Winning User Experience (UX) Features of Top 5 Mobile Apps

An engaging UX design is what makes a product successful. 

According to a Pew survey, one in three consumers will leave a brand if they had one bad experience. So, it is no surprise that all major apps and websites have made User Experience central to their product development process.  

This article attempts to review the top 5 mobile apps and their top UX features, which make them so popular. Some, like WhatsApp and Instagram, have become unputdownable, while Airbnb, Uber, and Duolingo are leading their respective spaces. 

Let’s dive into the popular UX features of these top 5 apps without further ado.   

WhatsApp - Popular Messaging App with 2 Billion Monthly Active Users

WhatsApp's overwhelming popularity can singularly be attributed to its instant messaging feature. However, there’s more to WhatsApp than its instant messaging app feature. Its user experience features, such as stickers, statuses, groups, voice calls, and video calls, among many other things, have made WhatsApp a lifestyle app for over 2 billion monthly users.   

WhatsApp Key UX Features:

1. Instant messaging

WhatsApp’s instant messaging capability makes it one of the most downloaded apps in the world. 

2. Intuitive Interface

Whatsapp’s easy-to-surf interface draws a majority of its users. 

3. Voice Messages

Voice messages can be sent when the user is not in a mood or unable to type a message. 

4. File sharing

File sharing is a cinch with WhatsApp. Share documents, images, songs, videos, and more at a reasonable speed. However, remember there are file size limitations.

5.  Emojis, stickers, and GIFs

Users can express their emotions clearly by pairing messages with emojis, stickers, and moving GIFs. 

6. Statuses

Like Instagram and Snapchat statuses, users can bring memorable personal moments to the public eye.  

7. Voice calls

High-quality voice calls with zero airtime charges.   

8. Video calls

Visually connect with your friends and family with video calls.   

9. Additional Features

 Chat archiving, group chats, privacy, blocking, etc., offer a great user experience. 

WhatsApp’s intuitive interface and extensive features have made it a user-friendly communication tool for businesses and people.

Airbnb - Top Travel and Hospitality App with 200 Million Users 

Airbnb, a top travel and hospitality app for booking short—and long-term homestays, connects low-budget travelers with homeowners in 100,000+ cities worldwide.  

The app's success can be chiefly attributed to its steadfast focus on user experience. Its user experience features, such as visually appealing listings and instant bookings, are at the heart of its success story. 

Without further ado, let's examine the key UX features that make Airbnb so popular and what UX professionals can learn from them.

Airbnb's Key UX Features 

1. Visually appealing listings 

Initially, the images uploaded by users on Airbnb were of low quality, or there were no pictures at all. The lack of images was a big downer for users, who could not imagine the state of accommodations. 

Airbnb founders addressed the issue by bringing freelance photographers to capture premium-quality photos of hosts' homes. The visually appealing images struck an emotional chord with the users, driving bookings and enhancing the overall user experience.

2. Detailed Property Descriptions

Hosts offer comprehensive details about their property, including the size, layout, amenities, and more. They also list specific amenities such as Wi-Fi, Kitchen facilities, parking, etc. 

Such detailed property descriptions enable guests to make informed decisions.    

Additionally, the storytelling feature builds an emotional bond with guests, accompanied by a unique story idea about the property and images offering a one-of-its-kind experience.   

3. Instant booking process

Airbnb's "instant book" feature allows guests to book a property instantly without host approval. 

With a search feature that supports filters, such as price, location, and amenities, and an interactive map that helps explore new places, Airbnb's booking experience is intuitive and well-organized.  

4. Trust and Transparency

Airbnb builds trust and transparency by allowing users to leave reviews about their experiences, which helps other users make informed decisions and provides a transparent pricing model. In other words, the total booking cost, fees, and taxes appear upfront. There is no scope for hidden costs that could surprise users later.  

Further, Airbnb's user verification process ensures hosts and guests share their IDs for verification purposes. 

5. Local Experiences  

The app's "Experiences" feature allows users to book activities hosted by locals, including guided tours to explore local cuisines, cultures, craft workshops, and more. Thus, the feature fosters local connections.     

Airbnb's commitment to user experience is commendable. Not surprisingly, its UX design features, such as visually appealing listings, detailed property descriptions, instant booking process, trust and transparency, and opportunities for local experiences, have got Airbnb into the good books of travelers and hosts alike. 

Duolingo - A Popular Language Learning App with 10+ Million Daily Active Users 

With 50+ million active users and 10+ million daily active users, Duolingo is giving other language-learning apps a run for their money. Currently, the app offers 100 courses in at least 40 languages, thus not leaving any money on the table. The app's key UX design features, such as incremental learning and gamification in the form of streaks, among many user-friendly others, have given the app a much-deserved reputation and success. 

Duolingo's Key UX Features 

1. Excellent Copy Writing 

One compelling feature that differentiates Duolingo from other language-learning apps is its motivational copywriting. Between screen loads, you are greeted with motivational messages such as "Let's do this" and more, propelling users to keep going despite their mood swings or when they feel burdened or overwhelmed.  

2. Gradual Learning 

Duolingo follows the 'incremental progress' model to help users get used new languages. The lessons are simple at the outset, covering basic vocabulary and grammar, but become more complex as users progress.  

The idea is to help users gradually build their skill sets without overwhelming them. The best part? The users are informed in real-time of their progress, giving them the confidence to keep going.  Duolingo's incremental language learning model is an ideal example of how small, incremental steps can set you up for big progress over time. 

3. The Power of Streaks 

Duolingo's "Streak" feature keeps users returning to the app over and over again. The feature uses' loss aversion' psychology to keep users engaged on the app for a longer duration. Users are motivated to keep up with their daily Streak, ensuring long-term use.  

The Streak is one of the critical features that Dulingo is milking the most, judging by the millions of users with long streaks on the platform. Duolingo's success with Streak is solid proof of how app developers can use human psychology to ensure long-term app use. 

4. Friends Quest

The "Friends Quest" is a powerful feature that lets you connect with your friends and compete with them. It helps complete tasks and progress through them, not to mention it adds a social element to the learning experience.   

Dulingo's  UX design features, such as motivational copywriting, a gradual learning progression, the "Streak" feature, and a social element, such as the "Friends Quest," have all contributed to creating a practical language-learning experience for millions of users worldwide.

Uber  - A Popular Ride Sharing App with 100+ Million Users 

Hailing a taxi is no longer a hassle. Uber offers on-demand transportation services with fare estimates, real-time tracking, seamless payment options, and more. Currently, it operates in more than 10,000 cities worldwide.  

Uber's Key UX Features 

1. Book now or Later 

The 'Book Now or Later' feature allows riders to book a taxi in advance, helping you avoid the hassle of rush hour.

2. Real-Time Tracking

Real-time tracking keeps riders posted about the driver's locations and estimated arrival time. 

3. Fare Estimates

Get a rough estimate of the fare before you request a ride based on the pickup and dropoff location you set.

4. Cashless Payments

Various payment options are available, such as online, offline, PO, and pre-paid rides, which allows users to choose at their convenience.

5. Ride Sharing

Riders can share their rides, which helps them split the fare among themselves. Such an arrangement also helps reduce traffic congestion.

6. Safety Features

Riders can share their location with their loved ones and let them know where they are heading at all times.

7. Driver Ratings

Evaluate the driver's performance and choose the best. 

8. In-App Communication

In-app communication includes chat and call options, allowing users to connect with the drivers to help them reach the pickup point if they cannot locate the address.

9. Scheduled Rides

Scheduled Rides allows users to book a ride in advance by adding pickup and dropoff locations. You can even add multiple locations en route to your destination for picking up a friend or quick errands. 

10.  Split Fare

The Split Fare feature allows users to split the fare equally among passengers. 

11. Rewards and Loyalty Programs

Uber offers discounts, free rides, and other perks for repeat users.  

Uber is synonymous with affordable and convenient traveling. Features like on-demand booking, real-time tracking, and cashless payments have made Uber the preferred choice for many. 

Instagram - A Top Social Media Platform with 2+ Billion Monthly Users 

With over 2 billion monthly active users, Instagram is among the top social media platforms globally. In addition to its powerful image-sharing feature, the app offers many other interactive user experience features, tools, and personalized experiences that keep users engaged and returning for more.   

Instagram's Key UX Features 

1. Visually appealing and Clean Layout

When it comes to Instagram, the most talked-about features are its visually stunning feeds comprising large images and videos. Less talked about are its clean and straightforward layout, consistent color scheme, and typography. Both the most-talked-about and less-talked-about elements come together to make Instagram a giant in the social media industry. 

2. Intuitive Navigation System

The app boasts a straightforward navigation system, allowing users to easily access the needed features. And, sure enough, the app’s layout is consistent across platforms so that users can switch platforms without any second thoughts.  

3. Interactive Features

User-friendly features such as “Ability to Like,” “Comment,” and “Share Posts” prompt users to engage with the content. The “explore” feature, on the other hand, aids users in finding more content and accounts based on their interests. “Short-form videos” that are made to disappear offer a personalized experience to followers. IGTV for long-form video content to upload in-depth tutorials, vlogs, and more. Then, you can upload “Reels” akin to TikTok.  Last but not least, hashtags make it easier to find new content and connect with a broader audience.

4. Personalized Feeds

Machine learning algorithms are used by the app to curate personalized feeds for every user based on their interests and engagement level. This keeps the users engaged and keeps returning to the app regularly. 

5. User-friendly Icons

Instagram’s reputation mainly rests on its clean and intuitive interface, thanks to its well-designed icons that help the app achieve such a clean interface and amplify user engagement. Some of the most common icons you will encounter include: Home, Search, Reels, Shop, Profile, Create, Edit Profile, Activity, Insights, Menu, Like, Comment, Share, Save, Mute, Close, Reply, New Message, Inbox and Camera. The icons are designed to be self-explanatory.  

In essence, Instagram's visually appealing feed and straightforward interface are complemented by various interactive features, making it a go-to platform for social media addicts.

Wrapping Up

The success of these apps is purely based on their exceptional UX features. By prioritizing intuitive interface, engaging interactions, and personalized experiences, these apps have managed to tug at the heartstrings of millions of users worldwide. Whether it’s WhatsApp’s slew of communication features or Airbnb’s humane touch in its offerings, these apps have demonstrated the power of engaging UX features that drive user engagement and loyalty.