The 7 Best Release Notes Software to Streamline Your Product Updates
A great software product is always evolving. New features are launched and bugs get fixed.
The easiest way to promote new features and updates is with release notes software.
However, a plethora of release notes apps are available, so how do you pick the best one for your needs? We’ve solved this problem for you with this guide to the top seven release notes software.
What is release notes software?
Release notes software helps development teams document their latest product updates, enhancements, fixes, and features. The application lets team members easily keep each other and stakeholders updated about software changes and development progress.
In summary, release notes applications simplify documenting software changes and updating teams, users, and stakeholders about the changes. The best release notes software typically has user-friendly interfaces and search functionality for quickly finding past release notes.
7 best release notes software
Here are the top release notes software for fostering collaboration between teams and stakeholders during product development.
1. Frill
Release notes don’t get any easier than with Frill’s announcements feature. Announcements lets teams share updates about new features, bug fixes, and other development updates. You can add Frill’s announcements feed to your app or website so users can receive update notifications while using your application. Users can react to announcements with emojis, so you can gauge their interest or understand their feelings regarding each release.
Frill also offers a public roadmap and idea collection board. The features elevate customer experience because users can report bugs and feature requests quickly via the idea collection board. With the public roadmap, you can inform users about the submitted ideas and fixes you are working on. Combining these features with release notes makes Frill the only tool you need to carry users and stakeholders along as your product evolves.
2. ReleaseNotes
ReleaseNotes simplifies creating eye-catching release notes. The platform provides templates that you can customize to match your brand, and you can share release notes in-app with ReleaseNotes’ embeddable widget. You can also control who sees which release notes. For example, you can authorize only team members or specific users to see relevant release notes.
Lastly, if you have users who ignore release notes, prevent them from missing important updates with the auto-open feature. Turning on the feature ensures all recipients see your updates by automatically opening them in-app.
3. AnnounceKit
AnnounceKit provides several options for sharing release notes. Team members and users can visit your dedicated release notes page to view past and new announcements or view new releases in-app with notification widgets. Alternatively, you can share release notes with team members via Slack or email.
You can manage the creation, distribution, and monitoring of release notes all from the AnnounceKit tool. Users can also use the search tab to find specific release notes or view the progress of specific updates or fixes with AnnounceKit’s changelog.
Lastly, AnnounceKit allows you to collect real-time feedback from users regarding your release notes. How? Users can react to your release notes with emojis and comments. The feedback simplifies knowing if the feature or update mentioned in your release note is worth continuing.
4. LaunchNotes
LaunchNotes' announcements tool allows you to share release notes with internal and external stakeholders. You get announcements templates that remove the need to build release notes from scratch. Also, you can schedule release notes to send when viewers are most likely to open them.
Depending on your needs or preferences, you can share releases via branded emails or the in-app widget. You also get an internal and external changelog so team members or users can track the progress of new features, bug fixes, and other items in development.
5. Changelogfy
Changelogfy offers a dedicated newsfeed for keeping teams, users, and other stakeholders updated about changes to your product. Alternatively, use Changelogfy’s in-app widget tool, which ensures users can view release notes without leaving your app. Other options for sharing release notes with Changelogfy include email and Discord notifications.
Creating release notes is also easy with Changelogfy, and you can write in one language and publish in several other languages to match your audience. Do you want specific releases to reach specific people? Changelogfy lets you segment your target audience and reach the right users with the right information.
6. Beamer
You can install Beamer’s changelog and release notes tools on your app within five minutes and with zero coding skills. Once installed, you can create and share release notes to select stakeholders. You can also boost engagement by adding images, videos, or gifs to your release notes. Users can view release notes in-app via widgets and provide feedback on your latest releases.
7. ReleasePad
ReleasePad is another easy-to-install release notes software with an in-app widget. When you post an update, users will receive a notification that they can open to read your release note. ReleasePad also provides a public changelog page that you can modify to limit who can see specific updates.
Another standout feature is the software’s Advanced Analytics tool, which provides insights for identifying the updates users find most interesting. Knowing what interests your users will help you make better-informed decisions regarding the features or fixes to prioritize.
Why use release notes software?
Keeping users and stakeholders updated about software updates and fixes is crucial. Skipping this step may leave you with disgruntled users who don’t know you’ve fixed a bug they’ve mentioned. Also, how will users know you’ve added a new feature if you don’t tell them?
With release notes software, you can automate sharing crucial software update information with users, team members, and stakeholders. Automation ensures that you leave no one out and everyone is on the same page regarding completed software modifications and new releases. For example, Frill sends customers automatic updates regarding the progress of new features and the status of submitted ideas.
Other benefits of automating with release notes software include:
Reduce churn: Notifying users immediately after you release a new feature or bug fix can minimize churning. It does this by keeping users engaged with your product and reminding them your company stays on top of the features they need.
Convert new customers: Prospective customers want a new product that continually improves and innovates. Publishing release notes help attract such users by showing them your app is always evolving to serve customers better.
Best practices for using release notes software
Get the most out of your release note software by applying these best practices:
1. Choose the right release notes software
Select a release notes app that offers user feedback, roadmap, and release notes in one place. Why? The release notes features lets you share new feature or bug fix updates with users and stakeholders. You can then learn how customers feel about your releases with the user feedback feature.
Positive feedback indicates customers like your update, providing insights into customer preferences so you can effectively prioritize software updates. Users can also use the feedback tool to suggest new ideas you can build to improve your product. Lastly, the roadmap tool simplifies informing users about the ideas, fixes, and feature requests you plan to ship.
A release notes software like Frill that has these three features is better equipped to simplify keeping stakeholders up-to-date with relevant information.
2. Add essential elements
Every release note you publish must contain these essential elements:
A short and simple title
A concise summary of your new software changes and a clear explanation of its impact on users
Date and time of release
Category of changes, such as new feature, improvement, or bug fix
You can find release notes tools that provide forms you can fill to create a release note with all the essential elements. You also have platforms that offer customizable templates for crafting effective release notes.
3. Add visuals
Your release note shouldn’t contain only text. Make your release notes more appealing and easy to read by adding visuals, such as images, screenshots, or videos. The visual should be relevant to the message and make your release note easier to understand. You can even replace all your text with a short video or GIF that makes your message more digestible. You should also add a link that takes viewers directly to the newly released feature or fixed issue.
4. Archive and organize release notes
Over time, you’ll publish several release notes. Archive previous release notes for reference so users can see how your software has evolved since launch. Also, make each release note easy to find by using tags and segmenting release notes into different categories. Users and team members should be able to have no trouble finding past release notes in your archive by using relevant search terms in the search bar or scrolling through relevant categories.
5. Distribute efficiently
One of the best ways to share release notes with users is via an in-app widget. The widget will have an icon within your app that notifies users when you publish a release note. Using in-app widgets ensures users see your release note when they open your app, reducing the likelihood of them missing your news. You can also share release notes via email and other communication channels your users prefer.
6. Write release notes free of jargon
Most of your users won’t be tech gurus. Prevent confused release note viewers by avoiding technical jargon that only experts understand. Instead, craft release notes with simple language that any viewer can understand at a glance. Sticking with simple language will reduce the likelihood of users viewing your release notes without understanding the message.
Are you looking for affordable, robust, and user-friendly release notes software? Try Frill today.