If you're running a SaaS business and want to make better decisions with AB testing, you're in the right place. There are dozens of AB testing platforms out there, all promising you faster growth and smarter insights. But let’s be real: most of them look the same on the surface, and the marketing hype is thick. This is your no-nonsense guide to sorting out what actually matters, with a closer look at Convert.com (often called Convertcom).
1. Know What You Actually Need From AB Testing
Before you compare tools, get brutally honest about what you’re doing—and what you’re not. Most SaaS teams don’t need every bell and whistle. Here’s what to nail down first:
- Team skill level: Are your marketers running tests, or do you have engineers involved?
- Volume: Are you testing on high-traffic pages, or do you get a few hundred visits a month?
- Type of tests: Classic AB? Multivariate? Split URL? Do you even need more than simple AB?
- Integrations: What analytics, CRM, or product tools do you already use?
- Data sensitivity: Are you handling user data that’s subject to GDPR, HIPAA, or similar?
Pro tip: Write these down. You’ll save hours not chasing features you’ll never use.
2. Ignore the Hype: What AB Testing Platforms Mostly Have in Common
Here’s the unvarnished truth: most AB testing tools do the basics well. You’ll almost always get:
- Visual editors to set up simple tests
- Targeting by URL, device, location, etc.
- Basic reporting and statistical significance calculators
- Integrations with GA4 and other analytics platforms
Don’t get distracted by flashy dashboards or “AI-powered insights.” Most of that is just lipstick on a pretty standard workflow. Focus on the core: setting up, running, and analyzing tests without pulling your hair out.
3. Key Features That Actually Matter (And How Convertcom Stacks Up)
Let’s break down the features you should actually care about, with an honest look at where Convertcom is strong—and where it’s not.
A. Test Setup and Flexibility
- Visual Editor: Convertcom’s editor is solid for small, visual tweaks (think button colors, headlines), but if your app is built with React or uses dynamic content, it can get finicky. You’ll probably need a developer for anything more complex.
- Code-Based Testing: It supports JavaScript-based changes, which is good. If your team is technical, you’ll have what you need, but the UI can feel dated.
- Split URL Testing: Convertcom handles this well. If you want to test major redesigns or onboarding flows, it’s straightforward.
B. Speed and Performance
- Page Flicker: This is the annoying flash of original content before the variation loads. Convertcom has worked to reduce flicker, but it’s not perfect—especially on slow connections. It’s better than cheap/free tools, but not the absolute fastest.
- Impact on Load Time: Neutral to slightly positive. No major slowdowns, but don’t expect miracles.
C. Targeting and Segmentation
- Standard Targeting: All the basics are here: device, geo, referrer, etc.
- Advanced Segmentation: Convertcom lets you get pretty granular, but the setup is clunky compared to newer tools. If you need to segment by custom events or complex user properties, it gets tedious.
D. Reporting and Analytics
- Stats Engine: Convertcom uses a frequentist stats engine (not Bayesian). That’s fine for most SaaS teams, but if you want to peek at results early or run “always-on” tests, you’ll need to be careful about false positives.
- Integration: It plays well with Google Analytics and other major analytics tools. But don’t expect deep native reporting—you’ll want to export data for anything fancy.
E. Privacy, Compliance, and Data Ownership
- GDPR/CCPA: Convertcom takes compliance seriously. If your customers are in Europe or California, this matters.
- Data Storage: You own your data, and you can export it. Some competitors lock this down or make it a pain.
F. Price and Transparency
- Pricing: Convertcom is mid-tier. Not cheap like Google Optimize (RIP) was, but not in the “call us for pricing” enterprise category. Plans are public, which is refreshing.
- Support: Decent email/chat support, and helpful documentation. Not the hand-holding you’d get from the big-budget enterprise platforms, but also not a black hole.
4. The Real Differences: Where Convertcom Wins (and Where It Doesn’t)
Let’s cut through the fluff.
Where Convertcom shines: - Reliable for standard AB and split URL tests. - Good balance of features for SaaS teams who don’t want to overcomplicate things. - Transparent pricing and solid privacy stance.
Where Convertcom falls short: - UI feels a bit old-school, especially if you’ve used newer tools. - Visual editor struggles with complex SPAs (think React or Vue). - Advanced triggering/segmentation can be clunky. - Stats engine is basic—fine for most, but not for stats nerds or those running dozens of tests at once.
Who should look elsewhere? - If you want deep personalization, multi-armed bandits, or real-time analytics, Convertcom will frustrate you. - If you’re running on a shoestring or need a free tier, look elsewhere. - If your devs want a platform-agnostic, API-first solution, check out tools like GrowthBook or VWO.
5. How to Actually Compare AB Testing Platforms (Step-by-Step)
Here’s the practical process that’ll save you time and regret:
1. List Your Must-Haves and Dealbreakers
- Write down what you really need (see Step 1 above).
- Mark anything absolutely required (e.g., GDPR compliance, React support).
2. Shortlist 2-4 Tools
- Don’t demo 10 platforms. Pick 2-4 that fit your list.
- Include Convertcom if you want a middle-of-the-road, privacy-focused option.
3. Set Up a Real Test
- Don’t just watch demos—actually run a simple AB test on a staging site. Here’s what to pay attention to:
- How easy is it to set up?
- Do your changes work reliably?
- Any weird flicker or lag?
- Does your analytics data line up?
- Get input from whoever will actually use the tool (marketers, devs, product folks).
4. Check Reporting and Data Exports
- Can you get the data you need, or are you stuck with canned reports?
- Is the stats engine clear and honest about significance?
5. Ask About Support and Roadmap
- Test their support responsiveness.
- Find out how often they actually ship product updates (not just talking about it).
6. Consider Long-Term Costs and Commitments
- Are you locked in for a year?
- Any usage caps or surprise fees?
- What happens if you want to leave and take your data with you?
6. What to Ignore (Seriously, Don’t Waste Your Time)
- "AI-powered" anything: 99% of the time, it means basic automation or cute recommendations. You’ll still need to do the thinking.
- Too many test types: Most SaaS teams don’t run multivariate or bandit tests often enough to matter.
- “Enterprise” features: Unless you’re actually enterprise, skip features like SAML SSO, advanced user roles, or multi-brand support. They just jack up the price.
7. Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Fast
AB testing can be as complicated—or as simple—as you make it. For most SaaS teams, the right tool is the one your team will actually use, not the one with the most features. Convert.com is a solid, no-nonsense platform if you want reliable AB and split URL testing without getting lost in the weeds. Don’t overthink it. Pick something, run some real tests, and improve as you go. The best AB tool is the one that lets you learn faster—not the one with the flashiest sales deck.