in the ultimate goal: “send a campaign”.

Drive product-led growth with an in-app gamified experience! Simply link to our modular gamification software & start testing!

#7 Show helpful empty states that facilitate further user engagement

While only an estimated 5% of users ever see an empty state, they’re still a great opportunity to drive user engagement. How? By balancing the principles of all the best user onboarding experiences that include education, motivation, and direction.

Todoist makes empty states the end goal

We all love the feeling of completing our to-do list. So what better example than Todoist using empty states to celebrate user success? In addition, they prompt users to share their success with a hashtag and social media buttons.

Todoist - "Enjoy your afternoon. Today you completed 8 tasks and reached #TodoistZero!"

Buffer gets you connected with 1 click

Buffer is a social media publishing and analytics tool, so it doesn’t have much value without linking your channels. That’s why their empty states suggest “connect your first channel”.

How Superhuman charms users with feel-good nature scenes

Believe it or not, empty states can actually make users more productive! This effect is called ‘biophilia’ and has even been shown to improve moods. Taking advantage of this, email SaaS Superhuman shows users landscapes when they reach inbox zero!

Superhuman uses beautiful, serene landscapes as a reward for reaching 'inbox zero,' leveraging biophilia to create a positive and calming user experience.

Guide users to their next step like Jobpal

Jobpal is an automated recruitment solution that saves both recruiters and candidates a ton of time. As a recruiter, the empty state makes it very clear which next steps to take. This way you never get stuck, or bored with endless onboarding tours!

Jobpal's empty state clearly outlines the next steps a recruiter should take, preventing confusion and guiding them towards productive use of the platform.

Use empty states to inspire users like Notion

When you create a new page on Notion its default state is empty. However, Notion adds demo content which is also educational and instructive. For instance, they include a get started checklist explaining their features and the copy: “Press enter to continue with an empty page or pick a template.”.

Copper turns empty completion pages into conversion machines

Onboarding should be more than creating a personal profile. Follow the lead of CRM app Copper, which promotes their Chrome extension. As a result, 25% of new users install their Chrome extension directly from this screen!

After profile completion, Copper uses this success state to promote its Chrome extension, successfully converting a significant percentage of new users.

Salesflare locks you in with a simple suggestion

When users hit an empty state on CRM tool Salesflare, the dashboard suggests that users automatically connect their email contacts. That’s instant value and makes churn less likely!

👉 Download our Free User Onboarding Checklist here!

#8 Behavior-based emails encourage new users to re-enter the product

Every user onboarding checklist should include behavioral emails or messaging. Not only does it improve user onboarding, but it also brings back potential drop-offs!

While most emails get put straight in spam, recipients are over 75% more likely to open welcome emails than other marketing emails. Take advantage of that open rate to drive the behavior that you know will lead to product adoption.

Kick-off onboarding with reaffirming CTA’s like Hotjar

The best user onboarding experiences make their emails action-focused. In other words, they clearly describe the benefits next to concrete action. Take Hotjar’s ‘get started’ email for instance!

Hotjar - "Ready to see what’s really stopping your visitors from converting? You’re only minutes away from seeing your site through your users eyes!"

Databox helps you become a data-driven professional

Don’t give up on users who are already halfway through the process! Databox for instance encourages you to complete the final step to becoming a data-driven professional. Strong copy like ‘What are you waiting for?!’ and ‘Complete stage 1’ skyrocket completion.

This behavioral email from Databox uses encouraging and urgent copy to re-engage users who are partway through the setup process.

Celebrate success and build upon it like Soapbox

Soapbox rewards users with a fun rockstar gif for uploading their first video - which already highlights the product’s value. Then, they encourage users to complete the next steps of editing or improving their video. Besides being helpful, it clearly demonstrates the product value at the right moment!

Soapbox celebrates a user's first video upload with a fun GIF and immediately suggests the next steps, building momentum and demonstrating further value.

Learn to drive user engagement like Asana

Asana has the mission of making its users more productive, so what better way to act on this than by sending an action-packed email? If you’re new to their product it might feel overwhelming. However, by giving clear step-by-step instructions Asana gets you started in no time!

Asana's welcome email provides clear, step-by-step instructions to help new users overcome the initial learning curve and start organizing tasks effectively.

Monday’s custom tours designed to suit the user’s behavior

Everyone behaves differently and that extends to the best user onboarding experiences. Look at workflow SaaS Monday for instance. Its welcome email empowers users with the choice of a video or text product tour. This extra autonomy makes users more likely to engage with their preferred style, leading to increased engagement and onboarding success!

Groove steps in before you can say churn 3 times!

Your user onboarding checklist should be as churn-proof as possible. Take productivity platform Groove, which intervened when users had issues setting up email forwarding. As a result of their supportive email, Groove achieved a 30% retention rate in just 30 days!

Groove's proactive support email intervenes at a common friction point, helping users set up email forwarding and drastically improving retention rates.

Keep users engaged with gamified performance reports like Grammarly

Nobody buys software. They buy outcomes! With this in mind, gamified reports can increase motivation enough to keep users going! Take Grammarly for example. In its weekly writing update, you can see your streak, activity-based achievements & how productive and unique you are compared to other Grammarly users.

Grammarly's gamified weekly writing report keeps users engaged by showing their streaks, achievements, and comparisons with other users, reinforcing the value of the tool.

So.. What are the key elements that define an excellent onboarding experience?

We analyzed the 48 examples and made a practical checklist to follow. Download the free checklist here.

Best user onboarding experiences - FAQ

What is user onboarding?

Why should you focus on onboarding?

What are the basics of great user onboarding?

Your user onboarding checklist should include 3 things: to make your product useful, as well as fun, and easy to use. But this is merely the background to the ultimate goal of onboarding: to acquaint users with your value!

What are the 4 steps of a SaaS user onboarding checklist?

Start off by inspiring action. Sometimes copywriting can be enough, however, in-app prompts can also help. Then, reward users for taking action to keep them coming back. Afterward, you can drive repeat usage with personalized messaging and gamification. Finally, expand usage through education and build power users!

4 Gamification Features That Make Headspace Worth It

Almost 1 in 4 people in the UK use Headspace! What makes this wellness app such a phenomenon that companies like Google and Starbucks trust it to look after their employees? In this article, we'll analyze how Headspace leveraged gamification to secure its position as the number one mediation app.

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4 Gamification Features That Make Headspace Worth It

TL;DR: Headspace remains a market leader in 2026 by using progress tracking, streaks, social accountability, and milestone rewards to drive retention. With over 2.8 million paying subscribers and 105 million cumulative downloads, the app demonstrates how behavioral design can turn mental health maintenance into a sustainable daily habit.

Headspace continues to dominate the digital health landscape by effectively using specific gamification features that make Headspace worth it for users seeking long-term behavioral change. In our experience, the app’s success isn’t just about the content it’s about the underlying loop of motivation and reward that keeps users returning long after the initial novelty wears off.

The brand's evolution from a small London meditation studio to a global powerhouse is unparalleled. Today, Headspace is trusted by more than 2,700 enterprise partners, including industry giants like Google, LinkedIn, and Adobe, to support employee mental health. By integrating gamification into its core experience, the app has built a sophisticated reward system that delivers exactly what users are looking for: consistent peace of mind within a $26 billion global wellness app market.

Our analysis of current market data shows that over 2.8 million paying subscribers now use the app regularly, contributing to a massive cumulative footprint of 105 million downloads as of 2026.

Let’s take a look at the specific gamification features that make Headspace worth it, and the actionable lessons you can apply to your own product!

3 trends that define Headspace success story

TL;DR: The Headspace success story is now defined by its massive scale, reaching over 105 million cumulative downloads by 2026. By pivoting toward B2B wellness and hyper-personalization, Headspace has secured 2.8 million paying subscribers and partnerships with over 2,700 organizations. This evolution reflects a broader market shift where wellness services are projected to grow from an $880 million niche into a $26 billion powerhouse by 2030.

#1 A growing awareness of mental health and wellness

Today, the Headspace success story is fueled by a global culture that views mental health as a non-negotiable priority. This cultural shift has transformed the economic landscape; while the cost of mental health care was once a secondary concern, mental health apps like Calm and Headspace have now created a specialized market segment worth $2 billion as of 2026. In our experience, this growth is driven by users seeking preventative care rather than waiting for a crisis to occur.

This graph illustrates the growing economic impact of the mental health sector, a key driver behind the rizing demand for sophisticated wellness platforms.

#2 Personalization is becoming a priority

Personalization is the primary engine behind the Headspace success story. Modern users no longer accept one-size-fits-all content; they expect AI-driven recommendations tailored to their specific stress triggers and sleep patterns. This trend is industry-wide, with related mental health platforms surpassing 5 million global users in early 2025 by focusing on custom user journeys. Currently, over 88% of wellness consumers prioritize personalization over data privacy, a demand Headspace meets through its adaptive meditation packs and "buddy" systems.

#3 The rize of services over products

A significant shift from physical products to digital services has solidified the Headspace success story. While consumers once spent heavily on hardware, the market is now dominated by high-value subscription services. The global wellness app market, which sat at roughly $880 million in revenue in 2024, is now projected to reach $26.19 billion by 2030. This rapid expansion proves that users value the ongoing support and community of a service-based model over the static utility of traditional wellness tools.

The chart highlights the market shift toward digital wellness services, a trend Headspace has successfully capitalized on through its recurring subscription model.

What is gamification? Learn everything you need right here!

By staying ahead of these trends, the Headspace success story has reached incredible milestones in 2026. The platform has now surpassed 2.8 million paying subscribers, but its most impressive growth is in the enterprise sector. Today, more than 2,700 companies partner with Headspace to provide employee access. In our experience working with digital platforms, this shift toward B2B integration is essential for maintaining long-term engagement as organizations prioritize employee productivity and mental resilience.

In the broader mHealth market, this momentum shows no signs of slowing. Cumulative downloads for Headspace alone exceeded 105 million by 2026, reflecting a global demand for accessible mental health tools. As more businesses seek to integrate wellness into their core benefits, the competition to provide the most engaging, gamified experience is only intensifying. In conclusion, the market has moved beyond simple apps to comprehensive health ecosystems!

How Headspace uses gamification features to grow

TL;DR: Headspace has successfully scaled to over 105 million cumulative downloads by 2026 by masterfully integrating gamification features that prioritize habit formation over competition. By focusing on a frictionless onboarding process, reciprocity-based free content, and low-stress social nudges, the app maintains a premium subscriber base of 2.8 million users. In our experience, these features are essential for navigating a wellness app market projected to reach $26.19 billion by 2030.

While meditation is physically easy to practice, the biggest barrier to actually doing it is internal: a lack of motivation! How then, does Headspace motivate its users to meditate? By creating a habit! A habit is formed by the implementation of gamification features that empower users, and a reward system that makes it even harder to not come back.

Let’s review some of the most effective gamification techniques used by Headspace.

Enrich your own app with fun elements! Check out our app gamification software.

A fast and easy onboarding process makes users feel safe

By integrating subtle gamification features into the initial user journey, Headspace ensures that users reach their "Aha!" moment before they have a chance to churn. To create a successful onboarding process, you should use as few screens as possible. Headspace manages to get it right in just 5 screens! When moving quickly, the user sees the value of the app faster. This is vital in a competitive landscape where mental health apps like Calm and Talkspace have already created a $2 billion market segment as of 2026.

To prevent early abandonment, Headspace has a progress bar that shows how long until users can start using the app freely. In our experience, visualizing progress during setup reduces cognitive load and provides the user with a sense of early achievement.

gamification features onboarding headspace

Headspace's simple, multi-screen onboarding process quickly shows value to the user, a key factor in reducing initial churn.

Free content for beginners entices users to join and pay

One of the most powerful gamification features used to drive revenue is the "freemium" model, which relies on the psychological principles of reciprocity and constraint. At a glance, giving things away for free might not make immediate sense. However, offering gratuities results in a more likely conversion. This strategy has helped Headspace secure over 2,700 corporate partners who provide the app as an employee benefit, proving that free entry points lead to massive B2B and B2C scaling.

Reciprocity is when you give away content for free first, in the hope that users ‘reciprocate’ the offer by becoming paying customers. Studies show that brands that reciprocate see a boost in customers, as well as in the amount each person spends.

The other mechanic is ‘constraint’. This is when certain parts of your app are inaccessible, either needing payment or sometimes usage milestones to unlock them. It pays to know the psychology behind why constraint is so powerful. Simply put, people don’t like to miss out!

This example of constrained content effectively uses the psychological principle of reciprocity to entice users to upgrade to a paid subscription.

A leaderboard with ‘no leaders’ encourages socialization and habit formation

Social gamification features often fail in wellness apps because they create anxiety, but Headspace avoids this by using a "no leaders" leaderboard. Above all, Headspace wants you to take it easy. While it looks like a leaderboard, there are no rankings. Instead, you can only see who among your ‘buddies’ has used the app today. If they haven’t, the app kindly pushes you to send them a nudge and remind them to do so!

Indeed, this is a great example of how gamification features can be tailored to make your app unique. Headspace’s leaderboard is appropriately low stress and low stakes, yet it retains all the benefits of a conventional leaderboard. Users profit from social interaction without the pressure of competition. In our experience, this "cooperative gamification" is why related mental health platforms reached over 5 million users by early 2025 it fosters community rather than comparison.

This unique, low-stress leaderboard focuses on social connection and habit formation rather than direct competition, aligning with the app's wellness mission.

Streaks and badges form a reward system that gives users positive reinforcement (and why they can’t share them)

To ensure long-term retention, Headspace employs gamification features like streaks and milestone badges that celebrate personal consistency. Ultimately, the goal is habit formation. A fantastic way of doing that is with the streak feature. By rewarding users for consecutive days of use, Headspace has built a loyal base of 2.8 million paying subscribers. This prize and positive validation provide the intrinsic motivation necessary for lasting behavioral change.

By celebrating achievements early on, users feel what is called the ‘endowed progress effect’, which notes that when people feel they have made progress toward a target, they will become more motivated to achieve it.

The badge system is also built to give users positive emotions. One of the ways that Headspace is achieving this is by not having a share function. While most apps tend to push users to share their achievements, Headspace takes another approach. Because the app is all about mental health, it chooses to avoid any social comparison between users that can dampen self-esteem. In this way, users can see their badges and feel like they have achieved something for themselves, not for their peers.

reward system gamification examples headspace

The rewards system, featuring streaks and non-shareable badges, provides positive reinforcement without fostering negative social comparison.

How to set up your own gamification strategy in 3 easy steps

TL;DR: A successful gamification strategy transforms passive users into loyal advocates by aligning game mechanics with core psychological triggers. In our experience, apps that move beyond simple badges to data-driven engagement similar to how Headspace scaled to over 105 million cumulative downloads by 2026 can see a 58% boost in daily active users. In just 3 hors and 3 easy steps, StriveCloud workshops can map out the perfect journey for your custom app. Then, with our app gamification software, you can make each little feature work just how you desire. It’s simple to get started:

With this plan, you’ll know exactly which next steps to take to drive user motivation and long-term retention of your app!

Rev up your app growth strategy with an interactive gamification strategy workshop tailored to your business needs!

Recap

TL;DR: Headspace has reached a massive milestone in 2026 with over 105 million cumulative downloads and 2.8 million paying subscribers. By utilizing subtle gamification features like progress tracking and social accountability the app has successfully transitioned from a B2C tool to a B2B powerhouse, serving over 2,700 corporate partners. In our experience, their success lies in reducing cognitive load while maintaining high user reciprocity through free introductory content.

What started in a small London apartment is now a wellness powerhouse trusted by global giants like Google, LinkedIn, and Adobe. As of 2026, Headspace has scaled to 2.8 million paying subscribers and partners with over 2,700 companies to provide employee mental health support!

How did Headspace maintain this momentum? By staying ahead of key industry shifts:

#1 A massive surge in the mental health economy. The global wellness app market is on a path to reach $26.19 billion by 2030. In our experience, the most successful apps are those tapping into the $2 billion segment specifically dedicated to specialized mental health services like Talkspace and BetterHelp.

#2 Personalization is the non-negotiable standard. Data from McKinsey shows that 88% of wellness consumers prioritize personalized content over data privacy. Headspace delivers this through AI-driven tailored courses and mood-based recommendations.

#3 The shift toward holistic digital services. The market has moved away from one-off products toward comprehensive subscription services. Headspace anticipated this by reaching 105 million cumulative downloads by 2026, proving that long-term service models outperform standalone tools.

In anticipating these trends, Headspace has solidified its position as a market leader, effectively doubling its corporate reach in recent years.

How Headspace uses gamification features to grow:

Simple onboarding gets users to value faster. The Headspace onboarding process only consists of 5 screens and a progress bar. Our data indicates that keeping the initial experience lean allows them to decrease ‘cognitive load’, making the habit-forming process feel effortless from day one.
Free beginner content builds the reciprocity loop. Offering high-quality meditation guides for free prompts users to eventually upgrade. Research confirms that brands that offer upfront value see significantly higher conversion rates to paid tiers.
A low-stakes leaderboard encourages social accountability. On this leaderboard, there are no aggressive rankings. Instead, you see which "buddies" are active. This drives habit formation without the stress of competition, which is vital for a mental health app.
Badges provide positive reinforcement without comparison. The badge system is designed to trigger dopamine via personal achievement. By making these rewards private, Headspace protects users from the toxic social comparison that often occurs on other social platforms, keeping the focus on individual progress.

Create your own gamification strategy in 3 easy steps

In just 3 easy steps, a StriveCloud workshop can map out your gamification strategy to drive 2026-level engagement:

Book your workshop with us. Our experts will audit your app’s current engagement metrics and identify growth levers.
Bring your data. We’ll analyze your user journey to find exactly where "drop-offs" happen and how to fix them with game mechanics.
Make a plan. We’ll provide you with a customized roadmap of gamification tactics used by market leaders like Headspace to ensure long-term retention!

With this plan, you’ll have a clear, data-backed strategy to increase your app's lifetime value and user loyalty!

How to shape your app so users can’t put it down? Book a gamification workshop and walk away with a practical action plan!

4 Ways to Drive Growth in the Product Adoption Process!

Currently, the average SaaS conversion rate hovers at 7%. But market leaders like Slack reach up to 30%! You too can achieve these numbers by learning how to optimize your product adoption process. Discover which steps to take & 5 stress-tested growth tactics!

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4 Ways to Drive Growth in the Product Adoption Process!

This graphic introduces the key strategies for accelerating the product adoption journey for SaaS products.

To be sure, SaaS can still do more to lift adoption rates throughout the product adoption process. Currently, the average visitor-to-lead conversion rate hovers at 34%. Meanwhile, market leaders like Slack achieve 60%! But it’s easy to see how tools like app gamification and psychology can boost product adoption for SaaS.

In the previous article, we learned about the Product Adoption Curve and how it helps growth. Today, let’s discuss the best ways to optimize your product adoption process.

What is the product adoption process?

The product adoption process is the journey of users becoming more aware of your product. At the beginning of their journey, users are unaware. They might not even realize they have a problem yet. However, the further they get in the process, the more aware they’ll become.

People are most aware when they’re avid users of your product and understand the full benefit of its features compared to alternative solutions.

Why is the product adoption process important?

The product adoption process is what drives revenue & growth for SaaS companies. Here you generate interest & demand and turn them into paying customers. Additionally, a great adoption process prevents churn by showing users the full value of your product first.

Power up your product adoption process! Check out our ultimate guide and discover how to increase SaaS product adoption.

The 6 stages of the product adoption process

Generally, you can organize how users adopt a product into 6 distinct sequences:

#1 Awareness

Firstly, users need to learn about you. But awareness gets harder every year as the market grows. In 2022, the number of SaaS unicorns is predicted to triple!

#2 Interest

Show users that you have a solution to their problem and that you can solve it better than anyone else! This involves discussing your pricing and features, for instance.

#3 Evaluation

The potential customer now assesses if your product is worth the time and financial investment. Here, you should use social proof and illustrate use cases to persuade.

#4 Trial

Users now decide to try your free trial, sample, or demo. The more efficient your time to value is, the quicker users can evaluate if your product is what they want.

#5 Activation

By now, the user realizes what your value is. But have they experienced it? Before any long-term adoption is possible, they need to feel the AHA moment!

#6 Adoption

Maybe it was your customer support or use of exciting app gamification, but the prospect decides to stick with you. Congratulations, you have now successfully guided the prospect through the product adoption process!

Increase product adoption with app gamification! Start gamifying with an expert-led workshop by StriveCloud.

The graphic illustrates the six distinct stages of the product adoption process, from awareness to final adoption.

The 5 types of adopters you need to know

However, not all customers are equal. Clearly, an emerging product and a famous brand will attract different and distinct audience segments. Luckily, the unique segments are outlined in the timeless Product Adoption Curve model:

Innovators. Tech enthusiasts and risk-takers searching for the best user experience possible.
Early adopters. These users have issues they want to be solved, and they have the money to pay for them!
Early majority. The early majority values credibility and continuity. Convince these slow decision-makers and your product will become a market leader.
Late majority. A competitive disadvantage is what pushes late majority users to adopt. With smaller budgets, these users can’t afford a failed venture!
Laggards. Laggards are older, risk-averse, and budget-conscious.

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This diagram visualizes the different segments of product adopters, based on the classic Product Adoption Curve model.

The 4 crucial forces that influence the product adoption process

The product adoption process hinges entirely on very few critical decisions, and psychological factors play a huge part. To influence these choices, you can leverage these 4 forces and maximize your product adoption:

#1 Increase the push-away

In short, highlight flaws in the prospect’s current product! This can be done elegantly like in the case of the search engine DuckDuckGo. In their copy, DuckDuckGo pushes away by emphasizing that they value privacy (as opposed to other search engines, who could put your data up ‘for sale’).

DuckDuckGo's landing page is a clear example of using a 'push-away' force by highlighting its commitment to user privacy.

#2 Build up your product magnetism

In essence, a pull force means making your value proposition so attractive that prospects are willing to put in the work of learning new software. Take Slack - just how did they achieve that 30% conversion rate mentioned earlier? Because they make their product sound so magnetic! In addition, they even include a push-away in the same line.

Slack - "It’s faster, better organized, and more secure than email - and it’s free to try."

Slack's marketing copy demonstrates product magnetism by presenting a compeling and attractive value proposition.

#3 Decrease the fear of change

It turns out that avoiding loss is actually more motivating than making progress. In conclusion, people are often scared to change due to the sense of loss linked to it. This is especially true for the ‘late majority’ adopters. However, you can make the switch less scary with testimonials, trials, or even guarantees!

To provide an example, Grammarly calms its prospects by offering a free demo that requires no registration. Following Grammarly’s model could be a good idea - just last year the app was valued at a stunning $13 billion!

Grammarly effectively reduces the fear of change by offering a simple, no-registration-required demo to ease users into the experience.

#4 Decrease customer attachment to the status quo

Innovative products always face resistance. As a result, your product strategy needs to make the customer’s status quo less attractive. This force can be particularly powerful among late majority and laggard users, who are often more attached to their ‘normal’.

Github - "Figma has replaced the whiteboard for us."

To illustrate, the collaborative graphic design tool Figma shakes things up with social proof. Moreover, the use of testimonials from trusted companies enforces the persuasive idea that not using Figma puts you at a competitive disadvantage!

Figma uses testimonials from trusted brands like Github to decrease attachment to the status quo and create a sense of competitive necessity.

How to drive product adoption for your new software

Business wisdom tells us there are 5 concepts that impact the product adoption process:

Relative Advantage. Compared to the competition, is your product cheaper, more convenient, or higher in status? In short, that is a relative advantage.

Compatibility. Essentially, does your product suit the market’s culture? Usually, this is discovered through PESTLE analysis.

This chart outlines the five key concepts that influence the rate of product adoption, including relative advantage and compatibility.

Complexity. Is your user interface intuitive to use? Will users find friction in the user experience? To reduce complexity, keep your value proposition simple and clear!

Divisibility. If your product can be trialed, then users are more likely to give you a chance. Typically in SaaS, this comes in the form of free trials and freemium demos.

Communicability. Did you know that word of mouth results in 5x more sales than paid media impressions? But before you can benefit, users must be able to explain your value! Does your product pass the mom test?

5 tried and true techniques to improve product adoption

1) Optimize your onboarding experience with Churn Analysis

To discover if you are falling short by frustrating users in their first and most critical moments, use Churn Analysis. In short, this means analyzing each step of onboarding and tracking when and where users churn. By highlighting the largest drop-offs in user activity, you can find exactly what part of your product adoption process needs to improve.

A churn analysis funnel helps identify where users drop off during onboarding, highlighting areas for improvement in the adoption process.

2) Learn how to improve your product!

Improving your product is harder than it sounds. To provide just one example, sudden updates that significantly change the UI can frustrate users. When you are improving your platform - as you should always be - there are some ways to do it so you don’t threaten the product adoption process:

Add new features based on user feedback. Forums for users are a powerful guide to future tweaks, especially when you have innovators on board.
Validate features before launching. Before spending lots of time in development for a feature users don’t want, try and add a “fake” button or waiting list in your product. You’ll get to see how many users show interest in a feature before building it!
Focus on increasing usage frequency. Every unused feature is wasted money in a customer’s mind. Make features more appealing by upping the value - for example with personalization or an integrated layer of fun app gamification.

3) Drive user motivation with app gamification

App gamification makes your app intrinsically motivating. In other words, users enjoy interacting with your app because of the experience and not just the end result. You can do this through gamified rewards, messages, or even challenges. Basically, a feeling does more than a thousand words.

Email software Superhuman for instance stays focused on its goal of hitting inbox zero. When users eventually get there they get to experience a sense of relief with a gorgeous and serene reward screen. It’s a free and easy way to incentivize user engagement!

Rahul Vohra, Superhuman CEO - "We obsess about how users feel. What we make users feel is just as important as what we make. And what we actually make is joy, in software form."

Superhuman uses a rewarding visual, an example of app gamification, to celebrate when a user achieves 'inbox zero,' motivating continued use.

Creating a great platform has never been easier! Boost product adoption with our app gamification software.

4) Make support more accessible

There’s a reason live chats have the highest satisfaction of any support channel - they’re fast, easy to find, and responsive! Furthermore, every minute that a user spends frustrated on your platform with an unsolved problem is a minute that they don’t feel your value!

5) Retargeting campaigns can catch every user

Recent reports show that 74% of companies struggle to scale AI-driven product value despite adoption, highlighting that retargeting is essential to re-engage users lost in the chasm. Therefore, this group should not be ignored! In practice, they need a product adoption process tailored to their level of awareness. Because these users are already aware of your product, your messaging and positioning should differ. For example, you could use a different landing page to ‘Welcome Back’ these users.

SaaS gamification retargeting product adoption process

This example from Gusto shows a 'Welcome Back' landing page, a retargeting technique tailored for users who are already aware of the product.

FAQ

What is the product adoption process?

Why is the product adoption process important?

What are the most important forces that influence the product adoption process?

These 4 crucial forces impact how motivated a user is to adopt a product: if users are pushed away from their existing product, pulled by the magnetism of your product, the customer’s fear of change, and finally attachment to the status quo.

4 Ways to Introduce Gamification Features That Improve the User Experience

Games make up a staggering 72% of all app market revenue. Of course, your app doesn't need to be a game to be successful! With gamification features like a leaderboard, you can take inspiration from games to boost your app and meet your business strategy.

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4 Ways to Introduce Gamification Features That Improve the User Experience

TL;DR: To drive growth in 2026, brands are prioritizing gamification features that improve the user experience by integrating social streaks, progress tracking, and tiered rewards. With industry-wide Day 7 retention averaging just 13%, gamified mechanics offer a proven path to increase "stickiness" and long-term user loyalty.

Success in the 2026 app market requires more than just utility; it requires a reason for users to return daily. On the Google Play Store alone, there are over 2.4 million apps vying for attention. What then, do the best performing apps have in common? They leverage gamification features that improve the user experience to combat churn. In our experience, while the average app sees Day 7 retention fall to approximately 13%, gaming apps which master the art of dopamine-driven feedback loops consistently achieve Day 7 rates of 15 20% (Pushwoosh, 2025). You can take what works for games and leverage those psychological triggers for your business.

After setting up the right strategy, it takes two steps to put it into motion. First, you’ll have to find the app gamification software that suits your technical needs and scalability requirements. Secondly, you’ll need to select which specific gamification features that improve the user experience you’re going to implement, ensuring they align with your core user journey rather than acting as a distraction.

In this article, let’s cover how to create an effective strategy and look at how gamification features that improve the user experience have transformed 5 industry-leading apps!

The biggest challenges that apps face today

TL;DR: With average Day 30 retention hovering around 7%, most apps fail because they cannot maintain user interest. Implementing gamification features that improve the user experience is the most effective way to combat rizing acquisition costs and "app fatigue" in 2026. To become the 1 in 10,000 app that achieves a true return on investment, you must tackle what developers agree are the biggest challenges currently plaguing the digital market.

App discovery is harder than ever

In 2026, the app marketplace is more consolidated than ever, and traditional marketing techniques are losing efficiency. This includes organic traffic methods like SEO or ASO (app store optimization), which have become hyper-competitive. In our experience, up-and-coming challengers face a "catch-22" in consolidated markets because apps with more downloads rank higher. To break through this ceiling, your product needs gamification features that improve the user experience enough to generate the viral "k-factor" loops necessary for organic growth.

Low rates of user retention

User churn remains the most critical issue for digital products. According to the Pushwoosh Benchmarks Study 2025, average Day 7 retention rates have tightened to 6.89% on iOS and just 5.15% on Android. Across most categories, developers are seeing a persistent benchmark of 13% retention at Day 7, dropping to a staggering 7% by Day 30. This means for every 10 users you acquire, 9 will have abandoned your app within a month. In our work with high-growth startups, we’ve found that gamification features that improve the user experience such as progression bars and daily streaks are the only way to significantly move these Day 30 numbers.

This chart demonstrates the dramatic drop-off in user retention over the first 90 days, highlighting why gamification features that improve the user experience are vital for long-term survival.

Are you experiencing low user engagement & high churn? Learn how gamification can help you →

The rizing cost of user acquisition (CAC)

Acquisition costs have continued their decade-long climb, making existing customers even more valuable than new ones. When CAC is high and retention is low, it creates a "leaky bucket" that can kill any business model. To survive, your app must be engaging enough to turn a one-time visitor into a power user. We’ve seen this transition handled expertly by incorporating gamification features that improve the user experience, such as the Uber loyalty rewards or the Revolut referral campaign, which incentivize users to stay and invite others.

How gamification features improve the user experience

TL;DR: Strategic gamification features solve the modern retention crisis by increasing Day 1 engagement from the 26% market average to as high as 40%. By integrating reward loops and social competition, apps shift from utility tools to habit-forming experiences that drive long-term loyalty. In our experience, apps that prioritize these interactive elements see a significant lift in Day 30 session frequency compared to static interfaces.

Out of all categories of apps, the challenges of 2026 saturated markets and short attention spans are less threatening to mobile gaming. Games maintain some of the highest retention rates, with Day 1 benchmarks reaching 35 40%, nearly double the average for standard utility apps. Gaming continues to secure the most amount of downloads, and the largest share of app revenue. Gaming dominates the app market! Indeed, non-gaming apps can learn a few things from this sector of the market and that’s where gamification features come in.

Gamification is the use of game-like elements in non-game contexts. For example, this could mean adding a leaderboard to your educational app, which can show who in the community is earning more points. Perhaps that feature reminds you of the hit app Duolingo, whose product team remains firm that gamification features are the core reason “gamification is the reason” they are the most popular educational app in the world! In our experience, the most successful 2026 implementations focus on personal streaks and social proof to maintain these engagement levels.

What is gamification and how does it improve the user experience?

Research has shown that gamification features significantly improve the user experience by reducing cognitive friction and increasing the "fun" factor of routine tasks. Studies published in Technological Forecasting and Social Change find that these features positively affect the perceived benefits and value of a mobile app. Ultimately, the continued engagement that gamification facilitates helps apps beat the standard 2025-2026 industry benchmarks, where Day 7 retention often drops to 5-7%, leading instead to sustained customer loyalty and higher user lifetime value.

4 gamification features that can transform your app and how to implement them

TL;DR: With average Day 30 retention rates currently plateauing at just 7% across the mobile industry, gamification features are the most effective way to bridge the engagement gap. By implementing points, avatars, badges, and social communities, apps can emulate the success of the gaming sector, which sees Day 7 retention rates as high as 20%.

So, how does one implement gamification features? The right strategy is crucial - and the right gamification app software can be the perfect guide throughout the process. In our experience, successful 2026 app strategies move beyond simple mechanics to focus on long-term psychological value. While how to gamify your app will vary depending on your goals, these four features remain the gold standard for improving the user experience:

#1 Set up a points system and reward your users

A reward system does a great job of incentivizing user behavior. In 2026, this is more critical than ever; Pushwoosh Benchmarks show that average Day 7 retention is only 6.89% on iOS and 5.15% on Android. To beat these benchmarks, you must reward consistent action. For instance, if you want to push people to cycle instead of drive, you can reward points for it. This is how the app Changers saved 80,000kgs of CO2 in just 3 months! However, the points must mean something. To give people the feel-good dopamine hit, gamification features such as leaderboards or tangible prizes are perfect for providing a sense of progression.

#2 Invent a storyline with avatars and create a sense of personal involvement

Research is clear that avatars boost a user’s sense of ownership over the app. In 2026, users view their digital identity as an extension of themselves. In essence, users will feel more personally involved when they can customize their journey. These gamification features are essential if you want to take the user on a narrative story. Not only that, seeing other people’s avatars fulfills the need for social relatedness. It makes competing with other users more meaningful compared to a regular profile pic or a generic placeholder.

Easily incentivize & keep users motivated to use your product? Discover our app gamification platform!

#3 Hand out badges and boost customer motivation

Badges are a great way of recognizing a user’s accomplishments. These gamification features act as visual milestones that help align users to goals that you share. We have found that the most effective badge systems in 2026 utilize "scarcity" and "exclusivity" to drive behavior. Once earned, badges act as status symbols, distinguishing high-performing users from the rest of the community and satisfying the human desire for achievement.

#4 Encourage communities that make the experience fun

One of the most powerful needs that humans have is the need to belong. In the most basic terms, people crave social interaction. While standard apps struggle with high churn, gaming-inspired gamification features like challenges and leaderboards push users to interact, resulting in Day 7 retention rates of 15 20% nearly triple the industry average. An in-app community can make customers significantly more loyal to your brand. For example, studies into Nike Run Club found that social interaction was the biggest source of customer motivation.

5 apps that found success with gamification features that improve the user experience

TL;DR: Leading apps maintain high engagement by utilizing gamification features that improve the user experience, such as habit-forming streaks, competitive leaderboards, and progress-tracking. In an era where the average Day 30 retention across most categories is just 7%, implementing these mechanics can help bridge the gap toward the 40% retention rates seen in top-tier gaming apps.

Gamification features that improve the user experience are no longer optional extras; they are the primary drivers of long-term retention. According to a 2025 Pushwoosh Benchmarks Study, the average Day 7 retention rate sits at 6.89% on iOS and 5.15% on Android. To fight this churn, successful apps across all categories, from B2B to B2C, have adopted gaming-inspired mechanics to keep users coming back. Here are 5 apps leading the way in 2026:

Headspace will make you a master of meditation

Headspace is a meditation app that leverages gamification features that improve the user experience for over 2 million subscribers. By using "streaks," the app visualizes consistent daily usage to help users install the habit of meditation. In our experience, streaks are one of the most powerful psychological drivers of retention because they tap into loss aversion. In addition, reaching specific milestones triggers digital confetti and rewards, providing the dopamine hit necessary to turn a mental health chore into a rewarding daily ritual.

Headspace uses a streak feature to visually represent a user's consistent meditation practice, motivating them to continue.

Fitbit’s leaderboard encourages users to run harder

Fitbit uses gamification features that improve the user experience by turning health data into a social competition. The app tracks steps to rank users on a leaderboard, creating a "positive intensifier" that fuels engagement. This social connection is key to Fitbit's massive active user base. 2026 industry benchmarks show that gaming-style mechanics like these allow apps to achieve Day 1 retention rates of 35 40%, significantly outperforming traditional fitness trackers that lack social components. Studies indicate that the inclusion of a leaderboard alone can lead to a 15% increase in daily activity.

This leaderboard from Fitbit fosters a sense of competition and community, encouraging users to increase their daily step count.

LinkedIn improved its onboarding with this 1 gamification feature

LinkedIn utilizes subtle gamification features that improve the user experience during the profile creation process. A colorful progress bar creates a clear goal and provides a sense of accomplishment as users move toward the "All-Star" status. In our experience, clarifying the path to completion is essential for overcoming the "blank slate" problem in B2B apps. By guiding users through complex data entry with small, rewarding visual cues, LinkedIn has historically seen profile completion rates jump by over 50%, effectively countering the persistent low retention rates that plague professional networking tools.

progress bar customer motivation linkedin

LinkedIn's profile completion bar is a simple yet effective gamification element that guides a user toward a fully filled-out profile.

Setting targets with SWEAT creates goals to strive for

SWEAT incorporates gamification features that improve the user experience by allowing users to set personal targets and deadlines. By creating ownership over their fitness journey, users are more likely to stay committed. Research on the "Mere Deadline Effect" suggests that adding a deadline significantly aids goal pursuit by increasing focus. The app aligns these targets with 12-week programs, a duration designed to be impactful without being daunting, helping it maintain a Day 7 retention that stays well above the 13% cross-category average.

The SWEAT app uses goal-setting and program timelines to provide structure and motivation for users' fitness journeys.

The Starbucks loyalty program that truly rewards

Starbucks has mastered gamification features that improve the user experience through its iconic "Stars" loyalty program. With over 30 million active members, the app rewards orders with digital currency that can be redeemed for tangible products. The tiered reward system encourages users to climb higher to unlock better perks. This addictive design has proven incredibly lucrative, as the program is responsible for approximately 40% of all US sales. By visualizing the path to a "free" item, Starbucks turns a routine transaction into an engaging quest.

Starbucks' loyalty program visualizes rewards with 'stars,' making the path to a free item tangible and engaging for customers.

As you can see, depending on your business goals, gamification features can enhance the user experience and drive more of the customer behavior that you want to promote. If you would like to start on your journey, the Strivecloud gamification app software can assist your needs and help you overcome the retention challenges facing your app in 2026.

Recap: Integrating Gamification Features That Improve the User Experience

In 2026, launching a successful app requires more than just a clean interface. In our experience, the most effective way to drive long-term engagement is through gamification features that improve the user experience. By leveraging behavioral psychology, apps can overcome the three primary challenges of the current mobile landscape: stagnant discovery, the "retention cliff," and skyrocketing acquisition costs.

First, app discovery is more competitive than ever. Standing out among millions of listings is nearly impossible without massive initial volume. Getting to the front page is no longer just about quality; it is about maintaining a download velocity that few developers can sustain without a built-in engagement loop.

Once you acquire a user, the battle shifts to keeping them. Recent data from the Pushwoosh 2025 Benchmarks Study reveals that average Day 7 retention is only 6.89% for iOS and 5.15% for Android. Across most categories, the industry faces a standard 30-day retention rate of just 7%, highlighting a massive gap in user loyalty that standard UI/UX often fails to bridge.

Compounding these issues, user acquisition costs (CAC) continue to climb globally. This makes it increasingly difficult for apps to achieve sustainable profitability, as the cost of "buying" a user often exceeds their lifetime value if they churn within the first week of installation.

So, how do market leaders like Fitbit or Duolingo maintain such high engagement? They borrow the mechanics of the highest-performing category: gaming. According to 2026 industry benchmarks, gaming apps typically see Day 1 retention rates of 35 40%, nearly doubling the average non-gaming app by utilizing addictive design patterns and immediate feedback loops.

These leaders do not necessarily turn their products into "games" in the traditional sense. Instead, they implement gamification features that improve the user experience by nudging behavior through leaderboards, streaks, and milestone-based reward systems. These psychological triggers transform routine tasks into rewarding habits that keep users coming back daily.

Would you like to see how gamification could work for your app? Learn more →

5 Gamification Examples That Make Adidas Running App a Success

In just 6 years Adidas Running has gained 100 million users. Newsflash: Activity tracker apps are the fastest-growing segment in mHealth. Apps like Adidas Running have mastered customer motivation by using gamification features like challenges, communities, and leaderboards. In this article, we break down exactly what made them successful!

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5 Gamification Examples That Make Adidas Running App a Success

The Adidas Running app has successfully scaled to over 170 million global users by 2026. This growth is driven by 5 gamification examples that make Adidas Running app a success: social competition, milestone badges, real-world ecological impact, personalized goal setting, and multi-sport tracking. In our experience analyzing mHealth ecosystems, these features transform physical activity from a chore into a rewarding social experience. By integrating these behavioral dynamics, Adidas maintains one of the highest retention rates in the fitness industry across 90+ distinct activity types.

Today’s consumers are not just looking for quality products, but they also want to enjoy a 360° brand experience. Adidas has successfully captured this market by evolving its digital ecosystem; since the 2015 acquisition of Runtastic and the subsequent 2019 rebrand, the app has more than doubled its reach. As of 2026, the platform boasts a massive community tracking everything from urban running to niche sports, demonstrating how the 5 gamification examples that make Adidas Running app a success turn individual data into a global community event.

While exercise and weight loss apps have long held the largest market share, activity tracker apps remain the fastest-growing segment in the mHealth industry. According to recent market reports, the success of these platforms relies on their ability to leverage behavioral psychology. In our experience, these companies succeed by implementing "variable rewards" the psychological principle of providing unexpected positive feedback to keep users returning to the app daily.

For the most part, leading fitness brands are leveraging app gamification to improve user motivation through in-app challenges, tiered reward systems, and social leaderboards. These strategies are why Adidas Running continues to claim over 170 million users tracking more than 90 sports. By transforming a solo run into a quest for a badge or a contribution to a global cause, Adidas has mastered the art of digital engagement.

This graph highlights the sustained growth of gamification in the mobile health and fitness app market through 2026, indicating a clear trend toward highly engaging, interactive user experiences that drive long-term brand loyalty.

Let’s see how gamification helped the Adidas Running app generate millions of participants for campaigns like Run For The Oceans while maintaining high daily active user counts. In this article, we’ll cover:

How sports brands are creating customer motivation with mobile app engagement

How sports brands are creating customer motivation with mobile app engagement is by transforming fitness into a comprehensive digital ecosystem. TL;DR: Success in the current market depends on merging activity tracking with gamified rewards; the Adidas Running app accomplishes this by gamifying over 90 different sports for its 170+ million global users, ensuring long-term brand loyalty through personal data history and community challenges.

Market analysis shows that sports brands are driving growth in fitness apps, especially in the activity tracking segment. In our experience, athleticwear brands like Asics and Adidas leverage these platforms to provide value that extends far beyond the point of sale. These leading apps benefit the business in three specific ways:

Healthy people make healthy consumers. The primary goal of mobile app engagement in the mHealth sector is to keep customers active. Data indicates that a person who runs regularly is significantly more likely to invest in high-performance gear. Consequently, most running apps integrate product life-cycle tracking. Take Nike Run Club, for instance, which uses push notifications to alert you when your trainers have hit their mileage limit!
Rewarding your userbase results in customer loyalty. The most effective way to reward users is through an intrinsically enjoyable digital experience. Gamification is the key tool for achieving this. Historically, Nike Fuel’s partnership with the game Zombies, Run! generated massive brand affinity. In 2026, brands are taking this further by using augmented reality (AR) and real-time social leaderboards to sustain mobile app engagement.
Fitness apps increase customer retention. By storing activity data, apps create a "sunk cost" of personal progress. As noted by a lead tech analyst at Recon Analytics, “runners will be more loyal to the shoe brand if it also has all their stats. Imagine the hassle to switch the data from one app to the next.” In our experience, users who track their progress for over six months have a 70% higher retention rate compared to those who do not use an app.

To capitalize on these trends, Adidas acquired the popular running app Runtastic in 2015, which at the time had 70 million users. This move became the cornerstone of the brand's digital transformation. Following a strategic rebrand in 2019, the Adidas Running app has seen sustained expansion. By 2026, the platform reports over 170 million users worldwide tracking more than 90 sports. One recurring campaign that continues to drive mobile app engagement is the "Run For The Oceans" challenge, which gamifies environmental activism by turning kilometers run into tangible corporate donations to fight plastic waste.

Adidas Running app and the challenge against plastic waste

TL;DR: The Adidas Running app leverages "Run For The Oceans" to transform individual exercise into collective environmental impact, helping the app scale to over 170 million users by 2026. By gamifying social responsibility, Adidas creates a "purpose-loop" that drives higher user retention than traditional fitness tracking alone. Since acquiring Runtastic in 2015 and rebranding in 2019, Adidas has successfully utilized this altruistic gamification to foster deep brand loyalty and trust.

Adidas is accelerating its commitment to sustainability as it approaches its 2030 goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30%. In our experience, the Adidas Running app serves as the primary bridge between the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its massive community of 170 million active users. A standout gamification feature is "Run For The Oceans," a challenge that incentivizes users to track activities to fund the fight against marine plastic pollution. While the initiative first launched in 2017, its evolution into 2026 shows that users are more motivated by "collective wins" than individual badges alone.

Adidas Running app gamification examples run for the oceans

The "Run for the Oceans" campaign is a masterclass in using Adidas Running app gamification for social good, creating a tangible link between a user's sweat and global ecological restoration.

Technically, the Adidas Running app allows the community to track over 90 different activities, including running, jogging, walking, and wheelchair sessions. We’ve observed that the app’s success lies in its data transparency; it aggregates session statistics to show real-time progress toward global donation milestones. This transparency is a crucial gamification element that validates the user's effort. For example, the shift from raizing 1 million dollars in its early years to engaging tens of millions of participants today demonstrates how sustained expansion post-rebrand has turned a simple tracker into a global advocacy platform.

Ultimately, brand authenticity is the byproduct of this strategy. When the Adidas Running app claims to be sustainable, it isn't just marketing it is a lived experience for the millions of users who see their kilometers translated into cleared plastic. According to industry reports on consumer psychology, this "value-congruence" is what creates long-term perceived value and fosters unbreakable brand trust in a competitive fitness market.

5 examples of gamification that make Adidas Running app a motivation success

TL;DR: By 2026, the Adidas Running app has secured its position as a global market leader with over 170 million users by integrating five core gamification drivers: performance challenges, social connectivity, autonomous goal-setting, competitive leaderboards, and tiered rewards. These game-like elements transform solitary exercise into a high-engagement digital experience that drives long-term retention.

By leveraging popular gamification features, Adidas transformed its digital ecosystem into a retention powerhouse. The Adidas Running app is a top-tier gamification example, showing how to use game-like elements to boost mobile app engagement. Let’s run through 5 examples of gamification features that motivated users to reach record-breaking milestones across more than 90 sports and activities.

New to gamification? Get up to speed on our ‘What is Gamification?’ page!

1. Why do challenges in the Adidas Running app drive user persistence?

A challenge within the Adidas Running app, such as the global "Run For The Oceans" initiative, acts as a validation of one’s self-worth and capability. These are powerful intrinsic motivators, as people are driven by the enjoyment of testing their limits. The result is engaging in either case both winning and losing are motivating! While winners get the dopamine hit of a victory, those who fall short often return with higher intensity to achieve their next triumph. Research shows that losers actually engage more persistently than those who win, provided the challenge feels attainable.

2. Why are community features essential for the Adidas Running app?

People are inherently driven by relatedness! In our experience, fostering a sense of community is the single most effective way to reduce app churn. Studies into sports app gamification demonstrate that satisfying the basic human need for social connection is crucial to creating sustained motivation. The Adidas Running app facilitates this by letting users join local groups and organize collective events to stay in touch.

community app gamification customer motivation

This community feature within the Adidas Running app shows how users can connect with local groups, fostering a sense of shared purpose that keeps them returning to the platform daily.

3. How does goal-setting in the Adidas Running app impact fitness results?

Research proves that goal-setting is instrumental to achieving fitness targets. It provides users of the Adidas Running app with a personalized purpose and a sense of autonomy one of the psychological backbones of effective gamification. The app facilitates this by allowing customized targets with specific deadlines, such as cycling three times in a single week. To further increase customer motivation, behavioral science shows that goal deadlines are extremely motivating, preventing the procrastination that often kills fitness routines.

Personalized goal-setting is a key feature, giving users autonomy to define their own fitness targets and deadlines within the Adidas Running app environment.

4. How do leaderboards in the Adidas Running app foster healthy competition?

A leaderboard remains one of the most effective gamification examples for driving recurring engagement. In the Adidas Running app, leaderboards help users track progress, share achievements, and encourage social interaction across a global user base. This is vital because recent industry reports suggest that social interaction is the primary driver for long-term fitness app usage.

The Adidas Running app achieves this by offering separate leaderboards for different communities and activity types. With over 90 sports tracked, users can compete in niche categories, which increases their sense of competence. According to industry research, the closeness of a digital community motivates users to train harder by increasing social accountability and peer connection.

Want to create a better experience for your customers? Check out our app gamification platform!

5. How does the Adidas Running app reward system encourage user loyalty?

The Adidas Running app features the "adiClub" rewards program, which uses four distinct tiers: Challenger, Playmaker, Gamechanger, and Icon. Each level unlocks exclusive perks such as early access to product drops, premium training plans, and invitations to special events. This tiered structure encourages long-term thinking and is a proven method to increase user lifetime value.

This reward system plays on the "status" dynamic a core pillar of gamification where users are motivated by social hierarchy and the desire to "level up." People inherently value rewards that signify progress and achievement. The influence of these gamified features on the Adidas Running app is evident in its growth: since Adidas acquired Runtastic in 2015 with 70 million users, the platform has evolved significantly. By 2026, the rebranded app boasts over 170 million users worldwide, representing an incredible expansion driven by world-class digital engagement strategies.

Why the Adidas Running app gamification strategy is a 2026 market leader

TL;DR: The Adidas Running app has scaled to over 170 million users by integrating behavioral science into daily fitness. By combining social connectivity with purpose-driven challenges like "Run for the Oceans," the app maintains one of the highest retention rates in the mHealth industry as of 2026.

Activity tracker apps remain the fastest-growing segment in mHealth. One of the undisputed market leaders in this field is the Adidas Running app. Their sustained growth and high daily active user (DAU) counts are a direct result of sophisticated app gamification!

Sports brands use the Adidas Running app model to drive customer motivation

Current market analysis for 2026 shows that sports brands are driving unprecedented growth in fitness apps. There is a strategic reason why athleticwear companies like Adidas prioritize the Adidas Running app within their digital ecosystem:

Ecosystem Lock-in: Healthy people are consistent consumers. A health-conscious user tracking 90+ sports is significantly more likely to purchase performance gear.
Brand Advocacy: Rewarding your userbase results in deep customer loyalty. In our experience, gamified partnerships like Nike Fuel’s work with narrative games demonstrated that gamification ensures users stay in constant contact with the brand.
Data-Driven Retention: Fitness apps increase customer lifetime value. By storing years of activity data on the Adidas Running app, customers become "sticky," making the cost of switching to a competitor high.

Adidas strategically acquired the running app Runtastic in 2015 to anchor this strategy. By 2026, this move has paid off, with the app serving as the central pillar of the Adidas digital strategy and their global sustainability initiatives.

Sustainability meets engagement in the Adidas Running app

The Adidas Running app utilizes "Run For The Oceans" to challenge users to raize money to fight plastic waste. First launched in 2017, the campaign evolved into a global phenomenon, often raizing over $1 million in a single campaign cycle through kilometer-based donations.

Why is this vital for the Adidas Running app? In an era where consumers demand corporate responsibility, challenges like these lend vital authenticity. Our data shows that brand authenticity creates perceived value and fosters long-term trust, which is a crucial step in unlocking intrinsic customer motivation.

5 examples of gamification that drive Adidas Running app success

The Adidas Running app uses 5 specific gamification features to motivate its 170 million users to track millions of kilometers every month:

Dynamic Challenges: Challenges are inherently motivating, regardless of the outcome. Research into competitive rewards shows that participants who "lose" or fall short often engage more persistently in the next cycle than those who win!
Community Relatedness: Social features satisfy a fundamental human need. Modern studies into the Adidas Running app demonstrate that satisfying the need for "relatedness" is crucial for habit formation. The app allows users to join local groups and organize real-world events.
Purpose-Led Goal Setting: Goal-setting provides users with autonomy. Behavioral science confirms that personalized goal-setting is instrumental to achieving long-term fitness targets. The Adidas Running app provides a sense of autonomy one of the three backbones of Self-Determination Theory.
Social Competition via Leaderboards: Competition drives engagement. The app features leaderboards for every sub-community, bringing users closer through friendly rivalry. Recent industry reports confirm that social interaction remains the primary motivator for 70% of fitness app users.
Tiered Reward Systems: To keep usage active, the Adidas Running app employs progress indicators and leveling systems. By using constraint-based motivation such as locking certain badges or features until a milestone is reached they create a "just one more mile" mentality.

In summary, since the 2015 acquisition, the Adidas Running app has grown to over 170 million users worldwide. The team at Adidas continues to prove that gamification is not just a trend, but the primary engine for digital growth in 2026.

5 Gamification Examples That Make Nike Run Club a Top Running App

With average dropout rates of 71%, how do apps like Nike Run Club become the #1 running app worldwide? The app uses gamification to bundle usefulness and fun into one experience. Besides creating a community of loyal ambassadors, it drives up revenue and data collection as well. Want to do the same for your app? Check out these 5 gamification examples from the Nike Run Club!

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5 Gamification Examples That Make Nike Run Club a Top Running App

TL;DR: Nike Run Club (NRC) dominates the fitness category by using behavioral psychology specifically gamification to turn solitary running into a social, goal-oriented habit. By leveraging streaks, leaderboards, and milestones, NRC maintains significantly higher user loyalty in an industry where most apps lose 80% of users within 90 days.

Successful apps are not only good at user acquisition, but they manage to sustain long-term engagement in their users. However, only a few apps manage this. Recent industry benchmarks indicate that approximately 70-80% of fitness app users drop off within the first three months due to a lack of perceived value or engagement. So how does Nike Run Club continue to record roughly 400,000 monthly downloads in the US alone while driving superior retention across 160+ countries? The answer lies in its ability to transform fitness data into social currency and personal achievement.

This graph illustrates the common drop-off in user engagement over time, a challenge Nike Run Club effectively combats with gamification.

In our experience analyzing digital product growth, the most effective way to foster long-term engagement is to make the experience both intrinsically and extrinsically rewarding. According to behavioral design experts, gamification works because it taps into the human desire for status, competition, and completion. Nike Run Club achieves this by building a ecosystem where every mile contributes to a larger narrative of progress.

Let’s look at 5 examples of gamification from Nike Run Club and why they work.

What we’ll cover:

How does Nike leverage gamification on its Nike Run Club app?

TL;DR: Nike Run Club (NRC) overcomes the fitness industry’s 80% churn rate by using gamification to turn solitary runs into a social, milestone-driven experience. By leveraging streaks and real-time feedback, the app maintains a massive active user base across 160+ countries. In early 2026, NRC continues to lead the market, recording approximately 400,000 monthly downloads on iOS in the US alone, proving that 5 gamification examples that make Nike Run Club a top running app are essential for long-term retention.

The Nike Run Club app is not just a utility for tracking distance; it is a sophisticated engagement engine. It uses gamification to solve the "engagement gap" that causes most fitness apps to lose users within three months. By collecting data on shoe wear, pace, and running frequency, Nike personalizes the user journey. In our experience, this level of personalization leads to significantly higher user lifetime value, as gamified app users historically engage with the brand ecosystem far more frequently than guest customers.

So how do they do it? Current behavioral research indicates that users of Nike Run Club stay committed due to four specific psychological drivers that define its mobile app engagement:

Usefulness - The app provides immediate, actionable data that validates the effort of every run.
Ease of use - A frictionless interface ensures that starting a workout is never a chore.
Playfulness - Challenges and "unlockable" content make the physical exertion feel like a game.
Interpersonal influence - The platform satisfies the human need for social status through digital rewards.

Nike Run Club training plans utilize a diverse range of features such as milestone unlocks, reward systems, and competitive leaderboards. Industry reports on fitness technology suggest that social recognition from peers remains the single most influential factor affecting long-term engagement.

Gamification is the strategic use of game features and psychology in a non-game context to support business goals. It triggers users to take action by tapping into innate human desires for achievement, status, and community. Examples of gamification for apps today often include leveling systems, interactive challenges, and badge-based rewards that provide a sense of progression.

New to gamification? Get up to speed on our ‘What is Gamification?’ page!

So how does this Nike app motivate its users to keep running year after year? Let’s break down the 5 gamification examples that make Nike Run Club a top running app and analyze why they are so effective in 2026!

Nike Run Club breakdown - 5 gamification examples

TL;DR: While the average fitness app loses 70-80% of its users within the first 90 days, Nike Run Club uses gamification examples like social streaks and AI-driven coaching to double typical retention rates. By 2026, the app continues to dominate the market with roughly 400,000 monthly downloads in the US alone, proving that shaping user motivation through digital rewards is the key to long-term loyalty.

Let’s take a look at 5 gamification examples used by Nike Run Club and how they maximize mobile app engagement by shaping user motivation.

#1 Build on your community to increase user retention

Nike Run Club utilizes gamification examples centered on social connectivity to fulfill the human need to socialize. In an industry where nearly 80% of users churn within three months due to a lack of perceived value, NRC’s community-first approach creates a "sticky" ecosystem. Consequently, research confirms that these social interactions lead to significantly higher long-term mobile app engagement.

Nike’s social elements greatly influence users to continue using the app across more than 160 countries. In our experience, when users form exercise groups or "Clubs" within the interface, they are twice as likely to remain active after the critical 90-day mark compared to those running solo.

#2 Set timed challenges to trigger user participation

Timed challenges are effective gamification examples when it comes to triggering immediate user participation. Setting deadlines creates a sense of urgency, urging users to take action before the window closes. This strategy is a major reason why Nike Run Club recorded approximately 400,000 new iOS downloads in the US in early 2026, as seasonal challenges often go viral.

Nike Run Club does this with diverse programs, such as the Marathon training plan, which utilizes milestones that keep progressing toward harder and higher goals.

Studies show that adding a deadline greatly helps in goal pursuit by tapping into the innate fear of missing out (FOMO). To increase the power of this driver, Nike Run Club often offers exclusive rewards to participants, such as early access to limited-edition footwear or digital badges that signify elite status.

Nike Run Club uses timed challenges, like this weekly goal, to create a sense of urgency and encourage regular participation.

#3 Celebrate progress to reinforce app engagement

While physical rewards have their place, the most sustainable gamification examples often involve instant digital feedback. NRC uses digital confetti and haptic feedback to celebrate small wins. This instant feedback is a powerful driver linked to the need for competence and empowerment.

In our experience, celebratory "retention hooks" like the ability to share a colorful run map are more effective for habit formation than large, infrequent prizes. Studies back this up, stating that positive reinforcement in mobile apps triggers the dopamine loops necessary for daily habit formation. By 2026, these shareable achievements have become a cornerstone of the NRC "running journey."

Celebrating milestones with shareable achievements provides powerful positive reinforcement, driving users to continue their running journey.

Reward users' individual fitness progress with gamification! Book a free session to start now.

#4 Install a sense of competition through leaderboards

Standard gamification examples like leaderboards are only effective if they feel attainable. Nike Run Club excels by allowing users to filter leaderboards to show only friends and family. This peer-to-peer competition is a way of tracking progress and challenging yourself to overcome results from people you actually know, rather than faceless global pros.

A recent 2025 analysis of fitness app mechanics found that competing with acquaintances enables higher interaction levels. The closeness of the community motivates the intention to run, effectively increasing user confidence and connection. These community challenges act as a built-in positive feedback loop that keeps the app top-of-mind every morning.

The leaderboard feature fosters healthy competition among friends and increases user interaction. Source: Felicia via appsamurai.com

#5 Empower users through personalization

Personalization is one of the more sophisticated gamification examples because it gives users autonomy. Modern research shows this results in significantly higher mobile app engagement. NRC’s 2026 coaching plans use AI to adapt to a runner’s current performance, ensuring the difficulty level is always "just right" challenging enough to be rewarding, but not so hard it causes burnout.

Additionally, the integration of curated "Power Songs" and environmental tracking (like weather preferences) allows users to build a workout that feels uniquely theirs. These features embody the primary drivers of long-term mobile app engagement: usefulness, ease of use, and a deeply satisfying personal experience.

Want to differentiate through gamification? Check out our app gamification platform!

After exploring these five gamification examples, it is clear why Nike Run Club remains the gold standard for fitness apps. By balancing pure functionality with psychological rewards, they have achieved "FUNctionality" that keeps millions of users coming back year after year.

Recap: How Nike Run Club Gamification Drives Engagement in 2026

TL;DR: While roughly 80% of fitness apps lose their users within 90 days, Nike Run Club gamification overcomes this churn by leveraging streaks, community challenges, and real-time rewards. In early 2026, the app remains a dominant force in the health and fitness rankings, recording over 400,000 monthly iOS downloads in the US alone and maintaining a loyal active user base across 160+ countries.

Industry research highlights that most users stop engaging with fitness apps after three months due to a lack of motivation. However, Nike Run Club gamification strategies ensure the app remains one of the top-rated running platforms on the market. In our experience, the app’s ability to turn solitary exercise into a social, rewarding experience is why it maintains significantly higher retention rates than non-gamified competitors.

The primary drivers for abandonment are low perceived usefulness and stagnant engagement. Effective gamification solves these pain points. A recent study found that the core motivational pillars for Nike Run Club gamification include:

Utility and Goal-Setting
Intuitive Ease of Use
Playful Interaction
Interpersonal Influence

To capitalize on these psychological drivers, Nike integrates mechanics that foster long-term loyalty. Here are 5 Nike Run Club gamification examples currently defining the user experience:

Build on your community to boost retention
Set timed challenges to trigger user participation
Celebrate progress to reinforce app engagement
Install a sense of competition through leaderboards
Empower users through personalization

In our analysis of current fitness trends, gamified platforms that fulfill basic human needs social interaction, personal mastery, and stimulation consistently outperform the market. Nike Run Club gamification allows the brand to collect high-intent data while keeping the user experience fun. This leads to increased user frequency and sustained brand loyalty across global markets.

Furthermore, the app provides a blueprint for successful behavior change. Authoritative reports show that well-implemented game mechanics induce positive habits by rewarding consistency. By aligning user milestones with strategic business objectives, Nike Run Club gamification proves that a value-first approach to digital fitness is the most effective way to maximize lifetime user value in 2026.

5 Gamification & Loyalty Features That Make Bird a Better Business

Things are changing in micromobility! For Bird, gamification & loyalty features are a way to create sustainable growth and finally unlock profitability. And it's working! In 2022, Bird's ridership increased at the same time their operating costs decreased! Here's how Bird did it.

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5 Gamification & Loyalty Features That Make Bird a Better Business

TL;DR: Bird’s gamification and loyalty features are central to its 2026 strategy for sustainable growth. By incentivizing frequent rides and efficient parking, Bird and its parent company, Third Lane Mobility, reached $204 million in gross bookings in 2024 a 17% increase. This data-driven approach has turned user engagement into a high-margin engine, driving a 193% YoY EBITDA increase to $19.2 million.

Lime isn’t the only market leader using gamification to improve its mobility service! Indeed, micromobility operator Bird is also gamifying to unlock sustainable growth. For Bird, gamification & loyalty features align with their 3-step solution to profitability. In practice, this means rewarding loyalty and incentivizing customers to take more rides, a strategy that helped the platform facilitate over 35 million total trips across its global operations as of 2024.

In our experience working with mobility operators, the shift from volume-based growth to unit-economic profitability is only possible when users are incentivized to act as partners. This article explores how micromobility leader Bird leverages gamification to enhance user engagement and drive its business toward long-term profitability in the 2026 landscape.

Why Bird uses gamification features
5 examples of Bird gamification & loyalty features
How Bird’s gamification features increase engagement & loyalty
The success of Bird’s gamification & loyalty features
How you can meet your business goals with StriveCloud
FAQs

Why Bird gamification & loyalty features drive growth

TL;DR: Bird leverages gamification to solve operational hurdles like improper parking and low vehicle utilization. By turning fleet management into a rewarding user experience, the company successfully pivoted to profitability, reaching a positive EBITDA of $19.2 million in 2024. These Bird gamification & loyalty features are no longer just "nice-to-haves" they are the engine behind a 17% YoY increase in gross bookings.

Today, Bird’s e-scooters and bikes (now operating under Third Lane Mobility) serve a streamlined, high-efficiency network of global cities. Moving on from the era of unchecked expansion, the company is prioritizing sustainable margins. For Bird, gamification & loyalty features are the key to making this profitability a reality by aligning rider behavior with municipal requirements. In our experience, this behavioral alignment is the "secret sauce" that separates thriving micro-mobility platforms from those that struggle with regulatory friction.

It’s all a part of Bird’s 3 step solution to success:

Collaboration.
Communication.
Operations.

Basically, Bird uses rewards, tiered discounts, and game-like challenges to achieve both their own financial goals and those of their collaborators, such as city authorities. In addition, the Bird gamification & loyalty features help optimize operations by improving fleet distribution and making parking in mandatory "nest" bays a seamless part of the user journey. In turn, this increases engagement and makes Bird a more resilient business.

The strategy is delivering clear results in the post-restructuring era. According to industry reports, Bird and SPIN’s consolidated operations saw total trips surge to approximately 35 million in 2024 a 50% increase that reflects the power of optimized rider loyalty programs!

5 examples of Bird gamification & loyalty features

TL;DR: Bird gamification & loyalty features have stabilized the brand’s path to profitability, as evidenced by recent performance metrics showing gross bookings reaching $204 million a 17% YoY increase. By leveraging a 193% surge in positive EBITDA ($19.2 million) and a 50% increase in trip volume, Bird demonstrates that incentivizing user behavior via game mechanics is a core fiscal strategy for 2026. Put simply, you should use gamification to incentivize the customer behavior that you want to see. This way, you drive customers to achieve your goals!

Charging a Bird is more than work, it’s play

Anyone can become a Bird Charger. Once you sign up, Bird sends you a handful of chargers. Following that, you’re free to get paid to collect Bird’s e-scooters! Yet Chargers get more than just a financial reward. In our experience, Bird gamification & loyalty features succeed here because the whole experience is gamified to reduce operational overhead.

Competition. Chargers are encouraged to reserve a scooter ahead of time. This is because there are other Chargers on the hunt! By emphasizing the scarcity of the scooters, Bird introduces competition and motivates the Chargers. As a result, the scooters are more likely to get picked up and charged!
Goal-driven. To get paid, you must pick up at least 3 scooters. What’s more, you can only collect them in the evenings and they must be dropped off at a ‘nest’ by 7 am the next day. This clear goal makes the task more meaningful!
Levels. When Chargers challenge themselves to ‘capture’ a scooter, they can pick between 3 levels of difficulty. Basically, there are green, yellow, and red ‘birds’, with green being the easiest to find and red the hardest. Of course, harder to find scooters pay more!

This interface illustrates how Bird turns scooter charging into a game, motivating users with competition, clear goals, and difficulty levels.

Frequent Flyers program

Bird’s loyal customers are driving the company toward 35 million annual trips across its global fleet. The centerpiece of Bird gamification & loyalty features, the Frequent Flyers program, encourages users to ride more with tiered incentives like bigger discounts and better perks. As of 2026, the strategy remains simple: the more you ride, the more you get! This fulfills the ‘Lucky Loyalty effect’, where customers feel that their rewards should scale with their commitment to the platform.

Free rides to the polls and for the community

At the end of the day, you need to provide customer value to maintain a positive EBITDA, which for Bird recently climbed 193% YoY to $19.2 million. One of the most effective Bird gamification & loyalty features is the provision of free rides on election days or when air pollution reaches hazardous levels. On the one hand, this is a clever way to maintain demand on days when people might be hesitant to travel. But you can also consider it a masterclass in brand loyalty; Bird helps customers in their time of need, or when civic duty calls, cementing their place as a vital urban partner.

Bird's free ride promotions on election days or high-pollution days effectively build customer loyalty while driving usage during specific events.

Helmet selfies and safety rewards

Regulators in 2026 take safety more seriously than ever. In markets like Greece, Denmark, and Spain, riders must wear helmets by law. Bird remains ahead of the curve because they integrate safety into Bird gamification & loyalty features. By rewarding customers who submit a "helmet selfie" with free ride minutes, Bird turns a regulatory hurdle into an engaging user habit. Our expert insight suggests this reduces insurance premiums and improves city relations, making the business more resilient.

The helmet selfie feature cleverly promotes rider safety by offering tangible rewards, like free minutes, for compliant behavior.

Incentivized parking for urban harmony

High-density cities now require micromobility firms to solve the "sidewalk clutter" problem. This is where Bird gamification & loyalty features provide a competitive moat. By implementing a system where riders are rewarded for parking in designated green zones, Bird aligns its interests with city authorities. In cities like Helsinki, riders receive ride discounts for using "P-zones," ensuring the fleet remains organized and the company maintains its operating licenses through high compliance rates.

By rewarding users for parking in designated green zones, Bird incentivizes compliance with city regulations and improves fleet organization.

How Bird’s gamification & loyalty features increase engagement & loyalty

Bird’s Bird gamification & loyalty features have transformed the company's unit economics, helping it reach $204 million in gross bookings by early 2025. By incentivizing user behavior through "helmet selfies" and frequent flyer tiers, Bird and SPIN operations achieved a 50% YoY increase in total trips. In our experience, these gamified loops are essential for maintaining a positive EBITDA which surged by 193% to $19.2 million in the competitive 2026 micromobility market.

Bird Chargers. The Charger program remains a masterclass in operational gamification. By turning the "scooter hunt" into a competitive earning opportunity, Bird generates massive word-of-mouth engagement. For instance, many Bird Chargers publicly praize the program’s gamification. In our experience, customers acquired through this type of community-led organic advocacy are up to 24% more likely to remain loyal over a three-year lifecycle!

Strategic Engagement Sprints. While early campaigns like "free rides to the polls" proved the concept of event-based gamification, Bird has scaled this into a global volume driver. These engagement strategies contributed to a record-breaking 35 million total trips across their primary brands in 2024, representing a 50% increase in ridership as the company focuses on high-density urban markets.

Frequent Flyers program. Loyalty is the foundation of Bird's path to profitability. According to 2024 financial reports, Bird’s gross bookings rose 17% YoY to $204 million, a result largely attributed to increased rider retention through the Frequent Flyers program. By moving away from one-off discounts toward tiered status rewards, Bird has successfully converted casual riders into "power users" who represent the bulk of their $19.2 million positive EBITDA.

Helmet Selfies. Bird’s approach to safety has evolved from simple hardware distribution to sophisticated behavior modification. While they originally gifted 75,000 helmets, the real breakthrough came from rewarding the act of wearing them. By using AI-driven "helmet selfies" to unlock ride discounts, Bird incentivizes safety while reducing insurance liabilities. This is a win-win: cities stay happy with compliant riders, and customers are rewarded with free riding minutes for every safe trip.

Finally, Bird’s gamification & loyalty features simplify the customer experience. Essentially, you perform a task parking correctly, wearing a helmet, or reaching a ride milestone and you get rewarded for it. This streamlined "reward loop" makes the app significantly easier to navigate and more addictive than standard utility apps.

The (digital) medium of mobility is the message - "E-scooter use intent is positively related to the perception of mobile applications. Being fun & easy-to-use is important."

How to increase rides? Discover how our gamification & loyalty software can help your micromobility app today.

The success of Bird’s gamification & loyalty features

TL;DR: Bird’s gamification & loyalty features have successfully turned the micro-mobility giant toward a path of sustainable profitability. By leveraging incentivized user behaviors, Bird (under Third Lane Mobility) saw total trips across its operations jump ~50% YoY to 35 million by 2024. In our experience, these features are the primary reason the company achieved a massive 193% YoY increase in positive EBITDA.

It’s clear that Bird’s gamification & loyalty features work. In 2024, the brand generated Gross Bookings of $204 million, representing a 17% increase over the previous year! In short, gamification got customers to book more rides. But this is just one part of the success story. In addition to boosting engagement and loyalty for Bird, gamification & loyalty features also helped them overcome their core operational challenges:

Lower charging costs. Crowdsourced charging remains a pillar of the business model. By incentivizing the "Charger" community, the company achieved a positive EBITDA of $19.2 million, representing a staggering 193% YoY increase. This pivot to efficiency proves that loyalty-based labor models can drastically reduce the high operational overhead typically associated with fleet management.
Optimized operations. Convenience remains the main driver for shared mobility adoption. The Charger program ensures high vehicle availability through gamified tasks, directly contributing to the $204 million in annual Gross Bookings. In our experience, when users are rewarded for repositioning scooters to high-demand "hotspots," the resulting reliability creates a self-sustaining cycle of brand loyalty.
Safer parking. To maintain licenses with city authorities, Bird’s app uses 2026-era precision GPS and visual positioning systems to reward safe riding. These Bird’s gamification & loyalty features helped the company scale to 35 million annual trips by ensuring high compliance with local parking regulations through instant discount rewards for verified "Good Parking" photos.

How you can meet your business goals with StriveCloud

TL;DR: Gamification is the primary driver of profitability in modern micro-mobility. Following its transition to Third Lane Mobility, Bird utilized gamification & loyalty features to achieve a massive 193% YoY increase in positive EBITDA by the end of 2024. StriveCloud allows you to replicate this success by integrating proven behavioral mechanics that can increase trips from active riders by up to 300%.

While gamification & loyalty features are specifically designed to improve Bird's app, what works for a global leader must be tailored to your specific fleet and market. In our experience, the most successful mobility operators in 2026 are those who align their rewards with high-value behaviors, such as off-peak riding or responsible parking. By doing this, you can achieve the same operational efficiency as the industry's best. Recent data from industry research suggests that retention-focused loyalty programs are now 5x more cost-effective than raw user acquisition.

Getting started is easy. We have 3 simple steps to put you on your way to success:

Smash your business goals! StriveCloud can help you motivate your customers and create growth. Find out more!

FAQs: Bird gamification & loyalty features

TL;DR: Bird gamification & loyalty features are the primary engine behind the company’s recent financial turnaround. By incentivizing high-frequency riding and precise parking behavior, Bird (now under Third Lane Mobility) saw 2024 gross bookings reach $204 million. These features convert casual riders into power users, directly contributing to a 193% YoY increase in EBITDA profitability.

Why does Bird use gamification & loyalty features?

Bird uses rewards, discounts, and other elements to achieve their business goals, plus the goals of the cities they operate in. In our experience, Bird gamification & loyalty features optimize operations by shifting rider behavior toward the most profitable routes. As of the 2024-2025 reporting cycle, this strategy helped Bird and SPIN achieve gross bookings of $204 million, representing a 17% increase year-over-year. This growth proves that turning a commute into a rewarded experience increases both loyalty and engagement and makes Bird more profitable!

How does Bird create customer loyalty?

As a part of Bird gamification & loyalty features, riders are encouraged to move through tiered membership levels where discounts grow with the customer’s loyalty. In our analysis of recent performance data, these loyalty structures supported a massive volume of 35 million total trips across Bird’s global footprint in 2024. This fulfills the ‘Lucky Loyalty effect’, where customers feel that their rewards should scale with their frequency of use, creating a "lock-in" effect that competitors find difficult to break.

How does Bird’s gamification features help them collaborate with city authorities?

City authorities prioritize orderly streets, and Bird gamification & loyalty features address this by gamifying the parking process. To promote better parking, Bird offers riders a unique incentive: if you park your e-scooter in a green zone marked with a ‘P’, you get a discount on your ride! These operational efficiencies are a major reason why Bird reported a positive EBITDA of $19.2 million in 2024. By using gamification to reduce the "recovery costs" of poorly parked scooters, Bird has successfully aligned its bottom line with the regulatory needs of municipal partners.

5 Gamification Software Facts and Statistics for Business Owners

All work and no play can get exhausting. Not to mention, it might even lead to burnout within your business. To avoid meeting such fate, more organizations have started using gamification solutions in different aspects of their operations. Here are some facts and statistics on gamification software that you might want to know for your business.

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5 Gamification Software Facts and Statistics for Business Owners

This article explores key facts and statistics about gamification software, providing valuable insights for business owners.

Gamification software allows businesses to integrate gaming mechanics into their systems. These can be incorporated into your employee engagement, productivity, and training strategies. Likewize, you can even use it to improve your marketing campaigns, enhance customer experience, and boost your business’ overall sales.

With that said, here are some facts and statistics on gamification software that you might want to know for your business.

Market size

The future for gamification software is bright and hopeful as more companies are beginning to see its benefits. According to recent market research, the global gamification market is projected to grow at a 25.24% CAGR from 2026-2031. At the end of that forecast period, it is expected to reach USD 112.32 billion by 2031.

The increase in demand for such a solution is largely due to the increasing number of mobile devices and internet penetration worldwide. Another factor is the integration of social network platforms. These channels have made gamification more accessible, reliable, and effective.

Businesses often use gamification software within their human resource teams. This can be found during employee training, compliance checking, onboarding, and performance management. Some even use it within their sales team, marketing campaigns, and customer support.

The major features

Selecting the best gamification software for your business may be challenging especially since there are various options available out there. Nonetheless, there are a few key features that you need to keep in mind when choosing the right one.

For one, gamification software often has badges and rewards features that allow people to show off their progress. These badges are usually shareable in the user’s respective profiles within the business or their social media platforms. Likewize, the rewards can be materialistic or physical.

Another major feature is a leaderboard that ranks employees within a team based on their productivity and performance. Sales gamification software, for one, uses a ranking system that measures the success of each person within the sales team. This gives a sense of excitement and fulfillment in their tasks by adding a bit of competition and well-deserved recognition among themselves.

Other features also include reporting and analytics, which you can use to measure employee and customer engagement, the effectiveness of training within the company, and more. Some software also provides social news feeds to improve communication around shared goals and foster friendly competitions among employees.

StriveCloud is a customizable gamification tool that transforms your organization or business into an interactive, fun and engaging space whether it’s to grow your audience, increase sales, and improve employee learning and experience, among others.

Boost employee productivity by 90%

Gamification solutions serve as the carrot in the carrot and stick approach in managing your employees. In fact, a study by Medium says that 90% of employees are more productive when they use gamification. It pushes them to work harder because of the fulfilling reward or recognition it promises at the end. Likewize, it adds a bit of excitement to their otherwise mundane tasks in the long run.

Studies show that there are two ways to motivate a person. It can be done either by extrinsic motivations or intrinsic motivations. Extrinsic motivations refer to tangible and materialistic rewards, while intrinsic motivations mean the sense of fulfillment or satisfaction of doing a certain task. Through gamification, you can blend these two motivations at the same time to push your employees to perform better.

Businesses often use gamification software for employee engagement. It prevents boredom and stagnancy from seeping into the workplace, but at the same time, it isn’t about turning work into a game. It uses psychology to motivate them to set higher goals for themselves.

Improve customer satisfaction

Nowadays, marketers use gamification features to capture their target audience’s attention. They incorporate it into their emails, their social media posts, websites, and others. It uses behavioral psychology and motivational theory so that you can keep them engaged in the long run.

In a study by Optinmonster, gamification software boosts customers’ browsing time on your website by 30%. It can keep them entertained through dynamic and interactive content within your website or emails. Gamification also offers special rewards that keep them engaged. These rewards can be physical rewards, vouchers, discounts, and others. This sparks customers’ curiosity and maintains a connection with your customers.

Doing so gives you an opportunity to foster your long-term relationship with them. Some gamification solutions can also provide loyalty programs. It can offer rewards to customers who purchase your products or services or those who share their experience with your company. Aside from this kind of motivation, gamification can also promote brand loyalty.

Enhance the learning experience by 60%

Various studies claim that play is the most efficient and effective way to learn. Whether you are a child or an adult, having fun stimulates the brain so that you can become more receptive to absorbing new knowledge.

Hence, organizations use gamification tools for training their employees and staff. It adds an element of fun and competition to the process to make training more fruitful, dynamic, and interactive. Likewize, it puts their newfound knowledge to practical use to test the training’s effectiveness. By blending education and play together, you keep your employees and staff engaged while, at the same time, teach them new skills in the process.

Gamification is an effective method for learning especially since the generation of workers nowadays are millennials. These are the kids who grew up with computers and video games. This means they will most likely enjoy gamified elements in their training as well. In fact, a study by Training Journal discovers that applying gamification to learning programs can boost effectivity by 60%.

Make work fun

Using gamification tools can make your employees and customers feel more connected with the company. It provides dynamic and interactive ways to keep them both engaged and interested in what your business has to offer. However, it isn’t just all play with gamification software. In a way, its purpose is to encourage productivity and foster effectiveness within your processes.

So, if you’re looking to innovate your ways of engaging with your employees and your customers, you might want to integrate gamification into your business. This will keep your company from going stagnant while also keeping everyone fired up in the long run.

Curious to know how you can gamify your digital products with StriveCloud?

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5 Ways Revolut Creates the Best Banking App With Gamification

In 2015, only 18% of adults sent money to digital banks. Today, 75% transfer money digitally! Without a doubt, Revolut is the market leader. With gamification features like raffles and leaderboards, the app has perfected the customer experience. Should traditional banks be worried, or can they keep up the pace?

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5 Ways Revolut Creates the Best Banking App With Gamification

TL;DR: Revolut has secured its position as Europe’s largest digital bank by using Revolut gamification to transform routine transactions into rewarding experiences. With a customer base reaching 65 million in 2025, the app leverages social challenges, "Learn & Earn" modules, and progress tracking to process over 150 million transactions monthly.

The evolution of digital banking has moved with incredible velocity over the last decade. While earlier adoption rates showed steady progress, the current landscape is dominated by neobanks that prioritize user engagement. Today, Revolut gamification is the engine behind a platform that serves 65 million customers worldwide as of 2025. By operating in over 48 countries and maintaining 1.1 million daily active users, Revolut has proven that the future of finance is interactive, social, and deeply rewarding.

Between 2022 and 2024, Revolut saw its customer base double, a 100% increase that pushed the company toward a forecast of over 67 million users by the end of 2025. In our experience, this hyper-growth is sustained by Revolut gamification features that simplify complex tasks like crypto-trading and budgeting. In markets like Australia, the bank has maintained an average annual growth rate of nearly 100% since 2022, demonstrating that users increasingly prefer "banking-as-an-experience" over traditional, static utility apps.

Competition is hot, but Revolut is hotter

TL;DR: Revolut dominates the digital banking sector by leveraging gamification to reach over 65 million users as of 2025. By doubling its customer base since 2022 and maintaining 1.1 million daily active users, Revolut has transformed from a travel utility into Europe’s largest digital bank and a global financial super-app.

Globally, there are over 25,000 fintech startups, with the market reaching a state of high maturity in 2026. For emerging startups, this saturation is a significant obstacle to growth; however, for a market leader like Revolut, it represents a platform for massive scale. Revolut’s growth trajectory remains unparalleled, having doubled its customer base (a 100% increase) between 2022 and 2024. By early 2025, the bank reached 65 million customers worldwide, and if current trends continue, it is projected to exceed 67 million by the end of the year.

Indeed, if any company knows what it is like to have their market disrupted, it is Revolut, who are themselves the primary disruptors. In our experience, their meteoric growth was earned by aggressively solving the engagement gap found in traditional banks. This ongoing threat to established institutions explains why 80% of banking executives remain focused on improving digital customer experience to prevent churn. Revolut currently processes 150 million transactions monthly, proving that they aren't just gaining users they are gaining primary bank status.

Revolut was created by CEO Nik Storonsky to enable customers to avoid transaction fees when traveling, but it has since evolved into a comprehensive financial ecosystem. In today’s interconnected world, Revolut has expanded its operations to over 48 countries to meet the needs of a globalized workforce. Our data shows that their success is no longer just about travel; it is about gamification and habit-forming design. With 1.1 million daily active users, the app is now at the forefront of customer experience optimization.

By making the app highly engaging, Revolut has captivated a massive global audience that dwarfs its 2020 figures. How did they achieve this? They followed a philosophy that many fintechs ignore: “gamify the experience!” Using gamification examples such as RevPoints loyalty programs and interactive spending challenges, they have turned routine money management into a rewarding experience that keeps users coming back every single day.

New to gamification? Get started on our what is gamification page!

5 features every banking app needs

TL;DR: To build a market-leading banking app in 2026, you must master five core pillars: secure biometric sign-up, ultra-fast onboarding, gamified payment ecosystems, AI-categorized transaction history, and high-engagement push notifications. These fundamentals allowed Revolut to scale to over 65 million users by 2025.

Before you even embark on making your app special with advanced gamification, it has to be perfectly functional. As the industry evolves, the "rules" of entry are stricter than ever. The growth of digital banking has been relentless; for instance, Revolut’s customer base doubled between 2022 and 2024, positioning it as Europe’s largest digital bank with 65 million customers as of early 2025. To handle a trajectory that aims for 67+ million by 2026, every banking app needs these 5 features:

#1 Sign-up and intuitive profile set-up

When asked about digital banking in 2026, consumers still cite security as their primary concern. During the sign-up phase, you have a narrow window to demonstrate institutional-grade safety. In our experience, integrating features like advanced biometric scanning (FaceID/Passkeys) and multi-factor authentication doesn't just secure the account it builds the psychological trust necessary for users to deposit larger sums.

#2 A clear and motivating onboarding process

The competition for attention is fierce; for many digital banks, Day 1 user retention still averages around 30%. To beat this, you must deliver immediate value. With Revolut now supporting 1.1 million daily active users, we’ve observed that the most successful onboarding flows use "progressive disclosure" introducing features subtly as the user needs them rather than using long, forced tutorials that drive churn.

#3 Payments

This is no longer just about moving money; it’s about the ecosystem. In 2026, a functional app must support instant peer-to-peer transfers, global remittances, and integrated "spare change" savings. For example, look at how fintech app Chip uses gamification to automate savings by stashing pennies from every transaction. Currently, Revolut processes over 150 million transactions monthly, proving that payments must be as social as they are financial.

#4 History of transactions

Transparency is the antidote to financial anxiety. Displaying past transactions is essential to giving users a sense of agency over their wealth. In 2026, standard lists aren't enough; transactions should be automatically organized by AI into categories like "Groceries," "Entertainment," or "Subscriptions." Detailed merchant data, including logos and maps of where the transaction took place, helps users immediately identify charges and prevents the "mystery payment" support tickets that drain operational resources.

#5 Push notifications

Fintech remains the gold standard for mobile engagement, as financial apps consistently see the highest engagement rates for push notifications. Because money is inherently personal and time-sensitive, these alerts are viewed as high-value rather than intrusive. By providing real-time balance updates, fraud alerts, and progress bars for savings goals, you keep the user tethered to the app's core utility every single day.

5 banking app gamification examples from Revolut

TL;DR: Revolut’s mastery of banking app gamification has propeled it to 65 million customers globally as of 2025. By replacing static forms with Instagram-style onboarding and visual progress trackers, the app maintains 1.1 million daily active users and processes over 150 million transactions monthly. These features reduce the typical 70% user drop-off rate seen in traditional finance apps.

Likewize, Revolut provides users with these 5 basic features. However, using the power of banking app gamification, the app focuses on customer experience optimization to maintain its position as Europe's largest digital bank.

#1 A sign-up process designed for user retention

To prevent the industry-standard 70% drop-off in users over the first 24 hors, Revolut utilizes banking app gamification by presenting the sign-up video like an Instagram story. With a customer base that reached 65 million in 2025, scaling efficiently is key. A progress bar is clearly displayed at the top because 3/4 of people prefer a visual indication of progress. This design helps Revolut stay on track to exceed 67 million users by the end of 2025.

This example shows how a progress bar during sign-up provides a clear sense of completion, which is a fundamental element of banking app gamification that aids user retention.

#2 A leaderboard that motivates students to complete onboarding

Revolut uses banking app gamification to tap into the human need for social relatedness through university leaderboards. By encouraging competition among students, they successfully doubled their customer base between 2022 and 2024. In our experience, adding a social layer to fintech is why Revolut now sees 1.1 million daily active users. The prize of free premium services acts as a "variable reward" that keeps users engaged for the long haul.

Revolut's university leaderboards are a powerful example of using social competition to drive user acquisition and onboarding completion via banking app gamification.

#3 Lotteries and raffles incentivize payments

When you make transfers and payments, Revolut’s banking app gamification rewards you with points. These points enter you into a raffle to win up to £10,000! This system is highly effective, contributing to the 150 million transactions processed on the platform every month. In addition, a leaderboard shows how your spending or saving habits compare to your friends, adding a layer of friendly competition.

gamification examples leaderboard revolut

This raffle system effectively utilizes banking app gamification by introducing an element of chance and social comparison to everyday financial transactions.

#4 Progress bars and goal-setting give users control over transaction history

In 2026, creating a feeling of financial control is essential for user trust. Revolut’s banking app gamification strategy involves letting users set budget goals, which grants them ownership over their financial journey. In our experience, these visual feedback loops are a primary reason why Revolut has seen a 100% average annual growth rate in markets like Australia since 2022. Progress bars keep users updated in a visually pleasing way that traditional bank statements simply cannot match.

customer experience optimization app revolut

By allowing users to set budget goals and visualize them with progress bars, Revolut uses banking app gamification to give users a tangible sense of control over their money.

#5 Personalized push notifications grow the customer relationship

Revolut leverages banking app gamification by sending personalized notifications that acknowledge user milestones. Whether you have hit a savings goal or just returned from a trip, Revolut sends a quick message to welcome you home. This hyper-personalization is a core component of their customer experience optimization, ensuring that as they grow past 65 million users, each individual still feels a unique connection to the platform.

revolut customer experience optimization

This personalized "Welcome home" notification is a prime example of how banking app gamification and timely messaging build a stronger, more emotional customer relationship.

StriveCloud’s 2 cents on gamification for mobile banking apps

TL;DR: Revolut’s trajectory to 65 million customers by 2025 proves that gamification is the ultimate engine for user retention. StriveCloud helps you replicate this success by transforming transactional apps into habit-forming experiences, typically resulting in a 23% decrease in churn.

If Revolut’s ability to double its customer base between 2022 and 2024 inspires you to make your banking app more engaging, you’re not alone. In our experience, the transition from "utility banking" to "lifestyle banking" is only possible through behavioral design. According to Revolut's latest growth reports, the bank now serves over 65 million users globally, processing 150 million transactions monthly. This level of activity isn't accidental; it is the result of a gamified ecosystem that rewards consistency.

StriveCloud can help you implement your own gamification strategy in three simple steps:

These gamification strategies aren’t just theoretical for us. We’ve worked with leading fintechs and traditional banks to drive tangible ROI. By focusing on the same psychological triggers that helped Revolut reach 1.1 million daily active users, we’ve managed to achieve results like a 23% decrease in churn and a rize in daily active usage by 58%!

Enrich your own app with fun elements. Check out our app gamification software!

Recap

The growth of digital banks has evolved from a trend into a global standard. As we enter 2026, Revolut has solidified its position as the world's leading banking app with gamification, boasting over 65 million customers across 48+ countries. TL;DR: Revolut dominates by transforming traditional banking into an interactive experience using progress bars, social competition, and real-time rewards, driving 150 million monthly transactions and a 100% user growth rate between 2022 and 2024.

With a forecast to exceed 67 million users by the end of 2025, Revolut is no longer just a challenger bank; it is the market leader. How did they achieve this scale?

Competition is hot, but Revolut is hotter

Standing out as a banking app with gamification is essential in a market with over 30,000 fintech startups worldwide. In our experience, the key to Revolut’s dominance is its aggressive growth trajectory; the company doubled its customer base (a 100% increase) between 2022 and 2024. In specific markets like Australia, they have maintained an average annual growth rate of nearly 100% since 2022.

This relentless expansion is why 80% of banking executives now prioritize improving their digital customer experience to prevent losing market share to neobanks that prioritize engagement over simple utility.

5 features every banking app needs (and how Revolut improves it with gamification examples)

Creating a successful banking app with gamification requires a balance of security and playfulness. With 1.1 million daily active users, Revolut’s strategy offers a blueprint for retention.

#1 An intuitive sign-up. A great time to talk about how secure your app is (a major consumer concern in 2026).

Revolut: To prevent the 70% drop-off typically seen in Day 1 user retention, the sign-up process is presented like an Instagram story, using a progress bar at the top to give users a sense of "advancement."

#2 A clear and motivating onboarding process. Use as few screens as possible to reduce friction.

Revolut: Revolut famously used university leaderboards that encouraged students to sign up in "waves." This utilizes social proof and competition to fulfill the human need for social relatedness.

#3 Payments. Gamify the utility of transactions. Revolut currently processes over 150 million transactions monthly by making the "spend" feel rewarding.

Revolut: When you make transfers, Revolut often rewards you with points or "RevPoints." These points can be used for travel rewards or entry into high-value prize draws, turning a standard payment into a chance to win.

#4 History of transactions. Displaying this is essential to giving users a sense of mastery and financial control.

Revolut: Users set granular budget goals with visual progress bars. As the bar fills or stays green, users feel a sense of "ownership" and achievement over their financial health, rather than just viewing a list of debts.

#5 Push notifications. With real-time info and personalized messages, you create deep customer value.

Revolut: Beyond simple alerts, Revolut uses contextual push notifications like a welcome message when you land in a new country to reinforce the app's role as a "travel companion."

StriveCloud’s 2 cents on gamification for banking apps

Following the formula of Revolut, StriveCloud recently helped a leading Belgian bank modernize its digital experience. Our expert team helped them gamify their app in 3 easy steps:

A strategy workshop identifying key behaviors to reward, leading to a custom gamification design plan.
Using our API-first software, we add a seamless layer of gamification over existing banking infrastructure.
Onboarding & training on how to use gamification analytics to keep users engaged for the long term.

Want to improve your mobile app experience? Accelerate your growth with an action-packed gamification workshop tailored to your app goals!

65+ fan engagement lessons traditional sports can learn from esports

The world is becoming increasingly digital, and the same counts for sports organizations. However, this digital wave comes with many growth opportunities to engage fans. In that realm, traditional sports companies can learn a lot from esports. Get inspired by these 66 examples of top esports campaigns!

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65+ fan engagement lessons traditional sports can learn from esports

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This visual introduction sets the stage for the deep dive into esports fan engagement strategies that traditional sports can adopt. In this article, we’ll cover 66 of the best examples of sports fan engagement in the world of gaming and esports.

Even the leading organizations in traditional sports are falling behind when it comes to sports fan engagement. For example, top-tier football club Manchester United only appointed a head of fan engagement for the first time in 2022! But the esports market has been leading the way in fan engagement and can provide lessons for sports organizations of all kinds. And that leaves a big opportunity for sports companies.

Learn what’s happening in the sport and align your message

With esports achieving incredible growth, the debate around the sport has changed. While esports used to be a niche, esports is now watched by 1 billion people globally.

This background inspired the partnership between the Austrian bank ERSTE Group and the League of Legends World Championship in 2021. Having done their research, ERSTE created a humorous video poking fun at the debate of whether esports is a ‘real sport’. In the end, the video tells esports players and fans to #believeinyourself. To be sure, this is a clever case of knowing your market and how they feel! Since the video’s release in August 2021, it has earned an incredible 6.6 million views.

ERSTE Group's #believeinyourself campaign is a prime example of understanding and aligning with the esports community's culture.

Use the power of independent influencers

Do not underestimate the power of streamers! In 2022, Nvidia sponsored over 1,400 Streamers in a Geforce NOW Campaign. The campaign goal was to bring awareness to NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW cloud-based game streaming service. The brand tried its best to be non-disruptive, and prepare advertisements that would blend in with streaming content. Consequently, this campaign was their largest one yet, and the results were impressive:

Over 600 thousand views
A 2.73% CTR
Over 18.5 thousand clicks

Gamer playing on computer, behind is a dark background with few lights.

NVIDIA's successful campaign with streamers demonstrates the immense reach and impact of influencer marketing in the gaming world.

Inspire your fans with user-generated content

Esports fans are well-known for their high engagement - and this opens up great opportunities for user-generated content (UGC) campaigns. Not only will UGC extend your campaign’s reach - and cheaply - but research also shows that 2/3 of consumers prefer UGC over brand-created images.

One of the most successful recent examples of sports fan engagement using UGC was a partnership between the esports group Fnatic and beef jerky producer Jack Link. For the campaign, Fnatic & Jack Link created a custom map for the popular first-person shooter game CS:GO and encouraged players to share videos of them using #BeefMode. What’s more, the player who submitted the best video would win a FNATIC-branded headset!

The Fnatic and Jack Link's #BeefMode campaign showcases how user-generated content can create viral engagement and a sense of community.

Reach your audience where they are

When Marriott International opened its first Moxy hotel in Shanghai, it needed to find a way to connect with Moxy’s younger Gen Z audience. The solution? Gaming! By partnering with 150 famous gamers and creators in Shanghai to release 3o videos on platforms like TikTok, Moxy reached an incredible 25 million people in just 4 months!

Make product placement an interactive fan experience

Gamers are digital natives - and they can spot fakes a mile off. Given this attitude, it can be difficult to run a successful product placement campaign. But Tesla shows you how to do it! In 2020, the futuristic car brand partnered with Peacekeeper Elite, a Chinese battle royale game. However, Tesla didn’t just slap their logo over the game. Instead, they worked with the game developers to create the Cybertruck and Roadster in the game! The items were extremely popular and also boosted the anticipation for Tesla’s next car.

In short, this is a great example of reciprocity. Put simply, many fans feel that if they must put up with commercials and logos in their game, they ought to get something for it.

Tesla's integration of the Cybertruck into the game 'Peacekeeper Elite' is a masterclass in interactive and value-added product placement.

Cross over between digital and real-world

When Sony released the PlayStation 5, they made a splash by playing with some cultural icons in London. Underground stations across the city were rebranded to fit the PS5 brand - and as a result, Sony achieved 960 million media impressions and their most successful console launch in the UK of all time, achieving a 69% market share!

Sony's PlayStation 5 launch in London, which rebranded underground stations, illustrates the power of blending digital brands with real-world experiences.

Tap into cultural trends

Cultural trends are hugely powerful and can better embed your campaign into the market. In China right now, ‘guochao’ is a hot topic. Essentially, this is a renewed appreciation for Chinese culture, history, and design and Gen Z is leading the trend!

To capitalize on this, the Chinese beauty brand Perfect Diary used traditional folklore in their partnership with Honor of Kings. Why Honor of Kings? It is not just because it is China’s most popular title and reaches 100 million players daily! In fact, 54% of players are women. That made them the perfect partner to showcase a limited edition cosmetics range, featuring folkloric characters that players will know and love.

The partnership between Perfect Diary and Honor of Kings leverages the 'guochao' trend, demonstrating how cultural relevance can create a powerful connection with a target audience.

Go global by being local

Gaming might be a sport without borders but each country has its own distinct streamers, teams, and favorite games. Indeed, the top 10 streamers on Twitch include English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese speakers. Thus, localization is useful in reaching different markets. Inarguably, there is around 1 billion people who's second spoken language is English, but around 65% of these people still prefer content in their native tongue. In short, to achieve a broad reach and still connect with different audiences, you should localize your esports marketing.

Be smart about where to put your logo

It can be tempting to make your logo as prominent as possible. After all, a prominently placed logo in esports is 300% more memorable than a less obvious placement. But then you need to consider how you want the audience to remember your brand. To be sure, a bad link can backfire spectacularly! That’s why OnePlus took a smart decision when they sponsored the League of Legends European Masters. During broadcasts, OnePlus presented the top plays from each match - associating themselves with success!

Provide fans with a unique fan experience

In 2021, esports tournament organizer BLAST partnered with streaming platform Twitch to provide a special fan experience. Instead of broadcasting their upcoming Apex Legends event like any other tournament, BLAST worked with Twitch to maximize their fan engagement. How did they do it? By developing unique features such as rewards for loyal viewers and a more integrated chat experience. As a result, the tournament racked up 28,000 viewers who watched for nearly 200,000 hours!

This Apex Legends tournament by BLAST and Twitch shows how unique features and integrated experiences can significantly boost viewer engagement and watch time.

To improve sports fan engagement outside of major events, segment your fans by loyalty

Not all fans are created equal. For example, 71% of esports fans only follow one game! Furthermore, those fans could be casual viewers who only tune in for major events, or they could be fanatics who check forums daily. Learning who is who will improve your sports fan engagement strategy all year long - major events or not.

To easily engage your most loyal fans all year long, you could take the lead of esports team Rogue and offer fans a tiered loyalty system. Belonging to ‘Rogue Nation’ provides benefits like VIP tickets, free in-game dropboxes, and even meetings with the players!

Rogue Nation's tiered loyalty system is an effective strategy for segmenting fans and providing exclusive benefits to the most dedicated supporters.

How to make a sponsorship successful? Make it a win-win situation

A sponsorship ought to be so much more than a simple transaction. Instead, it should be a win-win situation for everyone involved! To start, sponsors should give teams new ways to monetize their product or brand, while introducing fans to interesting and relevant offers. For instance, Swedish esports organization Ninjas in Pyjamas teamed up with ‘A Good Company’ to offer sustainable water bottles. Like this, everyone wins!

The collaboration between Ninjas in Pyjamas and 'A Good Company' for sustainable water bottles creates a win-win scenario for the team, the sponsor, and the fans.

Personalize your experience to the segment

Personalization is a hugely powerful tool, especially in the fragmented market of esports. Each game has its own unique fanbase, just as each sport does, and so your communication should be tailored to that.

For instance, the Swiss tournament platform GameTurnier, which is one of our clients at StriveCloud, builds dedicated hubs for different types of games. That way they can tailor their messaging and campaigns for different target groups.

Find out why leading sports brands & esports agencies choose StriveCloud! Get a demo with our experts & discover how having your own platform can benefit you.

Lay things out clearly for casual viewers

We’ve all been in a room where someone watching doesn’t know the rules of the sport. That confusion can be magnified in esports, where casual viewers can easily lose track of events. To avoid that and achieve higher engagement, communication with fans should aim to simplify the state of play - ensuring that fans can enjoy the action!

So when BMW sponsored five of the best esports teams in the world with the United In Rivalry campaign, they played up the rivalry between the teams. This campaign helped frame the drama at the 2021 BMW Berlin Brawl for casual viewers and expose them to the different teams.

BMW's 'United In Rivalry' campaign effectively simplified the narrative for casual viewers by highlighting team rivalries, making the event more accessible and engaging.

Challenge your fanbase to drive engagement

When Burger King sponsored the humble English football club Stevenage, many were skeptical. But the fast food giant turned that around with a clever campaign!

To start, Burger King asked FIFA gamers to challenge themselves and play as the fourth-tier side. The two-week “Stevenage challenge” campaign made Stevenage the most used team on FIFA and Burger King one of the most visible brands in the game!

Alex Tunbridge, CEO of Stevenage - "It actually shows the digital space is now worth more than what you have in real life. We had something like 1.2 billion impressions on the campaign.”

The "Stevenage challenge" sponsored by Burger King is a brilliant example of how a creative challenge can turn a low-tier team into a viral sensation in the gaming world.

Reward fan participation to create an engagement loop

Our client Jantje.gg, the tournament platform owned by KPN and the Royal Dutch Football Association, rewards users not just for winning competitions, but also for just for participating! For every check-in, every match played, and so on you earn coins. Later on, you can exchange these coins for prizes or enter a lottery system.

In turn, that feeling of reciprocity and belonging to a community encourages further engagement and transforms casual fans into fanatics!

Learn how to engage & monetize a gaming community in just 2 weeks. Check out our 360° tournament platform!

Partner with related brands to expand your audience

Expanding your audience can be as simple as partnering with brands that serve similar audiences. For instance, when BMW ran their United In Rivalry campaign in 2021 they also partnered with DC Comics to release a manga starring professional esports players. Not only does this utilize another common interest of the gaming audience, but it also creates a unique campaign!

Alexander Albrecht, MD of Esports consulting agency - “It's not the budget that guarantees success in the [esports] industry, but rather an authentic and relevant dialogue with the target audience.”

BMW's collaboration with DC Comics to create a manga demonstrates how partnering with related brands can expand audience reach and create unique, shareable content.

Show that you truly understand the sport

Gaming is an extremely fragmented market. Obviously, you wouldn’t get a golf player to star in an advert for baseball - and the same goes for esports. For instance, it might be easy to see PUBG and Fortnite as a part of the same “Battle Royale” gaming world, but the audiences are totally different. For Fortnite, the top esports players hail from the USA, France, the UK, and Canada. However, on PUBG, you are more likely to see Chinese, Koreans, Russians, and Finns playing.

It might seem obvious at first, but that’s why Lamborghini sponsored the car football game Rocket League and its tournaments over any other sports game. Traditional sports can learn from this by recognizing that each fanbase is also unique!

Create campaigns that are worth sharing

Riot Games took a risk by releasing Arcane, an animated TV series set in the world of League of Legends. But their marketing campaign was almost too big to ignore - and was specially made to excite and engage LOL fans!

Mysterious pop-ups with LOL items began to appear in major cities across the world, but no event was bigger than lighting up the tallest building in the world with LOL characters. When the video of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai started spreading in fan circles, it quickly reached 600,000 views!

Riot Games' marketing for Arcane, which included lighting up the Burj Khalifa, shows that creating "too big to ignore" campaigns generates immense buzz and shareability.

Tell a story around your main characters, or personalities

For sports organizations, athletes and well-known personalities often have huge followings! So when Riot Games came out with Seraphine, a Twitter account for a fictional LOL character, they wanted to do more than sell or promote.

Rather, Seraphine built awareness for the Worlds Tournament by posting just like a fan! Mostly, that meant tweeting selfies with a unique style that mixed illustrations and real-life objects. Seraphine regularly garnered around 15-40k likes on her posts, in addition to reaching 340k followers! In the end, viewership rose a huge 61% for the next Worlds Tournament.

It all starts with great content

Just like any form of entertainment, the fan journey starts with great content. Luckily for people looking to engage younger audiences, there are lots of possibilities in the esports and gaming industry. Red Bull was one of the first brands to fully commit to esports. They produce related video content and sponsor players and esports teams alike. This gives Red Bull not only many possibilities to distribute beverages and goodwill but also to harvest a ton of exclusive content.

The secret to Red Bull’s success in the esports market is its captivating storytelling. In August 2019 Red Bull’s gaming channel posted an 80 minutes long documentary called Against The Odds. The documentary tells the story of the OG’s esports team's comeback after losing the Dota 2 tournament the year before. Since its launch, it has received over 2.4 million views and 53K likes with people in the comments praising Red Bull for their effort to the community.

Use the power of storytelling to add value for fans

For the release of Blockbuster movie King Arthur, Warner Bros. integrated itself into the livestream of Dreamhack Tours in France, aligning key themes of the movie with authentic and engaging content formats that resonated with fans. Alongside the live stream they also produced video content where they interviewed the “King of the Match”. The activation worked because it added value to the esport event and its fans.

Find what truly motivates your fans

While some esports tournaments like the Fortnite World Cup can go up to 30 million dollars in prizes, it’s not the only incentive to participate. League of Legends, Overwatch and other games offer variable rewards to players just for playing the game. At the end of every season, players are awarded for their ranking. This makes players committed to the game by working towards a goal and contributing to the community. It comes as no surprise that some of these players will enjoy watching competitive play as well.

24/7 engagement in esports competitions

What if you could keep your fans engaged 24/7? That’s exactly what the international esports platform Kayzr does for over 100,000 gamers. Kayzr is a platform where people can compete in online tournaments and win virtual coins which they can exchange for sponsor prizes in the online shop. As part of their partnership with StriveCloud, Kayzr shifted from a tournament system to a League system where users can compete around the clock. The launch boosted daily active users with 60% and got 1 year of 24/7 eyeball time in just a day.

Scalable long term engagement vs expensive loyalty programs

With the new League system in place Kayzr needed a more scalable way than physical prizes to keep their users engaged. Thanks to StriveCloud’s knowledge in gamification they were able to shift motivation from rewards-oriented to experience-oriented. By adding elements of surprise with lottery systems and guaranteeing peak times with “Hotzones” where rewards are doubled, made the game experience in itself better. Finding what truly mattered to their audience helped them achieve a 350% jump in users without increasing loyalty spendings.

Know your fanbase community

Swiss esports agency eStudios noticed how important it is to understand your audience’s behavior. After hearing FIFA players being unhappy about the tournament system on their gaming platform GameTurnier, they decided to partner up with StriveCloud to create a better experience.

Tobias Egartner, CEO Dayzero - "It's important to understand the needs and challenges of your target group and fanbase. It doesn’t matter how big the obstacle, if the challenge is a specific button, take it seriously even if it’s as simple as changing a word to make the experience less confusing."

Discover new broadcast and distribution channels

Engage fans who aren’t present on match day. The live stream of a tournament can considerably amplify an audience and with that, the participatory factor. What the digitally natives like millenials and gen Z’ers like is interaction and feeling part of something. This approach worked for leagues like the NBA and Premier League as well when they started streaming on Twitch.

Emmet Shear, CEO Twitch - "We really believe that live interactive video with chat works for any live video, works for any genre whether its sports, politics, music… It’s just a matter of figuring out the right format, the right recipe to bring it to that vertical."

Totale hours watched through channels such as youtube, twitch, Facebook, mixer int he first quarter of 2020

This chart illustrates the massive viewership hours on streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube, highlighting the shift in media consumption towards interactive, live content.

New engagement models

Unlike traditional sports, every single esports match is available to watch on digital platforms free of charge. Some organizers even reward audience engagement. The Esports Championship Series organized by Faceit even rewarded viewers on YouTube with ‘loot drops’. Loot drops are points that could be exchanged for tangible prizes including gaming hardware, apparel and automobiles.

Move your fanbase online

As a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Belgian sports broadcaster Proximus and the Belgian Football Pro League decided to partner up with StriveCloud to win back eyeballs for clubs using esports. Fans could register to represent their favourite team in FIFA tournaments. Players could win points and prizes to incentivise them to play more matches. Gamers could compare ranks to one another and socialize through the general chat. Clubs had the opportunity to connect with fans at home while simultaneously being introduced to a new esports audience that was out of reach in the classical business model.

Low-cost and highly scalable

Coca-Cola which is a big sponsor of Olympic games and soccer worldwide is also invested into esports. Coca-Cola’s partnership with game publisher Riot Games allowed them to do brand activations at its tournaments. They soon realized fans from all around the world are interested in watching these tournaments. What started as a small test program to broadcast the tournaments in cinemas, quickly became an extraordinary event with over 200 simultaneous viewing parties on screens across the entire world.

Alban Dechelotte, Senior Manager-Entertainment Marketing and Head of esports at Coca-Cola - "We’re not looking to do ‘takeovers’ with these in terms of exposure and branding; people know Coke, we don’t need to promote the name, but what we want is for them to have this great experience with Coca-Cola."

Enable tournaments & fan entertainment

On TwitchCon 2018 Doritos organized an esports brand activation called the Doritos Bowl. Four Twitch streamers – Ninja, DrLupo, Shroud and CouRage were invited to participate in a live stream tournament of Call of Duty to bring awareness to their brand while offering entertaining content for the fans.

A strong sense of community empowers targeting possibilities

There is a very strong sense of community in the gaming audience. While younger generations might show more resistance against intrusive ads, they are more receptive to it than you think. Esports players often have a bigger online presence than their traditional sports counterparts. They can reach their target audience with a multichannel approach which allows for new and exciting ways to build awareness.

Craig Barry, Exec VP-Chief Content Officer for sports Broadcaster Turner Sports - "I hear words like 'mainstream' around esports, and although it's getting there, it is still very much niche, but it's a huge niche and an extremely engaged community."

Fans value authentic brands that are immersed in the community

Finding sponsors for esports is not just about exposing the brand name. For new fan generations doing a logo slap is not enough to be remembered. These young consumers actually prefer when brands are immersed into the community. Credit card company Mastercard for example made itself cool by sponsoring branded content gaming influencers instead of disruptive advertising.

Brian Lancey, VP and Global Head of Sponsorships, Mastercard - "We didn't want to over commercialize it because it was about [building] trust with these fans," Brian Lancey, VP and global head of sponsorships, said of Mastercard's fledgling esports marketing program. "We're a financial institution ... we're not a Nike, we're not a Red Bull, we're not a really cool brand."

Be inclusive and empowering

Although many believe esports only attracts millennial males, they actually reach an entire spectrum of target demographics. Dating site Bumble committed to bringing an all-female team to the Fortnite League in cooperation with esports agency Gen.G Esports. The team stands as role models for young girls who want to get into professional gaming. What makes this activation so great is the fact that they are the first all-female team that are inspiring younger girls to break the stigma.

Find where your target audience lies

After you have figured out your target audience, it’s time to find which channel they are using. Esports is a great place to reach the younger generations but not only. The market is rapidly growing and opens lots of opportunities to create branded content and experiences.

Global E-sports audience growth from 2017. prediction of 2022 audience

The projected growth of the global esports audience underscores the rapidly expanding opportunity for brands to connect with this highly engaged demographic.

It’s not about the competition, it’s about the fans

When you go to an esports tournament you will notice it’s not only about the competition.First and foremost an esports tournament it’s a place for the fans to connect with their favorite gamers and content creators, participate in tournaments and meet up like-minded people of the community.

Gaming influencers for integrated content

As professional athletes are seen as celebrities today, the same counts for gaming influencers. This offers a lot of possibilities in terms of content creation such as unboxing, reviews, partnerships, trailers and many more. It’s important to find the right personality that fits both your brand and message. Since the lockdown American esports team 100 Thieves started a partnership with audio company JBL was a perfect match that created continuous exposure for JBL.

Ralph Santana, Chief Marketing Officer at Harman, JBL’s parent company - “Our partnership with 100 Thieves highlights our drive and commitment to launching the world’s best lineup of gaming headsets and speakers to date. These are some of the top competitive gamers in the industry, so we are proud to offer the JBL Quantum Range to help them reach countless more victories.”

Traditional sports as esports

The way leading gaming company EA elevates esports through the association with traditional sports resonates with the leading brands. Under EA SPORTS they have published games like FIFA, Madden NFL, NHL, NBA 2K and even the UFC. It’s a great way to engage existing audiences while also reaching entirely new target groups. Since the COVID-19 lockdown many sports clubs turned to esports as an alternative to entertain their fanbases.

Leverage partnerships to create experiences for your target audience

Counter Strike, is a first person shooter game that requires quick reaction times, precise aim as well as constant teamwork and communication. It has long been the favorite game of current and former members of the Armed Forces. When esports organization Cloud9 announced their partnership with the US Air Force it was a perfect match and one of the greatest brand partnerships in esports so far. The US Army got exposure to their ideal audience and the fans got some amazing entertainment.

Frank Muth, Head of US ARMY Recruiting - "We think that esports and the digital plane is going to become the number one lead generator."

Gain exposure in entirely new target markets

To promote its new Hershey’s Reese’s Pieces mashup bar, chocolate company Hershey’s gained huge exposure to an engaged audience of game influencers Ninja and DRLupo. What made the campaign so successful was the unique collaboration between the two game influencers and their clever cross promotion on Twitter and Instagram.

Putting the social in media

Another partnership by esports League Cloud9 and PUMA illustrates how much more engaged digital natives are. Using social listening tools, research company Nielsen found that social media sentiment around the partnership was 700% higher than the traditional sports industry norm for similar campaigns. That’s because they didn’t just post for likes but to engage in conversation. And with the fans actively participating in creating the apparel, engagement skyrocketed.

Matt Shaw, Team Head of Digital Marketing, PUMA - “Esports occupies a large and growing percentage of our audience’s media consumption. But more than that, PUMA has witnessed the nature of sports and sports culture change over the course of the last decade, and it has become apparent that esports has a valuable role to play in how the next generation shapes sports culture. We are a brand that charges itself with driving sports culture, and so this is naturally an area we feel we must lead.”

Don’t sell. Speak the language of your community

It’s important to be on the same wavelength as your audience if you want to keep them engaged. Just like Michael Jordan is the number one ambassador of his shoes, some influencers in the gaming space have tremendous amounts of loyal followers. Having esports influencers unbox or review your products in their own un-scripted style is a perfect way to get it in front of your target audience and gain some brand association while you’re at it.

Nathan Lindberg, Regional Vice President Twitch - "Everyone today feels like Gen Z millennials are anti-advertising ... They just want transparency."

Highly engaged audience with lots of goodwill

Just like traditional sports the main revenue in esports comes from sponsorships. Additionally you have advertisements and media or streaming rights, ticketing and memberships which all capitalize on the eyeballs of a hard-to-reach target audience: millennials & gen Z. The average gamer spends an average of 7 hours per week on gaming with almost 10% over 20 hours. For some streamers the goodwill is so high that fans spontaneously donate money to support their favorite gamer!

This data on weekly gaming hours across different countries reveals the high level of engagement within the gaming community, presenting a valuable opportunity for brands.

Always keep it fun

When KFC first started their gaming channel it became clear they would provide funny and relatable content. To promote their new vegan esports Performance Burger they created another comedy style parody which would redefine the industry forever as eating it would make you the perfect gamer.

Millennials and Generation Z need instant gratification

Esports targets a young audience that broadcasters are afraid of losing to other on-demand video platforms. Platforms such as Netflix and YouTube Gaming have millions of viewers all around the world and are available for personalized experiences 24/7. When consuming digital media, the fans are in control of what they want to see and what not. With over 140 million monthly users a platform like Twitch captures an average of 95 minutes per day. During the COVID-19 lockdown they broke a total of 3 billion hours watched on the platform with a 23% increase compared to the previous quarter.

Personalization and interaction is key

With an oversupply of content and media, marketers must adapt to the power shift and use technology to learn more about their target group so they can better serve them. As sport audiences are growing older, sport clubs are looking for ways to engage younger fans. The reason platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming are so popular is thanks to their interactive and personal experience.

Low-entry barrier & fun to watch

Esports is probably one of the most accessible competitive leagues in the world. It’s fun and often doesn’t require a lot to start. Besides being able to play, esports has also stood its ground as a spectator sport. Filling out entire arenas and garnishing millions of views. Game developers have worked on creating a more interesting game to watch and the esports entourage has perfected it through live commentary, behind-the-scenes content and easy to follow gameplay.

Participation creates engagement

Esports fans are very active in their community. Most of them started out playing the games they watch as well. The social part of the community is more important than it seems. As people are naturally motivated to compete against one another, the mechanisms in esport communities often make for a truly engaging experience.

Be authentic

Esports fans can smell fake from miles away. They prefer brands that are immersed into the community and are trying to add value. For example by supporting their favourite content creator or adding value to the live tournaments or streams. Think about what content your audience wants to see and how your brand can relate to it.

Bring your ideas to live

Electronics company Lenovo believes that gaming is for everyone. And they put their money where their mouth is when they introduced a Swedish team of elderly people to compete in Counter Strike all over the world. Swiftly the news became a global cultural phenomenon which created PR-wave worth over 10 million dollars in earned media and over 1 billion, unique media impressions. It’s through their inspiring message and unique approach they ended up becoming the PR campaign of the year.

Esports is global

Due to its globalised and online nature, viewership for esports is significant, making it comparable to traditional sports. In 2019 League Of Legends brought in over 100 million viewers, beating every sporting event, even compared to the Superbowl in 2019 which was watched by 98.2 million people. Nearly all esports tournaments are streamed for free on platforms like Twitch and Mixer. It allows fans to watch their favourite team or gamer while chatting with other spectators.

Enable real time interactions between streamers and viewers

What’s great about streaming platforms is the real-time engagement going on between fans and streamers. Old Spice took advantage of that with their “Old Spice Nature Adventure” marketing activation in which they let Twitch viewers control a man’s life for three days. Hundreds of gamers swiftly helped the adventure unfold in a funny and highly engaging way.

Leverage the brand and fanbase of esports influencers

Streaming platforms like YouTube or Twitch have created a new type of celebrity. These are often gaming influencers that a young target audience can relate and feel close with. Dr. Disrespect, one of the most viewed content creators on game streaming platform Twitch took on a partnership with natural energy drink G FUEL to create his own drinking cup. The brand has been wildly popular among gamers, largely due to the relevancy of their ad campaigns.

Building anticipation through branded content

Mountain Dew created a native hub to raise awareness of their esports League. On the platform fans could discover branded content like weekly League Recaps, custom videos with exclusive predictions for the Global Finals and integrated links to the gamer hub. The fan engagement strategy focused on creating season highlights to build anticipation for the Global Final.

Provide exclusive behind-the-scenes content

As part of a partnership between Toyota and Overwatch League partnership a branded content series called “Access Granted” began. It was a behind-the-scenes look at an esports competitor’s journey in the League. Every episode one of the players joined a host in a Toyota C-HR for a casual interview. The series gave fans an inside look at some of the biggest stars in the League while building goodwill for Toyota.

Integrate your brand into the fan experiences

As one of the sponsors in the Overwatch League, Sour Patch Kids did not just give away products at tournaments but also drove brand awareness by using its sponsorship to create short-form, shareable social video content around its brand slogan “Sour, Sweet, Gone.” The video series featured players in-game moments while turning a sour situation into a sweet one.

Crossover with celebrities

While esports has been gaining popularity over the years, mainstream celebrities will always bring in tons of new traffic. When Canadian singer Drake and rapper Travis Scott dropped in to play Fortnite on the live stream of pro gamer Ninja they broke the world record for most live viewers in a single-player stream. The record almost doubled from 388,000 viewers to 628,000 viewers and gained over 13 million additional views on YouTube.

Create a central hub for fans

As an effort to better capture the attention of their fans online NBA created an app to boost digital fan engagement. With a flawless onboarding process it’s easy for fans to get started. The app serves as a central hub for fan news, videos, games and interaction between fans. It also boasts an in-app store with merchandise and apparel. Fans can participate and compete in games which boosts the amount of interaction and engagement.

Connect fans with each other

Esports fans are enthusiastic and passionate about the games they are playing. That’s also why they enjoy watching others play as entertainment or purely to hone their own skills. Bringing all these fans together online creates great moments of sharing to further fuel the community with user-generated content.

Ever-evolving gameplay

What’s so entertaining about esports is the fact that those games are often optimized to be fun and exciting to watch. Compared to traditional sports, game developers are constantly trying to improve their game by adding new elements or layers to it and making it a greater experience both for players and spectators!

The power of content

After the success of the League of Legends Championship in 2016, online betting company Unibet wanted to gain more awareness in the gaming community. They created a branded platform called Esports Champions that tells stories about the highlights of gaming and its growth over the past few years. The platform includes information on the top earners, most played games and viewership stats in shareable, interactive graphs. The goal of gaining coverage was met with 3,767 total shares by Yahoo, Mashable and The Mirror.

Solve the problems of your fans

As the international crowd of esports continues to grow, some large, multi-day tournaments bring in lots of tourists. One challenge for many of them is transportation. Taxi-service Citymobil anticipated this by organizing transportation for the tourists and offering discounts to anyone going to the event. Besides a booth presence at the tournament finals, they also provided premium cars to pick-up and drive competitors to the tournament.

Become part of the fun

One of the brands that really immersed itself in the experience is shipping company DHL. As part of a video series DHL’s automated warehouse robot called EffiBOT came up as a character in the game Dota 2 to deliver equipment to players on the battlefield. The video series strongly resonated with the fans even creating a DHL chant at the ESL arena.

Kristina Müller, Head of Strategic Partnerships ESL - "For ESL it is always important to create something that has value for the fans. Working together with DHL for a year now, we are very happy they share the same approach on this. "

Gaming is a social activity

What people often forget due to the digital nature of gaming is that it’s a social activity. It’s about doing something with and against your friends or like-minded people in the community. Games like Fortnite or World of Warcraft bring together fans and players from the whole world to collaborate and have fun together.

A wide range on in-game data

What digital experiences such as video games do really well is collect data. Of course they won’t straight up ask for your data. As a matter of fact the signup-process is often low-barrier and usually as simple as giving up a name or email address. Once you’re in the game though, they start gathering all kinds of information such as the dates and times spent on games, scores, money spent and so on.

Alex Cybulski, Researcher Information Security and Game Studies - "Achievements act as recognition of a player’s video gaming prowess and these trophies are facilitated by complex surveillant algorithms and code built into the architecture of contemporary videogames, gamers are basically rewarded for taking the actions gaming companies want the to take"

Bring your community to life

During a tournament of Counter-Strike in Denmark, McDonald’s had matched a lign of street signs with items from the game. The signs quickly spread around the esports world, taking a local activation global through social media.

68 Gamification Examples to Boost User Engagement (2026)

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68 Gamification Examples to Boost User Engagement (2026)

Last Updated: February 2026

Games are the ultimate engagement engine. By 2026, the global gamification market is projected to reach USD 36.46 billion. TL;DR: Market leaders replace static experiences with habit loops and social quests to tap into behavioral psychology, often increasing monthly active users (MAU) by over 60%. By deploying mechanics like XP, levels, and badges, you transform passive users into loyal advocates.

The diagram above illustrates how game elements act as a strategic lever to boost interactions across sectors from fintech to healthcare. At StriveCloud, we’ve helped over 400 companies move beyond simple rewards to create a sense of competence. For instance, wellness platforms using our specialized features are achieving a 71% boost in monthly engagement. To help you win, we’ve analyzed 68 gamification examples across 13 industries.

Jump to your industry quest:

Fintech: Leading Gamification Implementations
Banking: Engagement & Loyalty Blueprints
Health & Fitness: mHealth Success Stories
Telecom: Community Engagement Models
Education: Learning Mechanics That Stick
Retail & Ecommerce Examples
Loyalty & Travel Program Quests

Gamification examples from fintech: Building habit loops

TL;DR: Fintech leaders use strategic mechanics to reach a USD 36.46 billion market valuation. By turning financial tasks into milestone journeys, apps slash customer acquisition costs (CAC) by 80% compared to traditional models.

Moven: Dynamic financial health ratings slash CAC

Moven pioneered the "financial health assistant" model. Their CRED program uses a dynamic scoring system an engagement strategy that replaces static credit scores with real-time feedback. At StriveCloud, we've found that these relational feedback loops are the fastest way to build trust.

CRED factors in social intelligence and spending patterns to create a fluctuating health score. This mechanic incentivizes daily app checks. Because of this viral loop, Moven acquires customers at roughly $50 per user, significantly beating the industry average of $300+.

Qapital & Monefy: Mastering habit stacking

These apps utilize "If This, Then That" (IFTTT) triggers to automate savings. These app gamification strategies have led to a 71% boost in engagement for platforms focusing on behavior change. Monefy’s color-coded rings provide immediate visual feedback, turning the "pain of paying" into a visual budget quest.

Smarty Pig: Progress visualization drives liquidity

Smarty Pig acts as a digital piggy bank where progress bars provide dopamine hits for every deposit. By 2026, the platform has processed over $250 million in deposits. In our experience building engagement engines, visualizing the finish line is the most effective way to increase customer lifetime value (LTV).

Build a fintech app customers love! Discover our engagement engine.

Gamification examples from banking: Closing the usage gap

TL;DR: Banking success in 2026 depends on bridging the "product usage gap." By rewarding product adoption through education, OTP Banka increased mobile sign-ups by 16%.

OTP Banka Hrvatska: Education-as-a-game drives sales

Traditional banking suffers because 90% of products go unused. OTP Banka replaced brochures with interactive quests. Users earned XP and rewards for learning about high-value services. 87% of their target group completed at least one challenge, resulting in a 13% increase in Mastercard usage.

Gamification examples from health & fitness

TL;DR: Health brands use intrinsic rewards like streaks and social leaderboards to maintain MAU. With a market heading toward $36.46 billion, data-driven fitness is the new gold standard.

Fitbit: Closed-loop motivation via badges

Fitbit utilizes a powerful closed-loop system where wearable data triggers digital badges. At StriveCloud, we’ve found that social proof is the primary driver for retention; users with connected social circles are exponentially more active.

Fitbit uses gamification for apps to promote health

Headspace: Zen-masters and habit-forming animations

Headspace turns abstract meditation into a tangible journey. By gamifying mindfulness, they achieve the 71% engagement boost typical of top-tier health apps. Weekly group challenges foster a sense of relatedness, moving the user from solo practice to a community mission.

Headspace ensures daily app engagement through gamification & rewards

Calm: Loss aversion via daily streaks

Calm masters the "streak" mechanic to drive consistency. In the $36.46 billion gamification market, Calm stands out by using push notifications to protect streaks. This leverages loss aversion users won't skip a day because they don't want to lose their 100-day progress.

Insight Timer: Autonomy through personalization

Insight Timer proves that autonomy is a core customer motivator. By allowing users to customize sounds and bells, the app increases psychological ownership. Research shows that autonomy correlates with higher retention and user well-being.

app gamification examples personalization

Successful gamification examples in telecom

TL;DR: Telecom giants use community gamification to slash support costs. GiffGaff and T-Mobile have turned subscribers into advocates, boosting internal participation by 1000%.

T-Mobile: Internal leaderboards boost customer satisfaction

T-Mobile implemented a gamified training platform for service agents. By awarding XP for reviewing training materials, they saw 15,000 staff engage in just 14 days. This reduced phone calls in the Netherlands by 60%, saving €2 million annually. These results mirror what we achieve at StriveCloud: habit loops live in <14 days that scale to 100K+ MAU.

Gamification examples from education: Micro-learning mastery

TL;DR: Education platforms like Duolingo use engagement mechanics to reach 100M+ users. Micro-learning and social leaderboards solve the student dropout crisis.

Duolingo: Gems and scoreboard quests

Duolingo is the gold standard for onboarding and retention. By using Gems and daily streaks, they achieve a 71% boost in monthly engagement. Social scoreboards keep users coming back to protect their rank in the Obsidian League.

Open University: Checklists and the Zeigarnik effect

Open University utilizes progress bars to trigger the Zeigarnik effect the psychological tension of incomplete tasks. This reduces student anxiety and increases completion rates by providing clear paths to success.

References & Sources

Grand View Research: Gamification Market Analysis 2026
Financial IT: OTP Banka Case Study
Dacadoo: Engagement Health Research
Mordor Intelligence: Fintech Acquisition Averages
CitrusBits: App Ranking Case Study
StriveCloud Data: Internal Client Performance Metrics 2021-2026

6 Powerful Psychological Triggers Designed to Boost User Activation

Get users to their AHA moment fast, and keep them coming back. What can SaaS companies do to drive user activation? Well, start with human psychology in mind. Discover the 2 factors that influence user activation & learn 6 powerful psychological triggers to boost it!

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6 Powerful Psychological Triggers Designed to Boost User Activation

Understanding the psychological drivers behind user behavior is essential for improving activation and engagement within any software application.

The 2 major factors that affect activation rate

Behavioral science researchers have been exploring the topic of motivation for decades. One of those researchers is Dr. BJ Fogg, a social scientist from Stanford University. He created the Fogg Behavior Model (FBM), a popular model that maps someone’s motivation and ability to complete an action against their likeliness to actually carry it out. For a user to take action, these 2 major factors have to be in place.

Based on these insights SaaS companies have been experimenting with new tactics in hopes of finding the ultimate psychological triggers for user activation.

gamified psychological triggers for user activation

The Fogg Behavior Model shows that for an action to happen, a user needs sufficient motivation, ability, and an effective prompt to trigger the behavior.

In essence, it notes that you must encourage your users to action, while also creating the circumstances where reaching the activation point is possible. In other words, if you make something either too hard or too boring, users will lose interest. However, a gamified approach can help you boost motivation & therefore drive user engagement & activation.

Looking at your software through the FBM, you can pinpoint where to place your interventions. For example, gamified features like challenges can boost interest & motivation when the task in itself seems boring.

In conclusion, there are two ways to go about this. To start, keep your user interactions easy. You can gradually build up more intense tasks when a user’s ability or motivation is already at a higher level. Secondly, boost motivation with a gamified strategy. Read on to learn how you can get started!

How to address your users to spark user activation

To initiate your user activation strategy, you must first know who your users are and what makes them tick. With that, you can segment users by target group, user persona, and even their position in the customer journey.

That information will define how to address your users, and which psychological triggers to leverage for user activation. Without a doubt, your activation & user engagement strategy should start from the very first moment users interact with your software.

Think of your website’s landing page, user onboarding, and a user’s first experience of the key functions of your product. Gamified onboarding for example ensures that a user completes key activation moments in their journey! You can use different tools here. From push notifications to emails, or a cleverly timed tooltip. The most important thing is your triggers should always be contextual, taking into account the users’ current status & abilities.

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6 psychological triggers for user activation in SaaS

User activation is the bridge between acquisition and retention - and psychology can help you motivate your users along that journey faster. To facilitate those AHA moments, use these 6 psychological triggers for user activation:

1. Reciprocity: You give some, you get some

75% of SaaS businesses offer a free trial - a classic example of reciprocity. In short, offer users something for free in the hope that value makes them subscribe. Double down on reciprocity by delaying registration and giving your platform a personable face. People are more likely to return the favor if they feel there is a person on the other end!

Let’s look at Bench for instance. This financial management software activates prospects by promoting the platform’s value alongside pictures and videos of the company’s employees. In other words, share information about your platform, and users will share information about themselves. This builds the foundation of a great customer relationship!

The Bench website demonstrates reciprocity by featuring its team members, creating a human connection that encourages prospects to start a trial.

2. Commitment: Get your users invested in their journey

What is the best way to get users to commit to your platform? Well, start off easy by having the user commit to something small. This could be completing their profile, or setting up an integration. Of course, it all depends on what your AHA moment is!

Then, steadily drive up user engagement with a gamified experience. Reward users for investing time and effort in your platform. The more they use your software, the better their experience will become which ultimately results in retention & happy customers!

Basecamp for instance asks users why they need their project management tools. It shows users that Basecamp is as committed to your goals as you are.

This example from Basecamp's onboarding asks users about their goals, establishing an early commitment that fosters deeper engagement with the platform.

3. Social Proof: Testimonials build trust

The idea behind social proof is simple. When people are uncertain, they look to others for advice and you can help provide that! For instance, you might doubt the capabilities of specific software, so what do you do? Indeed, look for reviews, people, or companies that you know who have used the software!

The popular interface design software Figma for instance shares how big brand names like Dropbox, Mailchimp & others used their software for different use cases.

Figma effectively uses social proof by displaying logos of trusted brands, which helps build credibility and encourages new users to sign up.

4. Liking: Be fun and personable!

We are more easily persuaded by someone we like. Your relationship with your customers shouldn’t be purely professional and transactional. Fun is contagious. That’s why sales or customer success people (try to) smile on the phone! You could do the same for your SaaS!

For example, hook your users by having a likable personality like file transfer service WeTransfer. Their landing page is known for featuring attractive and sometimes interactive art. When users like the art, they like WeTransfer’s platform - and then they would like to come back!

WeTransfer’s use of artistic and interactive backgrounds on its landing page creates a positive and likable brand experience, encouraging repeat visits.

5. Authority: Look to the experts

Capitalize on the sway of influential leaders. It is common for SaaS to have celebrities and experts front their product in the hope that their recommendation improves brand trust. Indeed, trust is the second biggest factor in purchasing decisions, behind only price.

For DocuSign, an eSignature SaaS, examples of authority are used to assuage privacy and security concerns by directly showing that the world’s top companies trust them to handle their sensitive information. If they trust us, why shouldn’t you?

DocuSign establishes authority by showcasing the top companies that trust its services, effectively easing security concerns for potential customers.

6. Scarcity: Take action while you still can!

People want the things they can’t have the most. That’s why we like ‘limited edition’ or ‘exclusive access’. This stems from an internal fear of missing out. In fact, we’re actually more driven by loss avoidance than actual rewards. Therefore, scarcity is a great psychological trigger for user activation.

Imagine for instance you lose access to one of the most sought-after email tools in the world. Enter Superhuman! The platform has a waiting list of over 450,000 people for its webinars and places are limited. But some users benefit from a queue jump, and this kicks off a mutually beneficial brand relationship. In short, they spend more time on onboarding but it ends up in better qualified and happier users. Win-win!

By creating a long waitlist, Superhuman leverages the principle of scarcity to increase the perceived value and desirability of its product.

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Why gamification? How gamified features trigger user activation.

Gamification solutions are emerging as a way for SaaS companies to improve user engagement & activation. Modeled on the research of behavioral psychology, gamified elements like leaderboards, points, and rewards systems derive their power from common psychological triggers and human needs.

Gabe Zichermann, gamification expert - "Gamification is 75% psychology and 25% technology."

In brief, gamification is designed to satisfy 3 major psychological motivators:

Autonomy. People like being empowered with a choice - and this motivates them to stick to their goals. Personalization and custom rewards achieve this.
Value. Show the user your value to them and their value to you! Reward them with badges and points, and let them socialize to buff up their social status.
Competence. The need for personal growth is a powerful motivator. Gamified elements such as progress bars, challenges, and levels can test and track user competence.

Ultimately, these gamification solutions serve as a powerful psychological trigger for user activation. It starts by rewarding user engagement and eventually turns into a habit. It sets up a positive feedback loop in which users are motivated to take action, which, as a result, increases the value of their next interaction.

Get optimizing with StriveCloud’s gamification solutions

Building a gamified SaaS product doesn’t have to be development hell. With our gamification solutions, you can easily introduce, tweak, and experiment with various gamified elements to see what works best for you.

Pieter Verheye, Community Manager @Kayzr - "By gamifying the user experience, StriveCloud helped us grow our user base by 350%."

Activate your audience with features like timed challenges, reward programs, and personalized notifications to make your brand message real! For Kazyr, our gamification solutions led to tremendous user growth and a 60% jump in daily active users!

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FAQ

What factors affect user activation rate?

Behavioral psychology says that the two necessary psychological triggers for user activation are motivation and ability. In short, users need the motivation to perform a task and the ability to undertake said action. It’s your job to ensure they have both!

How to address users to spark user activation?

To address your users, you need to know who they are and what makes them tick. With that, you can segment users by target group, user persona, and even their position in the customer journey. All this will inform your strategy.

What are psychological triggers for user activation?

There are six major psychological triggers for user activation. Reciprocity, when you give something to get something back, commitment, social proof that builds trust, authority to lend your brand credence, being likable, and scarcity to provoke urgency.

How do gamified features inspire user activation?

Gamified features inspire user activation through empowerment. People like autonomy and it gives them ownership over their journey. In addition, gamified elements like badges, points, and rewards create user value. Lastly, features like challenges activate users by testing their competence.

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