In today’s data-driven business landscape, gathering insights from customers, employees, and stakeholders is crucial for making informed decisions. Australian businesses are increasingly turning to sophisticated online survey software to streamline feedback collection, improve engagement, and drive business growth. Whether you’re searching for the best employee survey software, employee engagement survey software, or comprehensive web-based survey software, choosing the right platform can transform how your organisation captures and acts on feedback.
This comprehensive guide examines the top 10 survey software platforms that Australian businesses rely on to capture valuable insights and turn feedback into actionable results. From specialised HR survey software to versatile engagement survey software, we’ll help you find the best survey software for your organisation’s unique needs.
1. Sentrient Online Survey Software
Sentrient is an Australian-based online survey software designed explicitly for governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) requirements. Trusted by over 600 Australian businesses, Sentrient provides a comprehensive platform that combines surveys with training, policy management, and incident reporting. As one of the best employee survey software solutions for Australian organisations, Sentrient excels in delivering employee engagement survey software tailored to workplace health, safety, and wellbeing requirements.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Survey Creation: Makes it easier than ever to get going.
- Pulse Surveys: Purpose-built for work health and safety, health and wellbeing, and workplace relations
- Real-Time Reporting: Instant access to survey responses with summary reports at the click of a button
- Anonymous or Attributed Responses: Flexibility to link responses to staff members or maintain anonymity
- Team and Organisational Filtering: Report on responses from individuals, teams, or across the entire organisation
- Integrated Compliance Platform: Surveys integrated with training, policy sign-off, and incident reporting
- 24/7 Accessibility: Available on all devices around the clock
- Stakeholder Sharing: Easy distribution of survey results to key stakeholders
Integrations
As an all-in-one compliance system, Sentrient provides comprehensive functionality within a single platform, reducing the need for multiple integrations. The system is designed to centralise all workplace compliance activities, including surveys, training records, policy management, and incident reporting in one location.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Purpose-built for Australian workplace compliance requirements
- Combines surveys with comprehensive HR and compliance management
- Australian-owned with local data storage
- Real-time reporting for immediate insights
- Demonstrates due diligence for WHS audits
- No additional integrations needed for core functionality
Cons:
- Focused primarily on workplace compliance rather than general market research
- May include features beyond basic survey needs
- Pricing not publicly displayed online
Best Suited For
- Australian businesses prioritising workplace health and safety
- Organisations requiring integrated compliance management and employee engagement survey software
- Companies needing employee survey software for engagement, wellbeing, and WHS surveys
- Businesses seeking to demonstrate compliance for audits and board reporting
- Organisations wanting all compliance data in one platform
- HR teams are looking for comprehensive survey software with real-time reporting
Pricing
Custom pricing based on organisational needs. Contact Sentrient for a free demonstration and personalised quote.
2. Swift Digital Survey Software
Swift Digital is an Australian-owned and operated survey platform that has been serving businesses since 2001. ISO 27001:2022 certified, Swift Digital emphasises data security and sovereignty, making it a trusted choice for organisations handling sensitive information. This web-based survey software combines ease of use with enterprise-grade security, making it one of the best survey software options for Australian government agencies and businesses requiring local data storage.
Key Features
- Australian Data Sovereignty: All data stored securely in Australia
- ISO 27001:2022 Certification: World-class information security management
- Integrated Email Marketing: Combined email and survey functionality
- Custom Branded Templates: Fully customisable survey designs without company logos
- 15+ Question Types: Including branching, matrix, file upload, and more
- Mobile Responsive: Automatically optimised for all devices
- Real-Time Analytics: Instant access to results with graphical representations
- Multiple Export Options: Export to Excel, Google Sheets, and PDF reports
Integrations
Swift Digital provides seamless integration capabilities with CRM systems, enabling survey data to be synced with customer relationship management platforms for comprehensive data management.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Australian data storage and sovereignty compliance
- Government-certified and ISO 27001 certified
- Combined email marketing and survey platform
- No third-party branding on surveys
- Strong focus on data security
- Excellent for organisations with data protection requirements
Cons:
- Less feature-rich compared to specialised survey-only platforms
- Limited information on advanced analytics features
- May have a learning curve for users new to the platform
Best Suited For
- Government agencies and departments requiring secure online survey software
- Educational institutions
- Businesses requiring Australian data sovereignty
- Organisations needing combined email marketing and survey tools
- Companies with strict data security requirements
- Organisations seeking reliable web-based survey software with ISO certification
Pricing
Custom pricing based on requirements. Contact Swift Digital for detailed pricing information and to discuss organisational needs.
3. ELMO Survey Software
ELMO is a comprehensive HR software suite that includes powerful survey functionality as part of its end-to-end HR solutions. Designed to support the entire employee lifecycle from hire to retire, ELMO’s survey module integrates seamlessly with other HR functions. As a leading HR survey software and employee engagement survey software, ELMO specialises in helping organisations understand and improve employee satisfaction, engagement, and workplace culture through data-driven insights.
Key Features
- HR Survey Library: Access to best-practice survey templates
- Benchmarking Capabilities: Compare results against industry standards
- Anonymous Feedback Options: Confidential feedback for sensitive topics
- Real-Time Analytics: User-friendly graphs and instant data visualisation
- Custom Survey Creation: Tailored surveys for unique organisational needs
- Diversity and Culture Surveys: Specialised templates for sensitive HR topics
- Multiple Export Options: CSV, Excel, and SPSS formats
- Template Library: Create and share survey templates across teams
Integrations
ELMO integrates with various HR systems and payroll platforms, providing seamless data flow across the entire HR technology stack. As part of the ELMO ecosystem, surveys connect with performance management, learning, and recruitment modules.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Part of a comprehensive HR suite for holistic employee management
- Strong benchmarking capabilities against industry data
- Excellent for employee engagement and satisfaction surveys
- Scalable for growing organisations
- Local Australian support with regional expertise
- Templates based on HR best practices
Cons:
- Primarily focused on HR and employee surveys
- May require investment in a broader ELMO platform
- Not ideal for customer or market research surveys
- Potentially higher cost for survey-only needs
Best Suited For
- HR departments seeking integrated employee survey software solutions
- Organisations conducting regular employee engagement surveys
- Companies requiring benchmarking against industry standards
- Businesses wanting to combine surveys with broader HR functionality
- Medium to large enterprises with complex HR needs
- Organisations looking for the best employee survey software with built-in analytics
Pricing
Custom pricing based on organisation size and module requirements. Contact ELMO for a personalised quote and demonstration of survey capabilities within their HR platform.
4. SurveyManager
SurveyManager is an Australian-developed survey platform designed to handle everything from simple questionnaires to large-scale data collection projects, capable of managing thousands to millions of respondents. Hosted in IRAP-certified Australian data centres, SurveyManager serves government, education, and private sector organisations. This robust online survey software combines scalability with local data sovereignty, making it an excellent choice for organisations with extensive survey requirements.
Key Features
- Unlimited Scalability: Manage surveys with thousands to millions of respondents
- Multilingual Surveys: Unicode support for any modern language, including right-to-left languages
- Advanced Reporting: Statistical tables, charts, crosstabs, and verbatim analysis
- Integration Capabilities: JSON API for connecting with Salesforce, Microsoft, Oracle, and more
- Email and SMS Management: Scheduled invitations, reminders, and thank-you messages
- Save and Resume: Respondents can complete surveys across multiple sessions
- Anonymous Options: Flexibility for confidential feedback collection
- Custom Branding: Add logos and customise colour schemes
Integrations
The industry-standard JSON API supports seamless integration with popular applications, including Salesforce, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Tableau, Qlik, Power BI, and Displayr. Data can be exported to SPSS, Excel, Word, and CSV formats.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Australian data hosting with IRAP compliance
- Highly scalable for large organisations
- Excellent multilingual support
- Advanced reporting and analysis capabilities
- Strong integration options with business systems
- Can handle complex survey logic and branching
Cons:
- It may be more complex than needed for simple surveys
- The user interface may require training for advanced features
- Pricing is not transparent on the website
- Less suitable for small businesses with basic needs
Best Suited For
- Government departments and agencies
- Educational institutions with large student populations
- Enterprises conducting extensive market research
- Organisations requiring multilingual survey capabilities
- Businesses needing complex survey logic and advanced reporting
Pricing
Custom pricing based on survey volume and features required. Free trial available. Contact SurveyManager for detailed pricing information tailored to your organisation.
5. Qualtrics
Qualtrics is a global leader in experience management software, supporting over 20,000 brands worldwide and processing more than 1.3 billion surveys annually. Recognised in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Voice of the Customer, Qualtrics offers enterprise-grade survey and research capabilities. As one of the best survey software platforms globally, Qualtrics excels in both employee engagement survey software and customer experience management, making it a comprehensive solution for organisations seeking advanced analytics and global research capabilities.
Key Features
- 23 Question Types: Including video/audio responses for rich feedback
- AI-Powered Analysis: Generative AI for video feedback summarisation and insights
- 400+ Integrations: Connect with CRM, marketing, and business systems
- Global Panel Access: 335M+ respondents in 130+ countries
- Advanced Logic and Branching: Sophisticated survey design capabilities
- 30+ Graph Types: Comprehensive visualisation options
- Multiple Distribution Channels: Email, social, website, QR codes, SMS, and offline
- Automated Methodology Checks: Ensure survey quality and compliance
Integrations
Extensive integration ecosystem with 400+ business systems, including Zendesk, Salesforce, Microsoft, Adobe, Slack, and many more. Seamless data flow across the entire organisation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Recognised industry leader with extensive features
- Powerful AI capabilities for advanced analysis
- Global reach with international panel access
- Comprehensive integration ecosystem
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- Excellent for complex research projects
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to alternatives
- It can be overwhelming for users with simple survey needs
- Learning curve for advanced features
- May require dedicated training and resources
Best Suited For
- Large enterprises requiring sophisticated research capabilities
- Organisations conducting global market research
- Companies needing advanced AI-powered analytics in their survey software
- Businesses with complex customer experience programs
- Academic institutions conducting detailed research
- Organisations seeking the best survey software for enterprise-level insights
Pricing
Free account available with basic functionality. 30-day free trial for advanced features. Custom Enterprise pricing available for larger organisations.
6. SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is the world’s most popular survey platform, used by over 260,000 organisations worldwide. With a user base spanning 335 million potential respondents across more than 130 countries, SurveyMonkey offers both simplicity for beginners and power for advanced users. As one of the most recognisable names in online survey software, SurveyMonkey provides versatile solutions for employee engagement surveys, customer feedback, market research, and more, making it a go-to choice for organisations of all sizes.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Survey Creation: Generate polished surveys from simple prompts
- 500+ Expert Templates: Pre-built templates for every survey need
- 200+ Integrations: Connect with Slack, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Microsoft Teams, and more
- Global Audience Panel: Access to 335M+ verified respondents
- AI Analysis Tools: Automated identification of insights, patterns, and themes
- Real-Time Collaboration: Team features for viewing, editing, and analysing together
- Advanced Question Logic: Skip logic, branching, and piping
- Multiple Export Options: Share data in various formats for analysis
Integrations
Extensive integration library with 200+ native integrations, including popular tools like Salesforce, Marketo, Zapier, Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365, and many marketing and CRM platforms.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extremely user-friendly interface
- Recognised global brand with an extensive user base
- Strong AI capabilities for survey creation and analysis
- Excellent template library
- Flexible pricing for different needs
- Great for quick feedback collection
Cons:
- Data hosted internationally (not Australian-based)
- The free plan has significant limitations (25 responses per survey)
- It can become expensive for large-scale surveys
- Less suitable for organisations requiring Australian data sovereignty
Best Suited For
- Small to medium businesses starting with online survey software
- Marketing teams conducting quick feedback campaigns
- Organisations needing fast deployment and easy-to-use survey tools
- International companies with global audiences
- Firms that are comfortable with international data hosting
- Teams seeking user-friendly engagement survey software
Pricing
- Free Plan: Unlimited surveys, 25 responses per survey
- Individual Advantage: Flexible annual plan with advanced tools
- Team Advantage: Real-time collaboration and branding controls
- Enterprise: Secure access, admin tools, and powerful integrations at scale (Specific Australian pricing available through the SurveyMonkey website)
7. Australian Survey Research (ASR)
Australian Survey Research is one of Australia’s most experienced research consultancies, providing services to government departments, universities, and companies of all sizes. Operating the SurveyManager platform, ASR combines research expertise with advanced software capabilities. This unique blend of consultancy services and sophisticated survey software makes ASR an excellent choice for organisations requiring professional research guidance alongside powerful online survey software functionality.
Key Features
- Full-Service Research Consultancy: Experienced researchers support survey design and analysis
- SurveyManager Platform: Access to robust survey technology
- Custom Reporting: Hundreds of customised reports using report engines
- Data Modelling: Partnership with the University of Melbourne for advanced analysis
- Infographics and Dashboards: Visual reporting for stakeholder communication
- Paper-Based Integration: Optical Mark Read (OMR) scanning for offline surveys
- Custom Software Development: Tailored solutions for specific research needs
- ISO 20252 Quality Accredited: Meets international quality standards
Integrations
SurveyManager platform supports various database environments (Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL) and offers custom web application development with integration capabilities.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Expert research consultancy services included
- Australian Privacy Principles compliant
- IRAP-certified hosting in Australia
- Qualified Professional Researchers on staff
- Custom development available for unique needs
- Excellent for complex research projects
Cons:
- Higher cost due to consultancy services
- It may be overkill for simple internal surveys
- Focus on research rather than quick feedback tools
- Requires engagement with a consultancy for full value
Best Suited For
- Organisations requiring expert research guidance
- Government departments with complex research needs
- Universities conducting academic research
- Large companies need comprehensive research programs
- Businesses requiring custom research solutions
Pricing
Custom pricing based on project scope and research requirements. Contact ASR for consultation and a detailed quotation.
8. SurveyPlanet
SurveyPlanet is a user-friendly survey platform offering a generous free plan with unlimited surveys, questions, and responses. Used worldwide by corporations, universities, governments, and individuals, SurveyPlanet strikes a balance between simplicity and powerful features. As one of the most accessible options for online survey software, SurveyPlanet makes professional survey creation available to organisations of all sizes and budgets, from startups to established enterprises.
Key Features
- Unlimited Free Plan: No limits on surveys, questions, or responses
- AI-Powered Survey Creation: Generate relevant questions in seconds
- 30+ Languages: Multilingual support for global audiences
- Branching Logic: Skip logic for dynamic survey experiences
- Mobile Responsive: Works seamlessly on all devices
- Pre-Made Themes: Creative designs ready to use
- Template Library: Hundreds of pre-written questions and survey templates
- Custom Branding: Add logos and custom URLs (Pro and Enterprise)
Integrations
While SurveyPlanet focuses on core survey functionality, Pro and Enterprise plans offer API access for integration with external systems.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Truly unlimited free plan (no response limits)
- Very affordable paid plans
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Excellent for quick feedback collection
- AI assistance for survey creation
- Monthly payment options available
Cons:
- Limited advanced features compared to enterprise solutions
- Fewer integration options
- Data hosted internationally
- Basic reporting compared to premium platforms
- Free plan displays SurveyPlanet branding
Best Suited For
- Small businesses and startups with limited budgets
- Event organisers are collecting feedback
- Educators and academic institutions
- Non-profits and community organisations
- Anyone needing simple, quick survey software solutions
- Organisations are testing online survey software before investing in premium platforms.
Pricing
- Free: Unlimited surveys, questions, and responses with SurveyPlanet branding
- Pro: $180 USD/year per user (bulk discounts available)
- Enterprise: $350 USD/year per user with Teams, Insights, custom URLs, and API access
9. SurveySparrow
SurveySparrow is a unified experience management platform that offers conversational surveys, designed to boost response rates by up to 40%. With over 4,000 customers across 149 countries, SurveySparrow combines survey tools with reputation management, ticketing, and AI-powered analytics. This innovative approach to engagement survey software makes SurveySparrow particularly effective for organisations seeking higher participation rates and more authentic feedback through modern, chat-like survey experiences.
Key Features
- Conversational Surveys: Chat-like interface for higher engagement
- CogniVue AI: Extract meaningful insights from survey data
- Reputation Management: Monitor and manage online reviews across 100+ platforms
- 1000+ Templates: Pre-built surveys for various use cases
- 130+ Languages: Global reach with automatic translation
- Spotchecks: Micro-feedback collection on websites and apps
- Workflow Automation: Webhooks and integrations for automated actions
- Real-Time Analytics: Interactive dashboards with sentiment analysis
Integrations
30+ native integrations, including Slack, HubSpot, Zendesk, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Excel Online, and Power BI. API access available for custom integrations.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique conversational survey format increases engagement
- Comprehensive experience management beyond surveys
- Strong AI capabilities for insight generation
- Excellent multi-channel feedback collection
- HIPAA compliance available
- Competitive pricing with a good feature set
Cons:
- Data hosted internationally (not Australia-based)
- Conversational format may not suit all survey types
- More minor player compared to established platforms
- Learning curve for full platform utilisation
Best Suited For
- Companies prioritising customer experience management
- Organisations wanting higher survey response rates with engagement survey software
- Businesses needing reputation monitoring alongside survey capabilities
- Marketing teams are conducting multi-channel feedback campaigns
- Companies requiring modern, engaging employee survey software experiences
- Organisations seeking conversational approaches to feedback collection
Pricing
- Basic: Starts at $19 USD/month (2,500 responses, one user)
- Starter: $49 USD/month (15,000 responses, one user)
- Business: $99 USD/month (50,000 responses, three users)
- Professional: $199 USD/month (100,000 responses, five users)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing with unlimited features (All prices billed annually; 14-day free trial available)
10. Alchemer
Formerly known as SurveyGizmo, Alchemer is an enterprise survey and customer experience platform recognised in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Voice of the Customer and the Forrester Customer Feedback Management Solutions Landscape. Serving customers across 150+ countries and 30+ industries, Alchemer provides comprehensive feedback management solutions. As enterprise-grade online survey software, Alchemer excels in connecting feedback to business systems and transforming insights into actionable strategies across customer, employee, and product experiences.
Key Features
- 400+ Integrations: Connect feedback to all business systems
- Purpose-Built AI: Advanced analysis and insight generation
- Workflow Automation: Meet customer needs faster with automated processes
- Role-Based Dashboards: Customised views for different stakeholders
- Omnichannel Feedback Collection: Gather insights across all touchpoints
- Global Research Panel: Access to 22 million panellists worldwide
- Advanced Reporting: Over 30 graph types and statistical analysis tools
- Product Feedback Tools: Purpose-built for product development insights
Integrations
Extensive integration ecosystem with over 400 business system integrations, including major CRM, analytics, marketing automation, and collaboration platforms.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Enterprise-grade platform with extensive features
- Recognised by major analyst firms (Gartner, Forrester)
- Excellent automation capabilities
- Strong customer support (95 NPS)
- Comprehensive feedback management
- Suitable for complex CX programs
Cons:
- Enterprise pricing may be prohibitive for small businesses
- Can be complex for simple survey needs
- Data hosted internationally (not Australia-based)
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Requires investment in training and setup
Best Suited For
- Large enterprises with sophisticated CX programs
- Organisations requiring extensive integrations with their survey software
- Product teams needing detailed customer feedback
- Companies implementing voice of customer programs
- Businesses needing workflow automation with survey capabilities
- Organisations seeking the best survey software for enterprise feedback management
Pricing
Custom pricing based on organisation size and requirements. Contact Alchemer for a personalised quote. A free trial is available to explore the platform’s capabilities.
Recommendations: Why Choose the Right Online Survey Software?
Selecting the right survey software is critical for maximising the value of feedback collection. Each platform offers unique strengths tailored to different business needs. Whether you’re seeking employee survey software, web-based survey software, or comprehensive engagement survey software, understanding your specific requirements will guide you to the best solution.
For Australian Compliance-Focused Organisations: Sentrient
If your primary concern is workplace compliance, health and safety, and employee well-being, Sentrient Online Survey Software stands out as the ideal choice among employee engagement survey software options. Here’s why Australian businesses should consider Sentrient:
Australian-Built for Australian Needs
Sentrient is specifically designed to meet Australian workplace compliance requirements, including work health and safety regulations, workplace relations, and governance standards. The platform demonstrates due diligence for audits and mandatory reporting.
All-in-One Compliance Platform
Unlike standalone survey tools, Sentrient integrates surveys with training management, policy sign-off, incident reporting, and compliance tracking. This unified approach ensures all workplace data is centralised, providing comprehensive oversight of organisational health and safety. As integrated HR survey software, Sentrient eliminates the need for multiple systems.
Real-Time Action and Accountability
With real-time reporting, managers and directors can immediately act on feedback, addressing risks and hazards as they emerge. This proactive approach minimises incidents and demonstrates commitment to employee well-being.
Trusted by 600+ Australian Businesses
Sentrient’s track record with Australian organisations across various industries proves its reliability and effectiveness in managing workplace compliance through integrated survey functionality.
Perfect Integration
Because surveys exist within a broader compliance ecosystem, insights from employee feedback directly inform training needs, policy updates, and incident prevention strategies, creating a cohesive approach to workplace management.
Best For
Organisations prioritising WHS compliance, employee engagement within a compliance framework, integrated HR and compliance management, and businesses requiring audit-ready documentation.
Choosing Based on Your Business Needs
- For Data Sovereignty and Security: Choose Swift Digital or SurveyManager for guaranteed Australian data hosting and ISO compliance. These web-based survey software options ensure your data remains in Australia.
- For HR and Employee Engagement, ELMO offers the best employee survey software integration, complemented by comprehensive HR functions and benchmarking capabilities. It’s purpose-built HR survey software for the full employee lifecycle.
- For Global Research and Enterprise Scale: Qualtrics and Alchemer offer unmatched features for sophisticated research programs, making them the best survey software for enterprise organisations.
- For Budget-Conscious Organisations: SurveyPlanet delivers excellent value with its unlimited free plan, making online survey software accessible to all.
- For Customer Experience Focus: SurveySparrow excels with conversational engagement survey software and integrated reputation management.
- For Ease of Use and Quick Deployment: SurveyMonkey remains the most accessible online survey software option for users of all skill levels.
- For expert research support, Australian Survey Research combines survey software with consultancy expertise.
Conclusion
Selecting the right online survey software is a strategic decision that impacts your ability to gather insights, engage stakeholders, and drive business improvements. Australian businesses have access to world-class survey platforms, each offering unique strengths.
For organisations prioritising workplace compliance and integrated GRC management, Sentrient provides a comprehensive Australian solution that goes beyond surveys to support holistic workplace health and safety.
For data sovereignty and security, Australian-hosted platforms like Swift Digital and SurveyManager ensure compliance with local regulations.
For enterprise-scale research and sophisticated analytics, global leaders like Qualtrics and Alchemer deliver unparalleled capabilities.
For budget-conscious organisations, SurveyPlanet offers remarkable value with its unlimited free plan.
For customer experience focus, SurveySparrow brings innovation with conversational surveys and reputation management.
The key is matching platform capabilities with your specific needs, budget, and strategic priorities. Consider:
- Your primary use case (compliance, CX, employee engagement, market research)
- Data sovereignty requirements
- Integration needs with existing systems
- Budget and scaling plans
- Required security certifications
- Team size and technical expertise
Most platforms offer free trials or demonstrations. Take advantage of these to ensure the software aligns with your workflow and meets your expectations. The right survey software transforms feedback from a reactive task into a proactive strategy for continuous improvement.
By investing in the right survey platform, Australian businesses can foster stronger relationships with customers and employees, demonstrate compliance, identify risks and opportunities, and make data-driven decisions that drive sustainable growth.
Start your survey software journey today by evaluating which platform best fits your organisation’s unique needs and join the thousands of Australian businesses already leveraging the power of online surveys to drive success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is online survey software?
Online survey software is a digital tool that enables organisations to design, distribute, and analyse surveys electronically. These platforms would allow businesses to gather feedback, opinions, and data from customers, employees, or stakeholders through web-based questionnaires accessible on computers, tablets, and smartphones. The best survey software combines ease of use with powerful analytics, helping organisations transform feedback into actionable insights.
2. Why is Australian data sovereignty important for survey software?
Australian data sovereignty ensures that survey data is stored and processed within Australia, subject only to Australian laws and regulations. This is crucial for government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses handling sensitive information. Web-based survey software platforms like Sentrient, Swift Digital, and SurveyManager prioritise Australian data hosting to meet privacy compliance requirements and protect organisational data from foreign jurisdictions.
3. How do I choose between free and paid survey software?
Consider these factors when selecting employee survey software or online survey software:
- Response volume: Free plans often limit responses per survey
- Features needed: Advanced logic, custom branding, and analytics typically require paid plans
- Data security requirements: Paid plans usually offer better security and compliance features
- Integration needs: Connecting survey software with other business systems often requires paid tiers
- Support requirements: Paid plans typically include priority customer support
For occasional, simple surveys, free plans like SurveyPlanet may suffice. For ongoing feedback programs that require employee engagement survey software or HR survey software, paid platforms offer better value and capabilities.
4. What’s the difference between customer and employee survey software?
While many online survey software platforms serve both purposes, some specialise:
- Customer survey software focuses on NPS, satisfaction scores, and multi-channel feedback collection (e.g., SurveySparrow, Alchemer)
- Employee survey software emphasises engagement, well-being, and compliance (e.g., Sentrient, ELMO)
- General platforms like SurveyMonkey and Qualtrics handle both effectively
Choose based on your primary use case; however, most businesses eventually require both capabilities. The best employee survey software will include features specifically designed to meet HR needs, while the best survey software overall offers versatility across various use cases.
5. Can survey software integrate with my existing business systems?
Yes, most modern survey software platforms offer integrations. The extent varies:
- Basic integrations: Email marketing platforms, CRM systems (most survey software)
- Advanced integrations: 200-400+ business systems, including Salesforce, Microsoft, and analytics tools (Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Alchemer)
- API access: Custom integration development (SurveyManager, Enterprise plans)
- All-in-one platforms: Built-in functionality without external integrations needed (Sentrient)
Evaluate integration needs before committing to online survey software. The best survey software for your organisation should seamlessly connect with your existing technology stack.
6. How can I increase survey response rates?
Strategies to boost participation with your engagement survey software:
- Use conversational formats: SurveySparrow’s chat-like surveys achieve up to 40% higher response rates
- Keep surveys short: Respect respondents’ time with focused questions
- Mobile optimisation: Ensure your online survey software works seamlessly on all devices
- Clear purpose: Explain how feedback will be used
- Incentivise participation: Offer rewards or show the impact of previous feedback
- Follow-up reminders: Automated reminders increase completion rates
- Personalisation: Use merge fields to address respondents by name
Most web-based survey software platforms offer features that support these strategies, but selecting the best employee survey software with built-in engagement features can significantly improve response rates.
7. What security certifications should I look for?
Key security standards for Australian businesses using online survey software:
- ISO 27001: Information security management (Swift Digital, ELMO)
- IRAP Certification: Australian government security assessment (SurveyManager, ASR)
- HIPAA Compliance: Healthcare data protection (SurveySparrow, Qualtrics)
- SOC 2 Type II: Service organisation controls (many enterprise survey software platforms)
- Australian Privacy Principles (APP) Compliance: Essential for all Australian organisations
For government and healthcare, IRAP and HIPAA certifications are particularly important when selecting web-based survey software or employee survey software.
- HIPAA Compliance: Healthcare data protection (SurveySparrow, Qualtrics)
- SOC 2 Type II: Service organisation controls (many enterprise platforms)
- Australian Privacy Principles (APP) Compliance: Essential for all Australian organisations
8. How much should I budget for survey software?
Pricing varies significantly:
- Free: $0 (SurveyPlanet, limited SurveyMonkey)
- Small Business: $15-50 USD/month ($20-70 AUD/month)
- Mid-Market: $100-500 AUD/month
- Enterprise: $1,000-10,000+ AUD/month depending on scale
Factor in:
- Number of users
- Response volume
- Required integrations
- Support level
- Custom development needs
Most platforms offer a free trial period before requiring a commitment.
9. Can I run surveys in multiple languages?
Yes, many platforms support multilingual surveys:
- Basic multilingual: Manual translation entry (most platforms)
- Advanced multilingual: Automatic translation to 30-130+ languages (SurveyPlanet, SurveySparrow, Qualtrics)
- Unicode support: Right-to-left languages like Arabic (SurveyManager)
- Respondent language selection: Let participants choose their preferred language
For global audiences, prioritise platforms with robust multilingual capabilities.
10. What’s the difference between survey software and experience management platforms?
- Survey software: Focuses primarily on creating, distributing, and analysing surveys (SurveyPlanet, SurveyMonkey)
- Experience management platforms: Comprehensive ecosystems including surveys, reputation monitoring, ticketing, customer journey mapping, and advanced analytics (Qualtrics, SurveySparrow, Alchemer)
Experience management platforms are more expensive but offer comprehensive capabilities for managing the end-to-end customer and employee experience. Choose based on whether you need standalone surveys or comprehensive experience programs.
