Top 10 Best Qualtrics Alternatives in 2025

1. Qualtrics Vs SuperSurvey

SuperSurvey (our #1 recommendation) is a modern survey platform that combines power with ease-of-use. Unlike Qualtrics’ complex, enterprise-focused interface, SuperSurvey emphasizes an intuitive experience – bolstered by artificial intelligence. Its AI-driven survey builder can generate entire questionnaires from a simple prompt, something Qualtrics lacks. This means you spend less time designing surveys and more time getting results. In fact, internal tests found AI-generated surveys on SuperSurvey achieved about 16% higher completion rates than manually crafted ones, thanks to well-optimized questions. SuperSurvey also offers a generous free trial (with access to all features for 7 days) and affordable plans thereafter, whereas Qualtrics has no self-serve free plan and typically requires a hefty annual license.

SuperSurvey brings over 15 years of experience and has evolved to outshine competitors in several areas. It boasts the industry’s largest template library with 100+ expert-written survey templates (covering customer feedback, employee engagement, market research, and more). That’s many times what Qualtrics provides out-of-the-box. Coupled with 48+ question types (from simple multiple-choice to advanced sliders and branching scenarios) and full branding control, you can create virtually any kind of survey without feeling constrained. SuperSurvey also integrates seamlessly with popular business tools (CRM systems, email marketing platforms, analytics suites), ensuring that responses flow into your existing workflow – similar to Qualtrics’ integration capabilities, but often with simpler setup.

• Advantages: AI-powered survey creation that saves time and improves quality; massive template and theme library (100+ of each) for quick survey design; 48 question types and advanced skip logic comparable to Qualtrics; seamless integrations with CRM, email, and analytics tools; reliable performance at scale (proven 15+ year track record).
• Disadvantages: Comprehensive feature set can be overkill for very basic polls (SuperSurvey’s rich tools might exceed needs if you just want a one-question quick poll); not an open-source platform (focuses on no-code, though an API exists for custom work); premium features like white-labeling and unlimited responses require a paid plan (after the free trial period).
• Best suited for: Organizations and individuals who want a powerful yet user-friendly alternative to Qualtrics – from small businesses that need AI-speed creation and templates, to large enterprises that require scalable surveys with advanced logic and integration. If you need high-quality surveys fast without Qualtrics’ steep learning curve, SuperSurvey is an excellent choice.

2. Qualtrics Vs SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is one of the most recognizable names in online surveys and presents a simpler, more budget-friendly alternative to Qualtrics. While Qualtrics targets enterprise users with extensive features (and costs to match), SurveyMonkey focuses on ease of use and accessibility. Getting started is straightforward: you can sign up for free and begin building a survey within minutes using drag-and-drop questions and ready-made templates. This simplicity contrasts with Qualtrics’ complex interface that often requires training. SurveyMonkey also offers a free plan (Qualtrics has none), though it comes with limits – only up to 10 questions per survey and 25 viewable responses on the free tier. For many small-scale projects, however, SurveyMonkey’s basic functionality is sufficient, whereas Qualtrics might feel like overkill.

That said, SurveyMonkey does have its own advanced options in paid plans, including skip logic, question randomization, and data export capabilities. It integrates with everyday tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Mailchimp, and Google Drive, making it handy for collecting feedback as part of your regular workflow. In areas where Qualtrics excels (such as in-depth analytics), SurveyMonkey is more limited – for example, it lacks built-in statistical analysis tools like Qualtrics’ Stats iQ. Its reporting is straightforward, offering charts and graphs of responses and the ability to download results for analysis elsewhere. Cost is a big differentiator: SurveyMonkey’s standard paid plans (starting around $25 per user/month) are far cheaper and more transparent than Qualtrics’ quote-based pricing (often in the thousands per year).

• Advantages: Extremely user-friendly interface with quick setup; a popular choice with a large community (lots of online guides and templates); basic free plan available; affordable paid plans for premium features; integrations with common apps (Slack, Excel, CRM tools) for easy data sharing.
• Disadvantages: Free plan limits (10 questions and 25 responses) are restrictive; lacks the advanced analytics and sophisticated logic of Qualtrics (e.g., no built-in sentiment analysis or complex branching at the same depth); design customization is limited (fewer theme options, unless on higher-tier plans); some users find template designs somewhat dated compared to newer tools.
• Best suited for: Individuals, educators, and small to mid-sized businesses that need a reliable, straightforward survey tool without the complexity of Qualtrics. It’s great for routine surveys – customer satisfaction forms, event feedback, simple research – especially when budget or simplicity is a primary concern. Larger organizations with very complex needs may outgrow it, but many still use SurveyMonkey for quick pulse surveys or preliminary research due to its convenience.

3. Qualtrics Vs Google Forms

Google Forms is a completely free alternative to Qualtrics that excels in simplicity and ubiquity. Part of the Google Workspace suite, Google Forms lets anyone with a Google account create and distribute surveys at no cost – a stark contrast to Qualtrics’ enterprise pricing. While Qualtrics offers a multitude of question types and intricate logic, Google Forms sticks to the basics: multiple choice, checkboxes, short/long text, dropdowns, linear scales, etc. It does support skip logic (section branching) in a simple form, but it can’t match Qualtrics when it comes to complex survey flows or custom question variations. Where Google Forms shines is ease and speed. If you need a quick survey for a classroom, team feedback, or a signup sheet, Google Forms can be up and running in minutes, with responses automatically collected into a Google Sheet for analysis.

One of the biggest advantages is unlimited usage – no caps on number of surveys or responses. You could collect thousands of responses without paying a cent (Qualtrics would require a paid license for high volumes). Google Forms also integrates seamlessly with other Google tools: you can email a form via Gmail, embed it on a Google Site, or collaborate with colleagues in real-time while building the form (similar to co-editing a Google Doc). The trade-off for this convenience is that Google Forms is not geared toward deep insights: there are no built-in data analysis features beyond basic charts, and customization is minimal (few color themes and no support for advanced branding or custom CSS as Qualtrics allows). Data security and compliance options are also basic – fine for internal or informal use, but not suitable for regulated industries needing HIPAA compliance, for example.

• Advantages: Completely free with no response limits; very easy to use (minimal learning curve, great for non-technical users); instant results that populate into Google Sheets for analysis; integrates with Google Workspace (Drive, Gmail, etc.) for sharing and collaboration; responsive design that works well on mobile devices.
• Disadvantages: Limited question types and logic (sufficient for simple surveys, but cannot handle complex survey designs); lacks advanced features like text analysis, scoring, or rich media question types that Qualtrics or other dedicated platforms offer; minimal design and branding options (forms tend to look uniform, even with theme colors); not ideal for corporate branding or professional-looking surveys targeted at customers; reporting and analytics beyond raw data export must be done manually (e.g., in Sheets or other tools).
• Best suited for: Students, teachers, and small organizations conducting straightforward surveys or polls, and anyone who needs a quick, no-cost way to collect information. It’s perfect for things like event RSVPs, simple customer feedback, course evaluations, or team satisfaction surveys. Large enterprises or research teams might use Google Forms for internal quick polls, but for mission-critical or highly complex surveys, they would lean toward more feature-rich solutions.

4. Qualtrics Vs Typeform

Typeform offers a radically different survey experience compared to Qualtrics. Its hallmark is the one-question-at-a-time interface, which turns surveys into a more conversational, engaging experience. This design philosophy can lead to higher response rates – respondents often find Typeform surveys more fun and less intimidating than pages full of questions (the traditional format Qualtrics uses). If you’re looking to reduce survey fatigue and keep people clicking through, Typeform is attractive. It also provides sleek templates and a clean, modern aesthetic by default, so your surveys look professionally designed without much effort. Qualtrics, for all its power, can produce rather utilitarian-looking forms unless you invest time in its styling or use custom code. Typeform prioritizes polish and user experience.

However, there are trade-offs. Typeform’s focus on simplicity means it doesn’t match Qualtrics in advanced logic or analysis. You can create logic jumps (e.g., skip or show certain questions based on answers) and integrate with apps via Zapier or direct integrations, but you won’t find the deep analytical tools of Qualtrics. Also, Typeform’s pricing can climb quickly. It has a free plan, but it’s very limited (for example, currently around 10 responses per month). For higher response counts, you need paid plans, which start around $29/month and go up based on response volume. Qualtrics is expensive too, but if you’re leaving Qualtrics to save money, be mindful that Typeform, while cheaper, is not “cheap” at scale either. Additionally, the one-question-at-a-time format, while engaging, might frustrate users who prefer to see all questions on one page – for very long surveys or grids of questions, Typeform isn’t ideal (Qualtrics would handle a matrix question or long form better in that case).

• Advantages: Highly engaging survey format that feels conversational; modern, beautiful design templates that require little customization; decent selection of question types (including picture choice, yes/no, rating scales) optimized for the one-at-a-time flow; integrations available (Slack, Mailchimp, Google Sheets, CRM via Zapier) to send data where you need it; mobile-friendly and interactive by nature.
• Disadvantages: Free plan is very limited (only a few responses allowed), and paid plans can be pricey if you have hundreds or thousands of respondents; not suitable for complex surveys that need advanced logic branching or multiple questions on screen at once; limited in analytical features – primarily provides basic response summaries, so detailed analysis requires exporting data; certain features (like accepting payments or using logic on the free tier) are restricted to higher plans; if respondents are not tech-savvy, the unconventional format might confuse a few (though generally it’s simple).
• Best suited for: Marketers, designers, and small businesses that prioritize user experience and completion rates in their surveys. Typeform is great for customer feedback forms, lead capture quizzes, satisfaction surveys, and any scenario where making the survey enjoyable could improve results. It’s popular for things like startup landing page surveys or interactive questionnaires. For hardcore data collection or academic research, it’s less appropriate – those users might find Typeform too lightweight compared to Qualtrics, but for engaging an audience, it’s hard to beat.

5. Qualtrics Vs Jotform

Jotform is a versatile online form builder that doubles as a survey tool, making it an interesting alternative to Qualtrics. If Qualtrics is like a specialized all-terrain vehicle for surveys, Jotform is more of a multipurpose SUV – it can handle surveys, but also registrations, order forms, quizzes, and more. This breadth is evident in Jotform’s massive template library: over 10,000 templates (including many survey templates) are available to jump-start your project. Additionally, Jotform offers 100+ integrations, connecting your forms to services like Google Sheets, PayPal, Salesforce, Dropbox, and so on. This integration ecosystem is actually broader than Qualtrics in terms of sheer number, though Qualtrics integrates deeply with enterprise systems. Jotform’s interface is a drag-and-drop builder with a relatively gentle learning curve, so building a survey or form is straightforward. You can achieve quite complex logic (show/hide fields, conditional email notifications, etc.), though it’s framed in terms of form building rather than the research-oriented wording Qualtrics uses.

One thing to note is that Jotform, being form-centric, might lack some of the specialized analytics of Qualtrics. For example, Qualtrics can do things like sentiment analysis on text responses with Text iQ or run statistical significance tests (with Stats iQ), which Jotform does not do – Jotform is more about data collection and basic reporting. However, Jotform has tools to visualize results and the data can always be exported. Pricing is another strong point: Jotform has a free plan that allows up to 5 forms and 100 monthly responses, plenty for a small project or to evaluate the platform. Paid plans start at around $34/month (Bronze) for increased limits (1000 responses/month and more forms). This is a clearer, generally lower pricing structure than Qualtrics’ enterprise deals. The trade-off is that with Jotform you might hit feature limits if you try to use it exactly like Qualtrics – for instance, collaborative features or advanced quota management are not as robust as Qualtrics. Also, if you need respondent-level analysis across surveys or a long-term insights dashboard, Jotform won’t provide that out of the box the way Qualtrics CX platforms might.

• Advantages: Extremely large collection of templates and themes, not just for surveys but all kinds of forms; easy drag-and-drop form builder that non-specialists can use; strong integration support (payments, databases, third-party apps) which is great for workflow automation; offers a forever-free plan and scalable paid tiers with clear limits; allows embedding forms on websites and has a dedicated mobile app for collecting responses offline.
• Disadvantages: Being a general form tool, it lacks some advanced survey-specific capabilities (e.g., no built-in text analytics or advanced statistical tools); the user interface, while easy, can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of options and widgets available; free plan and lower-tier plans show Jotform branding on surveys (Qualtrics is branded too unless you pay, so similar in that regard); data and reports might require external analysis for complex insights, as the platform focuses on collection rather than deep analysis.
• Best suited for: Small businesses, nonprofits, and even enterprise teams that need a flexible form and survey solution without committing to an expensive enterprise contract. Jotform is ideal if your use case spans beyond surveys alone – for example, if you want one tool for surveys, event registrations, and payment forms. It’s also great for teams that value quick integration with other apps and a low barrier to entry. If your surveys need to live within a larger workflow (e.g., automatically sending a follow-up email or populating a Google Sheet), Jotform makes that easy. Pure research departments might not choose it as a 1:1 Qualtrics replacement, but for many general purposes, Jotform covers a lot of ground.

6. Qualtrics Vs SurveySparrow

SurveySparrow is a younger entrant in the survey space that has made waves with its chat-like survey experience. It positions itself as a modern, engaging alternative to both traditional survey platforms and heavyweights like Qualtrics. The core idea is simple: a survey that feels like a friendly chat can dramatically increase response rates – SurveySparrow claims up to 40% higher completion compared to classic forms. This is a different approach from Qualtrics, which sticks to a conventional survey layout and emphasizes depth of features over user experience. SurveySparrow offers both modes: you can send out surveys that look like a messaging app conversation or switch to a standard form style. For many customer feedback and employee pulse surveys, that conversational UI keeps people more engaged, which is key if you’re struggling with respondents abandoning Qualtrics surveys mid-way.

In terms of features, SurveySparrow covers a lot of ground that Qualtrics users would expect: skip logic, piping answers into later questions, custom themes for branding, and a dashboard for analytics. It also has specialized modules for NPS (Net Promoter Score) tracking, customer satisfaction (CSAT), and even 360° employee feedback, which means it’s aiming to be a full experience-management platform on a smaller scale. Compared to Qualtrics, some features are lighter – for example, Qualtrics’ Text iQ does deep sentiment and text analysis, whereas with SurveySparrow you might export responses to analyze text in detail elsewhere. Pricing is more accessible: SurveySparrow has a free trial (but no permanent free plan beyond that trial) and paid plans starting around $19/month (billed annually) for basic features. These plans often limit the number of responses or users, so for large deployments you’d use higher tiers (which are still typically cheaper than a Qualtrics license). SurveySparrow integrates with popular tools like Slack, HubSpot, Zapier, and Google Analytics, so in an organization, it can fit into your existing stack relatively easily.

• Advantages: Innovative chat-style surveys that can boost engagement and completion rates; supports both conversational and traditional survey formats for flexibility; includes NPS and other feedback management templates out-of-the-box; multi-language support (90+ languages) which is useful for global teams; offers integration with business tools (Slack notifications, CRM systems, etc.) and even has an AI question generator to help create surveys.
• Disadvantages: Only a free trial is available – there isn’t a forever-free tier for ongoing use; for very large organizations, the feature set might not be as exhaustive as Qualtrics (e.g., lacks some of the ultra-fine controls or advanced analytics Qualtrics provides); some users have noted that digging into detailed analytics or filtering results in the SurveySparrow interface can be less intuitive – it’s an area still evolving; the pricing structure, while lower than Qualtrics, does cap responses or users per month on certain plans, which requires careful planning to avoid overages.
• Best suited for: Startups, SMBs, and departments within larger enterprises that want to maximize survey engagement. SurveySparrow is excellent for customer experience surveys (like post-service or product feedback) and employee engagement surveys, where getting a high response rate is crucial. It’s also a good choice for modern brands that want their surveys to reflect a cutting-edge image. If you found Qualtrics too impersonal or cumbersome, SurveySparrow provides a refreshing, user-friendly approach that still retains the essential features needed for actionable feedback.

7. Qualtrics Vs QuestionPro

QuestionPro is a full-featured survey platform that often flies under the radar but can be a powerful Qualtrics alternative, especially for those on a tighter budget. In many ways, QuestionPro aims to offer “Qualtrics-like” capabilities (advanced survey logic, robust question types, and analytics features) at a more accessible price point. It provides a free Essential plan which, unlike Qualtrics, gives you a taste of the platform (though with limited responses and features). For more serious use, their paid plans start around $99/month (Advanced plan) and scale up for enterprise needs. This is far more transparent and often cheaper for mid-sized projects than Qualtrics’ custom pricing. Feature-wise, QuestionPro includes things like sophisticated branching logic, matrix questions, conjoint analysis (for product research), and even supports creating survey panels/communities for ongoing research – a nod to what Qualtrics does with its Experience Management focus.

QuestionPro’s interface is relatively straightforward, though not as slick as some newer tools. It tends to be favorably reviewed for ease of migrating from SurveyMonkey or Qualtrics: for instance, it has an import function that can pull in SurveyMonkey surveys, easing the transition. In areas like data analysis, it offers tools for segmentation, word clouds for open-ends, and sentiment analysis, which cover most needs but perhaps not at the depth of Qualtrics’ premium analytics modules. One notable aspect is offline surveys: QuestionPro has a mobile app that lets you collect survey responses offline – something Qualtrics also offers in its site-intercept and offline app, but it’s nice to see in a more affordable tool. On the integration front, QuestionPro connects with common apps like Salesforce, Tableau, HubSpot, and Zapier, so tying it into your workflow is feasible. One limitation to be aware of: some advanced features (like the most in-depth analytics or 24/7 support) might only be in their Enterprise package, so not everything comes in the lower cost plans.

• Advantages: Robust feature set comparable to high-end tools (advanced logic, custom scripting, survey templates for various use cases); free plan available for basic surveys and a trial of features; lower cost than Qualtrics for similar capabilities, with clear pricing tiers; supports community management (can build panels of respondents for ongoing research); offers an easy import from other platforms which simplifies switching; integrations with CRM and analytics tools are available.
• Disadvantages: The user interface, while functional, is a bit less modern than some competitors – it may not “wow” in design, though it gets the job done; some features are gated to higher-tier plans (for example, things like conjoint analysis or advanced reporting might require a more expensive plan); if you require the absolute highest level of compliance and security, you’d need their Enterprise version (Qualtrics might have an edge in certifications until you upgrade QuestionPro); as a smaller player than Qualtrics, their support resources (documentation, community forums) are improving but not as vast.
• Best suited for: Mid-sized businesses, researchers, or even enterprise teams that need a comprehensive survey tool without the enterprise price tag. It’s particularly good for market research and academic studies on a budget – for instance, if you want to do complex surveys or build a research panel but can’t afford Qualtrics. Also, any organization migrating off SurveyMonkey or Qualtrics will appreciate the import tools and familiar feature set. In short, QuestionPro is ideal when you need many of Qualtrics’ capabilities but can compromise a little on ultra-polish in exchange for cost savings and simplicity.

8. Qualtrics Vs Zoho Survey

Zoho Survey is part of the Zoho ecosystem (which includes CRM, email, finance, and many other apps) and serves as a capable survey tool positioned toward small and mid-sized businesses. As an alternative to Qualtrics, Zoho Survey emphasizes affordability and integration with other Zoho products. For current Zoho users, adopting Zoho Survey is almost a no-brainer, as it connects effortlessly with Zoho CRM (e.g., sending surveys to contacts and capturing responses back into contact records) and Zoho Analytics for deeper analysis. Even if you don’t use Zoho’s suite, Zoho Survey stands on its own as an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop survey builder. It has 30+ question types (from standard multiple-choice and Likert scales to rating stars and upload fields), which is fewer than Qualtrics, but covers most common needs. You can apply skip logic, piping, and randomization, albeit at a simpler level than Qualtrics’ advanced survey flow controls.

Zoho Survey offers a free plan (up to 10 questions and 100 responses per survey), which Qualtrics notably doesn’t. Paid plans are quite affordable – roughly $20 to $60 per month, depending on features and whether you pay annually, which is a fraction of Qualtrics’ cost. In terms of features, Zoho Survey has a solid set: customizable themes (you can add your logo and choose colors), real-time reports with charts and cross-tabulation, and even offline survey collection via their mobile app (useful for field surveys without internet). It also supports multiple languages in a single survey, much like Qualtrics does, which is great for reaching a diverse audience. On the downside, Zoho Survey doesn’t have the same level of extreme scalability or compliance certifications that Qualtrics provides for Fortune 500 companies. For example, if you need HIPAA compliance or advanced user management, you might find Zoho Survey lacking unless you use Zoho’s higher-tier services. Additionally, some users report the interface, while generally intuitive, can feel a bit inconsistent or not as polished in places (perhaps due to being one piece of the larger Zoho suite).

• Advantages: Easy integration with Zoho’s other business applications (CRM, Campaigns, etc.), making it powerful for feedback loops in sales or marketing; straightforward survey creation with all essential question types and logic; multi-language support for creating surveys in various languages; very cost-effective pricing with a usable free tier; offers features like offline response collection and collaboration (sharing surveys results with team members) that cover most business needs.
• Disadvantages: Upper limits on customization and advanced features – it’s not as feature-rich as Qualtrics for complex survey experimentation (for instance, Qualtrics-like advanced quotas or embedded data may be missing or simpler in Zoho); free plan’s 100 response limit means it’s not suitable for large surveys unless you upgrade; the design options, while present, are not as extensive as some competitors (you might get a more standard look unless you invest time in CSS customization); data analysis is adequate (you can filter, cross-tab, etc.) but if you need heavy analytics you might have to export to Zoho Analytics or another tool.
• Best suited for: Small to medium businesses, especially those already using Zoho products, who need an affordable survey solution for customer feedback, internal surveys, or research. It’s a great fit for scenarios like sending a quick customer satisfaction survey after a support ticket (tied in with Zoho Desk, for example) or gathering employee input in an organization that uses Zoho internally. Educational institutions and nonprofits on a budget may also find Zoho Survey meets their needs. Enterprises that require tight security or extremely advanced logic might lean towards Qualtrics or Alchemer, but could still use Zoho Survey for simpler survey tasks.

9. Qualtrics Vs Alchemer

Alchemer (formerly SurveyGizmo) is often mentioned in the same breath as Qualtrics because both target users who need advanced survey functionalities. In fact, Alchemer can be seen as one of the closest competitors to Qualtrics in terms of feature breadth, but with a different philosophy on pricing and flexibility. Alchemer offers many enterprise-grade capabilities: complex skip and display logic, question randomization, merge codes (to pipe in data), and even custom scripting and CSS for those who want to fine-tune beyond the standard options. This means if you could do it in Qualtrics, you can likely do it in Alchemer as well – from elaborate branching scenarios to embedding surveys on your site with custom styling. One key difference is that Alchemer often gives the user more direct control; for example, it’s known for allowing JavaScript additions to surveys or custom HTML, which Qualtrics locks down more (Qualtrics focuses on a point-and-click approach and custom code mainly via its API).

When it comes to deployment and security, Alchemer supports on-premises installation for enterprise clients (Qualtrics is cloud-only, though with regional data centers). This is a big plus for organizations that want to self-host their survey data for compliance or security reasons. Alchemer’s cloud plans are quote-based for enterprise, but they publicly list some pricing for smaller teams – roughly $55 per user per month for a Collaborator license (as of now) which allows most features. There’s no unlimited free plan, but they do offer a trial. In terms of user experience, some find Alchemer’s interface not as modern or slick as newer tools, but it’s generally considered logical once you learn it. It might have a steeper learning curve than SurveyMonkey or Zoho Survey, similar to the learning involved with Qualtrics, given the depth. One area Qualtrics might edge out Alchemer is in built-in analytics; Qualtrics’ Stats iQ and Text iQ are specialized tools for analysis. Alchemer provides reporting and data export, but heavy-duty analysis will likely be done outside (or via integrations). Nonetheless, Alchemer’s flexibility often means you can capture exactly the data you need in the format you want, which analysts appreciate.

• Advantages: Enterprise-level survey features (advanced logic, branching, quotas, etc.) comparable to Qualtrics; high degree of customizability – you can inject custom code or use add-ons to achieve specialized functionality; options for on-premise or private cloud deployment for ultimate data control; supports team collaboration, user roles, and workflow integration (just as Qualtrics does for enterprise clients); solid support for branding and white-label surveys; active development and a history of adapting to user needs (as seen from their rebrand and shift in recent years).
• Disadvantages: Pricing, while more flexible than Qualtrics, can still be significant – especially because it often charges per user account, which can add up for large teams (e.g., adding many collaborators increases cost); the interface isn’t as beginner-friendly – new users may face a learning curve similar to learning Qualtrics due to the range of options; no free plan for ongoing use (only trials), so it’s not as accessible for very small-scale or personal use; the built-in analysis and distribution panels might not be as comprehensive as Qualtrics’ specialized modules (you may need external tools for things like conjoint analysis or extensive text analytics).
• Best suited for: Experienced survey professionals, research departments, and organizations that need Qualtrics-level power but perhaps want more direct control or a different pricing structure. It’s particularly well-suited for those who might want to self-host or deeply integrate the survey system into their own software. Market research firms, consultants, or academic institutions that considered Qualtrics but balked at the cost often find Alchemer to be a viable substitute that doesn’t sacrifice functionality. If your surveys require intricate logic or you have savvy users who want to tinker under the hood, Alchemer will be very appealing.

10. Qualtrics Vs Formstack

Formstack is an all-in-one forms and data collection platform that, while not exclusively a “survey tool” like Qualtrics, offers robust survey capabilities along with a suite of productivity features. Think of Formstack as a platform to build not just surveys, but also complex forms, automate documents, collect e-signatures, and more. Many enterprises use Formstack for workflows – e.g., an employee onboarding form that generates documents and collects feedback – so its scope is broader than Qualtrics. When comparing the two, if your primary need is surveys for research and feedback, Qualtrics has a laser focus on that domain with specialized analytics. Formstack, on the other hand, might appeal if your surveys are part of bigger workflows (for example, a survey that triggers a follow-up process or integrates with a database directly).

Formstack’s survey/form builder is drag-and-drop and supports advanced logic (called Conditional Logic) that can rival Qualtrics for many use cases. You can show or hide sections based on previous answers, route notifications to different people, or even set up approvals. It also excels in integration; Formstack connects natively with a lot of business apps (Salesforce, HubSpot, Mailchimp, etc.), and has an API and Zapier connectors. Security and compliance are a selling point too – Formstack offers HIPAA-compliant plans and has features like single sign-on and audit logging for enterprise governance (similar to Qualtrics’ compliance offerings for its top clients). However, Formstack does not have the built-in analytical depth that Qualtrics has. You’ll get summaries of your form responses and you can export data or use Formstack’s Analytics add-ons, but you won’t find something like Qualtrics’ Stats iQ or intuitive dashboards specifically geared towards survey insights unless you build it out yourself or integrate with a BI tool.

• Advantages: Excellent for building forms and surveys that are part of broader business processes (e.g., you can incorporate surveys into automated workflows); strong emphasis on security and compliance – good choice for healthcare, finance, or education sectors that need data privacy; has a 14-day free trial to experiment with all features; supports attachments, payments, signatures in forms, which goes beyond typical survey needs; offers multi-user collaboration and granular permissions (helpful for large teams managing forms/surveys); can be extended with additional products (Formstack Documents, Sign, etc.) for a complete solution.
• Disadvantages: No permanent free tier for ongoing use, so after the trial you’ll need a paid plan; pricing can become high as you add features or users (plans are modular and enterprise-level pricing is on request, similar to Qualtrics in that regard); the interface is oriented towards form building – purely survey-focused users might find terminology or setup slightly different than traditional survey tools; not as specialized in survey analytics or feedback management out-of-the-box – you may rely on integrations or manual analysis for deep insights; because Formstack is multifaceted, users looking just for simple surveys might find it more than they need.
• Best suited for: Medium to large organizations that want a secure, versatile data collection platform to handle forms and surveys across various departments. For example, a hospital network could use Formstack for patient intake forms and also satisfaction surveys, all under one system that meets compliance. It’s great for HR forms, IT request forms, and feedback surveys alike. If you considered Qualtrics but also need a tool for other form-driven workflows, Formstack can kill two birds with one stone. On the other hand, if you only care about customer or employee surveys and nothing else, a dedicated survey tool might be simpler.

11. Qualtrics Vs LimeSurvey

LimeSurvey represents the open-source end of the spectrum. It’s a free alternative to Qualtrics that you can download, install on your own server, and run independently. For organizations with technical resources (or those in academia/government with IT support), LimeSurvey offers tremendous value: unlimited surveys, questions, and responses with no licensing fees. In contrast, Qualtrics would charge significantly for similar usage. LimeSurvey’s feature set is quite robust in terms of survey logic – you can implement complex branching, piping, randomization, and it supports over 30 question types, from multiple choice and text to sliders, rankings, and arrays (matrix questions). It’s been around for years, and a community of users worldwide contributes to its development and plugins. If you’re comfortable self-hosting, LimeSurvey can be tailored to your needs (you have access to the source code, so you can even customize functionality).

Of course, going open-source has its caveats. LimeSurvey’s user interface and overall polish aren’t on the same level as Qualtrics. The survey design interface, while functional, may feel a bit dated or less intuitive to newcomers. There’s documentation and community forums for help, but you won’t get the kind of dedicated support Qualtrics provides to its customers. However, LimeSurvey does offer a hosted version (LimeSurvey Cloud) if you don’t want to maintain your own server – they have a free tier (capped at 25 responses per month) and then paid plans (for example, about €29/month for up to 1000 responses monthly). These cloud plans still tend to be cheaper than equivalent volumes on Qualtrics, but they help fund the project and give you support. In terms of capabilities, LimeSurvey can handle multi-lingual surveys easily – Qualtrics can too, but with LimeSurvey you can deploy a survey in dozens of languages if needed. Also, because it’s self-hostable, some universities choose LimeSurvey to ensure data privacy and compliance (they control exactly where the data resides, an attractive option if Qualtrics’ data residency doesn’t meet their requirements or budget).

• Advantages: Completely free to use if self-hosted – no per-response or per-user fees; very flexible logic and structure allowing for detailed survey designs; supports unlimited questions and responses (when self-hosting, only your server limits matter); multi-language support out-of-the-box (surveys can be translated into 80+ languages); strong community and a range of plugins for extra functionality; ideal for those with technical skills to customize or integrate (since you can write your own extensions or queries directly).
• Disadvantages: Requires technical setup and maintenance when self-hosting (installing on a server, applying updates, ensuring security) – not as plug-and-play as a cloud service; user interface is not as modern or smooth as commercial tools – some actions can be less intuitive or require more clicks; lacks built-in advanced analysis tools – you mainly use it to collect data and then export to analyze in Excel, SPSS, R, etc.; if using the free self-hosted route, support is community-based (no official support team unless you pay for LimeSurvey’s cloud or support packages); customizing the appearance beyond basic templates might require knowledge of HTML/CSS.
• Best suited for: Academics, researchers, nonprofits, or IT-savvy organizations that need a powerful survey platform but have zero (or very limited) budget for licenses. It’s also ideal for scenarios where data control is paramount – for instance, government agencies or research projects that prefer to keep data on their own servers for compliance. LimeSurvey is a favorite in many universities for research data collection. If you have a tech team or are comfortable with a bit of setup, LimeSurvey gives you many of Qualtrics’ capabilities at no cost. However, if you lack technical resources and need a more user-friendly, supported solution, you might consider other cloud-based alternatives despite the cost.

Comparison Table