ArcGIS Survey123 vs ODK

ASArcGIS Survey1239.2Visit ODK8.8Visit

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

ODK #2 in Mobile Forms Automation Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit ODK

• ArcGIS Survey123 fits best

  GIS teams collecting surveys offline

• ODK fits best

  Teams needing flexible open-source field data collection

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Side by side

Feature	ASArcGIS Survey123 9.2/10 Visit ↗	ODK 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Mobile Forms Automation Software	#2 in Mobile Forms Automation Software
Best for	GIS teams collecting surveys offline	Teams needing flexible open-source field data collection
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$199/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	Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Compliance	ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA	SOC 2, GDPR
Integrations	7 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ArcGIS Survey123 3/4 · ODK 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	Collect offline and sync submissions when connected. Capture GPS, images, audio, video, barcodes, and signatures. Choose cloud or self-hosted deployment, with REST, OpenRosa, and OData APIs.
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	Standard is limited to 1 active project. Standard and Professional prices are listed with annual billing. Enterprise pricing is not shown alongside its plan features.
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 →	ODK is an open-source data-collection suite for researchers, field teams, and organizations working in public health, development, crisis response, and environmental research. Forms can be completed offline in the Android app or on the… 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

• ODK — where it wins

  • Collect offline and sync submissions when connected.
  • Capture GPS, images, audio, video, barcodes, and signatures.
  • Choose cloud or self-hosted deployment, with REST, OpenRosa, and OData APIs.

  Where it doesn't

  • Standard is limited to 1 active project.
  • Standard and Professional prices are listed with annual billing.
  • Enterprise pricing is not shown alongside its plan features.

• 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 →
• ODK8.8/10 · Free plan

  Flexible field data collection with offline forms, review workflows, APIs, and self-hosting.

  Visit ODKFull verdict →