Non-user-friendly

Describing something, typically a product, service, or system, that is difficult, confusing, or inconvenient for users to understand, operate, or interact with. It lacks intuitive design, clear instructions, and helpful features, leading to frustration and inefficiency. Key characteristics include a steep learning curve, obscure terminology, illogical navigation, and a general lack of consideration for the user's experience. Often resulting in low adoption rates and a negative perception. Ultimately, it fails to meet the needs and expectations of its intended audience, creating a barrier to effective utilization and overall user satisfaction.

Non-user-friendly meaning with examples

• The new software update was a disaster. The interface was so cluttered and the instructions so vague, that many employees found it completely non-user-friendly. After several weeks, they had barely grasped the basics, severely impacting productivity. Training videos were poorly produced and confusing further compounding the issues, thus requiring the IT department to work overtime to assist everyone.
• The archaic online banking system was notoriously non-user-friendly. Navigation was labyrinthine, hidden links everywhere and essential information required multiple clicks to locate. Customers, particularly the elderly, struggled to complete basic tasks and were frequently forced to call customer service for simple account inquiries. This led to a lot of complaints and dissatisfaction with the bank's online services.
• The complex and unintuitive design of the new smart home thermostat rendered it utterly non-user-friendly. Setting basic schedules was extremely complicated, and the app kept crashing. The lack of clear visual cues and confusing menus made the device impossible for some to use. Consequently, many people gave up, preferring to stick with the old, simpler system.
• Despite its advanced features, the editing software was considered non-user-friendly. The abundance of options and toolbars overwhelmed even experienced users. The lack of contextual help, combined with cryptic error messages, made learning the system a daunting, time-consuming task. As a result, many professionals chose to use competitors' products with much more straightforward interfaces.