6 best survey tools for research

Collecting data from a group of people can be a powerful way to gain insights about a target demographic. Whether you’re looking for feedback or need information about their interests, the right survey tools for research can help you gather and organize this data.

Research surveys are useful in a variety of settings: Students use these tools for academic purposes, and businesses often use surveys to ask for customer feedback. 

Surveys let you connect with participants and get valuable data from them. You can then evaluate that data using tools like spreadsheets to develop deeper insights.

Survey features to look for

Using the right survey tools for research will streamline the data-collection process and optimize your overall results. When you’re choosing a survey tool, look for a solution that offers a variety of features, such as

• Predesigned templates. Templates mean you don’t have to start from scratch when creating new surveys. Find a template that includes the main features you need for each research project.
• Customization options. Whether you’re using a premade template or starting from scratch, you need the flexibility to customize each survey’s details.
• Survey logic. Built-in logic features ensure that respondents only see relevant questions. For example, a good survey tool will skip a question if a previous answer makes it irrelevant.
• Data analysis. Collecting the responses is just the first step. You also need an effective tool to review and analyze the data. There’s no reason to go through answers manually when a good survey tool can organize and sort information.
• Website integration. When the survey tool integrates with your website, it’s simple to share the link with participants. Look for a tool that allows you to embed the survey on your website or in email messages.

While each research project will have different requirements, finding the right survey tool is an essential step in ensuring your research efforts go smoothly. You’ll be able to adapt your surveys to meet each project’s unique specifications.

6 top-rated survey tools

Here’s a summary of the best survey tools for research that can help you find the insights you need.

1. Jotform

Jotform’s Form Builder is easy to use, and our no-code survey building solutions are customizable and simple to integrate, even for customers with limited technical experience. In addition, responses feed into Jotform Tables for easy data analysis.

Notable features include a variety of themes and templates, app integrations, widget customization, and an intuitive drag-and-drop form editor. All features, except for HIPAA compliance, are available through the free Starter plan.

If you’d like to present the data from your survey, it’s easy to create a professional looking report using the Jotform Report Builder.

2. SurveyMonkey

One of the most widely known tools in the industry, this survey platform is popular for good reason. Similar to Jotform, SurveyMonkey offers a user-friendly admin area that requires no coding skills to build surveys. The free personal plan is appealing to many businesses, but the basic account limits certain features, such as data exporting.

If you’re looking to explore options beyond SurveyMonkey alternatives, our article offers an in-depth look at different survey tools and their capabilities.

3. Typeform

When you’re looking for versatility, Typeform is a great option to consider. This tool has a variety of options for building questionnaires, forms, and surveys. Not only does Typeform make it easy to develop a survey, but it also creates a great user experience for participants — and that can increase the overall completion rate of each survey. 

Users need to subscribe to one of the paid plans to access the best features and a higher limit on the number of responses.

4. Google Forms

Google offers a cloud-based suite of office tools that are free to anyone with a Google account. Google Forms is popular because it provides unlimited surveys and responses without requiring you to go through a paywall to use all the features. 

This tool provides many of the customization features available through other tools listed above, including skip logic, data analysis, and the option to embed the form into a website or email.

5. Sogolytics (Formerly SoGoSurvey)

This free survey tool includes comprehensive design features and in-depth analysis to gain insights from the responses you collect. With over 25 types of questions available to choose from, you’ll find it easy to customize each form based on your project’s needs. 

Sogolytics is the preferred choice for small projects since the free version allows up to 200 responses annually. More extensive research projects will require a paid account so you can collect information from more respondents.

6. Zoho Survey

The basic Zoho Survey account provides everything you need to create a simple survey. If you want more customization options, then it’s helpful to have a paid version. Available features include email notifications, offline surveys, advanced reporting, and multilingual forms.

These survey tools for research make it simple to collect the information you need. Whether you are creating an online survey or you need customer feedback, the right form design streamlines the process and provides valuable insights.