Gathering valuable insights from your audience has never been easier, thanks to the wealth of free online survey tools available. Whether you’re a small business owner, researcher, or simply curious about people’s opinions, these platforms offer powerful features without the need for a hefty investment. We’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed a wide range of survey tools to bring you the cream of the crop. Our experts have evaluated the top free online survey tools that can help you create professional surveys, collect responses, and gain meaningful insights – all without spending a penny.
Google Forms
Google Forms is a versatile and user-friendly survey tool that seamlessly integrates with other Google Workspace applications. It offers a straightforward interface, making it easy for users of all skill levels to create professional-looking surveys, quizzes, and forms. With its real-time collaboration feature, multiple team members can work on a survey simultaneously, enhancing productivity.
Google Forms automatically collects and organises responses in Google Sheets, allowing for easy data analysis. The tool also provides customisable themes and the ability to add images and videos, enabling users to create engaging and visually appealing surveys.
Key Features
- Unlimited surveys and responses
- Various question types (multiple choice, dropdown, linear scale, etc.)
- Skip logic and branching
- Real-time response tracking
- Customisable themes and branding
- Integration with Google Sheets for data analysis
- Collaboration features
- Mobile-friendly surveys
Google Forms is entirely free to use with a Google account, offering unlimited surveys and responses. There’s no paid version, as it’s part of the free Google Workspace suite.
SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is a widely recognised online survey platform known for its intuitive interface and powerful features. It caters to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. The platform offers a range of question types and customisation options, allowing users to create surveys that align with their brand identity.
SurveyMonkey’s strength lies in its advanced analytics capabilities, providing users with detailed insights and data visualisation tools. The platform also offers robust security measures, ensuring that sensitive survey data remains protected.
Key Features
- Wide variety of question types
- Customisable survey themes
- Basic skip logic
- Real-time results
- Data export options
- Survey templates
- Mobile app for on-the-go surveying
- Basic reporting tools
SurveyMonkey’s free plan allows users to create and send unlimited surveys with up to 10 questions and 40 responses per survey. For more advanced features and higher response limits, paid plans start at £32 per month when billed annually.
Typeform
Typeform revolutionises the survey experience with its sleek, conversational approach to data collection. This platform is renowned for creating visually stunning and highly engaging surveys that feel more like a natural dialogue than a traditional questionnaire. Typeform’s unique design presents one question at a time, reducing respondent fatigue and potentially increasing completion rates.
The platform excels in creating a personalised experience for each respondent, with features like logic jumps and personalised thank you screens. Its aesthetic appeal and user-friendly interface make it a favourite among marketers and designers who prioritise brand image and user experience.
Key Features
- Beautiful, customisable designs
- Conversational format
- Basic logic jumps
- Various question types
- Custom thank you screens
- Basic reporting and analytics
- Keyboard shortcuts for faster survey creation
- Embed surveys on websites
Typeform’s free plan includes unlimited typeforms with up to 10 questions per form and 10 responses per month. Paid plans, offering more advanced features and higher response limits, start at £25 per month when billed annually.
JotForm
JotForm is a versatile online form builder that offers a rich set of features for creating surveys, questionnaires, and various types of forms. It’s particularly notable for its extensive template library, which provides users with a wide range of pre-designed forms that can be easily customised. JotForm’s drag-and-drop interface makes it simple for users to create complex forms without any coding knowledge.
The platform also excels in its integration capabilities, connecting seamlessly with numerous third-party applications to streamline workflows. JotForm’s form analytics provide valuable insights into respondent behaviour and form performance.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop form builder
- Extensive template library
- Mobile-friendly forms
- Basic conditional logic
- File upload capability
- Integration with popular tools
- Form analytics
- HIPAA compliance (on paid plans)
JotForm’s free plan includes up to 5 forms and 100 monthly submissions. It also offers 100MB of available space and all standard fields and widgets. Paid plans with additional features and higher limits start at £24 per month when billed annually.
SoGoSurvey
SoGoSurvey is a comprehensive survey platform that caters to various survey needs, from simple questionnaires to complex market research projects. It offers a balance of user-friendly features and advanced functionality, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced researchers.
SoGoSurvey’s strength lies in its robust reporting and analytics tools, providing users with detailed insights into their survey data. The platform also offers strong data security measures, including compliance with GDPR and HIPAA regulations, making it a reliable choice for organisations handling sensitive information.
Key Features
- Multiple question types
- Basic skip logic
- Customisable themes
- Multi-language surveys
- Real-time reporting
- Basic data export options
- Survey templates
- Mobile-friendly surveys
SoGoSurvey’s free plan allows users to create unlimited surveys with up to 15 questions and collect up to 100 responses per survey. Paid plans, offering advanced features and higher response limits, start at £21 per month when billed annually.
Microsoft Forms
Microsoft Forms is a straightforward and efficient survey tool that’s part of the Microsoft 365 suite. It’s designed to be simple and accessible, making it an excellent choice for users already familiar with Microsoft products. The platform offers a clean, intuitive interface that allows for quick creation of surveys, quizzes, and polls.
Microsoft Forms seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft applications, such as Excel for data analysis and Teams for collaboration. While it may not have as many advanced features as some dedicated survey tools, its simplicity and integration capabilities make it a valuable option for businesses and educational institutions using Microsoft 365.
Key Features
- Easy-to-use interface
- Various question types
- Basic branching logic
- Real-time collaboration
- Automatic response summaries
- Integration with Microsoft 365 apps
- Customisable themes
- Multi-language support
Microsoft Forms is free to use with a Microsoft account or Microsoft 365 subscription. It offers unlimited surveys and responses, with no separate paid version available.
SurveyLegend
SurveyLegend is a modern, visually-oriented survey platform that focuses on creating beautiful and engaging surveys. It’s particularly well-suited for businesses and individuals who prioritise aesthetics and user experience in their data collection efforts. The platform offers a range of visually appealing templates and customisation options, allowing users to create surveys that align perfectly with their brand identity.
SurveyLegend’s strength lies in its mobile-first approach, ensuring that surveys look great and function smoothly on all devices. The platform also provides real-time results and analytics, enabling users to gain instant insights from their survey data.
Key Features
- Visually appealing templates
- Mobile-first design
- Real-time results
- Various question types
- Basic skip logic
- Image choice questions
- Embed surveys on websites
- GDPR compliance
SurveyLegend’s free plan allows users to create up to 3 surveys with unlimited questions and responses. However, it includes SurveyLegend branding. Paid plans, offering more customisation options and advanced features, start at £15 per month when billed annually.
Zoho Survey
Zoho Survey is part of the broader Zoho ecosystem of business tools, offering a comprehensive survey solution that integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications. It provides a user-friendly interface coupled with powerful features, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes. Zoho Survey excels in its customisation capabilities, allowing users to create branded surveys that align with their company’s visual identity.
The platform offers a wide range of question types and advanced logic options, enabling the creation of complex, tailored surveys. Zoho Survey also provides robust reporting and analytics tools, helping users derive meaningful insights from their collected data.
Key Features
- Diverse question types
- Skip logic and branching
- Customisable themes
- Multi-language surveys
- Real-time reporting
- Integration with Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps
- Offline survey capability
- Survey templates
Zoho Survey’s free plan includes unlimited surveys with up to 10 questions and 100 responses per survey. Paid plans with advanced features and higher response limits start at £20 per month when billed annually.
Survicate
Survicate is a versatile survey tool that specialises in website and in-product surveys, making it particularly useful for businesses looking to gather customer feedback and improve user experience. The platform offers a range of survey types, including NPS (Net Promoter Score), CSAT (Customer Satisfaction), and CES (Customer Effort Score) surveys.
Survicate’s strength lies in its targeting capabilities, allowing users to trigger surveys based on specific user behaviours or characteristics. This feature enables businesses to collect highly relevant feedback at crucial touchpoints in the customer journey. The platform also offers robust integration options, connecting with popular analytics, CRM, and marketing tools.
Key Features
- Website and in-product surveys
- NPS, CSAT, and CES surveys
- Advanced targeting options
- Various question types
- Basic skip logic
- Real-time results
- Integration with popular tools
- Survey templates
Survicate’s free plan allows users to create unlimited surveys and collect up to 100 responses per month. It includes basic targeting options and integrations. Paid plans, offering more advanced features and higher response limits, start at £49 per month when billed annually.
SmartSurvey
SmartSurvey is a UK-based online survey tool that offers a balance of simplicity and advanced features. It’s particularly notable for its compliance with UK and EU data protection regulations, making it a popular choice for businesses and organisations that prioritise data security and privacy. SmartSurvey provides a user-friendly interface for creating a wide range of surveys, from simple questionnaires to complex market research projects.
The platform offers a variety of question types and customisation options, allowing users to create surveys that align with their brand identity. SmartSurvey also provides robust reporting and analytics tools, enabling users to gain valuable insights from their survey data.
Key Features
- Various question types
- Skip logic and branching
- Customisable themes
- Multi-language surveys
- Real-time reporting
- Data export options
- Survey templates
- UK and EU data compliance
SmartSurvey’s free plan allows users to create unlimited surveys with up to 10 questions and collect up to 100 responses per survey. Paid plans, offering more advanced features and higher response limits, start at £30 per month when billed annually.
How to choose the best online survey tool for you
Consider your survey goals and target audience
When selecting a free online survey tool, it’s essential to align your choice with your specific survey objectives and the characteristics of your respondents. Think about the types of questions you need to ask, the complexity of your survey design, and the demographics of your target audience. Some tools excel at simple polls, while others offer advanced features for more comprehensive research. Consider whether you need multilingual support, mobile compatibility, or specialised question types to best engage your participants and gather meaningful data.
Evaluate features and ease of use
Assess the range of features offered by different survey platforms and how they match your requirements. Look for tools that provide a variety of question formats, logic branching, and customisation options. User-friendliness is paramount; a platform with an intuitive interface will save you time and frustration. Many free survey tools offer drag-and-drop builders and templates, which can be particularly helpful if you’re new to survey creation. Also, consider the ease of distributing your survey and collecting responses, as well as the availability of real-time reporting and data analysis features.
Check limitations and upgrade options
Free online survey tools often come with certain restrictions, such as limits on the number of questions, responses, or surveys you can create. Carefully review these limitations to ensure they won’t hinder your research. Additionally, examine the pricing plans for premium features, as you may need to upgrade in the future if your survey needs grow. Some platforms offer more generous free tiers than others, so compare options to find the best balance between functionality and cost-effectiveness. Look for tools that allow seamless upgrades without losing your existing data, providing flexibility as your survey requirements evolve.
Which Free Online Survey Tool Is Best?
Google Forms is an excellent choice if you’re looking for simplicity and ease of use. It’s completely free, integrates seamlessly with other Google services, and offers a straightforward interface that’s perfect for creating basic surveys quickly. Its collaborative features and automatic response collection make it ideal for teams and individuals alike. We recommend Google Forms for educators and small organisations looking for a no-frills solution.
When it comes to more advanced features within some limitations, SurveyMonkey is worth considering. Even with its free plan, you get access to a wide range of question types and basic analytics. It’s particularly useful if you’re a business looking to gather customer feedback or conduct market research on a budget. We suggest SurveyMonkey for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a balance between features and cost.
Typeform is great for those who prioritise design and user experience. Its free plan allows you to create visually appealing, conversational surveys that can boost engagement rates. While it has some restrictions on responses and questions, Typeform’s unique approach to survey design can make your questionnaires more interactive and enjoyable for respondents. We recommend Typeform for marketers and brand-conscious professionals who want to create eye-catching surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free Online Survey Tools
What are the main advantages of using free online survey tools?
Free online survey tools offer several benefits, including cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and accessibility. They allow users to create, distribute, and analyse surveys without any financial investment. Many provide templates and user-friendly interfaces, making it simple for beginners to get started. Additionally, these tools often offer basic data analysis features, helping users gain insights from their survey results.
Are free online survey tools suitable for professional use?
Yes, many free online survey tools are suitable for professional use, especially for small-scale projects or businesses just starting out. Tools like Google Forms and Microsoft Forms are widely used in professional settings. However, for more complex surveys or larger-scale research, you might need to consider upgrading to a paid plan to access advanced features and remove limitations on responses or questions.
What limitations should I be aware of when using free survey tools?
Common limitations of free survey tools include restrictions on the number of questions per survey, the number of responses you can collect, and limited customisation options. Some tools may also include their branding on your surveys or restrict access to advanced features like skip logic, data export, or in-depth analytics. It’s important to review the specific limitations of each tool before choosing one for your project.
Can I export data from free online survey tools?
The ability to export data varies among free online survey tools. Some, like Google Forms, allow free data export to spreadsheet formats. Others may offer limited export options or restrict this feature to paid plans. It’s best to check the specific features of each tool if data export is crucial for your needs.
How secure are free online survey tools for collecting sensitive information?
Security levels vary among free online survey tools. Reputable providers like Google Forms and Microsoft Forms offer robust security measures. However, for highly sensitive or confidential information, it’s advisable to review the privacy policies and security features of your chosen tool. Some free plans may not offer advanced security options like end-to-end encryption, which might be necessary for certain types of data collection.
Can I integrate free online survey tools with other software or platforms?
Integration capabilities differ among free online survey tools. Some, like Google Forms, integrate well with other Google services. Others may offer limited integrations in their free plans. Advanced integrations with CRM systems, analytics tools, or other third-party applications are often reserved for paid versions. Check the specific integration options of each tool if this feature is important for your workflow.
How user-friendly are free online survey tools for respondents?
Most free online survey tools are designed to be user-friendly for both survey creators and respondents. They typically offer mobile-responsive designs, making it easy for people to complete surveys on various devices. However, the level of customisation and the ability to create engaging, interactive surveys might be limited in free versions compared to paid alternatives.
Is it possible to create branching or skip logic in free survey tools?
Some free online survey tools offer basic branching or skip logic, but this feature is often limited or unavailable in free plans. For instance, Google Forms provides some conditional branching options for free. However, more advanced logic features are typically reserved for paid versions in tools like SurveyMonkey or Typeform.
Can I collaborate with team members using free online survey tools?
Collaboration features in free online survey tools vary. Some, like Google Forms, allow easy sharing and collaboration within their ecosystem. Others may offer limited collaboration options or restrict this feature to paid plans. If team collaboration is essential, it’s worth checking the specific capabilities of each tool in their free version.
How do free online survey tools handle data privacy and GDPR compliance?
Reputable free online survey tools typically have measures in place for data privacy and GDPR compliance. However, the level of compliance tools and options available may be limited in free versions. It’s crucial to review the privacy policies and data handling practices of any tool you’re considering, especially if you’re collecting data from European respondents or dealing with sensitive information.
