SaaS empty state examples: blank screens that guide the next action

What is a SaaS empty state?

A SaaS empty state is the screen users see when there is no content, data, result, or object to show yet. It can appear during first use, after a search returns no results, before an integration is connected, or when a user does not have access to a feature.

Empty states matter because they often appear at fragile moments. The user is new, stuck, waiting, or unsure whether something is broken.

Good empty states answer:

• Why is this screen empty?
• What can I do next?
• Is this normal?
• Do I need permission, setup, data, or a paid plan?
• What will this area look like after I take action?

Browse real SaaS empty state examples before designing your own blank state. The best examples turn a dead end into a useful next step.

Why study real empty state examples?

Empty states are easy to underestimate in mockups. Real products show the constraints: short copy, small layouts, missing data, team permissions, loading delays, failed searches, and upgrade prompts.

They also reveal how companies decide between education and action. Some empty states explain a feature. Others push users directly into creating, importing, inviting, connecting, or upgrading.

Use examples to compare:

• First-use blank states
• No-result search states
• Empty dashboards
• Empty tables and lists
• Permission and access states
• Integration setup prompts
• Upgrade states
• Error and unavailable states

Empty state patterns worth comparing

First-use empty states

First-use empty states appear before the user has created anything. They are part of onboarding, even when they are not inside a formal onboarding flow.

Useful first-use empty states usually include a short explanation and one primary action. They should not make users guess whether they need to create, import, invite, or connect something.

Compare empty state examples with onboarding flow examples when designing a new user path.

Empty dashboards

Dashboards often depend on data from projects, events, integrations, or teammates. Before that data exists, the dashboard needs to explain how value will appear.

A strong empty dashboard does not show a grid of zeroes. It helps users create the first object, connect the first source, or understand what the dashboard will track.

Compare dashboard examples and look for how products handle dashboards with no data.

No-result search states

No-result states are different from first-use states. The user already tried something, and the product failed to return a match. The job is to help them recover quickly.

Good no-result states can suggest:

• Removing filters
• Trying a broader search
• Checking spelling
• Browsing related categories
• Creating the missing object

Search for search result examples to compare how products recover from failed searches.

Empty tables and lists

Tables and lists often need a different empty state depending on why they are empty. A blank table after filtering should not use the same message as a brand-new account with no records.

When reviewing examples, check whether the empty state changes for:

• No records yet
• No records matching filters
• Archived or deleted records
• Permission-limited records
• Loading or syncing records

Permission and locked states

Sometimes the screen is empty because the user does not have permission or the feature is not included in the current plan. These states need careful copy because they can feel like a bug or a sales trap.

The best versions explain what is blocked, why it is blocked, and who can fix it. If the answer is upgrade, the prompt should name the specific outcome the user gets.

Compare upgrade page examples and settings examples when designing permission or plan-gated empty states.

Integration and setup states

Some products are empty until another tool is connected. In that case, the empty state should clarify what data will appear after setup and how long the first sync may take.

Useful details include connected account, last sync, missing permissions, setup progress, and what the user can do while waiting.

Search for integration setup examples to compare setup-focused blank states.

A simple SaaS empty state review checklist

Use this before shipping an empty state:

• The message explains why the area is empty.
• The primary action matches the reason it is empty.
• First-use and no-result states use different copy.
• Empty dashboards explain how data will appear.
• Filtered empty states help users recover.
• Permission-limited states explain who can act.
• Upgrade prompts name the specific blocked outcome.
• Loading, error, and true zero-data states are visually distinct.
• The screen still feels useful without decorative filler.

How to research empty states faster

Start with the broad empty state category, then search for the exact moment you are designing:

• "no results"
• "empty dashboard"
• "connect integration"
• "create project"
• "invite team"
• "permission"
• "upgrade"
• "first use"

Save the strongest examples into a collection before writing your own empty state copy. This makes it easier to compare the action, tone, and level of explanation across real SaaS products.

The Startup offer unlocks the full library, saved collections, and MCP access for AI-assisted product research. See pricing or connect Nicelydone to your agent from the MCP page.