In the contemporary society where knowledge is power, management must be in a position to understand, capture, and analyze data related to their customers, employees, and the market respectively. Surveys’ relevance has grown tremendously over the years, making them virtually mandatory for business organizations, educators, and researchers because they are a direct, easy way to gather insight and feedback from target groups.
These tools have an array of functionalities starting from template designing to real-time data analysis for easy feedback gathering. From the view of beginners planning to conduct a customer satisfaction survey for their start-ups a large corporation planning to make an employee satisfaction survey or even a non-profit organization planning to know the efficiency of the programs you implement, online survey tools provide a one-stop solution eliminating all the cumbersome efforts required in the feedback management process.
This paper aims to introduce what online survey systems are, why they are required, and what to consider when selecting a good tool. We also examine the twelve top survey tools, their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, cost, and suggested application.
What Are Online Survey Tools?
An online survey is simply the use of computer-based tools to design, administer, and tabulate questionnaires. They include multiple choice, rating scales, and open-ended questions so the respondent is not JA limiting in the type of answers they provide. Most tools also offer different templates for creating the surveys which makes it easier when designing from scratch.
These tools help in sending messages to the audience through various media like e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and websites making them suitable for all data collection processes. Moreover, using these survey tools, it is possible to have reporting and analytics instruments to give the user a visual representation and numeric data concerning responses to the survey questions. This functionality enables business entities, learning institutions, and researchers in decision-making processes that are fast and accurate.
Why Do You Need Online Survey Software?
- Quick Feedback Collection: Web-based surveys allow interactive responses to get the information required by an organization in the shortest time possible.
- Reduced Manual Work: These tools are more effective than paper surveys in terms of eliminating the work of handling the paper surveys and keying in the data.
- Enhanced Decision-Making: This data helps leaders understand the trends and the patterns they will have to deal with while making their decisions.
In general,these tools are effective in organizing the collection of feedback and using them to promote strategic moves.
Key Features of Online Survey Tools
- Templates and Question Types: Some of the good survey tools allow the use of several templates and question format types including the Likert scales, multiple choice, and others that allow free text responses.
- Logic and Branching: The survey logic or branching function allows the respondent to be guided to certain questions by their answers to prior questions to enhance the user experience in completing a survey.
- Analytics and Reporting: Most web-based survey software suites have the in-built facility of analyzing and generating reports which creates graphical images, trends, and insights about the responses which makes data analysis.
- Customization Options: Ease of design and branding enables users to capture the essence of their brand and match that on the surveys taken.
- Integration with Other Tools: Almost all tools are connected with different applications, such as customer relationship management (CRM), e-mail marketing, and productivity applications, growing the capability to gather data and manage resources.
Best 12 Online Survey Tools
1. HubSpot
HubSpot’s Form Builder is an adaptable and free CRM designed to create surveys that can directly link to customer information. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to create countless customizations, and more than a dozen question types. This tool is ideal for users who require survey forms that may automatically trigger follow-up emails and notifications. And because of the CRM integrated, the information from the survey perfectly connects to your lead management.
Key Features:
- HubSpot CRM
- Drag-and-drop templates
- Real-time synchronization of data with CRM for tracking leads
Pros:
- Free access to the robust features
- No complex user interface
- Facilitates unlimited responses
Cons:
- Only accessible by HubSpot users
- Paid plans are required to unlock feature-rich advanced features
- Basic customization is possible without an upgraded version
Ideal For:
Businesses that desire integrated surveys in their CRM.
Pricing:
- Enterprise: US$3,600/mo
- Professional: US$800/mo
Website: https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm
2. SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is one of the most frequently used tools in creating a survey, mainly when it is a simple survey and short feedback form. It comes with many templates for AI survey generation and a question bank. The free version can only have 10 questions and 25 responses to a survey, therefore suitable for small projects.
Key Features:
- AI-based survey builder to get it up and running quickly
- Templates available to make the process smooth
- Integration options with popular platforms
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Brand name recognized and respected
- Several templates available
Cons:
- Questions and answers are far less detailed in the free package
- Exporting of data will incur a fee
- Branding will appear on your free survey
Ideal For:
Simplistic opinion gathering for businesses.
Pricing:
- Standard: ₹899/ month
- Premier: ₹4,999/ month
- Advantage: ₹1,999/ month
Website: https://www.surveymonkey.com/
3. ProProfs
ProProfs Survey Maker is suitable for small business customers, even if the service offered allows an unlimited number of surveys per customer, even with the free tariff. A somewhat flexible tool for capturing customers’ feedback because of the branching logic available and integration with other platforms such as MailChimp although has administered response limits.
Key Features:
- Extensive reporting supported by analysis
- Over 20 question types
- Readily integrates into third-party applications
Pros:
- Many questions were introduced.
- As per this, the free plan allows a user to create as many surveys as they want.
- One more advantage would be the Compatibility and Interoperability with other tools.
Cons:
- The free plan is a little restricted, only allowing for 50 responses.
- Basic customization options
- Some of the analytics features will be unavailable in the free version
Ideal for:
Small businesses without an internal marketing department or sophisticated market research needs for basic feedback on products or services.
Pricing:
- Free: $0.00/50 responses/forever free
- Business: $9.99
Website: https://www.proprofssurvey.com/
4. Jotform
Jotform is unique with its drag-and-drop form options, the ability to create surveys that contain conditional questions and payment integrations. For small business personnel or freelance professionals, it is perfect but if you also require functions such as form calculations or payment options then this is best suited for you.
Key Features:
- Conditional and payment methods
- Supports brand customization
- Stability and increased numbers of automated data processing
Pros:
- Flexible and easy to use
- Allows 10 payments in the basic planform
- Extensive template library
Cons:
- In the free plan, few responses are available
- HIPAA requires the paid plan
- Partial support if I upgrade
Ideal for:
Self-employed and small companies who require branded forms with payment options.
Pricing:
- Starter: Free
- Bronze: $34/month
- Silver: $39/month
- Gold: $49/month
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
Website: https://www.jotform.com/surveys/
5. Delighted
Delighted is well suited for conducting customer experience surveys where you can get the NPS, CSAT, and a whole lot more. Because of the ease of design and implementation, it is suitable for startups who are looking for basic customer feedback.
Key Features:
- Templates that we can implement are the customer experience templates
- Custom branding options
- AI-based question suggestions
Pros:
- Simple, fast setup
- Various distribution options
- Hence, targeted more at customer support indicators
Cons:
- The ability to ask only a few questions
- The difficulty was simplified which led to having only one active project which is under the free plan.
- Additional functionality is only available to users subscribed to a premium plan.
Ideal for:
Entrepreneurs that were interested in the kind of experience their customers had.
Pricing:
- Starter: $17/mo
- Growth: $35/mo
- Advanced: $134/mo
- Premium: $224/mo
Website: https://delighted.com/
6. Survicate
It is a professional survey tool and it provides a Feedback Hub for managing all responses. In the free version, it is convenient for continuous feedback gathering using a single current survey.
Key Features:
- Comments Centre for categorizing comments
- AI-driven survey questions
- Ready-made layouts that one can modify almost to the letter
Pros:
- User-friendly UI
- Extensive integrations
- Reporting and explanation and analysis
Cons:
- Scarce and fairly general in the free version
- The possibility to conduct only one active survey at a time
- Most of the features are free but some of the extra pro features will cost you to subscribe.
Ideal for:
Those small business organizations that may require regular feedback.
Pricing:
- Good: €99/mo
- Better: €149/mo
- Best: €249/mo
- Better Than The Rest: €299/mo
Website: https://survicate.com/
7. SurveySparrow
This is contrastingly different from popular online survey tools that offer a standard, boring survey, thus SurveySparrow is keen to captivate its users. As a result of the high quality of the presented data, due to interaction with a friendly global window, it is perfect for use in feedback as concerns the satisfaction of the personnel or consumers.
Key Features:
- The 4th type is an interactive and conversational UI.
- The examples as per various industries
- Sentiment analysis with AI
Pros:
- Low response rates but questions answered in a conversational tone
- Complex templates for web design for diverse purposes
- Advanced AI text analysis
Cons:
- Few replies in the free version
- Few features are available in the paid plans only.
- Rather restricted for higher logic though completely acceptable for other forms of reasoning.
Ideal For:
Customer & employee feedback through online and live interactive surveys.
Pricing:
- Contact For Pricing
Website: https://surveysparrow.com
8. Sogolytics
Sogolytics is a survey tool that lays importance on security, and sophisticated surveying options which will be useful for an industry that may require the collection of sensitive data in the healthcare, finance, and education industries. This means you can make your surveys more complex with options for branching, conditional logic and even scoring which will help to define respondents’ answers more effectively. Sogolytics also covers such features as survey distribution based on different channels and advanced analytics options based on deeper survey details.
Key Features:
- Security measures are favorable for protecting PII under the HIPAA rules.
- Capability of survey logic and branching.
- Multiple channel sales with appropriate analysis of data.
Pros:
- High-security standards when it comes to privacy.
- Perfect for highly interconnected surveys with numerous nested and complicated types of questions branching out.
- One primary strategy inside these categories is that they are very versatile in distribution.
Cons:
- The free plan comes with the basic features of the software.
- Learning curve for beginners.
- There is no white labeling on the other lower tiers.
Ideal for:
Companies that require safer surveys and a higher level of logic, in the medical or banking fields for instance.
Pricing:
- Basic: Free
- Plus: $25 /mo
- Pro: $66 /mo
- Premium: $99 /mo
Website: https://www.sogolytics.com
9. Typeform
Typeform is a popular tool for creating surveys because it’s engaging and designed to look like a regular conversation. One question at a time to increase engagement and completion rates, and that’s ideal for collecting feedback from audiences who are unlikely to complete a regular survey. There are also available on the platform several templates, conditional fields, and options for integration with other services.
Key Features:
- They used a question-at-time questionnaire design to enhance participation.
- This means that there are many templates for use in different survey genres.
- Different survey questions could be administered to the survey participant.
Pros:
- Relatively high completion rates come with interactive designs.
- Easy to navigate yet sleek – A great match for our corporate logo and brand image!
- Interoperability with many other systems.
Cons:
- Restricted response allowance for free plans to be used often.
- Features customizable within free plans are limited.
- Pricing of its basic features at a higher level than advanced add-ons.
Ideal for:
Marketing practitioners and small business owners concerned with customer-related issues.
Pricing:
- Basic: 25 USD/mo
- Plus: 50 USD/mo
- Business: 83 USD/mo
- Enterprise: Contact For Pricing
Website: https://www.typeform.com
10. SurveyPlanet
SurveyPlanet is a satisfactory and easy-to-navigate tool with a solid power set for starters and people who need a no-nonsense tool. Some of the basic specifications include multiple question styles, templates, as well as a special ‘’Dark Mode’’ for the surveys. SurveyPlanet also features survey translation in over 35 languages thus enabling businesses to conduct surveys across the world.
Key Features:
- Different kinds of questions and models are constructed.
- A visually appealing dark mode for your survey.
- International surveys support for all languages.
Pros:
- Intuitive and easy to set up.
- Can also be customized with several themes.
- Unlimited responses in the free version.
Cons:
- In the free version, analytics are somewhat restricted.
- No white-labeling options.
- It has a good spectrum of basic logic operations but the application lacks advanced logic features.
Ideal for:
The new entrepreneurs and small businesses seeking efficiency and affordable online survey tools.
Pricing:
- Free: $0
- Pro: $20 month or $180 year
- Enterprise: $350 year
Website: https://surveyplanet.com/
11. Zoho Survey
Zoho Survey has everything necessary for deep customization of a survey tool, as well as the creation of templates and integration with other applications of the Zoho Suite. It includes powerful analysis, the ability to track response rates, and survey language selection for individual questions. Zoho Survey is best suited for partners already in the Zoho stack – creating a streamlined integration with CRM and marketing tools for more comprehensive customer data.
Key Features:
- Full integration with Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps.
- Sustainability reports, systems, and processes for producing and reporting key performance indicators and other business metrics.
- Different types of questions and have many templates.
Pros:
- It has a high level of configurability with plans having detailed statistics.
- Compatibility with existing applications in the Zoho Suite.
- The free plan has only a close set of essential capabilities.
Cons:
- Few responses on the free plan.
- Advanced features only: this software is not designed for the patient who has a limited learning curve and wants an easy-to-use interface.
- Options to brand lower tiers are rather small.
Ideal for:
Those who are already using some Zoho tools and do not require a separate tool for a survey.
Pricing:
- Free: ₹0
- Basic: ₹416
- Plus: ₹600
- Pro: ₹1,700
- Enterprise: ₹3,900
Website: https://www.zoho.com/survey/
12. Zonka Feedback
Zonka Feedback focuses mainly on feedback surveys hence is ideal to help business organizations enhance customer satisfaction. It has a clean design with templates that are oriented toward collecting customer feedback, for instance, NPS or CSAT. Zonka Feedback also has real-time feedback alerts which makes it easier to respond to problems as they occur.
Key Features:
- Templates that cater to customer satisfaction surveys only.
- Real-time feedback alerts.
- Multiple marketing distribution techniques.
Pros:
- Easy to use and set up.
- It centers itself on the customer input and perception of products and services.
- Real-time feedback tracking.
Cons:
- On the free plan, it’s possible to set only one response, which will be a problem for many users.
- There are no analytical features in the free version of the application out of the four features analyzed in this paper.
- Few configurable features to protrude or enforce the brand name or logo.
Ideal for:
Anyone in the customer service teams and businesses that want to measure their customer satisfaction levels.
Pricing:
- Starter: $49/mo
- Growth: $199/mo
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
Website: https://www.zonkafeedback.com/
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Choosing Online Survey Tools
- Ignore Customization Options: When a tool offers little to no alteration, it may lead to genetic surveys that offer information not enough for decision-making.
- Buying Based Solely on Price: Free tools are great but most of them would probably lack specific details that could be crucial for their use, such as analytics, integration, or branding. This method of choosing a product to purchase would also help you avoid higher prices for some, while others get a raw deal by stripping away basic features that aren’t expensive to include.
- Non-scalability: Whether you see your organization growing someday in the near future, choose a tool that grows with you too. The tool that you picked may be appropriate for a single campaign but is not scalable with your growth; thus, switching it might be costly and disrupt your campaign.
- Overlooking Data Security and Privacy: It is very important where the survey tool involved is collecting personal data from the respondents for reverberation purposes, which comes in the way of compliance with data protection legislation.
- Lack of UX: The actual complexity of interfaces tends to discourage the respondents from concluding the remaining tasks in surveys. Do look for a tool that presents itself as a helpful and enjoyable interface to end-users based on screen size, or whether it is a desktop or mobile device.
Conclusion
Online surveys are some of the essential tools for any business, academia, or research sector by providing an effective way of collecting data. These types of applications are shown to offer a range of features that are likely to enable them to be used in line with the user’s requirements. In essence, the way to use this guide properly is to ensure that the goals, budgets, the technical features of the survey tool befit the organization’s needs. A good online survey tool helps organizations to make prudent decisions that are useful in the growth of the organizations, delivery of satisfying customer services, and the motivating of employees.
FAQs
1. What is an online survey tool?
An online survey tool is a tool or software or application available on the internet that helps people design the questionnaire, disseminate it, and then finally analyze its results. These assist learners in providing templates, and different question varieties, plus analytical and distribution features to help in the collection of feedback.
2. When is the right time for an organization to use an online survey and how do I select the right tool for my business?
Some of the things that can be considered include usability, flexibility, compatibility, analysis tools, and cost. Your particular requirements – the size of respondents, and the complexity of the survey – can also be used to cut out the options.
3. How effectively do online survey tools work when the amount of responses is high?
Almost all the tools are capable of handling massive traffic of various responses depending on the subscription type. Just in case there are many people expected to participate in the poll, the response limit should be checked.
4. Data protection of the information acquired by online survey tools is a concern.
Survey tools of repute come equipped with features to safeguard respondents’ data against theft and hacking to prevent violation of laws governing data use relating to the same. Discuss the policy to control the tool’s data security features to enable the organization to meet its data security standards for its data.
