12 Best Survey Tools I Trust for All My Survey Needs in 2025

As a marketer, surveys are a core part of what I do. 

Whether I'm collecting data for my articles, researching market trends, or getting feedback from my team on recent collaborations and projects, surveys guide so much of what I do. But finding a survey tool that's powerful, easy to use, and adaptable to different needs? That's been a journey.

From my college days, when I relied on free survey apps like SurveyMonkey and Google Forms to conduct field surveys for class projects, to my recent work using advanced platforms like Qualtrics and Alchemer for market research, finding the best survey tool that ticks all the boxes has always been a bit of a challenge. 

Some apps excel at creating visually stunning surveys but fall apart when I actually need to analyze data. Other form builders have amazing analytics, but I feel like they were designed in the '90s. And don't even get me started on tools that promise everything but limit questions, responses, and features, giving me frustration.

 So, I decided enough was enough. I rolled up my sleeves and tested more than 30+ survey software, from classics like Google Forms and SurveyMonkey to emerging players like Alchemer and Zoho Survey. My mission? To find the best survey tools of 2025 that truly deliver and are worth our time and money. 

I'll share my experience, breaking down the pros and cons of each tool I tested so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.

Whether you're a small business owner or marketing professional trying to connect with customers, a team lead looking for internal feedback, or a teacher building engaging quizzes, this guide has something for you. 

12 best survey tools I personally recommend

We usually think of survey tools as straightforward solutions for creating questionnaires, such as feedback forms, quizzes, or research surveys.

But in my experience, they are so much more. They act as the ultimate organizers for data interaction. These tools assist me in designing and sharing surveys that are not only precise and clear but also engaging and tailored to specific needs. Moreover, these tools are crucial in analyzing the collected data. They go beyond mere collection; they help me thoughtfully visualize responses to identify trends, recognize patterns, and make data-driven decisions with confidence. 

Honestly, once you start using the right survey tools, it's hard to imagine conducting research or gathering feedback without them.

It was during these rigorous tests that I started to develop clear opinions on what distinguishes the best survey tools from the merely good.

What makes the best survey tools: My criteria

I highly value the features of survey tools that simplify the entire process of designing, distributing, and analyzing surveys and enhance the quality and reliability of the data collected. These aspects truly matter to me, and I'm confident they'll resonate with your needs as well, whether you're gathering customer feedback, conducting research, or just trying to understand your audience better.

• Ease of use: There's nothing better than picking up a new tool and feeling like an expert right away. I appreciate survey platforms with intuitive interfaces and drag-and-drop functionalities that make survey creation, designing, and deployment a breeze. It's crucial that these tools are easy to navigate.
• Customization options: I often adjust the look and feel of my surveys to include logos, colors, and themes that match our company's brand identity. This is important as I want our surveys to appear more professional and trustworthy.
• Question types and formats: From multiple-choice to more complex formats like Likert scales or matrix questions, I need the survey app to offer all these and even allow randomizing question order to keep responses unbiased. Advanced types like NPS (net promotional score) or sliders help me dig deeper into what people really think.
• Distribution and reach: I need to get my surveys out there, whether it's through email, social media, SMS, or even QR codes. It's also essential that my surveys look good on any device, ensuring no respondent is turned away because of formatting issues.
• Response management: Seeing responses roll in in real-time is incredibly satisfying. Tools that help manage responses effectively, prevent fraud, and offer both anonymous and identifiable response options are at the top of my list.
• Analytics and reporting: Once I've collected all those responses, having sharp analytics tools is crucial. I need something that simplifies data interpretation and enhances it with visual capabilities. I love it when I can easily switch between basic charts and graphs for quick looks and more intricate analytics, like sentiment or trend analysis, for deeper dives. Major bonus points would be if the tool allowed me to export data directly into programs like SPSS or Tableau. This flexibility helps me make the most of the data, whether I'm presenting simple results or engaging in complex statistical analysis.
• Collaboration features: I want to easily collaborate with my team when designing and analyzing the surveys. So, I really need a form builder that lets me add users, assign them roles, and provide any collaborative features.
• Integration and compatibility: Integration with other platforms like Google Workspace or my marketing and CRM systems is a must for keeping my workflow smooth. API access for custom integrations gives me the flexibility to adapt the tools to my needs.
• Security and privacy: This is non-negotiable. I use tools that encrypt data at all stages and comply with major data protection regulations, like GDPR. Knowing that my respondents' data is safe gives me peace of mind.

After rigorously trying out 30+ survey tools, I've identified my top 15 favorites that meet most of these criteria. My list includes a variety of survey tools, including dedicated form builders like SurveyMonkey, marketing platforms with integrated survey capabilities like SOCi, and interactive tools designed for quizzes, polls, and audience engagement like Mentimeter. 

While they may not check every box on the ideal features list, each one brings something distinct to the table. The list below contains genuine user reviews from G2's survey software category page.

To be included in this list, a tool must

• Enable the creation and customization of questions. 

• Gather, report on, and archive response data.
• Be shareable and distributable.

* This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.

1. Google Forms (part of Google Workspace)

I've been using Google Forms, which is part of Google Workspace, since my undergraduate days, and it is never going to leave my arsenal of survey tools. I don't think there's a survey tool as simple and integrated as Google Forms. And the biggest plus? It's completely free to use with my Google account and has no limits on the number of responses or questions I can add.

Setting up forms takes just minutes. One of the features I love most is the variety of question types it offers. Whether I need a simple multiple-choice question, a dropdown menu, or even a field for file uploads and ratings, Google Forms has it all. 

Question types on Google Forms

Another remarkable aspect of Sheets is the real-time collaboration. Just like other tools in the Google Workspace suite, I can invite colleagues to edit or build the form with me, which is invaluable when working on team projects.


Options to sharing the survey form with my colleagues to invite them to collaborate

As soon as responses come in, I can choose to view them there with simple data charts or in Sheets, making it incredibly easy to analyze data or share insights with others. 

Options to View in Sheets

Now, Google Forms has 17 pre-made templates. So, whenever I'm in a hurry, whether it's an event RSVP or a feedback form, I can get a survey up and running in minutes with one of these templates. 

Templates on Google Forms

What's interesting is that my mom, who's a teacher, uses Google Forms quite extensively for quizzes, grading, and even collecting feedback from students. She is thoroughly struck by how easy it is to create and distribute quizzes, and the automatic grading feature saves her so much time. It's a great example of how versatile the tool can be for different professions.

However, I have to admit that Google Forms has a few shortcomings. One of my biggest issues is the lack of advanced customization options. If I want my form to align with my company's branding, like matching colors or adding logos, it's quite limited. I can definitely change the theme colors to our brand colors and add logos and pictures, but I wish it had more customization options. 

 Another drawback I've noticed is the absence of integrations with other tools like CRM or marketing platforms. If I want to set up automated workflows based on responses, like sending follow-up emails or categorizing leads, I have to rely on third-party tools or integrations like Zapier, which adds extra steps to the process.

I've also found that Google Forms isn't the best choice for large-scale or highly complex surveys. While I can add conditional logic-based questions, managing surveys with multiple branches of conditional logic can get a bit cumbersome.

In my opinion, Google Forms works fine for simpler needs, but it starts to feel limited for something more intricate. These limitations don't overshadow the tool's overall strengths for me, but they're definitely something to consider depending on the complexity and scale of your survey needs.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd confidently rate it a solid nine just for the exceptional value it offers as a free tool.

What I dislike about Google Forms:

• The limited design and branding options can be frustrating when I need my forms to look more professional or match my organization's image.
• Handling large or complex surveys can get tricky. The conditional logic works for basic setups, but when things get more intricate, it starts to feel a bit restrictive.

What G2 users dislike about Google Forms:

"They are not great at design and don't offer many integration options and scripts (mathematics) as the other tools. It also lacks options to make different (modern) ways to make a question."

- Google Forms Review, Rafael P.

2. SurveyMonkey

There's one tool I've consistently relied on for surveys besides Google Fors; it's SurveyMonkey. I've been using it for a long time, and I feel it strikes a great balance between user-friendliness and advanced features.

SurveyMonkey's true potential only becomes evident when you move beyond the free plan. While the free plan is generous with access to templates and basic functionality, it's limited to just 10 questions per form and 25 responses.

I remember it offering up to 100 responses and fewer restrictions on questions back in college. It was perfect for my college projects, such as surveys, classroom exercises, and informal polling. These days, though, the limitations of the free plan make it only suitable for very small-scale use.

Nonetheless, since I have upgraded for my professional needs now, I know how powerful SurveyMonkey can be with its paid features. What impressed me about SurveyMonkey is how flexible it is for different types of surveys. Its template library is much more expansive than Google Forms, with over 400 templates.

Extensive templates on SurveyMonkey

Now, even if there isn't something in the templates that I could use, SurveyMonkey has the option to create surveys with AI powered by OpenAI. I sometimes use it to brainstorm my questions, too.

Building surveys with AI on SurveyMonkey

Another feature that stands out to me is its branching logic and skip logic capabilities. These allow me to create dynamic surveys in which respondents only see questions relevant to their previous answers.

The feature I truly dig for is the A/B testing we can do within surveys. As someone who's always testing and tweaking things, I've used this feature to experiment with different questions or layouts when trying to understand what resonates best with respondents. Whether I'm testing product ideas or refining my messaging to gather feedback, it's been incredibly helpful for making data-driven decisions.

Once I set up my survey, I liked the little nugget of information it provided about how long it would take the respondents to complete it. I usually look at it to optimize if it's too long.

SurveyMonkey displays details on the Estimated Time to complete my survey

What really stands out, though, is SurveyMonkey's Audience feature. This allows me to purchase targeted respondents from their global panel, which has been a lifesaver when I need feedback from a specific demographic or professional group. 

SurveyMonkey Audience feature to get targeted audience

Instead of having to liaise with a separate market research firm to find respondents, I like how this feature makes the process so much faster, simpler, and more efficient.
So, despite the added cost, I think the convenience it offers makes it well worth the investment for focused research projects.

However, as much as I appreciate the features of SurveyMonkey's paid plans, my biggest gripe also comes from them. Each of the features I mentioned, like question logic, data exports in specific formats, and certain customization options, is locked behind a paywall. Sometimes, it can be frustrating to discover that a feature I need for a survey is only available on advanced plans.

That was the case when I wanted to integrate the survey forms into my CRM and email marketing tools to set up workflows. It required upgrading to one of the more expensive plans. So, if you're considering using these integrations, I'd strongly recommend checking the specific plan details beforehand to make sure they align with your needs and budget.

I've also noticed that the interface, while generally user-friendly, can be a bit clunky. For instance, navigating the UI to filter results or analyze individual user data can feel confusing, and there's often a lag when clicking through options, whether I'm building a survey or reviewing responses. It's not a dealbreaker, but it does make the experience less smooth than I'd like.

SurveyMonkey is lagging as I click through a few options

Overall, I'd recommend SurveyMonkey for businesses, educators, and researchers who need something more robust than Google Forms but don't want to spend as much on premium tools like Qualtrics.

Personally, I find it to be an excellent middle ground for professional surveys, offering enough flexibility and power to meet a variety of needs.

What I dislike about SurveyMonkey:

• It's frustrating to discover that specific features I need are locked behind higher-tier subscriptions, especially when I only find out at the publishing stage.
• While the user interface is functional, it occasionally lags during key tasks like navigating between pages or loading analytics, making the experience less smooth than I'd prefer.

What G2 users dislike about SurveyMonkey:

"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 found out that very basic features needed to be purchased, so I sort of had no choice but to purchase the subscription in order to complete my project. A couple of years ago, the purchase of a subscription wasn't even required in order to do a basic survey."

- SurveyMonkey Review, Christy M.

3. Jotform

When it comes to survey and form-building tools, Jotform immediately gave me the impression of being tailored for small and medium businesses. Its extensive template collection, even at first glance, seems thoughtfully designed to cater to their needs, unlike Google Forms, which I find more general-purpose, or SurveyMonkey, which focuses heavily on different survey types.

Now, I found Jotform to be a full-fledged form builder that supports advanced use cases like collecting payments, signing contracts, and creating automated workflows. It feels like it's designed to handle anything from customer surveys to payment collections —all within one system.

For me, the tool is incredibly straightforward to use. Everything feels intuitive, from dragging and dropping elements to customizing forms, so I can get things done quickly without needing a lot of technical know-how. 

Adding questions on Jotform with the drag-and-drop interface

A core strength of JotForm is the template library, if you ask me. With over 2,000 templates, it's the largest collection I've seen in an online form builder. There's even a dedicated category for Salesforce forms.

Another distinctive feature of Jotform that amazed me was its widgets section. Whether I need to add a signature field, create dynamic checklists, or calculate totals within the form, the widgets make it all possible. For instance, I've used the Terms & Conditions widget to ensure users acknowledge specific policies. It's this level of customization that sets Jotform apart from tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey.

Useful widgets on Jotform ranging from calculators to checklists, signatures, photos, and terms and conditions that can be included in forms

Another highlight is the ability to generate visual reports directly from the data using the report builder. This is a major advantage because I can create visually appealing summaries without the need for an external reporting tool.

Lastly, I think it is super-cool that Jotform provides robust integrations to CRMs, marketing, and automation tools, even for its free plan users. It's incredibly appealing because it lets me connect my forms smoothly with the systems I'm already using, saving time and effort. 

Jotform integrations

While I genuinely value everything Jotform offers, there are a few things I find frustrating. One of the biggest frustrations for me is the lack of a middle ground between individual and enterprise plans. I understand that managing information across multiple users has a cost, but I personally found taking up the enterprise plan for adding 2 of my team members to be really pricey. I wish there were plans that allowed for multiple users without requiring such a large investment.

Another challenge I faced was figuring out some integrations and advanced logic, which took more time than I estimated. The platform is undoubtedly user-friendly, but these features did make me look for tutorials and support documentation.

Also, I've experienced occasional lagging and slow response times, especially when working on larger forms. It's not a frequent issue, but it can be frustrating when I'm on a tight deadline. 

What I dislike about Jotforms:

• For smaller teams like mine, the lack of a mid-tier plan for multiple users is frustrating as the Enterprise plan is overkill, but we still need more user seats than the one-seat standard plans allow.
• I've noticed occasional performance issues when working on complex forms.

What G2 users dislike about Jotforms:

"The cost to go from one user to more is a wide gap. It would be nice to have the ability to just go from 1 to 5 users without having to go into an enterprise contract."

- Jotform Review, Rudy M

4. Qualtrics

Now, if there's one tool that stands out for its advanced survey capabilities, I would say it's Qualtrics Strategy and Research (formerly CoreXM). 

What makes Qualtrics truly advanced, in my opinion, is its ability to cater to highly specific needs, from complex survey designs to real-time dashboards and in-depth analytics.

One of the things that I admired the most about Qualtrics is its customization and flexibility. The platform allows me to design surveys that go far beyond simple data collection. For instance, I can create dynamic surveys with advanced branching logic, embedded data, and sophisticated conditional paths that adapt based on user responses.

The level of control it offers is perfect for capturing nuanced insights, whether I'm conducting customer satisfaction studies, employee engagement surveys, or gathering feedback on new product launches. I can create advanced question types like side-by-side comparisons, rank orders, or sliders.

Qualtrics' survey distribution is another strong point in my experience. I could share surveys via email, social media, or even QR codes, making it easy to reach my audience. The platform also ensures surveys look great across devices, and the preview functionality helps me confirm that everything is flawless before I send them out.

Qualtrics survey distribution options

What really sets Qualtrics apart for me, though, are advanced features like Text iQ and Stats iQ. Text iQ lets me instantly analyze open-ended responses, pulling out themes, sentiments, and patterns that would have taken me hours to uncover manually. For example, I've used it to analyze customer comments and pinpoint recurring issues, which has been invaluable for improving our processes. Meanwhile, Stats iQ dives even deeper into the data.

In addition, I really felt the reporting and visualization features were next-level. While editing the survey results, I could toggle between tables, charts, and graphs. I could switch between vertical bars, pie charts, line graphs, or even word clouds, depending on what best represented my data. 

Now, this is incredibly powerful for someone like me who frequently presents survey findings to stakeholders. It saves me so much time and effort. I no longer need to export data to another tool to create visuals; it's all built right into Qualtrics.

Editings the survey results on Qualtrics

I've found Qualtrics to be a bit of a paradox in terms of ease of use in the best way. Can a tool be both user-friendly and have a learning curve? For Qualtrics, the answer is yes. The basics, ike creating and distributing a simple survey, are incredibly intuitive. I found the templates professional, and the interface is clean. 

But once I started diving into its features—like analyzing responses or setting up highly detailed reporting—I realized there's so much more under the hood. For example, I could set up automation to export or import survey data. I realized I could change each and every aspect of the survey results. The features were super useful, and honestly, I couldn't get this level of customization on other tools.

However, I needed to dedicate some time to figuring out the most efficient way to use it. It wasn't something I picked up instantly. I had to read their training materials and documentation to get a full grasp of their capabilities.

The data import and export automation we could set up on Qualtrics

Also, among all the tools, the cost is undeniably high for Qualtrics. While I get that we are paying for a premium product, I find it hard to justify the cost for smaller projects like mine. It's definitely an investment and not always an easy one to make.

So, I feel it's best suited for enterprises and those who need absolute precision and advanced survey capabilities, like dedicated market research firms. 

What I dislike about Qualtrics:

• The cost is a significant hurdle for me. While I understand it's a premium product, it's hard to justify the expense for smaller projects.
• The learning curve is steep. While I've eventually figured out how to use the more advanced features, it took a lot of time and effort to get there. I wish some of the processes were more intuitive.

What G2 users dislike about Qualtrics:

"The user interface is too complicated, leading to the necessity for dedicated training on the tool, which they seem to outsource to other firms for some reason. The ramp-up is a bit rough, and it's somewhat hard to integrate with other tools. Once you're up and running, it's great, but the learning curve is a bit too steep.

I've found that we utilize probably a tenth of the feature set that we could use, which is great and powerful for us, but it is a little overbuilt and unnecessarily complex for our needs."

- Qualtrics Strategy and Research (formerly CoreXM) Review, Jake R.

5. QuestionPro

For me, QuestionPro stands out as one of the best Qualtrics alternatives. It's not expensive or overwhelming for an advanced survey tool. 

From designing surveys to analyzing responses, I found it incredibly easy to hit the ground running. For instance, the platform offers advanced question types like complex grid/flex matrix, side-by-side comparisons, and interactive sliders. Despite this depth, the interface is intuitive and user-friendly. I never felt like I needed extensive training to start using these features and creating impactful surveys.

Question types on QuestionPro

Another feature I really found beneficial is the advanced branching logic. It allows me to create complex survey paths based on multiple conditions, ensuring respondents are only presented with the questions that are most relevant to them. I could even link one survey to another, which added a whole new level of customization.

Setting up skip logic on QuestionPro

Some of the smaller but equally important features I really found useful were the export options to CSV, Excel, and PDF, as well as the ability to integrate efficiently with Google Sheets. These made managing and sharing data much easier for me.

Another thoughtful touch was the customizable thank you page at the end of the survey. It allowed me to add a personal or branded message, which made the overall survey experience feel more professional and engaging for respondents.

Options to customize the thank you page on QuestionPro

That said, no tool is perfect, and the same goes for QuestionPro, too. For one, I found the platform glitchy at times, and I think the UX/UI could use a bit of polish. While it functions well once you get used to it, it was a bit difficult for me to understand when I started using it for the first time.

Also, while the analytics are robust, I find the visuals a bit limited when presenting insights compared to Qualtrics. I felt that having more visually impactful charts and the ability to tweak them further would have elevated the reports significantly.

While QuestionPro is packed with advanced features, I noticed that some, like integrations with Salesforce and HubSpot, require upgrading to the Teams editions. This made me pause a bit.

The same goes for certain advanced data analysis tools, but honestly, I've found that these advanced features are usually necessary for those involved in quantitative academic research or pure market research. For most of my general use cases, these limitations haven't been a dealbreaker at all.

Despite these issues, I think QuestionPro strikes an excellent balance between affordability and capability, especially for those who want a Qualtrics-like experience without the hefty price tag.

What I dislike about QuestionPro:

• While the platform is packed with features, the user interface could use some improvement. At times, it felt a bit clunky, and navigating certain areas wasn't as smooth as I would have liked.
• I found the chart and graph options for visualizing data to be somewhat limited. I felt having more customization options would make presenting insights much more effective and engaging.

What G2 users dislike about QuestionPro:

"The reporting tools are solid, but the visuals could use a boost. More dynamic or customizable charts and graphs would make presenting insights easier and more impactful."

- QuestionPro Review, Brittany W.

6. Microsoft Forms

I didn't even know Microsoft had form options until I found them on the G2 grid report. After reading positive reviews, I decided to give Microsoft Forms, which is part of the Microsoft Office 365 suite, a try.

I found it to be simple and functional. I found the templates particularly useful for quickly creating basic surveys, quizzes, invitations, or event-related forms.

Signing up for Microsoft Forms

I realized the range of question types is extremely basic, like choice, text, rating, ranking, Likert, date, and NPS. While these cover the essentials, the lack of more advanced question formats is limiting for me.

Question types on Microsoft Forms

It's definitely not on the same level as basic tools like Google Forms or more advanced tools like Qualtrics or QuestionPro from my experience.

One feature I liked was the AI suggestion tool. Clicking the AI icon gave me quick question recommendations for the survey I was working on. While the suggestions weren't always perfect, they were a helpful starting point for building my forms. 

Using AI to create my survey on Microsoft Forms

I also liked how easy it was to take my data to Microsoft Excel or create a PowerPoint report and share it.

Having said that, it doesn't have any advanced features I saw in other survey tools, like integration with CRM or marketing tools, automation, survey widgets, or customization of the survey design. I have grown to rely on these features in other tools, and not having them here meant it was not the best tool for me.

So, for me, Microsoft Forms feels more like a supplementary tool rather than a primary survey platform. In my experience, it doesn't even come close to Google Forms in terms of features or flexibility, let alone premium platforms like Qualtrics.

If you're someone who needs a no-fuss way to create a simple form and already uses Microsoft 365, it's a reliable option, specifically for office surveys. But if you're looking for more advanced features, you should look elsewhere.

What I dislike about Microsoft Forms:

• I couldn't add a variety of question types or use logic or branching. It lacked many advanced features that the other survey tools gave me.
• Customization options were almost non-existent. I couldn't tweak the design or layout much, and the overall appearance of the forms felt very basic compared to other tools I've used.

What G2 users dislike about Microsoft Forms:

 "It can be clunky, and there are limitations on design. I prefer other forms that integrate more seamlessly with other software my organization uses, like Salesforce."

- Microsoft Forms Review, Michael K.

7. Mentimeter

Now, Mentimeter has become my go-to tool whenever I need to make my presentations more engaging and interactive. Whether I'm running live polls, collecting real-time feedback, or adding some excitement to a session, it never fails to deliver. 

It's the first tool I think of when I want to go beyond traditional slides and actually involve my meeting participants in the conversation. I have found it perfect for my team meetings, webinars, and workshops we organize. I have also heard some of my colleagues in sales and customer success using the tool to gauge customer sentiment during and after sales calls and product demos.

Using Mentimeter for my team's weekly standup

I can't get enough of how easily Mentimeter makes this happen. The real-time interaction features, like polls, word clouds, and quizzes, are incredibly simple to set up. The most significant aspect for me is that I can display the results right away and have a conversation about them.

I usually create my slides directly from Mentimeter using their templates for weekly check-ins, webinars, and brainstorming sessions. It saves me a lot of time.

Creating presentations with questions on Mentimeter

The feature that resonated with me the most is the Quick Forms feature, which allows me to add multiple questions in a slide like a survey. I find it incredibly useful during webinar sessions to get additional details about a prospect. 

At times, I do import my slides from Google Slides. However, I find it difficult to format the presentations on Mentimeter on these imported presentations, which is a huge downer for me. So, if I think of using polls or surveys in my presentations, I usually prefer to start with templates there. 

A downside I've encountered with Mentimeter is the limited flexibility regarding visualizations. Now, I have no qualms with their visuals—they are fantastic—clean, engaging, and perfect for presentations. But there's no way to fully edit them outside the platform.

While I can export the raw data to Excel, the visuals themselves can only be exported as images, screenshots, or PDFs. This makes it difficult when I want to customize or adjust the visuals for a report or another presentation. It's a bit frustrating, especially since the visualizations are one ofMentimeter's signature elements. 

Now, I should also mention here that importing slides, exporting data to Excel, and using quick forms in presentations require a premium plan. Depending on your presentation and live poll needs, you should consider that.

Despite its limitations, Mentimeter has become an essential part of my toolkit for presentations and interactive sessions. Whether I'm brainstorming with my team, running a webinar, or simply looking to gather feedback in real-time, Mentimeter consistently delivers.

So, if you want to make your presentations more lively, I'd say Mentimeter is a great fit. It's perfect for teachers trying to keep students involved, team leads running brainstorming sessions, or anyone hosting webinars and workshops.

What I dislike about Mentimeter:

• I find it frustrating that I cannot edit or customize the visuals fully outside the platform. While the visuals are great for presentations, exporting them as images or PDFs feels limiting when I want to tweak them for reports.
• Formatting imported slides from tools like Google Slides can be a hassle. It doesn't always look the way I want, so I end up starting from scratch with Mentimeter templates instead.

What G2 users dislike about Mentimeter:

"However, I would like to have more options for formatting the text in the slide. The second improvement I need is how to extract data. The data output is somewhat cumbersome when analyzing different programs. I would like to be able to have the possibility to adjust how the output should look like.

I would also like to have a live preview - that I can use to make adjustments and see the results live. I would like to incorporate it into a PowerPoint presentation. The solutions today are not good enough."

- Mentimeter Review, Anders W.

8. User Interviews

Now, I know User Interviews isn't a typical survey tool for building surveys. Instead, it's a platform that helps me connect with the exact respondents I need for my research. Whenever I'm working on a project that requires reaching people who match a specific demographic or behavioral profile, this is the tool I turn to.

As a marketer, I've used it to recruit participants for product feedback sessions and conduct in-depth interviews, which have been incredibly valuable for shaping our campaigns and refining marketing strategies. It's an essential resource for gathering qualitative data that goes far beyond simple survey responses, giving me deeper insights to make more informed decisions.

What I value most about the platform is its speed and efficiency in recruiting participants. I can easily use the filters to narrow down my search for respondents out of 5 million+ available participants.

Setting up criteria for respondents on User Interviews

On top of that, I can create a screener with more specific questions to better qualify candidates. However, the screener survey itself could use some improvement, in my opinion. Features like skip logic and other advanced functionalities don't feel as developed compared to other survey tools.

Adding a screener survey on User Interviews

As I see it, the main USP of User Interviews is the quality of their participant pool. The panel is high-quality, which means I don't waste time filtering through unqualified respondents. I was also pleased with how easy it is to manage studies, communicate with panelists, and even distribute incentives after interviews.

Setting up participant incentives on User Interviews

I find the built-in incentive calculator incredibly helpful for deciding how much I should offer participants for their time. In addition, I can personalize participant communications, whether it's outlining what to expect from the session or sending a thank-you email. These small touches not only make the process more professional but also help me build a good rapport with participants, which is essential for meaningful research.

The platform also integrates well with tools I already use, like my Google calendar, making scheduling interviews a breeze. It even automates outreach emails, which saves me a ton of time.

But there are a few areas where I think the platform could improve. I've noticed that the user database is quite US-heavy. So, I had some challenges finding respondents I needed from other countries. Also, if you're working in a very niche industry, it can be challenging to find enough participants who match your criteria.

Another thing I've realized is that while User Interviews take away the hassle of setting up and managing participant recruitment, they don't help much with what comes afterward. From conducting the survey to summarizing the interviews, extracting key learnings, and analyzing insights are still entirely on me. 

Overall, I'd recommend User Interviews to anyone looking for a reliable platform to recruit high-quality participants for usability testing, gathering feedback on prototypes, or running in-depth user research sessions.

What I dislike about User Interviews:

• The lack of more advanced options, like better logic pathways in the screener survey, sometimes makes it harder to ensure that I'm getting exactly the right participants.
• Once my research interviews are over, the platform doesn't provide tools to help with organizing or interpreting the results. I'm left to handle all the post-research tasks myself.

What G2 users dislike about User Interviews:

"The screener survey needs a little bit of attention. The skip logic and a few other features aren't as robust as what you would get from a company that is focused specifically on survey research. It does the job of recruiting people, but at times takes an extra step or question to make sure we get the right people in."

- User Interviews Review, Garred S.

9. SurveySparrow

Now, SurveySparrow has been on my radar for quite some time, but I hadn't tried it before. So, when it surfaced on G2 reports while researching for this article, I decided to give it a spin using its 14-day free trial, and I should say it impressed me immediately.

From the moment I started exploring the platform, its user-friendly interface and thoughtful features drew my attention. One of the features that immediately caught my attention was the side-by-side edit and preview option for each question when I was creating the survey. It's such a time-saver to see exactly how my questions will appear to respondents as and when I am adding questions.

Another key aspect was the logic settings. I could set up conditional question paths easily with both display logic and skip logic features.

Setting up display logic and skip logic questions on SurveySparrow

SurveySparrow's "Wing it with AI" feature also captured my attention during the trial. It made creating and refining questions so much easier. Whether I wanted to rephrase, expand, or adjust the tone—be it formal, informal, or even quirky—it had me covered.

Wing it with AI! in SurveySparrow

What struck me the most, however, was SurveySparrow's chat-like survey experience. It's a refreshing change from traditional static surveys and makes the process feel more like an engaging conversation.

When I use this option to show my survey, instead of overwhelming respondents with forms, questions appear one at a time in a conversational flow. However, I did find that for longer surveys, this approach can feel a bit drawn out. So, I usually use this for shorter surveys or scenarios where engagement is my top priority.

The chat-like survey experience on SurveySparrow

Another compelling element of SurveySparrow's platform is its distribution options. I can create sharable URLs, embed surveys into emails, Slack, and even WhatsApp, or simply generate a QR code for offline distribution.

Now, I did find some weaknesses in SurveySparrow. Its automated reports are somewhat frustrating to work with. Customizing them to fit my specific needs wasn't as straightforward as I expected, and it ended up taking more time than I would have liked.

Also, I've had instances where participants with unstable internet connections had to refresh their page, and all the information they had entered was lost. This caused quite a bit of frustration, both for me and the respondents.

The biggest downside for me was the limited customization options for branding my survey. Even though I was trying out the Starter plan, I couldn't easily upload my own logos or images or add custom CSS to match my brand's identity as much as I'd like. For the pricing we are expected to pay for the plan, I expected a bit more flexibility in this area.

Despite some of its limitations, SurveySparrow is still a solid tool for conducting research surveys for businesses and individuals who want to create engaging surveys with a chat-like experience.

What I dislike about SurveySparrow:

• The automated reports left a lot to be desired. Customizing them to fit my specific requirements was more tedious than I anticipated.
• The lack of advanced branding tools in my plan left me wanting more. While I could make some tweaks, I didn't feel like I had enough control over the design to create a survey that truly reflected my brand's personality.

What G2 users dislike about SurveySparrow:

"The survey system, unfortunately, fell significantly short of expectations due to a critical system crash that resulted in the temporary suspension of data collection. This unexpected disruption not only hindered the progress of our research but also cast doubts on the reliability of the system for future data-driven projects."

- SurveySparrow Review, Evelina S.

10. SOCi

SOCi was honestly a new find for me, but it didn't take long to see why it's become such a popular choice for businesses managing customer feedback and insights. 

What really caught my eye was how well SOCi caters to businesses with multiple branches or locations. It allows me to collect, analyze, and act on feedback at both the individual location level and the corporate level, which is perfect for ensuring that every location stays aligned with customer expectations.

One thing I really admire is how well SOCi balances customization and ease of use. I can collect reviews, track customer satisfaction (CSAT), and even run NPS surveys—all through their pre-built templates.

And if I want to create something more unique, I can design custom surveys and save the branding as a template for future use. This feature has been a lifesaver for keeping all our surveys consistent and on-brand without needing to recreate designs every single time.

When I used SOCi, I found its range of question types—especially multiple-choice and ratings—practical and useful for my customer feedback surveys. From my observation, it's enough to gather meaningful insights, even if it's not as advanced as some other platforms I've used.

I also value the logic feature, which allows me to set up basic conditional flows, though I'll admit it's not as robust as what I've seen elsewhere.

Setting up logic questions on SOCi surveys

What's more? I could easily respond to reviews collected through the surveys and from other platforms via SOCi.

Responding to reviews collected via customer surveys and other platforms on SOCi

Now, even though SOCi offers some solid templates and customization options for surveys and data reporting, I've found that there are a few limitations in the context of design flexibility. If you're like me, aiming to craft highly customized survey interfaces or unique report formats, you might feel a bit boxed in by what SOCi allows. It's good, but I definitely felt it to be restrictive for my survey needs.

Another thing I've noticed is that while SOCi excels at customer experience-related surveys, it's not quite up to par for other types of surveys like market research. In my experience, it is primarily a customer experience management platform with a specific focus on social media channels. So, I wouldn't recommend it for pure survey research. 

Also, I've found that its integration options aren't as extensive as I hoped. For example, while it offers some basic integrations like Salesforce and other social platforms for reputation management, I noticed that it doesn't connect with many CRM or advanced marketing automation tools out of the box. I've had to rely on manual workarounds or third-party tools like Zapier to bridge the gap, which adds time and effort.

Be that as it may, these downsides don't diminishSOCi's strengths. I'd recommend SOCi for customer feedback management if you manage operations across multiple locations, such as retail stores, real estate agencies, restaurant chains, and franchises.

Please note that SOCi does not offer a free trial or a free plan, but it offers an interactive demo that gives a complete overview of its survey platform.

What I dislike about SOCi:

• The integration options felt a little limited for my needs. I had to use workarounds to connect it with some of my other tools, which added extra steps to my workflow.
• I noticed that while SOCi excels at customer experience surveys, it doesn't feel as robust for other types of surveys, like in-depth market research.

What G2 users dislike about SOCi:

"I wish that the survey platform was better geared for multifamily real-estate businesses. I'm grateful for the recent Yardi integration, but some of our communities use different software, So it would be nice to have full integration capabilities. Also, the Canva integration doesn't pull in our Brand Kits. That would be a valuable addition." 
- SOCi Review, Alison M.

11. Typeform

I have never used Typeform before except for filling out some surveys in the past. This time, I decided to explore it further to see what makes it such a popular choice and honestly, I get the hype. 

The design capabilities of Typeform stand out for me. They look modern, interactive, and engaging, which, in my opinion, is a big step up from the typical static survey formats.

When I started creating my first form, I was greeted with three clear options: starting from scratch, importing questions, or letting AI help me generate questions. I tried the "Create with AI" option, and I was not disappointed.

Options to create surveys on Typeform

One thing that grabbed my attention immediately was the logic path questions. I could set up branching rules, outcomes, and even quiz-scoring paths.

What really made it enjoyable for me was the visual design of the whole process. The way everything is laid out visually, with a clear flow of questions and paths, made it so intuitive and smooth for me. It felt like I was piecing together a puzzle, and it was honestly so satisfying! It's one of those little details that made creating forms feel less like work and more like a fun, creative process.

Visualizing logic questions on Typeform

Another feature I found incredibly useful was "workflow automation." It let me trigger actions based on how people responded to my form and the best part. It was super easy to set up. I managed to configure it on my very first try without any support, which is something I honestly don't think I could pull off on any other survey platform.I managed to configure it on my very first try without any support, which is something I honestly don't think I could pull off on any other survey platform.

For instance, I set it up to automatically email a thank-you note to respondents and even sync their responses directly to my CRM. It worked like a charm and saved me so much time on manual follow-ups. The simplicity of the setup really stood out for me.

Setting up workflow automation on Typeform

However, Typeform has its own share of limitations. One thing I noticed is that while Typeform's results page gives you the basics, it could definitely use more depth. I'd love to see more detailed insights or the ability to customize what data gets shared when I send out a results link.

I also encountered occasional slowdowns while using the platform. There were moments when it lagged or needed a reboot, which interrupted my workflow. Pricing is another sticking point for me, and I think it will be for any small business or team with a tight budget. Still, Typeform is worth the try, in my opinion.

What I dislike about Typeform:

• The platform was a bit sluggish at times for me. Also, if my internet connection dropped while I was building a form, I would lose all the work till then.
• I found the reporting and insights to be a bit basic. It would've been great to see more advanced analytics or even customizable data-sharing options when sending out results.

What G2 users dislike about Typeform:

"I would like to see more analytical tools to help with analysis of results and conclusions. I can export the data and use other tools to do the analytics, but it would be nice to have more on board."

- Typeform Reivew, Roger W.

12. Zoho Survey

I've always been curious about Zoho Survey, especially since I use other tools in the Zoho suite. So, I recently decided to give it a shot to understand how it stacks up as a survey tool.

Zoho, like most other survey tools, was easy to use in my testing. I loved how its templates were organized by business departments like marketing, human resources, and customer satisfaction, as well as industries like education and eCommerce.

Template themes on Zoho Survey

Building a survey with Zoho Survey was pretty straightforward. The customization options let me tweak designs to fit my needs, but honestly, they felt a bit basic compared to some of the more advanced tools I've tried. While it got the job done, I found myself wishing for more flexibility to really make the surveys stand out.

Creating my survey with Zoho Survey

The tool did make it easy for me to add workflows like triggering emails based on responses or setting up automated workflows. Another thing that caught my attention was how well it integrates with the rest of Zoho's ecosystem. While I don't personally use Zoho's other tools, like Zoho CRM or Zoho Analytics, that often, I can see how useful this would be for someone who does.

Of course, there are areas for improvement. As I mentioned earlier, the branding options felt a bit restrictive to me. While I could add my company logo and colors, I couldn't go as deep into customization as I would have liked.

Another issue I faced was with skip logic. It's there, but not as robust as I've seen on other platforms. If your survey design needs dynamic flows, Zoho Survey might fall short.

Despite these downsides, Zoho Survey does its job well if you're looking for a tool to handle straightforward surveys.

What I dislike about Zoho Survey:

• The customization options left me wanting more. While I could change basic elements like colors and logos, I felt limited when it came to making the surveys truly unique or tailored to my brand.
• The skip logic feature wasn't as dynamic as I expected. For more complex surveys that require detailed branching paths, it felt a little too basic and didn't give me the flexibility I needed.

What G2 users dislike about Zoho Survey:

"There appears to be little flexibility in branding surveys. Also, in most cases, their logo appears on the top right corner of the page, which, for certain types of research such as client-based surveys, can look unprofessional."

- Zoho Survey Review, Ivan M.

If you're looking for more options to explore beyond the tools I've reviewed, there are several other survey apps worth considering based on my experience. 

For businesses that need advanced customization and in-depth reporting features, Alchemer Survey is a fantastic choice. I found Respondent to be a great alternative to User Interviews. For those who prefer combining surveys with marketing efforts, platforms like Constant Contact and Mailchimp offer all-in-one solutions.

Comparison of the best online survey tools

Still confused? This comparison table makes it easier for you.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on survey software

1. How do I choose the best survey tool for my needs?

The best survey tool depends on your requirements. Consider factors such as:

• Purpose: Is it for customer feedback, market research, or employee engagement?
• Budget: Free tools like Google Forms are great for basic needs, while paid tools like Qualtrics or Typeform offer advanced features.
• Features: Look for customization, logic paths, integrations, and reporting capabilities.
• Ease of use: A user-friendly interface is crucial for efficiency.
• Audience size: Some tools have response or participant limits, so ensure the plan matches your audience size.

2. Are free survey tools effective?

Yes, free survey tools like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey (basic plan), and Zoho Survey can be effective for simple surveys. However, free plans often come with limitations like response caps, branding restrictions, and fewer customization options. For advanced needs, upgrading to a paid plan may be necessary.

3. What are the common features of survey software?

Most survey software includes:

• Pre-built templates for various survey types
• Multiple question types (e.g., multiple choice, text, ratings)
• Customization options (branding, colors, and layouts)
• Logic paths (e.g., skip or branch logic)
• Reporting and analytics dashboards
• Distribution options like email, social media, or embedded links
• Integration with tools like CRMs or marketing platforms

4. Can survey software integrate with other tools?

Yes, many survey platforms integrate with CRMs (like Salesforce), marketing automation tools (like HubSpot or Mailchimp), and collaboration platforms (like Slack or Microsoft Teams). These integrations help streamline workflows and make data sharing more efficient.

5. What is the best survey tool for beginners?

The best survey software for beginners offers an intuitive interface, simple drag-and-drop functionalities, and basic customization options. Google Forms and Typeform are highly recommended for their user-friendliness and minimal learning curve.

6. Which survey tool offers the most types of questions?

Qualtrics and SurveyMonkey are known for offering a wide variety of question types, from simple multiple-choice questions to more complex matrix questions and sliders, catering to more detailed and varied data collection needs.

7. Which online survey maker is best for small businesses?

For small businesses, survey software like Jotform, Zoho Survey, or SurveySparrow are excellent options. They offer affordable plans, ease of use, and sufficient customization features to create professional surveys.

8. Is survey software secure for collecting sensitive data?

Most reputable survey platforms prioritize security by offering features like SSL encryption, GDPR compliance, and data protection measures. It's essential to verify the platform's security policies before collecting sensitive or personal information.

9. Can survey tools handle multilingual surveys?

Yes, online survey apps like Typeform, Qualtrics, and Zoho Survey support multilingual surveys. This is particularly useful for businesses or researchers targeting diverse audiences.

10. Which is the best survey software for market research?

The best survey software for market research depends on the complexity of your needs. If you're looking for advanced features like detailed analytics, logic paths, and audience targeting, tools like Qualtrics, QuestionPro, and SurveyMonkey are excellent choices. They offer robust capabilities for segmentation, detailed reporting, and integrations with other analytics tools.

For more budget-friendly options, Zoho Survey and Alchemer Survey provide great flexibility and solid features for smaller-scale market research projects.

If you need help finding niche participants for qualitative research, User Interviews can connect you with the right audience.

11. Which survey tools integrate with Salesforce?

If you're looking for survey tools that integrate with Salesforce, consider SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Zoho Survey, Typeform, and Alchemer Survey. 

12. What are the best employee survey tools?

SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Culture Amp, TINYpulse, and Workleap Officevibe are among the top employee survey tools to consider.

Survey done!

After exploring so many survey tools, I've realized that finding the right one isn't just about features; it's about finding the perfect match for your specific needs. For example, if you're all about simplicity, Google Forms is a no-brainer. But if you want something sleek and interactive, Typeform might be your jam. Need to manage feedback across multiple locations? SOCi is your go-to.

For me, diving into these platforms felt like assembling a toolkit—each tool had something unique. Some tools were distinctive for their customization, others for their integrations, and a few for their pure ease of use. And while I didn't fall in love with every platform (hello, unexpected paywalls!), it's clear there's something out there for everyone.

The bottom line? Try a few out, see what works for you, and settle down with the one that makes your data collection dreams come true. Happy surveying!

Looking for a tool to create surveys to gauge employee satisfaction? Check out our list of free employee engagement software.