SurveyCTO vs. Other Platforms
Why is SurveyCTO the most scalable, easy-to-use mobile data collection tool in the social impact space? Because no other platform offers our unique combination of product innovation, customizability, and outstanding support.
Better data, better decisions, better world.
The best of all worlds vs. costly full service or basic features with minimal support.
SurveyCTO is everything you’re looking for in a data collection platform: User-friendly, yet rich with features to enhance your survey research and field-based data collection projects. But that’s not our entire story. We’re also an endlessly customizable ODK-based platform, built by and for data collection professionals. We’ve been fully user-funded for over a decade, so you can rely on us for the long haul. Plus, we’ve got the best customer support team in the business to guide you in collecting your best data ever.
How we compare to other mobile data collection tools:
Total Cost of Ownership
Off-the-Shelf Cloud Hosting?
SurveyCTO
Yes! Secure cloud-based hosting is included in all SurveyCTO subscriptions.
ODK
Users self-host, meaning they maintain hardware, on-site internet and IT. (You can pay for cloud hosting.)
Kobo Toolbox
Users self-host and maintain hardware, on-site internet and IT.
Commcare
Self-host and cover all costs, or pay more for CommCare Cloud.
Scalable Pricing Tiers?
SurveyCTO
Yes! $250 + month with custom Enterprise options.
ODK
Open-source (tiers for cloud-based subscriptions).
Kobo Toolbox
Free subscription for nonprofits, paid subscriptions for businesses.
Commcare
You'll need the $1,000/mo tier to get the integrations and support SurveyCTO provides for all paid subscribers.
Fully User-Funded?
SurveyCTO
Yes! Fully user-funded since Day 1. We build for users, not investors.
ODK
Utilizes grants for funding, which can affect continuity of service and feature updates.
Kobo Toolbox
Utilizes grants for funding, which can affect continuity of service and feature updates.
Commcare
Enterprise Options?
SurveyCTO
Yes! We’ll work with you to build a custom package that meets your needs.
ODK
Only for ODK Cloud, not for self-hosting.
Kobo Toolbox
But only for self-hosted servers (no cloud options).
Commcare
Hosting Setup Provided?
SurveyCTO
We host, so this is free, and set-up is fast (5-10 minutes).
ODK
You’ll need a robust internal IT team to handle setup.
Kobo Toolbox
You’ll need a robust internal IT team to handle setup.
Commcare
$3,500/month or more to set up self-hosting.
Advanced Features
Entity-Based Data Collection Features?
SurveyCTO
Our offline case management solution streamlines entity-based projects.
ODK
“Entities” for longitudinal data collection– but no offline functionality.
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Offline Dataset Publishing?
SurveyCTO
Yes! Enables publishing between forms, making case management and multi-form data flows work anywhere.
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Offline Case Transfers?
SurveyCTO
Yes! Transfer cases between data collectors fully offline.
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Template Library?
SurveyCTO
Yes! SurveyCTO’s Hub provides customizable, professionally-made workflow templates.
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Plug-ins to Customize Forms?
SurveyCTO
Our field plug-ins let you fully customize question appearance and response options.
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Comprehensive Phone Survey Features?
SurveyCTO
In-app calls, call recording, and audio audits streamline CATI workflows.
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Remote Device Configuration?
SurveyCTO
Easily set up devices for field workers remotely!
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Supports both Android and iOS?
SurveyCTO
Yes! We support both Android and iOS.
ODK
Android only
Kobo Toolbox
Android only
Commcare
Android only
Customer Support
24/7 and Global?
SurveyCTO
Yes! Available to all paid subscriptions anywhere in the world.
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Community forum only
Commcare
This level of full-scale support doesn't start until the $1,000/mo tier.
Same-day Responses?
SurveyCTO
Average response time is 2-4 hours or less, weekends and holidays included.
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Expect 1-3 business days for a response.
Security
GDPR Compliant?
SurveyCTO
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
End-to-end, Customizable Encryption?
SurveyCTO
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
SOC-2 Certified?
SurveyCTO
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Ability to Limit Users’ Data Access?
SurveyCTO
Yes! Account managers on all subscriptions choose who can access data. Unlimited users and user role customizations keep data safe.
ODK
For Enterprise accounts on ODK Cloud only.
Kobo Toolbox
Android only
Commcare
Total Cost of Ownership
SurveyCTO
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Off-the-shelf cloud hosting?
Yes! Secure cloud-based hosting is included in all SurveyCTO subscriptions.
Users self-host, meaning they maintain hardware, on-site internet and IT. (You can pay for cloud hosting.)
Users self-host and maintain hardware, on-site internet and IT.
Self-host and cover all costs, or pay more for CommCare Cloud.
Scalable pricing tiers?
Yes! $250 + month with custom Enterprise options.
Open-source (tiers for cloud-based subscriptions).
Free subscription for nonprofits, paid subscriptions for businesses.
You'll need the $1,000/mo tier to get the integrations and support SurveyCTO provides for all paid subscribers.
Fully user-funded?
Yes! Fully user-funded since Day 1. We build for users, not investors.
Utilizes grants for funding, which can affect continuity of service and feature updates.
Utilizes grants for funding, which can affect continuity of service and feature updates.
Enterprise options?
Yes! We’ll work with you to build a custom package that meets your needs.
Only for ODK Cloud, not for self-hosting.
But only for self-hosted servers (no cloud options).
Hosting setup provided?
We host, so this is free, and set-up is fast (5-10 minutes).
You’ll need a robust internal IT team to handle setup.
You’ll need a robust internal IT team to handle setup.
$3,500/month or more to set up self-hosting.
Advanced Features
SurveyCTO
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
Entity-based data collection features?
Our offline case management solution streamlines entity-based projects.
“Entities” for longitudinal data collection– but no offline functionality.
Offline dataset publishing?
Yes! Enables publishing between forms, making case management and multi-form data flows work anywhere.
Offline case transfers?
Yes! Transfer cases between data collectors fully offline.
Template library?
Yes! SurveyCTO’s Hub provides customizable, professionally-made workflow templates.
Plug-ins to customize forms?
Our field plug-ins let you fully customize question appearance and response options.
Comprehensive phone survey features?
In-app calls, call recording, and audio audits streamline CATI workflows.
Remote device configuration?
Easily set up devices for field workers remotely!
Supports both Android and iOS?
Yes! We support both Android and iOS.
Android only.
Android only.
Android only.
Customer Support
SurveyCTO
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
24/7 and global?
Yes! Available to all paid subscriptions anywhere in the world.
Community forum only.
This level of full-scale support doesn't start until the $1,000/mo tier.
Same-day responses?
Average response time is 2-4 hours or less, weekends and holidays included.
Expect 1-3 business days for a response.
Security
SurveyCTO
ODK
Kobo Toolbox
Commcare
GDPR compliant?
End-to-end, customizable encryption?
SOC-2 certified?
Ability to limit users’ data access?
Yes! Account managers on all subscriptions choose who can access data. Unlimited users and user role customizations keep data safe.
For Enterprise accounts on ODK Cloud only.
Android only.
Start a free trial or request a demo to experience SurveyCTO’s features and flexibility today.
