View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Affinity Diagramming | ![]() UX Research Empathy Mapping | ![]() UX Design Customer Journey Canvas | ![]() UX Research Customer Journey Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | When a lot is assumed about a target group but little is seen jointly, empathy mapping makes knowledge and gaps directly comparable. The picture also shows which assumptions hold up and where evidence is missing. | When a journey needs to be understood across several phases, it arranges experience, touchpoints, and opportunities into one picture. It makes gaps and friction along the user path clear. | When a user journey falls apart across many touchpoints, customer journey mapping makes the experience visible as a coherent arc. Phases, emotions, and breaks become legible enough to prioritize critical moments deliberately. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 30–60 min | 1-3 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-8 | 3-10 | 4-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Customer Journey Canvas, Pain Points, Experience Opportunities | Journey Map, Pain-point List, Opportunity Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | JourneyCustomerService designCanvas | JourneyServiceService design |



