ArcGIS Survey123 vs KoboToolbox

ASArcGIS Survey1239.2Visit KoboToolbox8.7Visit

Higher score AS ArcGIS Survey123 #1 in Mobile Forms Automation Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request · 21-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Esri

vs

KoboToolbox #3 in Mobile Forms Automation Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit KoboToolbox

• ArcGIS Survey123 fits best

  GIS teams collecting surveys offline

• KoboToolbox fits best

  Teams seeking open-source surveys with a free plan

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Side by side

Feature	ASArcGIS Survey123 9.2/10 Visit ↗	KoboToolbox 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.7
Ranking	#1 in Mobile Forms Automation Software	#3 in Mobile Forms Automation Software
Best for	GIS teams collecting surveys offline	Teams seeking open-source surveys with a free plan
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$21/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	21 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, iOS, Android	Web, Android
Support	Community, Docs · 24/7	Community, Docs
Compliance	ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA	GDPR, 2FA
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ArcGIS Survey123 3/4 · KoboToolbox 0/4
Offline form access	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Workflow automation	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Signature capture	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Photo capture	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile platforms	Both	Not checked yet
Submission limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Collect photos, signatures, barcodes, and GPS data in mobile surveys Keep collecting offline and synchronize submissions automatically Connect survey results with ArcGIS maps, dashboards, and reports	Offline and online collection with GPS and multimedia questions XLSForm, skip logic, validation, reports, APIs, and webhooks Cloud or self-hosted deployment with Android data collection
Cons	Licensing is tied to ArcGIS user types, with pricing handled through sales Survey creation spans a web designer and XLSForm-based desktop tools Workflow automation is centered on feature-service webhooks	Listed integrations are limited beyond API and webhook access Professional support and two-factor authentication require the top tier Paid Community pricing is higher than Starter for larger submission volumes
Our verdict	Field teams that need location-aware forms can use ArcGIS Survey123 to design, distribute, and analyze smart surveys. It supports collection on phones, tablets, desktops, and browsers, with offline use and automatic synchronization.… Read the review →	KoboToolbox is a web-based survey and data collection platform for humanitarian, development, environmental, research, and other social-impact organizations. Teams can build forms or import XLSForms, collect responses through browser forms… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ArcGIS Survey123 — where it wins

  • Collect photos, signatures, barcodes, and GPS data in mobile surveys
  • Keep collecting offline and synchronize submissions automatically
  • Connect survey results with ArcGIS maps, dashboards, and reports

  Where it doesn't

  • Licensing is tied to ArcGIS user types, with pricing handled through sales
  • Survey creation spans a web designer and XLSForm-based desktop tools
  • Workflow automation is centered on feature-service webhooks

• KoboToolbox — where it wins

  • Offline and online collection with GPS and multimedia questions
  • XLSForm, skip logic, validation, reports, APIs, and webhooks
  • Cloud or self-hosted deployment with Android data collection

  Where it doesn't

  • Listed integrations are limited beyond API and webhook access
  • Professional support and two-factor authentication require the top tier
  • Paid Community pricing is higher than Starter for larger submission volumes

• ASArcGIS Survey1239.2/10 · Pricing on request · 21-day trial

  A strong fit for GIS field teams that need offline forms tied to ArcGIS.

  Visit EsriFull verdict →
• KoboToolbox8.7/10 · Free plan

  Flexible offline surveys with open-source deployment and a free nonprofit plan.

  Visit KoboToolboxFull verdict →