Modal vs Popover vs Drawer vs Tooltip: When to Use Each (2025 Guide)
An interactive guide to help you choose the right overlay pattern for your use case
Choosing the right overlay pattern impacts user experience. Each pattern serves different interaction needs and contexts.
Use our interactive decision flow below to guide your choice based on interaction criticality, content complexity, and user context.
Interactive Decision Flow
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Quick Comparison
Choose When
- ✓ Blocks all interactions
- ✓ Complex forms & wizards
- ✓ Critical confirmations
- ✓ Full mobile takeover
Choose When
- ✓ Maintains page context
- ✓ Filters & settings panels
- ✓ Mobile-friendly slide-in
- ✓ Semi-persistent content
Choose When
- ✓ Contextual to element
- ✓ Menus & quick options
- ✓ Non-blocking interactions
- ✓ Dismissible on outside click
Choose When
- ✓ Brief help text only
- ✓ Hover/focus triggered
- ✓ Non-interactive content
- ✓ Minimal visual disruption
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