Understanding your audience is more important than ever. From marketers crafting campaigns to product teams shaping roadmaps, actionable insights can make the difference between guesswork and informed decisions. Yet, I know that not every team has a budget for premium survey tools.
Luckily, I’ve found a variety of free survey tools that offer powerful features, such as customizable templates, analytics dashboards, and real-time reporting, which can help you collect meaningful data without incurring any costs.
And survey tools aren’t just for businesses. I’ve seen students use them for research, content creators gather audience feedback, and nonprofits measure their impact, all with these accessible solutions.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best free survey platforms, sharing real user experiences, feature breakdowns, and practical pros and cons to help you pick the right tool for your needs.
Alchemer Survey: Best for customizable enterprise workflows
For flexible surveys that integrate with complex business processes
Google Workspace: Best for simple, fast, and unlimited surveys
For frictionless survey creation, easy sharing, and instant response summaries
Jotform: Best for visually customizable, drag-and-drop survey design
For branded forms, conditional logic, and powerful integrations
Leapsome: Best for employee experience and performance survey programs
For engagement surveys, feedback cycles, and people analytics
Mailchimp All-in-One Marketing Platform: Best for surveys tied to email marketing
For gathering feedback within campaigns, audiences, and automation flows
Qualtrics CoreXM: Best for advanced customer and employee experience programs
For enterprise-level feedback, predictive analytics, and deep automation
QuestionPro: Best for research-ready surveys with strong reporting
For survey logic, dashboards, and community feedback tools
SurveyMonkey: Best for professional, research-grade surveys
For robust question logic, templates, and analytics suitable for teams and enterprises
SurveySparrow: Best for conversational and highly engaging surveys
For chat-like feedback experiences and recurring survey workflows
Zoho Survey: Best for small businesses using the Zoho ecosystem
For easy survey creation, multichannel distribution, and CRM linkage
*The software list is arranged alphabetically. These tools offer free trials, free forever options, or freemium models.
Overwhelmed by all the details on free survey tools? This comparison table simplifies the key aspects for you.
| Best free survey tools | G2 Rating | Free plan |
Paid plan
|
| Alchemer Survey | 4.4/5 ⭐ | Free trial available |
Starting at $55 per user per month
|
|
Google Workspace
|
4.6/5 ⭐ | Yes, feature-limited |
Starting at $12 per month per user
|
| Jotform | 4.7/5 ⭐ | Yes, feature-limited |
Starting at $34 per month
|
| Leapsome | 4.8/5 ⭐ | Yes, feature-limited |
Available on request
|
|
Mailchimp All-in-One Marketing Platform
|
4.4/5 ⭐ | Yes, feature-limited |
Starting at $20 per month for 500 contacts
|
|
Qualtrics CoreXM
|
4.4/5 ⭐ | Yes, feature-limited |
Available on request
|
| QuestionPro | 4.5/5 ⭐ | Yes, feature-limited |
Starting at $83 per user per month
|
| SurveyMonkey | 4.4/5 ⭐ | Yes, feature-limited |
Starting at $25 per user per month
|
| SurveySparrow | 4.4/5 ⭐ | Free trial available |
Starting at $19 per month
|
| Zoho Survey | 4.4/5 ⭐ | Yes, feature-limited |
Starting at $7.42 per month
|
*All pricing details mentioned in the article are based on publicly available data at the time of publication and are subject to change.
The global demand for survey tools keeps growing as businesses rely more on real-time insights to guide decisions. The market for online survey software was valued at $4.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to nearly double by 2030.
Whether it’s understanding customer sentiment, validating product ideas, or gathering employee feedback, these tools have become essential for teams across industries.
And from what I’ve seen, “best” doesn’t always mean “paid.” Some free survey platforms I’ve tried delivered impressive functionality — helping me collect cleaner data, analyze responses faster, and understand my audience without stretching my budget.
To build this list, I began with G2 data, shortlisting top-rated tools based on their G2 scores and consistent performance in the free survey tools category.
From there, I reviewed product specs and recent, verified user feedback to confirm that these products deliver real value and to understand where each one stands out.
The goal was simple: to see whether these tools are as good as they claim, what each one is best for, and whether there’s a free version or free trial you can try with minimal risk. And because this is a free-focused list, I paid extra attention to what you can actually do without paying — such as whether the free tier includes core features, how long the free trial lasts, and what limitations might prompt you to upgrade.
The screenshots featured in this article may be a mix of those taken from the vendor’s G2 page or from publicly available materials.
The product list below contains real user reviews from the best free survey tools category page. It’s important to note that in the context of this list, vendors offering a free trial are also considered free.
To be included in this category, a solution must:
This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity and accuracy.
Alchemer Survey offers advanced survey tools with extensive customization options and powerful data analysis capabilities. It supports complex survey designs and integrates with various third-party applications, making it suitable for people needing detailed and flexible survey solutions.
| Pros of Alchemer Survey |
Cons of Alchemer Survey
|
| Attentive support team |
Inadequate customization options
|
| Easy migration from other platforms |
Outdated reporting designs
|
| Great user experience |
Difficult to configure time zones and language
|
“Alchemer has a ton of functionalities and actions that allow you to tailor the use of the application. They back up this highly developed product with an easy-to-access user interface and amazing customer service. No matter the time of day, I can always get a person on the phone immediately. They don't stop until they've solved your issue or have a full understanding of what may be a bug in the system before they let you go. No rushing you off the phone or minimizing the seriousness of your situation. The survey application itself is top-notch and makes my job as a program evaluator and education researcher just a little bit easier.”
- Alchemer Survey Review, Lisa W.
“It lacks the full ability to personalize and customize the appearance of surveys. Surveys all tend to look the same with little to no customization available.”
- Alchemer Survey Review, Katherine F.
Once you’ve gathered survey data, discover how to elevate customer experiences with the best experience management software of 2026.
Google Forms, part of Google Workspace, is a user-friendly form builder tool for creating basic surveys and quizzes. Its strength lies in its simplicity, quick setup, and seamless integration with other Google tools. Ideal for small teams and casual data collection, Google Forms offers real-time collaboration, automatic data export to Google Sheets, and customizable templates. According to G2 data, it ranks as the 3rd easiest to use tool.
| Pros of Google Workspace |
Cons of Google Workspace
|
| Google integration |
Fixed advanced features under the free plan
|
| Effortless team collaboration with simultaneous document editing |
Accessible exclusively online
|
| Well-organized interface that’s trouble-free to surf through |
Survey design limitations
|
“Google Forms allows you to create questionnaires, surveys, and organized forms, which have been very helpful to me. Yes/No radio buttons are a cherry on the cake. It’s also very easy to handle and modify the forms as required. Text fields and strictly numeric fields help maintain the integrity of the forms. One of the best features is the ability to create multiple-choice questions within these forms.”
- Google Workspace Review, Prashant P.
“There should be more design options and templates available to make surveys more interactive. Sometimes, the basic design leads to low client participation, and the survey templates need to be more appealing. Clients should feel that their input will be heard.”
- Google Workspace Review, Animesh M.
Jotform is an online survey tool that stands out for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and extensive list of integrations. Beyond basic online forms, Jotform provides tools for building surveys and collecting payments. With a vast template library and mobile compatibility, Jotform is a versatile choice for individuals and businesses. According to G2 Data, it is used by 72% small businesses.
| Pros of Jotform |
Cons of Jotform
|
| User-friendly, which makes it super easy to create and customize forms |
Feature limitation with free and lower tiers
|
| Useful integrations with other platforms like Notion and Slack |
Absence of built-in data analysis tools
|
| Versatile solution for creating forms, getting approvals, conducting surveys, and QA evaluations |
Lack of customization options
|
“What I like best about JotForm is its intuitive and user-friendly interface, which makes it incredibly easy to create custom forms for various purposes. The extensive range of form templates and customization options allows for unparalleled flexibility in designing forms to suit specific needs. Integrating various third-party apps and platforms enhances productivity and streamlines workflows. Overall, JotForm's robust features and simplicity make it a standout tool for form creation and data collection”
- Jotform Review, Edgars S.
“The free plan has a submission limit. Users unfamiliar with form creation may encounter a learning curve when using more advanced features. Additionally, an internet connection is required to create and submit forms, which could be a limitation if you need to be offline. Customizing PDFs of form submissions is limited on the free plan.”
- Jotform Review, Adam J.
Want more tips on making your next big presentation a hit? Read our guide on how to make a presentation interactive and engaging.
Leapsome is a powerful platform built for employee feedback, engagement, and performance. It lets teams run pulse surveys, 360° reviews, and performance evaluations — all in one place. Its intuitive interface and robust analytics make it ideal for companies aiming to continuously monitor employee satisfaction, growth, and team dynamics. According to G2 Data, it ranks as the 5th easiest-to-use software.
| Pros of Leapsome |
Cons of Leapsome
|
| Encourages setting of personal and professional goals |
Notification settings are rigid
|
| Effective survey distribution |
Limited customization options
|
| Simple functionality for the less tech-savvy | Interface is a bit complicated |
"Leapsome has become an essential tool in our organization for managing performance reviews, continuous feedback, goal tracking, and employee development. What I appreciate most is how seamlessly it brings transparency to the entire review and feedback process. The interface is intuitive, beautifully designed, and makes it easy for both managers and employees to give structured, meaningful feedback. The platform also enables ongoing development conversations, which makes our 1:1s and review cycles more productive and aligned."
- Leapsome Review, Phuc T.
"I find the current structure of performance cycles and the feedback provided during half-year and full-year evaluations to be somewhat limited. Introducing a social page within the platform could significantly boost user engagement by allowing for more dynamic and interactive content, such as posts or discussion threads."
- Leapsome Review, Meet J.
Mailchimp survey tools are part of its comprehensive marketing suite, allowing you to create and distribute surveys through email campaigns. With built-in analytics, you can track responses and integrate feedback into your marketing strategies. This makes it an excellent choice if you are looking to align customer insights with your marketing efforts.
| Pros of Mailchimp All-in-One Marketing Platform |
Cons of Mailchimp All-in-One Marketing Platform
|
| Easy to operate the platform |
Limited advanced features in the free plan
|
| Robust analytics capabilities |
Pricing gets steep with growing needs
|
| Efficient contact management |
Suboptimal customer service
|
“Mailchimp is definitely splendid in terms of automating and optimizing email marketing. It has an intuitive and user-friendly interface. It allows me to personalize the templates based on the audience's behavior and previous interactions. Its analytics and reporting tools allow me to track numbers and make marketing decisions based on it.”
- Mailchimp All-in-One Marketing Platform Review, Siddhant G.
“Sometimes it is very slow to load. Regarding the pricing structure, the costs can become prohibitive, leading to a potential downside for budget-conscious users or those with rapidly expanding contact lists.”
- Mailchimp All-in-One Marketing Platform Review, Agata M.
Want to survey the software market? Use G2's Verified Surveys to connect with 1.5 million software buyers.
Qualtrics CoreXM provides in-depth customer insights and employee experience management. It excels at creating professional surveys, distributing them across multiple channels, and offering advanced analytics. With a focus on data-driven insights and AI capabilities, Qualtrics caters to organizations seeking high-quality survey solutions.
| Pros of Qualtrics CoreXM |
Cons of Qualtrics CoreXM
|
| Advanced features for creating survey |
Poor user interface
|
| Multiple survey question types |
Survey customization challenges
|
| Easier data collection |
Expensive to move to the next tier
|
“The best part of Qualtrics is the number of different ways surveys can be configured. There are many different types of questions, multiple ways to create survey logic, and a really robust external REST API for building applications on top of Qualtrics, as well as an internal Javascript API to add functionality to the platform.”
- Qualtrics CoreXM Review, Arijit S.
“I don't like the new interface in Qualtrics. The updated buttons are difficult to find (e.g., research flow and validation). Additionally, I hope that the rich content box can be made easier for people to use and customize. I also think the survey customization could be improved.”
- Qualtrics CoreXM Review, Yiqiu Y.
QuestionPro is a great tool for complex surveys. It offers advanced features like customized thank-you pages, multiple distribution channels, integration with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, survey panel integration, and ISO-compliant surveys. Ideal for large-scale data collection and in-depth analysis, QuestionPro caters to organizations with sophisticated research needs.
| Pros of QuestionPro |
Cons of QuestionPro
|
| Supports multiple languages |
Steep learning curve for mastering all the features and functionalities
|
| Helpful customer support, including live chat and online resources |
Complex UI due to a multitude of tools
|
| Discounts for non-profit |
Runs slowly at times
|
“With a vast array of templates, QuestionPro makes it easy to create surveys right out of the gate. This is essential for small office staff. From meeting satisfaction to polling, QuestionPro allows us to get immediate feedback from our graduates. The share results link for survey responses is important for sharing information with our Board, with easy-to-read graphs.”
- QuestionPro Review, Laura L.
“It can be a difficult tool to use for simple surveys. Simple reporting can be intimidating if you do not need complex analysis.”
- QuestionPro Review, Paul C.
SurveyMonkey is a popular choice for both beginners and experienced researchers seeking a balance of simplicity and features. It provides a wide range of question types, customization options, and collaboration tools. While the free tier is useful for basic surveys, SurveyMonkey's paid plans unlock advanced features for more complex survey creation.
| Pros of SurveyMonkey |
Cons of SurveyMonkey
|
| Enough integration with third-party software |
Expensive when upgrading
|
| Powerful reporting and analysis features |
Subpar customer support
|
| Pre-made templates |
Limited offline survey options
|
“I like the way that surveys can be used for many different topics, ideas, and business models. I've been using it for various companies to further their efforts and give insights into their goods and services.”
- SurveyMonkey Review, Domingo M.
“When I designed my survey, I didn't realize some features required a subscription. I spent a lot of time creating it, and then I discovered that some very basic features needed to be purchased, so I had no choice but to purchase the subscription in order to complete my project. A couple of years ago, buy of a subscription wasn't even required to make a basic survey.”
- SurveyMonkey Review, Christy M.
SurveySparrow is another free online survey tool that blends conversational elements with traditional question formats to create surveys. With features like net promoter score (NPS), customer satisfaction (CSAT), and employee assessment templates, it helps businesses gather actionable feedback and improve customer and employee experiences.
| Pros of SurveySparrow |
Cons of SurveySparrow
|
| Multi-channel distribution |
Expensive subscriptions
|
| Automatic report generation |
Inadequate customization choices
|
| Great user experience |
No spam filtering
|
“What I like best about SurveySparrow is how easily and quickly you can make a customized survey that is attractive and makes your target audience want to answer! Features like bulk questions, how to lay out the questions, and how to move them around are common to other survey applications. However, the facilities for making it look "fun," the facilities for adding your own background/logo to make it look "yours" - they are superior to what I have used before. And their sales team? Individual attention, a quick Zoom meeting to ferret out what you need, and a solution customized to you. As I said: Wow!”
- SurveySparrow Review, Pat M.
“The only downside is the jump in pricing to use options that are only available on the Enterprise plan– specifically, the URL whitelabeling feature and Salesforce integrations.”
- SurveySparrow Review, Karmen W.
Zoho Survey, part of the Zoho Suite, offers a user-friendly interface for creating detailed surveys. It provides real-time reporting, customizable templates, and seamless integration with other Zoho products. If you already use Zoho's ecosystem, it can be a great option for efficiently gathering and analyzing feedback. According to G2 Data, it is used by 51% businesses.
| Pros of Zoho Survey |
Cons of Zoho Survey
|
| Intuitive drag-and-drop editor |
Occasional software glitches
|
| Integration with Zoho CRM |
Price inefficiency with paid plans
|
| Wide range of question types available |
Negative customer support experiences
|
“The most positive thing about Zoho is the friendly pricing without compromising on the features. Also, its user interface is clean and user-friendly.”
- Zoho Survey Review, Narendra R.
“The only thing I feel should be made easy is the onboarding process. Zoho Surveys has a lengthy website onboarding process and tools overview, which, in my opinion, is tiring. In turn, I would suggest the team make it shorter with a demo video, which would make a lot of sense.”
- Zoho Survey Review, Josh B.
Zoho Survey is the best fit for small businesses, especially those already using the Zoho ecosystem. It’s affordable, intuitive, and integrates well with CRM, email, and other business tools.
Leapsome is the strongest choice for employee feedback. It’s built specifically for employee experience, pulse surveys, performance reviews, and engagement programs.
Qualtrics CoreXM stands out for customer satisfaction surveys thanks to its advanced analytics, experience management features, and research-grade insights.
SurveyMonkey is widely recommended for business surveys because of its professional templates, research-grade methodology, and strong credibility across industries.
Google Workspace (Google Forms) is the best free option, offering simple, fast, and unlimited surveys with no hidden costs. If you want more design flexibility, Jotform offers a generous free plan with drag-and-drop customization.
Businesses commonly use Alchemer Survey for customizable enterprise workflows and scalability. It’s popular with organizations that need flexibility without heavy coding.
QuestionPro is highly favored for market research due to its strong reporting, advanced question types, and research-ready features.
SurveyMonkey delivers the most professional-looking surveys, backed by years of research, polished templates, and industry-trusted design standards.
Qualtrics CoreXM leads in analytics, offering powerful dashboards, predictive insights, and advanced data modeling.
Google Workspace (Google Forms) is the most user-friendly option, with a simple interface, easy sharing, and minimal setup, making it perfect for small teams that want quick results.
Understanding your customers is crucial for developing an effective business strategy. The free survey tools I've evaluated above are a great way to gain access to these insights without incurring any costs. I hope this selection of the best free survey tools helps you find the right solution for your needs.
Don’t stop at collecting responses. Discover how the best marketing analytics software can help you track trends, measure ROI, and optimize campaigns.
This article was originally published in 2024. It has been updated with new information.
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