10 Best Polling Software Shortlist
Thanks in large part to advancements in software solutions, polling has evolved far beyond paper ballots and manual tallying. So whether you're a CX professional seeking customer feedback or a HR manager measuring employee satisfaction, having the right polling software makes all the difference.
I've curated a shortlist of top-tier polling software, looking at each of the top choices in detail. Plus, I’ve added selection criteria and answers to frequently asked questions, to help you choose the best tool for your business needs.
What is Polling Software?
Polling software is designed to facilitate the collection of feedback, opinions, or votes from a certain group of people. Whether you're looking to conduct market research, gauge customer satisfaction, or hold internal company votes, polling software can help. It simplifies the process by offering a centralized platform for creating, distributing, and analyzing your polls.
Overviews of the 10 Best Polling Software
Below, you’ll find my in-depth reviews of the 10 best polling software tools available today. Each includes key features of the software, reasons for its inclusion, and screenshots to show the software in action. You will also find details on trial periods and pricing presented in a comparison chart. If you need even more options, check out the bonus recommendations at the end of the article.
Here’s my personal take on each of the best polling software solutions:
SurveyLegend
Best for engaging survey and poll creation
SurveyLegend is a digital platform designed for crafting interactive and visually appealing surveys, forms, and polls. It distinguishes itself as the best tool for engaging survey creation by offering a rich selection of customizable templates and media integration options that cater to various brands and industries.
Why I Picked SurveyLegend: I chose SurveyLegend for its distinctive focus on creating visually appealing, mobile-friendly surveys and polls. This unique blend of aesthetics and functionality makes it stand out from the other tools. For example, SurveyLegend's surveys are designed with a responsive layout, meaning they automatically adjust and adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions. This ensures that the survey is optimized for viewing and interaction on various mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.
SurveyLegend Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include elegant pre-designed templates, language localization, offline survey collection, and extensive customization options, including custom branding and question formatting, conditional logic, and customizable buttons and icons.
Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, Mailchimp, and Salesforce, as well as social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter for survey sharing.
Pros
- Survey interface is designed to be touch-friendly
- Supports over 50 languages
- Quick and easy set up
Cons
- Advanced features only available in paid plans
- No API for custom integrations
SurveyMonkey
Best for a built-in theme designer
Survey Monkey is a popular tool that helps you create engaging polls, get instant results, and visualize data easily. Thanks to an easy-to-use interface, a built-in theme designer, and 25 question types, you can make any business poll fun and engaging.
Why I picked SurveyMonkey: This company is a pioneer in the world of online surveys, offering pre-built templates and extensive customization options. The SurveyMonkey platform offfers advanced analytics tools for drilling down into the data, understanding sentitment, and making better decisions.
A big plus for SurveyMonkey is its established reputation for reliability. The company provides 24/7 customer support and has dedicated consultants available to help with more complex needs. SurveyMonkey adheres to high-level security standards, including HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC2, so you can be sure your data is safe and secure.
SurveyMonkey Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features that set SurveyMonkey apart from competitors are its advanced analytics capabilities, which include trend tracking, cross-tabulation, and sentiment analysis. The software also offers specialized solutions for customer experience, market research, and employee engagement surveys to meet different business needs.
Integrations are available with popular platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Slack. SurveyMonkey supports many data export options, including PDF, Excel, and SPSS, in order to facilitate better data analysis.
Pros
- Specialized solutions for specific markets
- Gamified surveys
- Dynamic question routing
Cons
- Limited features on free plan
- No offline access
Qualaroo
Best for capturing customer sentiment in context
Qualaroo is an established customer experience management suite that helps you ask the right questions at the right time. You can capture customer sentiment in-context and conduct polls in-app, on mobile, or through your website.
Why I picked Qualaroo: This tool offers a distinctive approach to micro-surveys and user feedback, allowing you to gather insights at specific touch points along the customer journey. The ease of implementation and intelligent targeting make it effective for collecting feedback without disrupting the user experience.
Qualaroo Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features center around the software’s sophisticated micro-surveys. Qualaroo allows for specific survey deployment based on various factors. These can include location, user behavior, or device type. The software also offers sentiment analysis tools, along with the ability to split test different survey versions, providing a deep understanding of feedback received.
Integrations include compatibility with analytics platforms such as Google Analytics, as well as CRM systems like Salesforce. Qualaroo supports integration with marketing automation tools like HubSpot, allowing data collection and analysis in the way that suits your business best.
Pros
- A/B testing
- Sentiment analysis
- Intelligent targeting
Cons
- May require script installation
- No real-time analytics
Mentimeter
Best for visualizing live polling data
Mentimeter is a powerful survey tool that allows you to create a wide variety of interactive live polls. These can be built quickly, with audience responses appearing in real-time as dynamic visualizations.
Why I picked Mentimeter: I opted for Mentimeter because of its focus on engaging any audience in real-time. The software is easy to use and offers a variety of elements, such as quizzes and polls. This makes it a go-to solution for presenters, educators, and team leaders looking to grow participation and collect instant feedback.
Mentimeter Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include '2x2 Grids' for prioritization exercises, advanced visualizations, and a profanity filter. The Quick Slides function allows you to spontaneously add slides and interactive elements during a presentation, creating a more flexible, dynamic experience.
Integration options include the Mentimeter PowerPoint plugin, which makes it easy to present survey data to any audience. Although this tool doesn't offer many third-party integrations, it can be connected to most other software using integration platforms such as Zapier or Make.
Pros
- Quick slides function
- Multi-session analytics
- Variety of interactive elements
Cons
- Limited customization options
- Basic analytics
Wooclap
Best for a live multiple choice question poll platform
WooClap’s form builder gives you a simple way to assess your audience’s overall level of understanding, through the use of multiple choice questions (MCQs). Participants simply pick their answer from the options in the survey. Results are then displayed in histogram format.
Why I picked Wooclap: I selected Wooclap for its specialized focus on the multiple choice question format, making it a useful tool for gathering data that’s easy to understand. The platform excels in engaging respondents through real-time quizzes, polls, and Venn diagrams, enhancing both retention and engagement during sessions.
Wooclap Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include the option to create your Keynote, PowerPoint, or Google Slides. You can then insert personalized, interactive questions to engage your audience, keep them interested, and ensure active learning. In addition, the software offers special features such as 'Match' and 'Find on Image,' allowing for more interactive, visual learning.
Integrations are available with various Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Canvas and Moodle. Using SSO, participants can connect through the credentials they have within your institution. You can also enhance remote presentations by combining Wooclap and Microsoft Teams' video conferencing.
Pros
- PowerPoint and Google Slides Plugins
- Real-time quizzes
- Education-centric features
Cons
- Unsophisticated analytics
- Limited use cases for business
Microsoft Forms
Best for polling software with built-in AI art
Microsoft Forms helps you to capture the information you need easily, using custom polls, questionnaires, and quizzes. You can leverage the smart recommendations to collect feedback that exactly matches your requirements. As you start typing your form name, the software interprets the words in real-time and suggests relevant AI-generated images for it.
Why I picked Microsoft Forms: Microsoft Forms offers a straightforward, user-friendly interface for creating many types of polls and surveys. This integrated ecosystem makes it easy to set up effective workflows, especially if you are already using Microsoft products.
Microsoft Forms Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include real-time analytics, which allows for instant data collection and assessment. Plus, the software also offers branching logic. This means the questions respondents see can change based on their previous answers, permitting more nuanced data collection.
Microsoft Forms also adheres to compliance standards like GDPR and comes with robust security features. This makes it a reliable and a trustworthy choice for businesses. Mobile responsiveness ensures polls and surveys can be completed on various devices, making it convenient for respondents to submit their feedback.
Integrations are readily available with a variety of Microsoft software solutions, including Teams (for collaboration), Excel (for data analysis), and Power BI (for advanced analytics). Other available integrations include OneNote (for note-taking), Microsoft Power Automate (for workflow automation), SharePoint (for team access), and Outlook (for email distribution).
Pros
- Automated email triggers
- Conditional logic
- Seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem
Cons
- No native third-party integrations
- Limited question types
Slido
Best for live audience polling
Slido is a popular live polling tool that makes meetings and presentations more engaging. Using the advanced online poll maker, you can create surveys quickly and get feedback fast.
Why I picked Slido: I selected Slido because of its versatility in enhancing audience engagement during webinars, live events, and team meetings. The platform offers a combination of Q&A sessions, live polling, QR codes, and interactive quizzes. These are presented through a sleek and intuitive interface.
Slido Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include the ability to run many types of real-time engagement activities. The software also offers analytics to help you measure the effectiveness of your events and meetings. Slido enables real-time visualization of audience responses, providing an engaging way to capture current sentiment on important topics.
Integrations include compatibility with Google Slides, PowerPoint, and Zoom, making Slido adaptable for conferencing and presentations. The software also integrates with business tools like Microsoft Teams and Slack, allowing for easy feedback collection and communication within the workplace.
Pros
- Multiple presentation integrations
- Engagement analytics
- Real-time engagement
Cons
- Requires internet connection
- Additional cost for analytics
Vevox
Best for word-cloud poll visualization
Vevox is an audience engagement and real-time polling platform designed to enhance interactivity in both in-person meetings and virtual events. Known for its ease-of-use and simplicity, Vevox enables presenters to collect instant feedback. This helps to foster a more collaborative and dynamic environment.
You can display results live within the system, through integrations or by using PowerPoint, making it easy to share helpful insights. You also show responses in visual formats such as word clouds to highlight important feedback.
Why I picked Vevox: I chose Vevox for its clear focus on real-time audience engagement, making it a recommended choice for interactive meetings and live events. The software stands out thanks to its user-friendly design. Both presenters and participants can navigate its features with ease, encouraging much more active participation.
Vevox Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features for Vevox include several elements aimed at maximizing audience engagement. The software offers live Q&A sessions, real-time polling, and interactive quizzes. These can be accessed via any device. The platform supports anonymous participation, empowering attendees to speak freely and give honest feedback.
Integrations include syncs with PowerPoint, allowing presenters to embed live polls and Q&A directly into their slides. Other integrations encompass learning management systems (LMS) like Moodle and Blackboard.
Pros
- Supports anonymous participation
- Live Q&A sessions
- Real-time polling
Cons
- No advanced analytics
- Limited customization
Zoho Survey
Best for polling large populations
Zoho Survey is a well-established online survey platform offering a wide range of question types, and customizable templates to suit various data collection requirements. Known for its strong reporting and analytics features, this tool is ideal for large organizations. It is well suited to conducting customer feedback analysis, market research, and employee engagement studies at scale.
Why I picked Zoho Survey: I picked Zoho Survey because of its extensive analytics capabilities and customization options. These make it a versatile tool for a wide range of research needs. The software options range from multiple-choice questions to matrix types and rating scales, so you tailor your survey to your exact needs. Plus, intelligent targeting means you can deploy surveys based on specific conditions or respondent behavior.
Zoho Survey Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include customizable templates, a broad array of question types, and advanced analytics tools (including cross-tabulation and trend analysis). The platform also offers piping and skip logic features, ideal for more dynamic and personalized surveys.
Integrations include compatibility with other Zoho products. Native integrations include Zoho Analytics for in-depth data analysis and Zoho CRM for customer management. Third-party integrations include Mailchimp for email marketing, Google Sheets for real-time data export, and Salesforce for better customer relationship management.
Pros
- Integrated A/B testing
- Sentiment analysis tool
- Predictive text questions
Cons
- Limited offline capabilities
- No real-time polling
Qualtrics XM
Best for a complete suite of polling and research tools
Qualtrics XM provides a complete centralized feedback solution, allowing you to view data at scale and understand your results in context. The suite covers a wide range of polling and research functions, including NPS, event feedback, product satisfaction, brand awareness, and ad research.
Why I picked Qualtrics XM: Qualtrics XM offers proven enterprise-level capabilities in experience management, spanning product, customer, brand, and employee satisfaction. The software's robust analytics tools offer deep insights into even the most complex data sets, making it invaluable for feedback and research initiatives at scale.
Qualtrics XM Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include text analytics, conjoint analysis, and predictive intelligence. The platform also offers many survey types, from simple online forms to detailed market research studies. The unique XM Directory offers a centralized database for managing experience data across many touchpoints, giving a complete view of employee, customer, product, and brand experiences.
Integrations are available with popular CRM systems like Salesforce, as well as with data visualization platforms like Tableau. Qualtrics XM supports API integrations for customized data flow. It can also integrate with popular HR systems, broadening its utility across business functions.
Pros
- Customizable templates
- XM directory
- Wide survey range
Cons
- Limited free version
- Complex interface
The Best Polling Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes basic details about each of my top polling software selections. You can view pricing details and the availability of free trials or demos side-by-side to help you find the best software for your budget and business needs.
Tool | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SurveyLegend Best for engaging survey and poll creation | Free plan available | From $19/month | Website |
2 | SurveyMonkey Best for a built-in theme designer | Free plan available | From $25/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
3 | Qualaroo Best for capturing customer sentiment in context | 15-day free trial | From $99/month | Website |
4 | Mentimeter Best for visualizing live polling data | Free plan available | From $17.99/user/month | Website |
5 | Wooclap Best for a live multiple choice question poll platform | Free plan available | From $7.50/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
6 | Microsoft Forms Best for polling software with built-in AI art | 30-day free trial | From $6/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
7 | Slido Best for live audience polling | Free plan available | From $12.50/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
8 | Vevox Best for word-cloud poll visualization | Free trial available | From $10.95/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
9 | Zoho Survey Best for polling large populations | 7-day free trial + free plan available | From $35/month | Website |
10 | Qualtrics XM Best for a complete suite of polling and research tools | 7-day free trial + free demo | Pricing upon request | Website |
Other Options
Here are some other polling software options that didn’t make my shortlist but may be ideally suited to your specific business needs:
- Typeform
Best for beautiful, intuitive poll forms
- Jotform
Best for a drag-and-drop poll builder
- SurveySparrow
Best for conducting polls in any language
- Nextiva
Best for highly-customizable surveys
- involve.me
Best no-code builder for interactive poll
- Startquestion
Best for exit pop surveys
- Trumpia
Best for polls with real-time results
- Poll Everywhere
Best for online polling for hybrid workspaces
- DirectPoll
Best for polling audiences during live presentations
- EasyPolls
Best for a quick & easy polling solution
Selection Criteria for Polling Software
You may be curious about how I shortlisted the best polling software options for this list. My selection was informed by detailed research and insights from professionals in employee engagement and customer experience. I considered factors like customization options, ease of use, and data analytics capabilities.
Here are some of the factors I considered during my research:
Core Functionalities
There are many elements polling software must provide in order to be considered among the best on the market. Based on my personal research and evaluation, here are the core functionalities that made the cut for inclusion:
- Ease of Poll Creation: The tool must offer a user-friendly interface for creating various types of polls, customer satisfaction surveys, and other feedback mechanisms.
- Distribution Channels: Any good survey tool should allow you to share your polls in various ways, including social media, email, and embedded website links.
- Data Analytics: The application must provide powerful tools for analyzing results, including flexible charts and real-time response tracking.
Key Features
To support these core functionalities, a polling software platform should deliver the following critical features:
- Question Types: Any software tool in this niche must offer a range of question formats, such as rating scales, multiple-choice, and open-text responses.
- Audience Segmentation: I expect to see the ability to target specific groups within an audience. This could range from particular customer segments to specific departments within an organization.
- Real-Time Reporting: Instant access to poll results is important for timely decision-making, so software should offer real-time analytics.
- Data Export: You must be able to download your data in a convenient format for further analysis or presentations. So the software needs to offer export options such as CSV, PDF, or integration with data visualization tools.
- Security: Privacy and data integrity are non-negotiable in this niche. All software should comply with CCPA, GDPR, or other relevant data-protection regulations.
- Custom Branding: The ability to tailor the look and feel of your polls enhances engagement and brand consistency. Look for options that allow you to add colors, logos, and fonts that align with your corporate brand.
Usability
When you’re selecting polling software, usability is always a top priority. A world-class user experience should be the norm, not the exception. While every platform has a learning curve, your team shouldn't spend too much time figuring out how to create a poll.
I've chosen solutions that boast simple, clean user interfaces that are intuitive and user-friendly. Features and other elements are neatly organized, so you can quickly navigate through the platform and execute tasks.
Mobile Accessibility
In today's world, mobile accessibility is a necessity. As I compiled my list, I prioritized platforms that excel in mobile responsiveness. Whether you're a busy professional on the go or need to reach an audience that primarily uses mobile phones, the software you choose must be up to the task.
I selected tools that offer robust mobile capabilities, either through mobile-friendly web interfaces or dedicated apps for iOS and Android mobile devices. This means you can create, distribute, and analyze polls easily, wherever you are. You'll have the freedom to manage your polls without being tied to a desktop environment.
Software Integrations
A key factor in my selection process was the ability to integrate readily with other business platforms. The ease with which your polling software can interconnect with other systems can have a big impact on your workflows.
I've highlighted key integrations for each software on our list. These range from email marketing platforms to CRM systems and data analytics tools. Such connections allow you to transfer data and insights between systems, making your polling efforts more effective.
Pricing
Many platforms in this sector operate on a subscription-based model involving a base monthly fee. There may also be further costs for premium features, or if you need to address a high number of respondents.
The basic monthly fees for most polling software solutions on the list typically fall under $100, with a median range between $20 to $80 per month. Some platforms also offer tiered pricing, often based on the number of poll questions or respondents. There may be additional costs ranging from $10 to $50 per month for higher tiers.
If you're looking to conduct basic polling activities for a small to medium-sized business, you can expect to spend around $200 to $300 per month. For more extensive needs (such as advanced analytics, multiple user access, and integrations), your monthly costs could go up to $500.
People Also Ask
Are you still pondering how the right polling software can improve your data collection and analysis? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions to help clarify things:
What are some techniques for collecting customer feedback?
What questions should I include in my customer polls?
How can I use polling software to create a better customer experience?
What’s the difference between polling software and survey software?
Are there different types of polling software?
More Survey Software Reviews
Here are some more articles reviewing related software you may find of interest:
- Best Online Survey Software
- Best Survey Maker Tools
- Best Survey Analysis Software
- Best Free Survey Tools
Understand Your Audience
The global polling software market is valued at USD 2463.35 million and growing fast, meaning organizations all over the world are leveraging this technology to stay one step ahead. So it’s important to take advantage of the competitive edge polling software offers.
To ensure that your business is ahead of the game, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates. Then pick your preferred polling software tool from my list, get a more nuanced understanding of your audience, and take your organization to the next level.