Instagram (Social):
Instagram’s onboarding is quick and straightforward. It starts by asking for a mobile number or email, followed by basic details like your name, date of birth, and username. One potential point of friction comes when the app prompts you to connect with Facebook friends and sync your contacts. While this step is optional, it can still turn some users away — either because they realize not many of their friends are on the platform or because they find the extra step annoying. I would estimate the drop off rate at this point to be around 10 percent. That said, this level of friction is generally tolerated, since users expect and value personalization in a social media app where the experience depends heavily on who they follow.
Notion (Productivity):
Notion’s onboarding flow is clean, structured, and designed to deliver value early. After entering basic information, users are asked about their goals and how they plan to use the app. Based on these responses, the platform offers guided support to set up a homepage and introduces commonly used templates. Rather than overwhelming users upfront, Notion gradually reveals functionality through small tips like “Type /” and contextual pop-ups. This approach encourages exploration at the user’s own pace while preventing confusion or overload. Notion prioritizes learning about each user’s intent and use case in order to personalize the setup experience. It succeeds in keeping friction low while still offering enough guidance to get users started effectively.
Venmo (Finance):
Venmo’s onboarding starts off predictably with account setup and intent. However, it quickly becomes more complex with legal disclosures, user agreements, and privacy information. The most significant friction comes during the bank account linking process, which can involve navigating multiple screens or being rerouted to an external page. While the transparency is appreciated, the flow can feel confusing and heavy. I would estimate the drop-off rate during this step to be around 15 percent. Despite these frictions, users are typically more willing to endure friction in financial apps because of the higher stakes involved when dealing with money.
