LimeSurvey
Open-source survey software you run on your own server
- #11 of 11 in best form and survey builders
- Free and open source
- Free to use
- Open source
- WebSelf-hosted
Ranked 11 of 11 in best form and survey builders
Open-source survey software you run on your own server, with logic and layout controls and no vendor hosting. Setup, upgrades and backups need server skills, and the interface is more technical than the hosted tools.
Best for Self-hosted surveys where data must stay in-house
About LimeSurvey
LimeSurvey runs as a web application on a server that the researcher or organization controls, so response data stays under their control. It supports many question types, conditional logic, and layout and theme controls for building detailed surveys. It suits academic and organizational surveys where data hosting rules matter.
The source is licensed under GPL-2.0 or later, so the code can be modified and redistributed under those terms. Setup needs a web host with PHP and a database, and the administrator carries updates and backups. The interface is more technical than hosted survey tools, which is the trade-off for keeping data in-house.
Key features
- Self-hosted surveys
- Question types and logic
- Theme and layout controls
- GPL-licensed source code
Strengths
- Open-source under GPL-2.0 or later
- Keeps response data on your own server
- Many question types and logic options
Limits
- Setup and upgrades need server skills
- Interface is more technical than hosted tools
Where LimeSurvey ranks
How LimeSurvey compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Self-hosted option | Collects payments | Where responses are stored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#7 Fillout | 82.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | Web | No | Yes | Fillout's servers |
#8 Formstack | 81.0 | Contact for pricing | Web | No | Yes | Vendor cloud |
#9 SurveyMonkey | 80.0 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebiOSAndroid | No | Yes | SurveyMonkey's servers |
#10 Formbricks | 78.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebSelf-hosted | Yes | No | Your servers or Formbricks cloud |
| #11LimeSurvey | 74.5 | Free and open source | WebSelf-hosted | Yes | No | Your own server |
The full comparison table for best form and survey builders has all 11 products.
Alternatives to LimeSurvey
All 10 alternatives
TallyFree form builder with unlimited forms and submissions
Google FormsFree online form and survey builder with Google Sheets responses
TypeformConversational forms and surveys with AI form creation
JotformAlso runs on iOS, Android.
Microsoft FormsFree survey, quiz and form tool from Microsoft
Cognito FormsOnline form builder with workflow automation, file uploads and approvals
Questions about LimeSurvey
- Is LimeSurvey free?
- LimeSurvey can be used without paying: Free open-source download; you run the server. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is LimeSurvey open source?
- Yes. LimeSurvey publishes its source code under the GPL-2.0-or-later license.
- Which platforms does LimeSurvey support?
- LimeSurvey is available on: Web, Self-hosted.
- What is LimeSurvey best for?
- Self-hosted surveys where data must stay in-house. In our ranking of form and survey builders it is number 11 of 11 with a score of 74.5.
- What are the best alternatives to LimeSurvey?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Tally, Google Forms, Typeform, Jotform.
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<a href="https://listme.name/software/limesurvey"><img src="https://listme.name/badge/limesurvey.svg" height="28" alt="Ranked #11 of 11 form and survey builders on listme.name"></a>Articles that mention LimeSurvey
All articles- Guides · 4 min readHow to choose a form builder: responses, payments and hostingChoose a form builder by where responses are stored, payments and logic. Compare Tally, Google Forms, Typeform, Jotform, Formbricks and LimeSurvey on hosting.
- Roundups · 6 min readBest self-hosted apps, grouped by what you run them forSelf-hosted apps grouped by job: notes, feeds, files, chat, passwords, analytics, forms and money, with the upkeep of running your own server.
