I studied 5 popular dashboard UIs — here’s what works

A car’s dashboard gives you just enough info to drive safely — speed, fuel, warning lights. But imagine if it were cluttered or confusing… you might miss something critical. That same principle applies to digital dashboards. When they’re noisy or unorganized, they impact how users perceive data and make decisions.

Whether you’re designing for execs making strategic decisions, support teams handling operations, or analysts chasing insights, dashboards need to do one thing above all — make data useful. And that takes thoughtful UX.

Recently, I took a closer look at five widely used dashboards tools that set the bar high in different ways. Not just because they’re beautiful (some aren’t), but because their design choices help real users act faster, see clearer, and make better decisions.

This isn’t a pixel-by-pixel teardown on dashboards. It’s a designer’s perspective on what works and more importantly, why. If that interests you, let’s dive in.

Editor’s note: This blog was rewritten by Chidera Nwankwagu and updated on 18 July 2025 to show real world examples of effective dashboards and explain what each does well.

Types of dashboards (and who they serve)

Not all dashboards are built the same. Understanding the type you’re building is the first step to crafting a better experience. Here are the three main types I usually reference:

1. Strategic dashboards — Used by executives and department heads. These show high-level KPIs and long-term metrics, like revenue growth or monthly active users. The focus is on trends, not details
2. Operational dashboards — These are built for frontline staff and team leads who need to monitor what’s happening in real time. Think logistics, inventory, or daily app performance. The UX here must prioritize clarity and quick scanning
3. Analytical dashboards — For data analysts and power users who need to dive into data, filter it, and explore. These dashboards require thoughtful controls and visualizations for thorough investigation while not overcomplicating information

Real world dashboard breakdowns

With the different types in mind, let’s take a look at examples of dashboards from real world companies.

Stripe

Type: Strategic/operational hybrid

Stripe’s dashboard balances technical insight with clarity. It’s tailored for real-time financial tracking — revenue, payments, balances — and is built with precision in mind. Stripe’s layout uses a left-hand nav and top-level widgets to surface what matters fast: whether money is flowing in, where it’s going, and what needs attention.

Despite its data-rich nature, the UI never feels dense. Through crisp typography, generous whitespace, and subtle use of color, Stripe makes complex financial information easier to digest.

What it does well:

• Hierarchy-driven layout — Key metrics are front and center. Secondary actions (like filtering or exporting) are tucked away but still easily accessible
•  Consistent data visualization — Whether it’s revenue trends or payout delays, scannability
• Actionable summaries — Stripe combines numbers with context — you’re not just seeing “$2,100 received,” you also see a breakdown of sources and trends

Stripe shows that data-heavy dashboards don’t have to overwhelm. When you pair strong visual hierarchy with clean UI and functionality, users can move confidently, even through complex financial workflows.

Notion

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Type: Strategic/analytical

Notion isn’t a traditional analytics dashboard, it’s a modular workspace that users mold into dashboards, planners, wikis, and more. That flexibility is precisely what makes it powerful. Teams can build dashboards that reflect their specific needs: goal tracking, company OKRs, sprint progress, content calendars, and beyond.

While some tools lock users into rigid layouts, Notion gives people space to shape their own structure. Its dashboard blocks (tables, toggles, charts, embeds) let users create a single source of truth across departments.

What it does well:

• Blank-slate flexibility — Build a dashboard from scratch — exactly the way your team works
• Inline databases — Users can add sortable tables directly inside a dashboard, with filters and views tailored to the context
• Text plus structure — Unlike rigid dashboards, Notion lets users pair explanations with data: project summaries, task details, and decisions can live side-by-side
• Whitespace as structure — Notion uses spacing intentionally, giving the eye room to breathe

Notion is an example that dashboards aren’t just about data — they’re about alignment. By empowering users to design their own information flow, it reinforces the idea that dashboards are not static — they evolve with the team.

Linear

Type: Strategic/analytical

Linear’s dashboard is built for velocity. It’s designed for engineering and product teams, so it’s not flashy. Linear succeeds by stripping away friction and doubling down on performance.

Every interaction feels fast: page loads, keyboard shortcuts, and filtered views are near-instant. Combined with dark UI tones, sharp typography, and minimal ornamentation, the tool gives off a sense of control and clarity that’s hard to fake.

What it does well:

• Performance-first mindset — Transitions, filters, and navigation feel nearly instant — critical for busy teams
• Clear task status and ownership — Every issue has labels, ownership, due dates, and sprint association presented cleanly
• Minimal visual noise — No redundant panels or unnecessary chrome — just pure information architecture

Linear proves that performance is a UX feature. In dashboards where speed and clarity are key, stripping away excess and optimizing for intent can turn routine task tracking into flow.

Figma

Type: Strategic/analytical

Figma’s dashboard isn’t just a file browser — it’s a creative launchpad. It organizes design files, team projects, and shared libraries in a way that helps both individuals and teams stay aligned. For design teams managing dozens of files across multiple workstreams, this level of structured visibility is essential.

But beyond just storage, Figma’s dashboard reflects design thinking in motion. Tiles have previews, hover interactions are micro-animated, and team sections mirror real-world hierarchies. Everything feels polished and purposeful.

What it does well:

• Visual-first layout — Design previews reduce guesswork — users see what they’re opening before clicking
• Smart grouping — Files are auto-organized by recency and teams, making it easier to find active work
• Team libraries plus permissions — Keeps design systems, shared components, and roles organized without chaos
• Cross-team transparency — See what other teams are working on without opening every file — a subtle boost to alignment
• Microinteractions — Animations and hovers feel native and lightweight — never clunky

Figma’s dashboard teaches us that clarity doesn’t mean coldness. Dashboards can feel intuitive and inviting especially when you combine visual feedback, team context, and seamless transitions.

Trello

Type: Strategic/analytical

Trello’s dashboard is tailored for lightweight project management and team coordination. Its card-based system and board layout emphasize clarity over complexity. While not a “dashboard” in the strict analytical sense, Trello excels at giving teams a visual snapshot of what’s happening and what’s next — particularly for marketing, content, and small cross-functional teams.

Users can set up boards for different projects, move cards to reflect progress, and use Power-Ups (Trello’s plugin system) to add analytics, reports, or custom fields. The design is simple but expandable, which makes it great for non-technical users who still want to track and manage workflows effectively.

What it does well:

• Highly visual organization — Columns and cards mimic real-world workflows (e.g., to do, doing, done), helping users mentally map tasks quickly
• Drag-and-drop ease — Moving tasks or changing statuses feels intuitive — especially helpful for collaborative teams managing shifting priorities
• Color-coded labels and tags — These boost scannability and let users flag urgency or categories without overwhelming the interface

Trello proves that not every dashboard needs complex analytics to be effective. For teams focused on collaboration and clarity, a well-structured Kanban layout — paired with just-in-time enhancements — can reduce overwhelm and help users feel in control.

It also reminds us that progressive disclosure is a powerful UX strategy: don’t show everything at once — reveal complexity only when it’s needed.

Dashboard UX best practices (what really matters)

Across all five examples, I noticed recurring UX principles that great dashboards embrace:

• Use progressive disclosure — Reveal more details only when needed. Collapse rarely-used sections
• Support personalization — Let users pin, drag, or filter content. Saved views help reduce repeated friction
• Optimize responsiveness — Whether mobile-first or desktop-priority, don’t ignore different screen sizes
• Invest in performance — A beautiful dashboard that lags is worse than an ugly one that flies
• Design for accessibility — Good contrast, alt text for charts, keyboard navigation

Final thoughts

If there’s one thing I’ve learned designing dashboards, it’s that less is usually more — but only when the “less” is the right less. Dashboards should inform, not overwhelm. Whether you’re supporting C-level decision-makers or on-the-ground operators, clarity is the most important feature you can build.

So, next time you design a dashboard, ask yourself: What will this user care about in five seconds? That’s your north star. Because great dashboards don’t just display data — they drive decisions.

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