9 Sales Demo Solutions That Help You Close Deals

Tom Bruining
January 7, 2025
In this article
Get marketing tips in your inbox

Sales demos are a necessary part of any sales process and there is a wide range of software designed to support them. Generally, there are three main types of sales demo solutions you can use, each serving a distinct purpose:

  1. Personalized and interactive demo software – These tools let you create self-guided, tailored product demos for prospects to explore independently. They are ideal for top-of-funnel engagement and nurturing leads through interactive experiences.
  2. Live demo software – Designed for live presentations, these solutions enable sales teams to demonstrate the product to prospects during meetings or webinars. They focus on personalized interactions and instant feedback.
  3. Sandbox (POC – Proof of Concept) software – These tools provide potential buyers with a hands-on experience by offering a functional product environment to test. They are typically used for bottom-of-funnel activities where buyers evaluate the product in-depth before making a final decision.

In this article, we’ve rounded up the top 9 sales demo solutions and outlined their features, use cases, and ideal roles. Whether you’re creating tailored demos, running live presentations, or offering proof of concept, this list will help you find the right tool for your business.

Top 9 sales demo solutions

Demo automation software 

These types of sales demo tools allow you to run your demos on autopilot. You can use automated demos to qualify prospects and even to replace a free trial or free version of your software.

Automated demos allow buyers to get a feel for your product and test your features to see if they fit their needs, essentially qualifying prospects before they and your sales team invests their time on live calls.

Sales demo solution screenshot: HowdyGo

HowdyGo

HowdyGo empowers sales teams to craft immersive, interactive demos that capture the attention of prospects. It’s built for creating personalized guided tours of your SaaS product without any coding.

HowdyGo lets you record the app flow with a single click and then personalize its look and feel through a simple drag-and-drop editor. You can also rerecord different stages of the app flow separately, not just the entire product tour at once, so you won’t need to start from scratch when a demo needs updating.

Screenshot of the HowdyGo dashboard

In addition, HowdyGo incorporates powerful analytics to help you understand user behavior. On top of that, you can opt to include forms and gather information on potential leads.

Features
  • Interactive HTML demos – Record and edit app flows to create customizable demos.
  • Dynamic editing – Add, delete, or rearrange steps while customizing the palette to match your brand identity.
  • Lead capture integration – Include forms within demos to gather information on your target audience.
  • Comprehensive analytics – Track engagement metrics to optimize future sales demos.
  • Flexible embedding – Embed sales demos on your site, share links or add them to a demo center.
  • Hands-on support from the founders - During and after the onboarding process, you get tailored support. We’ve made thousands of interactive demos along the way and know what works for companies with different sales and inbound marketing strategies.
Use for

Crafting visually compelling, self-guided demos that showcase your SaaS product's features and benefits.

When it's best used

Clients say they equally benefit from HowdyGo when attracting potential users through personalized experiences and replacing free trials in product testing. This makes HowdyGo a tool that can be used at multiple funnel stages.

A screenshot of recent HowdyGo reviews online
Roles it’s designed for

Presales professionals, marketing teams and sales reps looking to drive lead generation, improve demo engagement, and enhance their pitch quality.

Navattic 

Navattic enables teams to create guided, no-code product tours with a drag-and-drop element editor. Once you record the app flow, you can rearrange the elements and add the story to your video.

However, Navattic doesn’t offer demo coaching or multi-team functionalities. 

You may want to explore this Navattic alternative that offers coaching and multi-team capabilities.

A screenshot of Navattic's dashboard
Features
  • No-code demo creation – Build interactive product tours without technical expertise.
  • Custom branding – Adjust visuals to align with your brand identity.
  • Engagement analytics – Track user interactions within the demo.
  • Flexible sharing – Share demos via links or embed them into your website.
Use for

Offering prospects a self-guided preview of your SaaS product.

A screenshot of different use cases of Navattic
When it's best used

Early stages of the buyer’s journey, helping prospects gain initial familiarity with the product.

Screenshot of recent online reviews of Navattic
Roles it’s designed for

Sales reps and marketing teams looking to provide quick, accessible product overviews.

Walnut 

Walnut is a demo platform that enables you to create interactive HTML demos of your application by capturing individual app screens and then manually linking the demo together.

With a limited number of user seats on each plan and the lack of free trials, you may want to consider other Walnut alternatives

A screenshot of the Walnut dashboard
Features
  • Custom demo creation – Tailor demos to match specific customer requirements.
  • No-code platform – Build demos without relying on developers.
  • Analytics dashboard – Monitor demo performance and user engagement.
  • Collaboration tools – Enable teams to work together on sales demo creation.
Use for

Delivering personalized product demonstrations to potential customers.

A screenshot of different use cases for Walnut
When it's best used

Middle stages of the buyer’s journey when prospects need more detailed product insights.

Roles it’s designed for

Sales engineers and presales professionals focused on showcasing tailored use cases.

Capture your first product demo today
Free trial, no credit card required
Edit anything in your UI with HTML demos
Hands on onboarding and support

Live demo software 

Live demo software tools provide sales teams with the ability to perform real-time product demonstrations, allowing sales reps to interact directly with prospects and address their specific questions during a live session. They often record demos and offer coaching feedback.

Demodesk

Demodesk is an AI-powered meeting platform that helps sales professionals improve their performance and take notes from every meeting. AI solution takes notes and automatically registers the mood of the conversation, enabling sales representatives to understand the upsides and downsides of their performance.

A screenshot of a HubSpot demo created with Demodesk
Features
  • Easy screen sharing – Share your product interface with prospects in real-time.
  • Built-in scheduling – Fewer booking conflicts with an automated demo booking process.
  • Recording – AI captures the meetings’ transcripts and summarizes key points.
  • CRM integration – Sync meeting details and outcomes directly with your CRM.
Use for

Engaging with prospective buyers during live presentations and improving sales team skills. Demodesk has created three different products you can use – one just for scheduling, one for AI transcriptions and one called Meetings that facilitates the entire process.

A screenshot of recent online reviews of Demodesk
When it's best used

Middle or late stages of the buyer’s journey, when live interaction is usually necessary for digital sales.

If you need a tool that can be used for various stages of the buyer's journey, you can check out this interactive demo tool instead. 

Roles it’s designed for

Sales representatives and account managers focused on delivering a live, personalized sales demo process.

Gong

Gong increases the efficiency of your sales demos by recording your live calls with prospects and providing you with comprehensive analytics of the sales demo performance and insights into the prospect's specific interest.

A screenshot of the Gong dashboard
Features
  • Call recording and analysis – Automatically record and analyze live sales demos to identify areas for improvement.
  • AI-powered insights – Highlight key moments and patterns from customer interactions with the demo environment.
  • Pipeline visibility – Monitor deal progress and evaluate sales demo effectiveness.
  • Team collaboration – Share recorded demos and feedback within the sales and customer success team.
Use for

Improving product demo delivery and overall sales cycle through data-driven feedback and insights.

When it’s best used

Middle to late stages of the buyer’s journey, particularly for refining messaging and evaluating customer engagement.

Roles it’s designed for

Sales manager focused on coaching and improving sales team performance.

A screenshot of the Gong software

Saleo

Saleo is a SaaS-oriented company designed to help create product sales demos. It allows sales teams to showcase and alter product environments during live online presentations without using actual live environments.

Features
  • Customizable data – Personalize demo data to improve buyers' experience.
  • No-code editor – Save time and modify your demo without requiring a developer.
  • Multi-tenant environments – Present tailored experiences for different client scenarios to attack the prospect's pain points.
  • Live preview – The sales rep can test and adjust the demo setup before presenting live.
Use for

Delivering tailored live sales demos that address the specific needs of the specific prospect.

When it's best used

The middle stage of the buyer’s journey when customers are evaluating if the product's benefits are right for them or not and want to see specific use cases.

Roles it’s designed for

Sales engineers and presales professionals focusing on delivering customized product walkthroughs and making the unique value proposition come across.

Related article: Explore How to create interactive product walkthroughs for your SaaS

A screenshot of recent online reviews for Saleo

Sandbox (Proof of Concept) Software For Sales Demos

Sandbox software enables buyers to test a product demo, allowing for a hands-on experience. These types of tools are often used to showcase specific features and help the customers get a better understanding of how the product would benefit them.

TestBox

TestBox brings automation and AI-generated data to provide multiple personas and feature interactive and engaging sales demos. This sales demo software enables a sales professional to easily create multiple testing environments where customers can explore the product independently.

A screenshot of a HubSpot POC made with TestBox
Features
  • Interactive testing – Create a hands-on experience with your product through a specialized sandbox environment.
  • Guided workflows – Pre-configured workflows highlight the best solution and key product capabilities.
  • Data simulations – Present realistic use-case scenarios using simulated data to answer questions upfront.
  • Team collaboration – Allow users to invite other members for shared evaluation.
Use for

Creating a hands-on product trial for users to assess specific use cases of your product's functionality.

If you need interactive product tools that can be used at every stage of the sales cycle, have a look at this interactive demo tool instead. 

When it’s best used

Late stages of the buyer’s journey, when your clients are comparing the shortlist of final options.

Roles it’s designed for

Decision-makers and IT teams evaluating product fit and usability, as well as the efficiency of the sales process. Moreover, some users state that TestBox is a good tool to help the onboarding process for new employees in a tech company.

A screenshot of recent online reviews for TestBox

Demoboost

Demoboost offers an all-in-one platform for creating tours, videos, and sandbox environments that help your future clients explore the products independently of your sales teams.

A screenshot of the Demoboost dashboard
Features
  • Customizable environments – Set up sandbox environments tailored to specific use cases.
  • No-code configuration – Adjust demo scenarios without technical expertise.
  • Analytics – Track how prospects interact with the sandbox to refine offerings.
  • Integrations – Connect with CRM tools to streamline lead tracking.
A screenshot of Demoboost features
Use for

Enabling prospects to explore specific and detailed product functionalities in a controlled environment.

When it's best used

Late stages of the buyer’s journey for thorough product evaluation and testing.

Roles it’s designed for

Sales and technical teams working with prospects on Proof of Concept (PoC) evaluations.

Demostack

Demostack enables businesses to create and share tailored demo environments that simulate a product’s full functionality for prospect testing.

A screenshot of a POC made with Demostack
Features
  • Tailored environments – Design scenarios to match specific customer needs.
  • Demo snapshots – Save and reuse demo setups for consistency.
  • No-code platform – Build detailed environments without developer assistance.
  • Performance insights – Analyze how prospects interact with the demo.
Use for

Simulating product functionality for hands-on evaluation by prospects.

When it’s best used

The late stages of the buyer’s journey when prospects compare detailed use cases.

Roles it’s designed for

Presales professionals and sales engineers supporting complex buying decisions.

A screenshot of the Demostack UI

Comparison table of tools to optimize your sales process

Sales demo solutions tool Type of sales demo solution Use for When it’s best used Roles it’s designed for
HowdyGo Supports all three types of sales demo solutions and every step of the buyer’s journey Creating self-guided, interactive product demos that can be shown during live calls or left behind for prospects and other stakeholders to view independently. Every stage of the buyer's journey Presales teams, marketing teams, and sales reps
Navattic Personalized and Interactive Demo Software Offering prospects a self-guided product preview Early stages of the buyer's journey Sales reps and marketing teams
Walnut Personalized and Interactive Demo Software Delivering tailored, interactive product demonstrations Middle stages of the buyer's journey Sales engineers and presales professionals
Demodesk Live Demo Software Engaging prospects during live, real-time presentations Middle or late stages of the buyer's journey Sales representatives and account managers
Gong Live Demo Software Improving live demo delivery with conversation insights Middle to late stages of the buyer's journey Sales leaders and team managers
Saleo Live Demo Software Delivering live demos with tailored product environments Middle stages of the buyer's journey Sales engineers and presales professionals
TestBox Sandbox (Proof of Concept) Software Providing hands-on product trials for evaluation Late stages of the buyer's journey Decision-makers, IT teams, and HR
Demoboost Sandbox (Proof of Concept) Software Enabling detailed product exploration in sandbox environments Late stages of the buyer's journey Sales and technical teams
Demostack Sandbox (Proof of Concept) Software Simulating product functionality for in-depth evaluation Late stages of the buyer's journey Presales professionals and sales engineers

What is the best sales demo solution for your business?

The answer lies in the practice of your business when a sales personnel closes a deal. Do you close deals in person via presentation, or do you allow users to test the product first?

Another aspect you need to consider when choosing which type of sales demo solution to work with is whether your product is simple and intuitive or whether there is a learning curve for new users due to the complexity and numerous features.

If you are used to sales decks, a live demo tool may be the next step to bringing your solution closer to the audience. If you want to allow the users to try your product independently without worrying about live data a POC software may be your choice. 

However, if you want to offer unique and personalized demos that can showcase live data but also allow your prospects to try out your software independently without breaking anything you should explore an option such as HowdyGo. Its no-code and easy personalization approach makes it a versatile demo creation software that can work for multiple use cases and stages of the buyer’s journey.

Why not give it a try? Try HowdyGo here - it's free.

FAQs

How to do a good sales demo?

Focus on understanding your prospect’s needs and tailor the demo to address their pain points. Use clear, concise explanations, demonstrate key features, and engage your audience by encouraging questions and interaction.

What are the three types of demos?

The three main types of demos are Personalized and Interactive Demos, Live Demos, and Sandbox (Proof of Concept) Demos. Personalized and interactive demos allow prospects to explore a tailored experience at their own pace, often through self-guided tours. Live demos involve real-time presentations where a sales team member demonstrates the product directly to the prospect, allowing for immediate interaction and feedback.

Sandbox demos, also known as Proof of Concept (PoC) demos, provide a hands-on environment where prospects can test and explore the product independently. These types are often used at different stages of the buyer’s journey to address varying needs, from generating interest to enabling in-depth evaluation before purchase.

How to run a successful demo?

Prepare thoroughly by researching your prospect and customizing the demo for their needs. Set a clear agenda, highlight the most relevant features, and actively engage with the audience by addressing their questions and feedback.

How long should a sales demo be?

A sales demo should ideally last 15–30 minutes, long enough to cover essential features but short enough to keep your prospect’s attention.

About the Author
Tom Bruining
Founder, BSc of Computer Science & BComm

Tom Bruining is the co-founder of HowdyGo. In the past he was Head of Growth & Marketing at a B2B SaaS and Head of Data & Business Intelligence at HelloFresh, UK.

Capture your first product demo today
Free trial, no credit card required
Edit anything in your UI with HTML demos
Hands on onboarding and support