In today’s data-driven business landscape, uncovering what your employees, customers, and stakeholders truly want is more important than ever. Gaining a genuine understanding of their needs, preferences, and expectations helps you shape meaningful experiences and drive your organisation forward.

Online survey tools have become indispensable for Australian businesses seeking to gather meaningful feedback, measure engagement, and drive informed decision-making. Whether you’re conducting employee engagement surveys, customer satisfaction research, or compliance assessments, choosing the right survey platform can make all the difference.

This comprehensive guide explores the top 10 online survey tools tailored for Australian businesses, examining their features, integrations, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you find the perfect fit for your organisation.

1. Sentrient Online Survey tool

Sentrient is an Australian-based online survey tool, specifically designed to meet governance, risk, and compliance requirements. The platform enables organisations to conduct pulse surveys across work health and safety, health and wellbeing, employee engagement, and workplace relations.

Key Features

  • AI-powered survey creation makes it easier than ever to get going.
  • Real-time survey reporting with individual, team, and organisation-wide insights
  • Anonymous or attributed response options
  • Integration with training, policy sign-off, and incident reporting modules
  • Automated survey reminders and scheduled delivery
  • Pre-built survey templates for compliance requirements
  • Mobile accessibility across all devices (24/7 availability)
  • Summary reports are available instantly for stakeholder distribution
  • Multi-purpose survey capabilities, including:
    • Employee engagement surveys
    • Work health and safety assessments
    • Health and well-being check-ins
    • Learning and development needs analysis
    • Workplace gender equality surveys
    • Workplace relations feedback

Integrations

Sentrient operates as an all-in-one workplace compliance system, integrating survey functionality with training management, policy management, incident reporting, and compliance tracking within a unified platform.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Purpose-built for Australian workplace compliance requirements
  • Comprehensive integration with other HR and compliance functions
  • Real-time reporting and analytics
  • Trusted by 600+ Australian businesses
  • Data hosted in Australia, ensuring compliance with local regulations
  • Anonymous response options promote honest feedback
  • Suitable for WHS audits and governance reporting

Cons:

  • Primarily focused on compliance and HR use cases
  • May have a steeper learning curve due to comprehensive features
  • Pricing not publicly listed (requires consultation)

Best Suited For

Australian organisations that are prioritising workplace compliance, particularly those in regulated industries requiring regular WHS audits, employee engagement monitoring, and governance reporting. Ideal for businesses seeking an all-in-one compliance and survey solution rather than standalone survey software.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on organisational requirements. Contact Sentrient for a free demonstration and personalised quote.

2. ELMO Survey Software

ELMO Survey is part of the comprehensive ELMO HR and payroll software suite, offering Australian businesses an integrated approach to employee feedback and engagement. The platform is designed to scale with organisations as they grow and evolve.

Key Features

  • Best-practice survey templates with benchmarking capabilities
  • Customisable surveys tailored to organisational needs
  • Anonymous feedback options for sensitive topics
  • Real-time reporting and analytics
  • Benchmarking against industry standards
  • Integration throughout HR processes
  • Diversity and culture survey modules
  • Multiple question types and formats
  • Instant report updates with comparison capabilities
  • End-to-end HR lifecycle integration

Integrations

Seamlessly integrates with ELMO’s complete HR suite, including recruitment, onboarding, learning management, performance management, and payroll systems. Also offers integration with external business systems.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Part of a comprehensive HR ecosystem
  • Industry benchmarking for data comparison
  • Local Australian support with deep marketplace knowledge
  • Configurable to specific business needs
  • Proven tools and metrics for effective surveys
  • Flexible and scalable for growing organisations

Cons:

  • Best value when using the full ELMO suite
  • It may be overly comprehensive for businesses needing standalone surveys
  • Pricing is not publicly transparent

Best Suited For

Medium to large Australian organisations that are already using or planning to implement comprehensive HR systems. Ideal for HR teams seeking integrated survey capabilities, including benchmarking and analytics, within their existing HR technology stack.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on organisation size and requirements. Contact ELMO for detailed pricing information.

3. Swift Digital Survey Software

Swift Digital is an Australian-owned and operated online survey platform that has been providing secure, ISO 27001:2022 certified survey solutions since 2001. The platform emphasises data sovereignty and security, making it one of the most trusted survey platforms in Australia.

Key Features

  • ISO 27001:2022 certification for data security
  • Australian data sovereignty (all data stored in Australia)
  • Custom-branded survey templates with no company logos
  • 15+ question types, including text, numeric, radio, dropdown, ratings, rankings, matrix, and file upload
  • Mobile responsive design
  • Integrated email marketing platform for survey distribution
  • Branching and logic functionality
  • Real-time reporting with graphical representations
  • Export to Excel and Google Sheets
  • PDF report generation with charts
  • Government-accredited and certified
  • Integration with CRM systems
  • Survey reports by question or respondent view

Integrations

Built-in integration with Swift Digital’s email and digital marketing platform. Offers CRM synchronisation and multiple integration options for data management.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Strong focus on Australian data security and privacy
  • Government-certified and widely used by Australian agencies
  • No company branding on surveys
  • Integrated email distribution eliminates the need for separate tools
  • Excellent security credentials and compliance
  • Mobile-friendly surveys
  • Variety of question types for complex surveys

Cons:

  • Primarily focused on marketing and communication use cases
  • Advanced features may require technical knowledge
  • Best suited for organisations prioritising data sovereignty

Best Suited For

Australian businesses, government departments, and organisations that prioritise data security and Australian data sovereignty. Excellent for marketing teams, government agencies, and enterprises needing branded surveys with robust security credentials.

Pricing

Contact Swift Digital for customised pricing based on your usage and specific requirements.

4. Qualtrics Survey Software

Qualtrics is a global leader in experience management, offering enterprise-grade survey software used by over 20,000 brands worldwide. The platform supports over 1.3 billion surveys annually and offers sophisticated research capabilities without requiring coding skills.

Key Features

  • 23 question types, including video and audio responses
  • Advanced logic, branching, quotas, and API integrations
  • Drag-and-drop interface for easy survey creation
  • Distribution across multiple channels (email, SMS, social, website, QR codes, offline)
  • 30+ graph types for visualisation
  • Generative AI for video feedback summarisation
  • Crosstabs and statistical analysis tools
  • Automatic survey design review for best practices
  • Export to CSV, TSV, Excel, SPSS and more
  • White-labelling capabilities
  • Real-time dashboards and reporting

Integrations

API integrations with CRM systems, Zendesk, and various enterprise platforms. Supports data export to popular formats and analytics tools.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Industry-leading features and capabilities
  • Sophisticated analytics and reporting
  • Global reach with proven track record
  • No coding required for advanced surveys
  • Comprehensive channel distribution options
  • AI-powered insights and analysis
  • Free account option available

Cons:

  • Can be expensive for small businesses
  • Learning curve for advanced features
  • Overkill for simple survey needs
  • Data may not be hosted exclusively in Australia

Best Suited For

Large enterprises, research organisations, and businesses that require sophisticated survey capabilities with advanced analytics. Ideal for marketing teams, academic researchers, and organisations conducting complex, large-scale research projects.

Pricing

  • Free Account: Basic functionality available
  • Paid Plans: Starting at $420 AUD per month (special online pricing)
  • 30-day free trial with advanced features

Pricing based on interactions, survey responses, and video feedback minutes

5. SurveyManager

SurveyManager is an Australian-developed, end-to-end survey platform designed to manage thousands of respondents for large organisations efficiently. With data hosted securely in Australia and IRAP compliance, it’s one of the few Australian survey tools capable of handling enterprise-scale data collection.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive survey creation for questionnaires, quizzes, polls, and e-forms
  • Unicode Standard support for multilingual surveys (including right-to-left languages)
  • Real-time results with statistical tables, charts, and verbatim displays
  • Crosstab analysis capabilities
  • Integration with Microsoft Power BI, Displayr, SPSS, Excel, Word, CSV
  • Mobile and web optimisation with automatic device detection
  • Email and SMS scheduling and bulk invitations
  • Merge fields for personalised communications
  • Anonymous survey options
  • Save-and-resume functionality for long surveys
  • Custom branding with logos and colour schemes
  • JSON API for integration with Salesforce, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Tableau, and Qlik
  • Automated reminders and thank-you emails
  • Google Translate integration
  • Question and answer logic
  • IRAP-certified data hosting in Australia

Integrations

The JSON API supports integration with major platforms, including Salesforce, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Tableau, Qlik, and more. It also offers export capabilities to Power BI, Displayr, SPSS, and standard formats.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Australian data hosting with IRAP compliance
  • Handles thousands of respondents efficiently
  • Multilingual support, including complex languages
  • Comprehensive reporting and analytics
  • Strong integration capabilities
  • Free trial available
  • Suitable for government and educational institutions
  • Customisable surveys with complete branding

Cons:

  • Interface may feel dated compared to newer platforms
  • Requires some technical knowledge for advanced features
  • Limited information on modern UX/UI features

Best Suited For

Large Australian organisations, government departments, educational institutions, and enterprises that require secure, locally-hosted survey solutions capable of handling high-volume data collection with complex reporting needs.

Pricing

Free trial available. Custom pricing based on organisation size and requirements. Contact SurveyManager for detailed quotes.

6. Alchemer (Formerly SurveyGizmo)

Alchemer is an enterprise online survey software recognised in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Voice of the Customer. The platform serves organisations across 149+ countries and 30+ industries, offering comprehensive feedback management and analytics capabilities.

Key Features

  • 400+ integrations with business systems
  • Powerful workflow automation
  • AI-powered analysis and insights
  • Role-based dashboards and reports
  • Omnichannel feedback collection
  • Real-time data analysis
  • Custom question type creation
  • Survey tester collaboration
  • Mobile survey themes
  • Developer toolkit
  • Link branding
  • Scheduled reports
  • GDPR and HIPAA compliance options
  • Global survey panel access
  • Advanced reporting and benchmarking

Integrations

Over 400 integrations with major business platforms, including CRM systems, marketing automation tools, analytics platforms, and more. Connects feedback to business systems throughout the organisation.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Extensive integration ecosystem
  • Enterprise-grade security and compliance
  • AI-powered insights
  • Recognised by Gartner as an industry leader
  • Suitable for complex customer experience programs
  • Global reach and support

Cons:

  • Pricing can be steep for small businesses
  • Complex features may require training
  • Not specifically designed for the Australian market
  • Data hosting location may not be exclusively Australian

Best Suited For

Enterprise organisations that require sophisticated customer experience management, Voice of the Customer programs, and comprehensive feedback collection across multiple touchpoints. Ideal for businesses with complex integration needs.

Pricing

  • Collaborator: $55 USD per user/month (annual: $315 USD per user/year)
  • Professional: $165 USD per user/month (annual: $1,075 USD per user/year)
  • Full Access: $275 USD per user/month (annual: $1,895 USD per user/year)
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organisations

Note: Pricing in USD; check for Australian pricing and currency conversion.

7. SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is the world’s most popular survey platform, used by over 260,000 organisations globally. With access to a global audience panel of over 335 million people across more than 130 countries, it offers comprehensive capabilities for creating and distributing surveys.

Key Features

  • AI-powered survey creation and polishing
  • 500+ expert templates
  • AI-driven analysis with automated insights
  • 200+ integrations
  • Global audience panel access
  • 25+ free responses on unlimited surveys (free plan)
  • Real-time data visualisation
  • Advanced logic and branching
  • Custom branding
  • Survey collaboration features
  • Multiple distribution channels
  • Export to various formats
  • NPS, CSAT, and CX survey templates
  • Mobile responsive design
  • Enterprise-grade security

Integrations

200+ integrations, including major CRM platforms, productivity tools, marketing automation systems, and analytics platforms.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Industry-leading brand recognition
  • Extensive template library
  • User-friendly interface
  • AI-powered features
  • Free plan available
  • Global audience panel access
  • Large integration ecosystem
  • Strong analytics capabilities

Cons:

  • Free plan limited to 25 responses per survey
  • It can become expensive for high-volume usage
  • Australian Consumer Law concerns reported with auto-renewal
  • Data may not be hosted in Australia
  • Additional charges for reactions over the limit

Best Suited For

Businesses of all sizes that need a user-friendly, recognisable survey platform with extensive templates and AI capabilities. Suitable for market research, customer feedback, and general survey needs.

Pricing

  • Basic (Free): Unlimited surveys with 25 responses per survey
  • Standard: $30 USD per month (individual plan)
  • Advantage: Higher tier with advanced features
  • Premier: $75 USD per month
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organisations

Note: Pricing in USD; Australian pricing may vary.

8. SurveyPlanet

SurveyPlanet is a free online survey creator used by corporations, universities, governments, and individuals worldwide. The platform emphasises unlimited free usage with optional Pro features for advanced functionality.

Key Features

  • Unlimited surveys, questions, and responses (free)
  • AI-powered survey generation
  • AI response analysis with pattern identification
  • Creative pre-made themes
  • Custom theme designer
  • Mobile, tablet, and desktop responsive
  • 30+ language support
  • Hundreds of pre-written questions and templates
  • Branching/skip logic
  • Image integration in questions (Pro)
  • Custom branding and logo (Pro)
  • Export capabilities (Pro)
  • Custom success URL redirection (Pro)
  • Non-branded surveys (Pro)
  • Anonymous survey options

Integrations

Basic integrations are available. Pro users gain access to enhanced integration capabilities.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Truly unlimited free plan (surveys, questions, responses)
  • AI-powered survey creation and analysis
  • User-friendly interface
  • Mobile responsive
  • Multilingual support
  • No credit card required for free plan
  • Great for individuals and small teams

Cons:

  • Limited integrations compared to enterprise tools
  • Advanced features require a Pro subscription
  • Free version includes SurveyPlanet branding
  • Basic reporting in the free version
  • Not tailored explicitly for Australian compliance needs

Best Suited For

Small businesses, startups, educators, non-profits, and individuals who need unlimited free surveys without complex integration requirements. Excellent for event planning, market research, academic projects, and employee feedback.

Pricing

Free Plan: Unlimited surveys, questions, and responses

Pro Plan: Pricing available on website for advanced features (exporting, branching, white labelling)

Enterprise: Custom features and pricing for large organisations

9. Australian Survey Research (ASR)

Australian Survey Research is one of Australia’s most experienced research consultancies, providing services to government departments, universities, and organisations of all sizes. ASR combines research expertise with the SurveyManager technology platform.

Key Features

  • SurveyManager platform for online surveys
  • Process expertise with innovative software
  • Data collection via desktops, tablets, and mobile phones
  • Custom online diagnostic tools (HR, 360° reports, cyber assessment)
  • Infographics and custom dashboards
  • Rapid report production using report engines
  • Data modelling (with University of Melbourne)
  • Custom software development
  • Paper-based survey handling through Paperhouse
  • OMR scanning and data entry
  • ISO AS 20252 quality-accredited
  • Australian Privacy Principles compliance
  • IRAP-certified hosting
  • Data hosted in Australia (AWS and Melbourne data centres)
  • Multilingual survey support

Integrations

Database-driven web applications with expertise in Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, MVC, C#/.NET, and various development environments. Custom integration capabilities.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Decades of Australian research experience
  • Tertiary-educated consultants and Qualified Professional Researchers
  • Australian data hosting and compliance
  • Handles projects from hundreds to millions of respondents
  • Custom software development capabilities
  • ISO quality accredited
  • Confidential and secure data handling
  • The government and academia trusted

Cons:

  • More consultancy-focused than self-service
  • It may be expensive for small projects
  • Requires consultation for pricing
  • Not ideal for quick, DIY surveys

Best Suited For

Large organisations, government departments, universities, and enterprises that require research consultancy combined with robust survey technology. Ideal for complex research programs, longitudinal studies, and projects requiring expert methodological guidance.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on project scope and requirements. Consultation required.

10. SurveySparrow

SurveySparrow is a unified experience management platform founded in 2017, serving 4,000+ customers across 149+ countries. The platform emphasises conversational surveys that achieve up to 40% higher response rates than traditional surveys.

Key Features

  • Conversational survey format for higher engagement
  • 1,000+ pre-made templates
  • 130+ language support
  • 20+ question types
  • AI-powered insights (CogniVue)
  • Reputation management across 100+ platforms
  • Spotchecks for micro-feedback on websites and apps
  • Ticketing system for issue resolution
  • White-labelling capabilities
  • Advanced logic and branching
  • 2,000+ platform integrations
  • Real-time analytics and reporting
  • Multi-channel feedback collection
  • Custom data centre location options
  • Mobile app availability
  • Enterprise-grade security

Integrations

2,000+ integrations, including CRMs, automation platforms, and business tools. Native integrations with major platforms for seamless workflow automation.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Conversational format increases response rates
  • Comprehensive experience management platform
  • AI-powered insights and analysis
  • Extensive template library
  • Global reach with multilingual support
  • Strong reputation management features
  • Mobile-optimised surveys
  • Custom data centre locations available

Cons:

  • Pricing can be complex for specific needs
  • It may be overwhelming for simple survey needs
  • Data centre location depends on the plan
  • A feature-rich platform requires learning investment

Best Suited For

Organisations focused on customer experience management, seeking higher survey response rates through conversational interfaces. Ideal for businesses managing online reputation, conducting multi-channel feedback collection, and requiring sophisticated analytics.

Pricing

Tiered pricing with yearly plans offering up to 50% savings. Custom data centre location options available. Contact SurveySparrow for detailed pricing tailored to your specific requirements.

Comparison Summary

Tool Best For Data Location Starting Price Key Strength
Sentrient Compliance & WHS Australia Custom Australian compliance focus
ELMO HR Integration Australia Custom Comprehensive HR suite
Swift Digital Data Security Australia Custom ISO 27001 certified, government-approved
Qualtrics Enterprise Research Global $420 USD/month Advanced analytics & AI
SurveyManager High-Volume Australia Custom Handles thousands of respondents
Alchemer CX Programs Global $55 USD/month/User 400+ integrations
SurveyMonkey General Use Global Free (limited) Brand recognition & ease of use
SurveyPlanet Budget-Conscious Global Free Unlimited free surveys
ASR Research Consultancy Australia Custom Expert research guidance
SurveySparrow Experience Management Flexible Custom Conversational surveys

Our Recommendation: Sentrient Online Survey Tool

After a comprehensive analysis of the top online survey tools available for Australian businesses, we highly recommend considering Sentrient Online Survey Software for organisations prioritising workplace compliance, employee engagement, and governance requirements.

Why Sentrient Stands Out

1. Purpose-Built for Australian Requirements. Sentrient is specifically designed for Australian businesses, with features that address local compliance obligations, including work health and safety, employee engagement, health and wellbeing, and workplace relations. This Australian focus ensures your surveys meet regulatory requirements and audit standards.

2. Integrated Compliance Ecosystem. Unlike standalone survey tools, Sentrient operates within a comprehensive workplace compliance system. This integration means your survey data connects seamlessly with training records, policy acknowledgments, incident reports, and compliance documentation. This holistic approach strengthens your entire governance program and demonstrates due diligence during audits.

3. Real-Time Actionable Insights. Sentrient’s real-time reporting functionality enables you to respond quickly to emerging issues. Whether it’s a safety concern, engagement issue, or wellbeing challenge, you can view individual responses, team trends, and organisation-wide patterns instantly. Summary reports can be generated and shared with stakeholders with just a single click.

4. Trusted by Australian Organisations. With 600+ Australian businesses trusting Sentrient for their compliance needs, the platform has a proven track record across diverse industries. This trust is built on reliable technology, local support, and a deep understanding of Australian workplace requirements.

5. Flexibility for Multiple Use Cases. Sentrient supports a wide range of survey applications:

  • Employee engagement pulse surveys
  • Work health and safety feedback
  • Health and well-being assessments
  • Learning and development needs
  • Workplace gender equality surveys
  • Workplace relations feedback

This versatility makes it an excellent choice for organisations needing to conduct various types of surveys within a single platform.

6. Anonymous and Attributed Options. The platform offers flexibility in response attribution. You can run completely anonymous surveys to encourage honest feedback on sensitive topics, or link responses to individual staff members when accountability is needed. This flexibility supports both cultural improvement initiatives and compliance reporting.

7. Mobile Accessibility. With 24/7 availability across all devices, Sentrient ensures employees can complete surveys whenever and wherever it’s convenient, increasing response rates and engagement.

Who Should Choose Sentrient?

Sentrient is ideal for:

  • Organisations in regulated industries requiring regular compliance reporting
  • Businesses prioritising work health and safety management
  • HR teams seeking integrated employee engagement monitoring
  • Companies preparing for or maintaining audit readiness
  • Organisations building strong safety cultures
  • Businesses needing to demonstrate due diligence in governance

Getting Started with Sentrient

Sentrient offers free demonstrations to help you understand how the platform can meet your specific requirements. During the demonstration, you can explore the survey features, integration capabilities, and reporting functions in detail.

While other tools on our list excel in specific areas, Qualtrics for advanced research, SurveyMonkey for general accessibility, ELMO for comprehensive HR integration, Sentrient’s focus on Australian workplace compliance and its integrated approach make it particularly valuable for organisations where governance, risk, and compliance are priorities.

The platform’s combination of survey functionality with training, policy, and incident management creates a comprehensive solution that addresses multiple organisational needs simultaneously, potentially reducing software costs and complexity while improving data connectivity across your compliance program.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right online survey tool depends on your specific business needs, budget, compliance requirements, and existing technology ecosystem. Australian businesses have access to both world-class global platforms and locally focused solutions designed specifically for the Australian market.

For organisations prioritising data sovereignty, compliance, and security, Australian-hosted solutions like Sentrient, ELMO, Swift Digital, SurveyManager, and ASR offer peace of mind and regulatory alignment.

For businesses requiring sophisticated research capabilities, global reach, or extensive integrations, platforms like Qualtrics, Alchemer, and SurveySparrow provide enterprise-grade features and proven track records.

Budget-conscious organisations and small businesses can start with accessible options like SurveyMonkey or SurveyPlanet, scaling up as requirements grow.

The most effective approach is to:

  1. Define your survey objectives clearly
  2. Identify must-have features and integrations
  3. Determine your data sovereignty requirements
  4. Evaluate pricing against your budget and usage patterns
  5. Request demonstrations from shortlisted vendors
  6. Test platforms with pilot surveys before committing

Investing time in selecting the right survey tool will pay dividends through higher response rates, better insights, and more informed decision-making across your organisation.

Ready to transform feedback into action? Consider starting with a free demonstration of Sentrient to see how integrated survey software can strengthen your compliance program and drive organisational improvement. Contact the Sentrient team today to discover how their platform can address your specific Australian business needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What should Australian businesses consider when choosing survey software?

When selecting survey software, Australian businesses should prioritise:

  • Data sovereignty: Ensure data is stored in Australia to comply with Australian Privacy Principles
  • Security certifications: Look for ISO 27001 certification and IRAP compliance for sensitive data
  • Compliance features: Choose tools supporting WHS, employee engagement, and governance requirements
  • Integration capabilities: Ensure the platform connects with existing HR, CRM, and business systems
  • Scalability: Select software that grows with your organisation
  • Local support: Consider vendors offering Australian-based customer support

2. Are free survey tools suitable for business use?

Free survey tools like SurveyMonkey’s basic plan and SurveyPlanet are suitable for:

  • Small businesses with limited budgets
  • Simple feedback collection
  • Low-volume surveys
  • Non-sensitive data collection

However, businesses should upgrade to paid plans for:

  • Advanced analytics and reporting
  • Data export capabilities
  • Custom branding
  • Higher response volumes
  • Integration with business systems
  • Compliance and security requirements

3. How important is Australian data hosting?

Australian data hosting is crucial for:

  • Compliance: Meeting Australian Privacy Principles and local regulations
  • Government contracts: Many government departments require Australian data sovereignty
  • Sensitive information: Health, employment, and personal data should remain onshore
  • Legal protection: Data is only subject to Australian laws
  • Stakeholder confidence: Demonstrates commitment to data privacy

International platforms may be suitable for collecting non-sensitive, general feedback.

4. What’s the difference between employee survey tools and general survey platforms?

Employee survey tools typically include:

  • Anonymous response options
  • Benchmarking against industry standards
  • Integration with HR systems
  • Engagement and pulse survey templates
  • Compliance reporting features
  • 360-degree feedback capabilities

General survey platforms focus on:

  • Broad question types and formats
  • Multiple distribution channels
  • Market research capabilities
  • Customer feedback collection
  • Flexible customisation options

Some platforms, like ELMO and Sentrient, specialise in employee surveys, while others, such as Qualtrics and SurveyMonkey, serve both purposes.

5. How much should I expect to pay for survey software?

Survey software pricing varies significantly:

Free: $0 – Limited features, responses, and branding options. Small Business: $25-$ 100 USD per month – Basic features with reasonable usage limits. Professional: $100-500 AUD per month – Advanced features, higher limits, and integrations. Enterprise: $1,000+ per month – Unlimited usage, custom features, dedicated support

Australian-specific platforms often provide custom quotes based on organisational size and requirements.

6. Can I use survey tools for compliance reporting?

Yes, several tools are specifically designed for compliance:

  • Sentrient – Built for Australian workplace compliance
  • ELMO – HR compliance integrated with surveys
  • SurveyManager – Government-approved with IRAP certification
  • Swift Digital – ISO 27001 certified for data security

These platforms offer features like audit trails, anonymous reporting, and integration with compliance management systems.

7. What response rates should I expect from online surveys?

Response rates vary by audience and method:

  • Internal employee surveys: 30-60%
  • Customer feedback surveys: 10-30%
  • Email surveys: 10-15%
  • Conversational surveys: Up to 40% higher than traditional formats
  • Anonymous surveys: Generally higher than attributed surveys

To improve response rates:

  • Keep surveys brief and focused
  • Use mobile-responsive designs
  • Send reminders strategically
  • Offer incentives when appropriate
  • Use conversational survey formats
  • Ensure survey relevance to respondents

8. Are AI-powered survey tools worth the investment?

AI-powered features offer significant benefits:

  • Time savings: Automated survey creation and question generation
  • Insight discovery: Pattern identification in open-ended responses
  • Sentiment analysis: Understanding emotional tone in feedback
  • Predictive analytics: Forecasting trends based on data
  • Personalisation: Dynamic question routing based on responses

Tools like Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, and SurveySparrow now offer AI capabilities that can dramatically reduce analysis time and surface insights that might be missed manually.

9. How do I ensure survey anonymity for employees?

To ensure genuine anonymity:

  • Choose platforms with built-in anonymity features
  • Avoid collecting identifying information
  • Use aggregated reporting (minimum group sizes)
  • Don’t include demographic questions that create unique identifiers
  • Communicate your anonymity policies clearly
  • Consider third-party administration for sensitive topics
  • Disable IP address tracking
  • Use anonymous survey links rather than personalised invitations

Platforms like Sentrient, ELMO, and SurveyManager offer robust options for anonymity.

10. What are the most critical integrations for survey tools?

Key integrations include:

  • HR systems: For employee data synchronisation
  • CRM platforms: For customer feedback integration
  • Email marketing: For distribution and follow-up
  • Analytics tools: For deeper data analysis (Power BI, Tableau)
  • Collaboration tools: For team coordination (Slack, Teams)
  • Workflow automation: For triggered actions (Zapier, Make)
  • Ticketing systems: For closing feedback loops

Alchemer (with over 400 integrations) and SurveySparrow (with over 2,000 integrations) lead in this area.

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