Using SUS for Mobile Apps
The System Usability Scale works great for mobile apps. Learn how to adapt SUS for mobile testing, when to administer it, and what benchmarks to aim for in the competitive app market.
Why Use SUS for Mobile Apps?
Mobile apps have unique usability challenges—small screens, touch interfaces, interrupted usage patterns. SUS captures overall perceived usability regardless of platform, making it ideal for app testing.
Platform Agnostic
Works for iOS, Android, cross-platform, and PWAs without modification.
Quick to Complete
Under 2 minutes—perfect for mobile users with limited attention spans.
Comparable Benchmarks
Compare your app against the mobile app average of 73 and industry standards.
Track Over Time
Measure impact of updates and new features on perceived usability.
Mobile App Benchmarks
Mobile apps typically score higher than desktop software because users expect simpler, more focused experiences. The average SUS score for mobile apps is 73, compared to the overall average of 68.
| App Category | Average SUS |
|---|---|
| Consumer Apps (Overall) | 73 |
| E-commerce Apps | 71 |
| Banking/Finance Apps | 69 |
| Productivity Apps | 70 |
| Health/Fitness Apps | 74 |
| Enterprise/B2B Apps | 65 |
See more industry data in our complete benchmarks guide.
When to Administer SUS for Apps
After Onboarding
Once users complete initial setup and core tasks. They should have enough experience to form an opinion but still remember first impressions.
After Major Updates
Following significant UI changes or new feature releases. Compare scores before and after to measure impact.
During Beta Testing
Get usability feedback from beta testers before public launch. Use our team survey tool to collect responses easily.
Regular Intervals
Monthly or quarterly for established apps to track usability trends over time and catch regressions early.
Tips for Mobile SUS Surveys
Replace "system" with your app name
Instead of "I think that I would like to use this system frequently," say "I think that I would like to use [YourApp] frequently."
Use in-app surveys when possible
Trigger the survey within your app after key moments. This captures feedback while the experience is fresh.
Keep it mobile-friendly
Use large tap targets for rating buttons. Our survey tool is optimized for mobile respondents.
Segment by platform
If you have both iOS and Android apps, compare scores separately. Platform differences may reveal platform-specific issues.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don't survey during crashes or errors
If users just experienced a bug, their scores will reflect frustration, not overall usability. Wait for stable sessions.
Don't survey too early
Users need to complete meaningful tasks first. Surveying during onboarding before they've really used the app gives unreliable results.
Don't ignore low response rates
If only frustrated users respond, scores will be skewed negative. Aim for representative samples across your user base.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a good SUS score for a mobile app?
For mobile apps, aim for 73+ (the mobile average). Scores above 80 are good, and 85+ is excellent. Consumer apps typically score higher than enterprise apps due to simpler use cases.
Should I use SUS for both iOS and Android versions?
Yes. Run separate surveys for each platform to identify platform-specific usability issues. You may find that one platform scores significantly different due to UI conventions or implementation differences.
How do I get users to complete the survey?
Trigger the survey at natural pause points (after completing a task, achieving a milestone). Keep it optional and brief. Consider small incentives like premium features or contest entries for completion.
Can I use SUS for app store optimization?
While SUS isn't directly related to ASO, high usability correlates with better reviews and retention. Track SUS alongside app store ratings to understand the relationship for your app.
How often should I survey the same users?
Avoid survey fatigue by waiting at least 30 days between surveys for the same user. For tracking trends, survey different user cohorts or use sampling rather than surveying everyone repeatedly.
Ready to measure your app's usability?
Calculate your SUS score or create a survey to collect feedback from your users.